Development Potential of the Areca Nut (Areca catechu L.) in Indonesia
Miftahorrachman
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Alberth Soplanit
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Muhamad Roiyan Romadhon
Indonesian Agency for Agricultural Development and Modernization, Jl. Tentara Pelajar No. 3A, Bogor 16111, Jawa Barat, Indonesia.
Jeanette Kumaunang
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Meity Tulalo
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Rossa Yunita *
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Sheny Kaihatu
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Ismail Maskromo
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Budi Santoso
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Jerry Wungkana
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
Meldy Hosang
Research Organization for Agriculture and Food, National Research and Innovation Agency, Cibinong Science Center, Jl. Raya Jakarta-Bogor, Cibinong Km 46, Bogor, West Java 16915, Indonesia.
*Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Abstract
The area of Indonesia's Areca nut plantations covers 143,202 hectares and is found across most of the country. The largest concentration is on the island of Sumatra, which accounts for approximately 95,532 hectares or 66.71 % of the total. Areca nuts have a wide range of uses, from traditional ceremonies and textiles to the pharmaceutical industry, making them an important export commodity. Despite their widespread growth and economic importance, research and development into the plant has not kept a significant pace. Exploration efforts to find new, superior varieties that could enrich Indonesia’s genetic diversity and create better seeds have been greatly limited. While 33 provinces in Indonesia have Areca nut populations, only seven have conducted exploration activities with ex-situ collections of 41 Areca accessions and 9 High-Producing Blocks (BPT). To date, the Ministry of Agriculture has officially released only three areca nut varieties as national superior varieties.
Keywords: Conservation, exploration, germplasm, seed production