Abstract:
Papua is home to a diversity of plant species that have not been exploited and scientifically studied for their potential use. Papua is also considered the primary center of Saccharum diversity. Among the Saccharum species that grow widely in Papua is Saccharum edule, which is still considered an underutilized plant species. The inflorescence of S. edule is a delicacy for consumption for Papuan people. With the growing concerns about food production shortage, food security problems, limited supply, and the growing demand for S. edule in the local market, exploration and identification of this plant was conducted at the selected areas of Papua provinces, from June to September 2009. There were 77 accessions collected from selected areas in Papua provinces. Some accessions produced greater protein; while some others produced greater carbohydrate content than all other accessions. In the next trial, intercropping of S. edule and soybean, using a range of planting distances of S. edule, was carried out from June to December 2010. It showed that S. edule with the planting distance of 200×200 cm produced better growth and yield, as shown by greater plant height, number of suckers, flower number and flower weight, compared to 150×150 and 100×150 cm distances.