Shallots (Allium cepa L. var. aggregatum) are an important horticultural commodity in Indonesia whose production is highly susceptible to drought stress. This study aims to evaluate the effect of salicylic acid (SA) induction on improving morphological traits and yield components traits under drought conditions and to analyze genetic variability in five shallot varieties. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design-Split Plot Design with 3 replications. The main plot treatment was the variety factor (V) and the subplot factor was the salicylic acid concentration factor (S). The V factor consisted of 5 varieties, namely V1 = Bima Brebes, V2 = Bima Juna, V3 = Tajuk, V4 = Nganjuk Bauci and V5 = Superphilip. While the S factor consisted of 2 levels, namely S0 = without SA (control), and S1 = 1 mM salicylic acid. Each treatment combination was planted under drought stress conditions. The parameters observed included Leaf length , Leaf Number/clump/, dry leaf weight, dry root weight, bulbs number, dry bulbs weight. And dry bulbs weight/clump. Data analysis was carried out using ANOVA and continued with Duncan's advanced test at the 5% level to determine differences between treatments, in addition to calculations of genetic and phenotypic variance, genetic diversity coefficients and broad-sense heritability estimates. The results of the study confirmed that salicylic acid can improve morphological traits and yield components in all varieties. The V1 variety (Bima Brebes) resulting from SA induction tends to have the best improvement in both morphology and yield components. The genetic diversity coefficient has a value ranging from 8.32-31.66%, where high values of Genetic Variation Coefficient (GVC) (>20%) are found in the traits of leaf number/clump, dry leaf weight, dry root weight, bulbs number, dry bulbs weight and dry bulbs weight/clump. Traits with high GVC values can possibly be used as selection parameters. In addition, high broad-sense heritability values (>50%) were found for the Leaf Number/clump, bulbs dry weight, and bulbs dry weight/clump, with estimated values of 52.37%, 50.67%, and 60.19%, respectively. The high broad-sense heritability estimates indicate that these three traits are predominantly genetically controlled.
Altitude-associated changes in microclimate may influence leaf gas exchange and water relations in rice. This study evaluated transpiration rate and stomatal conductance of rice (Oryza sativa L. cv. Inpari Sembilan) along an altitudinal gradient in South Tapanuli Regency and Padangsidimpuan City, North Sumatra, Indonesia. Measurements were conducted at six locations ranging from 316 to 647 m above sea level, with 20 plants sampled at each location. Microclimatic variables, including air and leaf temperatures, relative humidity, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR), and leaf-to-air vapor pressure deficit (VPD), together with transpiration rate (E) and stomatal conductance (gs), were measured on fully expanded flag leaves using a portable photosynthesis system. Transpiration rate and stomatal conductance showed a non-linear pattern along the elevation gradient, with the highest values observed at intermediate elevations. The highest E (0.886 mmol H₂O m⁻² s⁻¹) and gs (0.055 mol m⁻² s⁻¹) were recorded at Sibong-bong (393 m asl), whereas lower values occurred at both lower and higher elevations. Mean VPD decreased from 2.37 kPa at 316 m to 1.45 kPa at 647 m asl. Quadratic regression indicated a relatively weak relationship between elevation and transpiration rate (R² = 0.218), suggesting that elevation alone explained only a limited proportion of the observed variation. Overall, rice leaf gas exchange varied considerably along the altitudinal gradient, with intermediate-elevation sites showing more favorable conditions for transpiration and stomatal conductance. These findings indicate that local microclimatic factors, particularly temperature, humidity, radiation, and VPD, should be considered together with elevation when evaluating physiological responses of rice across different agroecological environments.
