Judul: Nematode Community in Carrot Cultivation Land and Its Relationship with Soil Microbial Population
Abstrak: Nematoda merupakan hama pengurang hasil bagi sebagian besar tanaman agronomi termasuk wortel (Daucus carota). Informasi mengenai keanekaragaman dan kepadatan populasi nematoda pada lahan wortel dengan membedakan kondisi kesehatan tanamannya belum banyak dilaporkan. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengidentifikasi komunitas nematoda tanah dan melihat korelasinya dengan populasi mikrob tanah. Sampel tanah diambil dari empat lahan pertanaman wortel yang di dalamnya terdapat tanaman yang sehat dan bergejala sakit. Identifikasi nematoda dilakukan dengan melihat ciri morfologinya. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat 30 genus nematoda pada lahan pertanaman wortel yang dikelompokkan ke dalam lima grup tropik. Kelimpahan nematoda per grup tropik di setiap lokasi berbeda nyata (P < 0,05), namun tidak berbeda nyata antar kondisi kesehatan tanaman. Berdasarkan indeks keragaman Shannon-Wiener, keanekaragaman nematoda di empat lahan pertanaman wortel masuk dalam kategori sedang (1 < H’ < 3). Nilai MI, PPI, dan SI berbeda nyata antar lokasi, namun tidak berbeda nyata antar kondisi kesehatan tanaman. Populasi bakteri tanah di empat lokasi dan dua kondisi tanaman tidak berbeda nyata (P > 0,05). Komunitas nematoda tanah memiliki korelasi yang lemah terhadap populasi mikrob tanah (nilai korelasi <0,5).
Keyword: diversity index, maturity index, plant health, soil food web

Judul: Identifikasi Nematoda Parasit Utama pada Wortel (Daucus carota L.) di Kabupaten Cianjur
Abstrak: Plant-parasitic nematodes are one of the casual pathogen of decreasing carrots production. This research was aimed to identify plant-parasitic nematodes that associated with carrots in Cianjur District. The infected tubers, carrot roots, and 100 ml soil sampels were taken from the infested field. Nematodes were extracted from soil and root samples by flotation-centrifugation and mist chamber techniques. Parasitic nematodes were identified based on their morphological characters. In addition, Meloidogyne sp. were characterized by the female perineal pattern. Six genera of plant-parasitic nematodes, that were Meloidogyne, Helicotylenchus, Pratylenchus, Rotylenchulus, Criconemoides, and Xiphinema were detected associated with carrot. Three species of Meloidogyne, that were M. incognita, M. arenaria, and M. javanica were identified.
Keyword: Bogor Agricultural University (IPB), perineal pattern, morphological characters

Judul: Katalis Eterifikasi Gliserol Berbasis Poli–(asam stirena sulfonat) dari Limbah Styrofoam.
Abstrak: Styrofoam waste can be converted to poly–(sulfonate styrene acid) (PSSA) that can be used as catalyst. The objective of this research is to get PSSA that can catalyze the etherification of glycerol and benzyl alcohol. The styrofoam waste was converted to PSSA by reacting with H2SO4 98% (as sulfonation agent) and P2O5 (as sulfonation catalyst) at 40 °C for 6 hours. Characterizations of PSSA included functional groups, sulfonation levels, water swelling, and thermal stability. The yield of PSSA was 40-55%. The success of sulfonated polystyrene was shown by –SO3H group absorption at 1157.29 cm-1. Etherification of glycerol and benzyl alcohol using PSSA catalyst was conducted at 110 °C for 12 hours. The conversion in producing mono–benzyl ether glycerol was 8.10%, 1,3–dibenzyletherglycerol 2.60%, and dibenzyl ether 9.80%. Therefore, the PSSA can be used as etherification catalyst.
Keyword: benzyl alcohol, etherification, glycerol, polystyrene, PSSA