DIVERSITY AND UTILIZATION OF DIOSCOREA SPP. TUBER AS ALTERNATIVE FOOD SOURCE IN NGANJUK REGENCY, EAST JAVA
ABSTRACT: Dioscorea spp. is
local tuberous food crop that has potential as alternative food source to
support food security program in Indonesia. Exploration study and collecting
mission subjected to Dioscorea spp. have been conducted in Nganjuk Regency. The
study was aimed to 1) determine the distribution of Dioscorea spp. in Nganjuk,
2) to characterize tuber’s morphological characteristic, and 3) to know how
tuber’s utilization by local peoples. The results showed that there were 4
species of Dioscorea found in Nganjuk. They are Dioscorea alata L, Dioscorea
esculenta (Lour.) Burkill, Dioscorea hispida Dennst and Dioscorea bulbifera L.
Dioscorea alata (uwi) is the most cultivated by farmers in Nganjuk. It has the
largest cultivar numbers which consists
of 11 cultivars. Dioscorea esculenta (gembili) consists of 3 cultivars and
Dioscorea hispida (gadung) consists of 4 cultivars, whereas Dioscorea bulbifera
(uwi gantung) consists only 1 cultivar in one location. Farmers and local
peoples play important role in conservation of Dioscorea in Nganjuk region by
cultivating and utilizing it as alternative food source for home
consumption.
Author: Trimanto, Lia Hapsari
Journal Code: jppertaniangg150022
