Peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) productivity in Indonesia averages approximately 1.0 t ha⁻¹, far below its potential yield of 3.5 t ha⁻¹, mainly due to poor pod filling associated with low soil potassium (K) availability. This study evaluated the integrated application of banana stem ash (BSA) containing 23.6% K₂O and potassium-solubilizing fungi (PSF), including Aspergillus unguis, Metarhizium carneum, and Meyerozyma caribbica, as a locally available nutrient-management strategy to enhance peanut yield. A split-plot design with three replications was applied, consisting of three BSA dosages (0, 500, and 1,000 kg ha⁻¹) and four fungal inoculation treatments. Growth, yield components, and K content in plant tissues and soils were measured at flowering and harvest. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by the least significant difference (LSD) test at 5%. Results showed that BSA at 1,000 kg ha⁻¹ combined with M. carneum increased dry pod weight per plant by 48.2% (24.95 g vs. 16.84 g in the uninoculated control without BSA), while M. caribbica raised the proportion of filled pods to 85.09% compared with 53.86% in the uninoculated control without BSA. Soil available K₂O increased from 21.82 to 25.94 mg 100 g⁻¹ under the highest BSA dose. These outcomes indicate a significant positive interaction between BSA and PSF for dry pod weight, whereas other variables were mainly influenced by BSA and/or PSF main effects. Because no conventional K-fertilizer control was included, the integrated use of PSF and BSA should be considered a potential complementary approach for improving peanut yield, soil K status, and nutrient-management sustainability in Indonesia.

Land expansion to meet productivity is often carried out without further consideration or study of the condition of the land. Insufficient soil quality leads to a decline in plant productivity. This research examines the soil conditions on sugar cane plantations in Takalar, Indonesia. We partitioned a single hectare of land into nine distinct observation plots to assess and compare the homogeneity of soil conditions and plant growth within each plot. In this study, we measured the organic carbon and the physical properties of the soil (bulk density and soil permeability), which are the main characteristics that reflect soil conditions in an area. Plant growth parameters such as the number of sugarcane tillers, height, and diameter were measured to compare growth in each plant plot. The research findings indicated that low organic C content values signified a lack of nutrient availability in the soil due to low soil permeability, resulting in a 50% reduction in production. These findings validated the shallow and marginal soil conditions. While soil processing demonstrated a capacity to decrease bulk density at depths of 15-30 cm, it proved ineffective in enhancing soil permeability. Post -tillage, the soil permeability rate at 0-15 and 15-30 cm depths declined, leading to compromised plant growth. Sugarcane plants in Takalar exhibited below-average growth with insuffi cient plant height (below 200 cm), stem diameter (less than 3 cm), and a low stem count per meter at the initial growth stage. Low organic C content values indicated a lack of nutrient availability in the soil due to low soil permeability, resulting in a 50% reduction in production. This research can be a reference for further research regarding improving soil quality and plant productivity.

This study examined the relationship between the decline in sugarcane productivity and the distribution of macropores and depth of root penetration in sugarcane plantations in Takalar during one planting period (October 2021-September 2022). There were five observation points (P1, P2, P3, P4, and P5) in one hectare of land to measure the distribution of soil macropores using methylene blue solution. Cross-sections of the soil were made to observe the presence of plant roots at a depth of 0-40 cm with a width of 60 cm. In each plot, disturbed soil samples were collected to measure soil texture, soil organic matter (SOM), nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K) contents. Other measurement parameters were the infiltration rate and plant productivity. The results indicated that SOM and NPK levels at the research location were deficient, serving as the first indicators of problematic soil. Macropore observations revealed that macropores were distributed only at a less than 10 cm soil depth. This distribution limited the penetration of plant roots to a depth of 0-40 cm. The root length density (RLD) value indicated the absence of roots at depths of 30-40 cm in plots P2 and P3. The field findings explained why sugarcane production in Takalar only achieved 50%, around 40 t ha-1 from the first ratoon sugarcane harvest, instead of the expected 70-80 t ha-1.

Abstract. Makmur, Farid M, Ala A, Mandja K, Anshori MF, Fadhilah AN. 2024. The selection index of S3 corn convergent breeding population based on multivariate analysis. Biodiversitas 25: 1097-1103. Corn is one of the most important and strategic food crops in the world, including Indonesia. Increasing corn production through a plant breeding program by assembling hybrid varieties begins with developing a convergent breeding population and index selection. The research aims to identify genetic variance and the effectiveness of selection indices in selecting high-yield S3 cross populations. The research was carried out in Rea Village, Binuang Sub-District, Polewali Mandar District, West Sulawesi from July to November 2022. The research used an augmented design with four blocks. Sixty-six lines were derived from 4 double cross populations and 8 populations of the S3 generation multiple-cross population, as well as 9 check varieties (NK7328, Pioneer 36, Bisi 18, Bisi 2, NK99, Nasa 29, JH45, Bisi 9, and NK212) were used in this study. The results indicate that the length of cobs (5.98;73.59%), length of seed cobs (7.06; 79.46%), weight of 100 seeds (7.75; 89.30%), and weight of seeds per cob (7.84; 65.59%) have moderate genetic variance and high heritability. The characteristics of stem diameter, yield percentage, and weight of seed per cob were effectively used in the selection index formulation. Based on the index selection, there were 14 potential corn lines with a good performance, recommended for the next hybridization stage.

