Hybrids that are stable or adaptable in a specific location for the western region of Indonesia are required to increase production of maize in Indonesia. The objectives of the study were (i) to select maize hybrids which are stable or adaptable in the western region of Indonesia and (ii) to determine the discriminant location for evaluating superior hybrids in the western region. Therefore, twelve maize hybrids were planted in different locations and seasons in the western region. Hybrids were selected based on GGE biplot analysis. The results showed that G9 and G10 were stable maize hybrids. G6 was the selected hybrid for the first megaenvironment; whereas, G3 was selected as the hybrid for the second megaenvironment. The L8 and L17 were the discriminant environment for evaluating hybrids in the western region of Indonesia. The high-yielding hybrids selected in this study should be broadly evaluated on-farm in order to disseminate for small holder farmers in Sumatera and Java islands.

Selection of high yielding and stable maize hybrid requires effective method of evaluation. Multienvironment evaluation is a critical step in plant breeding programs that is aimed at selecting the ideal genotype in a wide range of environments. A method of evaluation that combines a variety parameter of stability could provide more accurate information to select the ideal genotype. The aims of the study were (i) to identify the effect of genotype, environment, and genotype × environment interactions (GEIs) on maize hybrid yields and (ii) to select and to compare maize hybrids that have high and stable yields in diverse environments in Sumatra Island based on combined analysis, selection index, and GGE biplot. The study was conducted in five different environments in Sumatra Island, Indonesia, using a randomized complete block design repeated three times. Data were estimated using combined variance analysis, parametric and nonparametric stability, sustainability index, and GGE biplot. The results showed that the genotype had a significant effect on maize hybrid yields with a contribution of 41.797%. The environment contributed to 24.314%, and GEIs contributed 33.889% of the total variation. E1 (Karo, South Sumatra; dry season) and E3 (Tanjung Bintang, Lampung; dry season) were identified as the most ideal environments (representative) for testing the hybrids for wider adaptability. The maize hybrid with high and stable yields can be selected based on combined stability analysis and sustainability index as well as GGE biplot. These three methods are effectively selected high yielding and stable genotypes when they are used together. The three maize hybrids, namely, MH2, MH8, and MH9, are recommended as high yielding and stable genotype candidates.

The intercropping of maize with other food crops is a current solution to problems in food crop production and crop failures. The objectives of the study were to (i) select adaptive maize hybrids in intercropping as well as sole-cropping systems, and (ii) test the ideal cropping system to evaluate best hybrids for intercropping. This study used 12 maize hybrids with different genetic backgrounds. Planting was carried out for two seasons using four cropping systems. Hybrids were selected according to their adaptability and stability based on parametric, nonparametric, and multivariate analyses. The results showed that G10 had high yield for all cropping systems. G10 was also selected as an adaptive hybrid for sole-cropping, whereas G9 was selected as an adaptive hybrid for intercropping. The L5 and L4 were ideal environments for evaluating hybrids under different cropping systems. The selected hybrids should be evaluated and disseminated for small-holder farmers in Indonesia.

Indonesia is known as a country with high biodiversity in the world. Plenty of beneficial-rich plants grow in Indonesia as a country that has tropical climate, one of the plant is tarum (Indigofera tinctoria Linn.). Tarum is a natural dye-producing plant whose presence is not widely known. The development of human needs, especially in meeting the needs of natural dyes, is considered to be the main reason for reintroducing tarum as a suitable plant to grow in Indonesia. The use of natural dyes in addition to being safe for humans is also safe for the environment, considering the substances produced by the tarum plant are widely used as textile dyes. Good enough environmental compatibility makes this plant actually spread in many parts of Indonesia, especially in Java. It is necessary to possess a knowledge about the right cultivation techniques for tarum plants in an effort to increase the color-producing substances in plants. The attempts to obtain information about cultivation techniques are an opportunity to re-raise these plants to be better known and developed as potential plants.

Soil and water conservation measures particularly water harvesting is very important in dry area of oil palm plantation. This research aims to study effectiveness of bund terrace and cover crop of Nephrolepis biserrataon surface runoff and soil erosion in oil palm plantation of Management Unit of Rejosari, PT Perkebunan Nusantara VII, Lampung.Soil erosion plotsof 300 sqm with multislot diviser were errected within blocks in Afdeling I and III of Management Unit of Rejosari, PT Perkebunan Nusantara VII, Lampung. The treatments were no bund terrace and N.biserrata (G0T0), with bund terrace but no N.biserrata (G1T0), no bund terrace but with N.biserrata (G0T1), andwith bund terrace and N.biserrata (G1T1). Split block design in randomized blockof research design was applied. The application of bund terrace and cover crop of N.biserratasignificantlydecreased surface runoff and soil erosion in harvested oil palm plantation. Cover crop of N.biserratais more effective decreasing surface runoff and soil erosion than application of bund terrace.