Optimizing growing media quality is essential for vegetative growth of geranium (Pelargonium hortorum), particularly under limited substrate volume in pot cultivation. Rice husk-based substrates are widely used in Indonesia due to their availability and low cost; however, their high C/N ratio may induce nitrogen immobilization and restrict plant growth. In addition, eco-enzyme application has the potential to accelerate organic matter decomposition and nutrient mineralization, thereby reducing the adverse effects of high C/N ratios and improving nitrogen availability for plant growth. A factorial completely randomized design was used to evaluate three eco-enzyme concentrations (0, 15, and 30 mL L⁻¹) and three substrate compositions of cocopeat, goat manure, and rice husk biochar (1:1:0, 1:1:1, and 1:1:2). Data were analyzed using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test (p ≤ 0.05). Increasing the proportion of rice husk biochar reduced bulk density and increased total porosity and air space relative to lower biochar proportions, whereas water-holding capacity decreased. Eco-enzyme application accelerated organic matter decomposition, as indicated by reduced organic matter content and C/N ratio, while stabilizing growing media pH within the near-neutral range by the end of the experiment. Application of 30 mL L⁻¹ eco-enzyme to the medium balanced composition (1:1:1) increased plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, dry weight, and water use efficiency up to 55.2% compared to the control media. Thus, the experiment proves the synergistic effect of eco-enzyme treatment and organic substrate composition on improving the quality of the growing media and promoting vegetative growth in a limited amount of substrate.
Land productivity assessment is important for understanding variation in Salak Sidempuan production under different soil and climatic conditions. This study aimed to classify Salak Sidempuan productivty using soil fertility and annual rainfall data and to compare the performance of five machine learning algorithms. Data from 500 Salak Sidempuan tree observations were collected from Marancar, West Angkola, and South Angkola, South Tapanuli, Indonesia. The predictor variables consisted of soil pH, organic carbon, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and annual rainfall, while productivity was divided into low, moderate, and high classes. Decision Tree, Random Forest, Support Vector Machine, XGBoost, and LightGBM were optimized using 5-fold cross-validation on the training dataset and evaluated using an independent testing dataset. Among the evaluated models, Random Forest achieved the highest performance, with an accuracy of 66.40%, precision of 67.01%, recall of 66.47%, and F1-score of 66.46%. Feature importance analysis showed that annual rainfall had the highest relative contribution (24.8%), followed by C-organic (22.1%) and nitrogen (17.6%), while potassium, phosphorus, and soil pH contributed 13.9%, 11.8%, and 9.8%, respectively. These findings indicate that soil fertility and rainfall variables provide useful information for distinguishing Salak Sidempuan productivity classes. However, the moderate classification performance indicates that the selected variables do not fully explain productivity variation. The results therefore provide an initial data-driven assessment of Salak Sidempuan productivity based on the environmental variables included in the study.
Maize and chili polyculture systems have the potential to enhance agroecosystem productivity, but their effectiveness is strongly influenced by the dynamics of arthropods, including phytophages, predators, parasitoids, decomposers, and pollinators. This study inventoried arthropod communities by analyzing the abundance of ecological groups and calculating diversity, evenness, and dominance index. The aim was to provide an ecological foundation to strengthen integrated pest management and support the implementation of sustainable agriculture in line with Asta Cita's development direction. The research was conducted at the Agro Training Centre, Faculty of Agriculture, Sriwijaya University. To obtain samples in the maize–chili polyculture system, several types of traps were used, including yellow sticky traps, methyl eugenol traps, pitfall traps, pan traps, light traps, sweep nets, and visual traps, which were placed in each planting bed. All traps except the light trap were installed between 06:00 and 07:00 and operated for 24 hours, except for the light trap, which was installed at 18:00 and operated for 12 hours. The diversity index obtained was H' = 1.15, indicating a medium category; the evenness value (E = 0.48) showed that species distribution was uneven; and the dominance index (D = 0.30) suggested the presence of a sub-dominant species. The most frequently captured species was Bactrocera sp 1, belonging to the order Diptera and functioning as a phytophage. Clustering analysis indicated a correlation between Bactrocera sp 1 and Bactrocera sp 2. Overall, the dominant arthropod functional group in the maize–chili polyculture system was phytophagous species.
