Provincial Government Appreciates Unud in Encouraging Tejakula Tangerine Cultivation

The Institute of Research and Community Service Udayana University (LPPM Unud) aims to restore the glory of Tejakula Tangerine by planting 1,000 Tejakula tangerine tree seedlings in villages in the Tejakula sub-district, such as Tejakula Village, Sembiran Village, Bon Dalem Village, and Les Village, Buleleng Regency . The triumph of Tejakula tangerines in 1980s was often missed by the people of East Buleleng region. The combination of sweet and sour taste and bright orange skin color makes Tejakula tangerines as a favorite of the public. However, due to the onset of CVPD (citrus vein phloem degeneration) disease, the popularity of oranges has declined and has become extinct since 1983.

After the same planting was previously carried out in Tejakula Village, the LPPM Unud Team together with local farmers planted 345 Tejakula tangerines in Sembiran Buleleng Village, Sunday (1/19/2020). Planting is done by intercropping planting systems between Tejakula tangerines and turi plants named Sijuri (Orange and Turi Integration System).

LPPM Unud, through the Biopesticide Laboratory, is optimistic that this step will succeed after a biostimulant formula is found that contains the bacterium Stenotrophomonas maltophilia. This bacterium is considered capable of helping balance and inducing plant resistance to pathogens. This team consists of Prof. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta, Prof. I Gede Rai Maya Temaja, and Dr. Khamdan Khalima.

Tejakula tangerine cultivation effort by the LPPM Unud research team was welcomed by the Provincial Government of Bali. Head of the Bali Food Crops and Horticultural Protection Center, Nyoman Suastika promised to always guard the growth of Tejakula's typical tangerines. "We will synergize and oversee the condition of plants, identify, see their development, observe, and if there is an attack of pests, we will guard with the provision of existing infrastructure," said Suastika.

Kelian Banjar Sembiran Village Hamlet Office, Nengah Ardana hopes the trial will be successful and be able to restore the glory of Tejakula tangerines in Sembiran Village and for the welfare of farmers. "The problem is lack of rainfall and CVPD's disease. Planted 1 or 2 years it just dead. Planted 2 to 3 times it turned to yellow disease, "said Nengah

In contrast to other villages, Desa Sembiran which has a contour of hilly land tends to experience water shortages, especially in the dry season. Nevertheless, Prof. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta and the team are optimistic that turi planted with tangerines helps the growth of Tejakula tangerines in Sembiran Village. "Especially at dry season there is no water source, but we are optimis that planting turi can help maintain the humidity of the garden and fertilize the soil," he said.

Turi plant is a type of legume that serves to help bind the air and store it in the form of nodules. With this function, turi plants are able to maintain garden humidity and reduce stress levels in plants due to drought. In addition, flowers, fruit and leaves can be consumed as vegetables. Turi plants can also increase the biodiversity of insects that are beneficial to plants. "Turi is also loved by insects, so that insect biodiversity increases and the spread of diseases carried by insects to oranges can be inhibited," concluded Prof. Dewa Ngurah Suprapta.

Not just planting, LPPM Udayana participated in monitoring and involving students to study soil fertility, insect biodiversity, and other research. "We will conduct monitoring, scientific activities for students such as insect biodiversity, soil fertility, comparing oranges grown without turi to see the possibility of diseases that arise," added Prof. God again. (Udayana media)