Paper Title
Preserving Genetic Resources of Local Ambon Banana in Rejang Lebong Regency through Exploration

Abstract
Ambon banana is one of the types of local Bananas in Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province, which has a sweet taste and a distinctive bright yellow skin color appearance. This study aims to determine the diversity of local Ambon bananas in Rejang Lebong Regency and to find the distribution of local Ambon banana producing locations in Rejang Lebong Regency. A survey was conducted based on secondary data obtained from the Department of Agriculture of Rejang Lebong Regency, and then a preliminary survey was conducted by taking primary data in the field. This exploration was carried out from September 2019 to October 2019. The materials used were samples of local Ambon bananas in Rejang Lebong Regency. The samples were taken from several sub-districts and villages in Rejang Lebong. In addition to secondary data, primary data were obtained from farmers and field surveys. Observations and data collection were carried out directly in the banana planting site. Primary data collection was done by seeing, observing, measuring, interpreting and asking farmers about everything related to local Ambon banana cultivation in Rejang Lebong Regency, Bengkulu Province. The sampling points were selected and random. Based on the exploration that had been carried out and the interviews with the farmers, it was found that there were 7 types of Ambon bananas in the Rejang Lebong area, i.e. YellowAmbon Banana, Green Ambon Banana, Curup AmbonBanana, Moss AmbonBanana, Cold AmbonBanana, White AmbonBanana, and Short AmbonBanana (Boat AmbonBanana). Those Ambon bananas distribution areas were found in several sub-districts and villages in Rejang Lebong, such as Kesambe Lama Village, Lubuk Kembang, Talang Benih, Lubuk Ubar, Padang Ulak Tanding, Tempel Rejo, Dwi Tunggal, and Perbo at an altitude of 200-700 m above sea level. The types of bananas were Yellow Ambon (a), Yellow (b), Yellow (d), Yellow (f), Cold, Moss, Short, Green (b), Green (d), White (a) and White (b), and Curup Ambon. At an altitude > 700 - 800 m above sea level, there was found the type of YellowAmbon banana (c) in Air Bang Village. Meanwhile, at altitudes > 800 – 1000 m above sea level, there were Yellow (e), Green (a) and Green (c) Ambon bananas in Sukarami Village, Kampung Melayu, and Simpang Nangka. Most of the Rejang Lebong banana farmers cultivated local Ambon bananas, i.e.the types of YellowAmbon and GreenAmbon. Keywords - Exploration, Rejang Lebong, Ambon banana, Location Map, Genetic Diversity