Maize Black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora) is a medicinal plant rich in bioactive compounds yet exhibits low genetic variability in nature due to vegetative propagation, posing a major challenge for the development of superior cultivars. Gamma-ray irradiation has been widely used as an effective mutation breeding technique to induce heritable genetic variation. Therefore, to provide new genetic resources for future breeding programs, this study aimed to evaluate the effects of gamma-ray irradiation on the morphological characteristics, physiological characteristics, and genetic diversity of black ginger. The study was conducted at the Green House and Plant Breeding Laboratory of Jenderal Soedirman University from June to December 2025 using a single-factor Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The treatments consisted of 7 irradiation dose levels (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, 10, and 15 Gy) with five replications. Data were analyzed using ANOVA followed by a 5% LSD test, while molecular analysis was carried out using RAPD markers. The results of the analysis of variance (ANOVA) showed that gamma-ray irradiation significantly affected the morphological characteristics of black ginger, including plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, and leaf width, as well as the physiological characteristics, namely chlorophyll content and stomatal density (P < 0.05). Mean comparisons using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test further confirmed significant differences among the irradiation treatments. In addition, gamma-ray irradiation induced genetic variation, as revealed by RAPD marker analysis. Molecular analysis using three specific primers (OPA-01, OPB-02, and OPC-05) successfully detected polymorphism levels of up to 84.23%. Gamma-ray irradiation effectively induced genetic variation in black ginger (Kaempferia parviflora), as evidenced by changes in RAPD banding patterns and DNA polymorphism. These genetic variations, together with the observed morphological and physiological responses, indicate that gamma irradiation is an effective approach for broadening the genetic variability of black ginger and provides valuable genetic resources for future breeding programs.
Intensive and prolonged use of methomyl and abamectin in Indonesian horticultural systems has raised concerns about soil contamination and the decline of beneficial microbial communities. This study aimed to isolate and characterize indigenous soil bacteria capable of tolerating and potentially degrading these pesticides. Soil samples were collected from a shallot field with a long history of pesticide application in Kendal, Central Java, and cultured on minimal salt medium (MSM) supplemented with methomyl, abamectin, or their combination at concentrations of 0, 25, 50, 75, and 100 ppm. A total of 88 bacterial colonies were observed and categorized into four morphotypes, namely isolates W, C, Y, and R. Growth assays revealed that isolates W and C demonstrated the highest tolerance, indicated by the highest optical density (OD) and maintaining viability across all pesticide treatments, although reduced growth was observed under combined pesticide exposure. Several isolates exhibited increased optical density after 72 hours, suggesting potential physiological adaptation to xenobiotic stress conditions. Isolates with the highest growth performance under pesticide application were identified through 16S rRNA sequencing as Acinetobacter baumannii, Bacillus subtilis, and Brevibacillus nitrificans. Pathogenicity tests were performed on tobacco leaves to ensure their safety for agricultural applications. No necrosis, chlorosis, or leaf spotting was observed up to seven days after inoculation, indicating that all isolates were non-pathogenic under the conditions tested. Overall, the indigenous isolates, particularly isolates W and C, show high tolerance to methomyl and abamectin applications and thus have the potential as candidates for microbial-based bioremediation of methomyl- and abamectin-contaminated soils. Further investigation into their degradation pathways, enzymatic mechanisms, and field-scale performance is required to support their application in sustainable agricultural management.
Fusarium wilt, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. cubense (Foc), is one of the most destructive soil-borne diseases affecting banana production worldwide. Sustainable management of this disease requires environmentally friendly approaches that can suppress pathogen activity while improving soil biological properties. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of different organic fertilizers inoculated with Trichoderma viride in delaying disease development and reducing corm damage caused by Foc in banana plants. The experiment was arranged in a completely randomized design with eight treatments: untreated control, chicken manure, chicken manure + T. viride, cattle manure, cattle manure + T. viride, rice straw, rice straw + T. viride, and a combination of chicken manure, cattle manure, and rice straw + T. viride. Each treatment was replicated four times. The main variables observed were incubation period and corm damage intensity following Foc inoculation. The results showed that the application of organic fertilizers inoculated with T. viride significantly (P < 0.05) prolonged the incubation period and reduced corm damage intensity compared to the untreated control and treatments receiving organic fertilizers without T. viride. The combined application of chicken manure, cattle manure, and rice straw enriched with T. viride provided the greatest disease suppression, resulting in the longest incubation period (30.00 days after inoculation) and the lowest corm damage intensity (18.70%). In contrast, untreated plants exhibited the shortest incubation period (12.50 days) and the highest corm damage intensity (86.00%). A strong negative relationship between incubation period and corm damage intensity indicated that delayed symptom development was closely associated with reduced disease severity. These findings suggest that combining diverse organic amendments with T. viride can enhance biological suppression of Foc, reduce disease development, and improve the potential sustainability of banana production. Therefore, this integrated approach represents a promising environmentally friendly strategy for managing Fusarium wilt in banana cultivation.
