Teknologi Pengemasan Entres Selama Distribusi untuk Mempertahankan Daya Tumbuh Setek Kopi Robusta

Abstract
The distance between the location of cuttings nursery and scions garden of Robusta coffee is considered as the main obstacle of cuttings viability during distribution period. One alternative to solve the problem is the utilization of packaging to keep the moisture of scions and viability of Robusta coffee cuttings. This study aimed to investigate the packaging technique of scions during the distribution period to maintain the viability. The experiment was conducted in the Integrated Laboratory and Pakuwon Experimental Station, Indonesian Industrial and Beverage Crops Research Institute (IIBCRI), Sukabumi, from January to December 2015. The study used a split plot in time design with 5 replications. The main plot was the distribution periods of scion (7 and 10 days), while the subplot consisted of 3 types of packaging (plastic, paper, and sawdust), and all treatments of packaging type were added with polyacrylamide superabsorbent polymer. Variables observed were the water content; cuttings viability; weight of dry leaves and number of leaves; number, length, volume, and weight of dry roots; auxin and carbohydrate contents at two months after sowing. In addition, the economic effects of packaging types were analyzed. The results showed that the distribution periods of 7 and 10 days were able to maintain the viability of the Robusta coffee cuttings of 55.63%–64.01%. The recommended packaging type is plastic + superabsorbent polyacrylamide polymer for its low cost and the lightest.