Melon (Cucumis melo L.) is an economically important horticultural crop in Indonesia, and its growth, yield, and fruit quality are strongly influenced by the balance between vegetative and reproductive growth. Excessive vegetative growth after fruit set can reduce fruit size and quality by competing with developing fruits for assimilates. Topping to regulate the number of leaves retained above the fruit may improve fruit development; however, information regarding the appropriate leaf retention level under hydroponic conditions remains limited, particularly for cultivars with contrasting leaf morphologies. [EA1.1][L1.2]This study evaluated whether broad- and narrow-leaf hydroponic melon cultivars respond differently to leaf retention level and identified a practical topping strategy for hydroponic melon production. Two cultivars, Sweet Hami (broad-leaf) and Dalmatian (narrow-leaf), were grown using a Dynamic Root Floating Technique (DRFT) system and subjected to four topping levels equivalent to retaining 8, 12, 16, and 20 leaves above the fruit. Sweet Hami showed a stronger response to leaf retention in terms of leaf area development and fruit weight, while Dalmatian exhibited a more gradual response. Retaining 16 leaves above the fruit resulted in favorable fruit weight and total soluble solids without excessive vegetative growth in both cultivars. These findings suggest that topping at the 17th internode may serve as a practical shoot management strategy for improving yield and fruit quality, while providing a useful reference for optimizing source-sink balance in hydroponic melon production across cultivars with different leaf morphologies.
Pitcher plants (Nepenthes spp.) are unique and interesting flora that have been widely cultivated as ornamental plants. This species is attractive due to its pitcher shape and diverse colors. Sumatera Island is the second largest center of Nepenthes diversity in the world after Kalimantan Island. Each pitcher plant hybrid has diverse quantitative and qualitative characteristics. This study aimed to describe 18 quantitative and 33 qualitative characteristics of pitcher plants based on morphological markers. This study was conducted in North Sumatra Province in the HPH PT. Teluk Nauli area of Mandailing Natal Regency, Tarutung, North Tapanuli Regency, and Lake Siais, South Tapanuli Regency. The materials used in this study were pitcher plant hybrids, namely Nepenthes mirabilis x N. sumatrana, N. eustachya x N. sumatrana, and N. eustachya x N. mirabilis, with each species consisting of three individuals obtained from the exploration of the sampling locations. The results indicated that N. mirabilis x N. sumatrana exhibited superior traits, including larger pitcher size, wider peristome, and greater color variation highlighting its high ornamental and adaptive potential. N. eustachya x N. sumatrana showed relatively stable intermediate characteristics, while N. eustachya x N. mirabilis displayed unique pitcher morphology and moderate vigor. These findings emphasize the value of hybrids for breeding and the importance of conserving genetic for sustainable Nepenthes utilization.
This study compared soil arthropod communities across three traditional land-use sites, namely Reuma, Jami, and Huma, which are located within Baduy customary land, with soil arthropods serving as indicators of soil health and ecosystem stability. This study investigated the activity density, diversity, dominance, and ecological roles of soil arthropods across these three land-use types, along with their relationship with key environmental variables. Soil arthropod communities were sampled using pitfall traps set along 100 m transects (ten sampling points per land-use type) and identified to the class and order levels. Measured environmental variables included soil pH, organic carbon, organic matter, total nitrogen, soil temperature, and light intensity. The data collected were analyzed using calculations of activity density, dominance index, Shannon–Wiener diversity index, and Pearson correlation analysis. A total of 537 individuals, representing two classes and ten orders, were recorded. Jami exhibited the highest activity density (241 individuals), followed by Huma (154 individuals) and Reuma (142 individuals). The Shannon–Wiener index (H′) ranged from 0.86 to 1.03, indicating low taxonomic diversity at the order level, while the dominance index ranged from 0.45 to 0.57, indicating moderate dominance by Hymenoptera. Predatory fauna dominated the community, comprising an estimated 93.66% to 97.93% of all collected individuals based on ordinal-level functional guild assignment. Soil organic matter levels (3.93%–5.88%) indicated naturally fertile soil conditions. Exploratory Pearson correlation analysis showed positive associations of soil pH, organic carbon, total nitrogen, and soil temperature with several soil arthropod orders, whereas light intensity showed negative associations. Overall, the three sampled land-use sites differed in soil arthropod community composition and activity density, with Jami showing the highest activitydensity.
Chicken manure improves soil fertility by adding organic matter and enhancing soil structure, while NPK fertilizer provides fast, readily available nutrients. This study compared both fertilization strategies in rice and corn farming in Tomohon City, focusing on profitability, production costs, environmental impacts, and factors influencing farmers’ choices. A comparative observational method was used with 120 farmers selected through simple random sampling. Results showed that NPK fertilizer generated higher profits in corn farming, but no significant difference was found in rice. Meanwhile, chicken manure resulted in more cost-efficient production. Environmentally, chicken manure improved soil quality by increasing pH toward neutral, raising organic carbon (>2.7%), enhancing cation exchange capacity, and reducing nitrate residues and exchangeable aluminum—key indicators of long-term soil health in volcanic soils. In contrast, NPK fertilizer contributed to soil degradation, including declining pH, reduced organic matter, and accumulation of nitrate and exchangeable aluminum, which may harm root development and increase groundwater contamination risks. Farmers’ fertilizer choices are influenced by technical, economic, institutional, and socio-cultural factors. Overall, the findings highlight the importance of integrated fertilization strategies combining organic and inorganic inputs to balance short-term profitability and long-term sustainability. Policy efforts should focus on promoting integrated nutrient management, strengthening extension services, and providing incentives for environmentally sustainable practices to improve farm outcomes while preserving soil health.
Seed deterioration during storage significantly reduces the viability and productivity of pak choi (Brassica rapa L.). This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various synthetic and bio-organic invigoration agents combined with different soaking durations to restore the physiological quality of aged seeds (initial germination of 31%). The experiment was arranged in a factorial split-plot design. The main plots consisted of seven invigorating solvents: water (S1), shallot extract 50% (S2), mung bean sprout extract 5% (S3), bamboo shoot extract (S4), KNO₃ 1% (S5), GA₃ 100 ppm (S6), and PEG 6000 10% (S7). The sub-plots were three soaking durations: 15 (V1), 30 (V2), and 60 minutes (V3). The results indicated that a 30-minute soaking duration (V2) provided the optimal physiological window for metabolic repair without compromising desiccation tolerance. 10% PEG 6000 and 50% shallot extract emerged as the superior activators, consistently yielding the highest germination rates (up to 95.11%) and vigor indices (97.33%). While 10% PEG 6000 optimized post-emergence biomass, 50% shallot extract acted as a potent biostimulant due to its endogenous phytohormones. Furthermore, Radicle Emergence (RE) testing at 22 hours was identified as the most accurate diagnostic tool for predicting final germination capacity, particularly for the 30-minute treatment (R2 = 0.9943). Conversely, bamboo shoot extract (S4) exhibited a strong inhibitory effect, likely due to allelopathic phenolic compounds, and is not recommended for invigoration. In conclusion, hydropriming or shallot extract treatment for 30 minutes offers a practical and effective strategy for rehabilitating aged pak choi seeds.
Low organic matter in many Iranian soils leads to soil structural degradation and reduced crop productivity. Applying chicken manure offers a cost-effective organic amendment that improves soil quality by supplying organic matter and nutrients through gradual release. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of chicken manure and potassium fertilizer on pinto bean yield and determine soil physical and chemical properties under field conditions. The experiment was arranged in a split-plot design within a randomized complete block design with three replications. Chicken manure was applied to main plots at four rates (0, 5, 10, and 15 t ha⁻¹), while potassium fertilizer, supplied as potassium sulfate (K₂O), was applied to sub-plots at four levels (0, 100, 175, and 250 kg ha⁻¹). Yield components of pinto bean and soil physical and chemical properties were measured. The results indicated that both chicken manure and potassium fertilizer significantly increased pinto bean seed yield, with the highest yield obtained at 15 t ha⁻¹ of chicken manure combined with 250 kg ha⁻¹ of potassium fertilizer. The application of both inputs also enhanced yield components, including number of pods per plant, harvest index, and seed protein content. Chicken manure significantly improved soil physical properties by increasing water infiltration rate, saturated moisture, and total porosity, while reducing bulk density. It also enhanced soil chemical properties by increasing electrical conductivity, soil organic carbon, and available phosphorus, as well as lowering soil pH. In contrast, potassium fertilizer primarily increased soil electrical conductivity and reduced the final infiltration rate. The results demonstrate that chicken manure substantially improves soil quality and pinto bean productivity. The integration of organic and chemical fertilizers can be considered an effective and sustainable nutrient management strategy for improving soil fertility in low-organic-matter soils.
Elevated osmotic pressure in the root zone under saline conditions acts as primary constraint to crop production by disrupting essential physiological growth process. One effective strategy for soil saline management involves the use of mycorrhizal inoculants. Delivering these microbes via seed coating is a streamlined, economical, and accurate approach that optimizes plant performance under diverse stress condition. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mycorrhizal seed coating on the growth and yield of edamame under saline conditions. This research was arranged in a randomized complete block design with two factors, consisting of mycorrhizal seed coating (0 and 12 g mg-1) and planting media (soil, saline soil, soil + saline soil (1:1)). There were six treatment combinations, and each treatment was replicated four times, resulting in a total of 24 experimental units. The observed variables include plant height, root volume, number of pods per plant, weight of pod per fruit, number of seeds per plant, and weight of 100 seeds. The result showed that mycorrhizal seed coating had potential to improve edamame root development and optimize phosphorus uptake. While vegetative height remained unaffected, the treatment substantially improved yield components, including number of pods, seed weight, and overall seed weight. The efficacy of colonization is contingent upon soil pH and phosphorus availability, highlighting the importance of site-specific conditions. Consequently, mycorrhizal seed coating represents a practical and cost-effective strategy for improving edamame performance, offering a viable solution for enhancing crop resilience and yield in nutrient-deficient or saline environments.
Durian is an economically important tropical fruit in Southeast Asia; however, its productivity remains low in dryland areas such as Sumbawa Regency due to poor soil fertility and suboptimal cultivation practices. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of organic fertilizer application on the growth performance of durian seedlings and soil nutrient status. The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight replications and eight treatments, consisting of organic fertilizer doses ranging from 0 to 100 g/plant. Growth variables were observed at early (12 days after planting, DAP) and vegetative stages (30–90 DAP), including hypocotyl and epicotyl characteristics, root development, plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter. Soil chemical properties (pH, N, P, K, Ca, and Mg) were analyzed before planting and after harvest. The results showed that organic fertilizer significantly improved seedling growth and soil nutrient status. At 12 DAP, moderate fertilizer application (40 g/plant) produced optimal hypocotyl and epicotyl development, while the highest dose (100 g.plant-1) enhanced root biomass and total plant weight. During the vegetative stage, 100 g.plant-1 consistently resulted in the highest plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter. Soil analysis indicated that organic fertilizer significantly increased the availability of essential nutrients (N, P, K, Ca, and Mg), although soil pH remained stable across treatments. Correlation analysis revealed strong positive relationships between plant growth variables and nutrient availability, particularly nitrogen and phosphorus. In conclusion, the application of organic fertilizer, especially at 100 g.plant-1, effectively improves durian seedling growth and soil fertility. This approach represents a sustainable strategy for enhancing durian cultivation in dryland environments such as Sumbawa Regency.
Sugar demand is rising with population growth, and although sugar production increased from 2018 to 2022, it has not met national demand. To boost national sugar production, proper fertilizer management is crucial. By calculating and applying compound fertilizer formulations tailored to the specific needs of sugarcane, fertilization efficiency, productivity, and sugar yield can be enhanced. This research aimed to evaluate the performance of morphological characteristics of ratoon sugarcane in response to NPK nutrient management using specific fertilizer formulations. The field study was conducted in Sleman, Special Region of Yogyakarta, from September 2023 to December 2024. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three treatments, consisting of NPKSZn (15-15-15-9-0.2) at 400 kg ha⁻¹ + ZA (21N-24S) at 600 kg ha⁻¹ (control); NPKS (14-9-18-4) at 1000 kg ha⁻¹ (Formulation 1); and NPK (23-7-14) at 1000 kg ha⁻¹ (Formulation 2), and four blocks as replications. The collected data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) at a 5% significance level, followed by the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at α = 5% to determine the most effective fertilizer formulation. The results showed that the application of these fertilizer formulations significantly affected stalk diameter, millable cane yield and brix content. These findings highlight the importance of synchronized vegetative phase fertilization to optimize ratoon cane growth and support sustainable sugarcane production in Inceptisol soils.
West Bangka Regency has significant potential from its local avocado accession, Muhfud, which has been cultivated and adapted to local agroecological conditions for decades. However, this accession has not been registered as a variety, rendering it vulnerable to genetic erosion and misappropriation. This study aimed to characterize the morphological traits of Muhfud avocado accession from West Bangka Regency as a step toward preserving local germplasm. Qualitative and quantitative morphological observations were performed on vegetative, generative, and fruit traits. The study was conducted from August to October 2025, employing purposive sampling on five trees, including the original parent tree. Characterization followed the descriptor for avocado, encompassing tree organs, leaves, flowers, fruits, and seeds. The results indicate that Muhfud accession exhibits distinctive morphological features, such as a semi-circular tree architecture, type B flowering, a clavate fruit shape with buttery-smooth, doughy texture, and fruits that are longer with thinner skin compared to other local varieties such as Muntok accession. Variations in mean values and standard deviations of quantitative morphological characters (particularly fruit weight of 358.40 ± 29.04 g, tree height of 5.90 ± 2.32 m, and stem circumference of 70.12 ± 26.67 cm for Muhfud accession) suggest strong genetic potential and adaptation to the local agroecological conditions of West Bangka Regency. These characteristics support the development of locally adapted, productive, and storage-resilient superior varieties. In conclusion, the findings contribute to germplasm conservation efforts and the advancement of local avocado breeding programs in tropical Indonesia.
Acid-dry land is a suboptimal land area widely distributed in Indonesia, which has the potential to be developed as cropland to increase crop productivity. However, the low phosphorus availability in this land type often constrains plant growth, necessitating the use of microbial phosphate-solubilizing agents. To address this, the capability of the isolated rhizobacteria strain in phosphate solubilization was improved through a mutagenesis by Ethyl Methane Sulphonate (EMS). Three isolates of indigenous wild-type rhizobacteria of acid-dry land were isolated from cardamom, lemon grass, and bamboo rhizosphere. Mutagenesis of these wild-types yielded three mutant isolates, including KPG_m, SRH_m, and BMB_m, which exhibited higher Phosphate-Solubilization Indices (PSI) compared to their parental strains. The PSI values for the mutants were 2.2, 3.4, and 2.0, respectively, showing a marked improvement over the wild-type values of 2.0, 1.75, and 1.25. These results indicate an enhancement in phosphate-solubilizing ability driven by EMS mutagenesis. All the isolates were then characterized and showed similar traits to those of the Genus of Bacillus. According to the hypersensitive reaction assay, the six isolates showed a negative reaction, indicating they are non-pathogenic. Based on these findings, the mutants have the potential to be developed as biofertilizer agents due to they are non-pathogenic for plants. In addition, the mutants have a moderate PSI value (2
Local research and published literature on the physiological and biochemical qualities after storage of organic seeds are currently lacking. Most of the available studies are from international sources and primarily focus on the health benefits of organic produce and products, as well as on yield and meat quality of livestock fed with organic products. Therefore, this research was conducted from April 2021 to October 2023 to develop a storage protocol for organic corn that is practical and adaptable to the conditions of smallholder farmers. Organic corn seeds were collected from farmers in Batanes, Ifugao, Kalinga, and Mountain Province. After initial quality tests, seeds with moisture content (MC) of 10% and below were stored for nine months under ambient conditions at UPLB. Packaging containers used were glass and plastic bottles with silica gel and drying beads as desiccants. Storage of organic corn seeds inside glass bottles with either drying beads or silica gel, under ambient conditions and MC of 10% and below, can maintain high germination and seedling emergence after nine months of storage. From the initial range of 89-97%, germination remained high at 81-97% after nine months of storage, which was confirmed by the high seedling emergence results. This implies that organic seeds, with MC of 10% and below, can be stored in glass bottles for nine months or more under ambient room conditions. This result is particularly valuable for organic farmers who lack access to cold storage facilities but need to store their seeds for the next planting season.