Marginal soil with low nutrient content is a crucial problem in reducing crop productivity, including sugarcane. This study aimed to elucidate the possible improvement of the physical and chemical properties of marginal soil through the application of organic waste from sugar factories, namely kettle ash and press mud. Nine treatment combinations of 0, 10, and 20 t ha-1 of each kettle ash and press mud were arranged in a two-factor randomized factorial design with three replications. Soil organic matter, N, P, and K, soil aggregate stability, and sugarcane productivity were measured after planting sugarcane for five months. The results showed that the application of kettle ash and press mud, especially with a ratio of 20 t ha-1 kettle ash and 10 t ha-1 press mud, was able to reduce the leaching of organic matter and improve sugarcane growth, particularly increasing the number of tillers by 16%, stem height by 14%, and diameter by 16%. The sugarcane productivity obtained was 58.02 t ha-1. Other portions of kettle ash and press mud did not have a favorable effect on sugarcane productivity. This study provided practical insights for increasing agricultural productivity, especially in sugarcane plantations.

The assimilation products produced by the leaves will be distributed to all parts of the plant that need it. The presence of leaves can help smooth assimilation, but can also be a user of assimilate products. The removal of leaves under the cob is done to streamline the process of photosynthesis that occurs in old leaves that cause moisture, it is also intended to suppress the occurrence of internal competition in assimilation, while the need to be given the right fertilizer or nutrition for the growth and production of corn which is needed, namely Nitrogen in Urea Fertilizer. This study aims to analyze the growth and production of three varieties of corn with the application of different doses of urea fertilizer and leaf shredding under the cob. The research was conducted in the form of a multifactor experiment arranged based on a Split Split Plots Design (SSP) in a Randomized Group Design (RAK) pattern consisting of the Main Plots Factor (MP), namely Maize Variety Type consisting of Agricon, BISI-10,and C7 Varieties. Sub Plots (SP) are doses of urea fertilizer of 250 kg.ha-1 and 350 kg.ha-1 respectively, and Sub Sub Plots (SSP) are the method of leaf trimming under the cob consisting of No trimming. Composting at anthesis, and Composting 1 week after anthesis. The results of the analysis showed that the Bisi-10 variety gave a better response to the dose of urea fertilization at the vegetative growth stage of corn plants and the Agricon variety gave a better response to urea fertilization and pumping time at the generative growth stage, the dose of urea fertilizer 350 kg ha-1 gave a better response to the growth and development of corn plants and corn plant production and the time of pumping the leaves under the cob at the time of pollination was more effective in increasing the quality and quantity of corn plant production.

The germination and sprouting phases of sugar cane are critical periods that determine productivity. This phase occurs when the sugar cane is 1-3 months old and requires an adequate supply of water to support the formation of shoots. Poor soil conditions and high rainfall can cause the failure of bud formation. This study aims to determine the relationship between rainfall and soil permeability in successfully constructing sugarcane shoots. We divided the 1 ha research area into nine points (A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I) to observe plant growth and soil permeability. The growth factors measured included the number of stems, diameter, and plant height, measured by zigzag. Intact soil samples at a 0-15 cm depth were then analyzed in the laboratory using Darcy’s law to determine the value of soil permeability. The results showed variations in sugarcane growth in the nine study plots. The average number of sugarcane stalks is eight stalks/meter with a height of 159 cm and a diameter of 3 cm. The low soil permeability value of 0.13-0.5 cm/hour cannot compensate for the average rainfall during the budding phase, thereby suppressing plant growth by up to 50% of the average productivity that should be.

Microclimate is one of the environmental factors that affect the growth, flowering and quality of clove flower production, including forest clove plants. This study aims to explain the effect of microclimate on the flowering phenology of forest clove plants and the length of the flowering phenoplast. The research lasted for 17 months, starting from January 2020 - May 2021. The field research was carried out on the island of Ambon, Maluku. The sampling location was determined using the purposive method. Measurement of temperature and relative humidity using a thermohydrometer, solar intensity was measured using a lux meter. Data analysis used principal component regression. The results showed that the length of the flowering phenology was 167.6 days. Microclimate parameters affect the flowering phenology of forest clove plants, R-square 0.93 and the correlation is very strong (R 0.95). Air temperature and intensity of sunlight, both between stands and below stands have a negative effect, meaning that with the influence of these three variables the flowering phenology takes place earlier. On the other hand, with the air humidity variable the effect is positive, meaning that the flowering phenology will be delayed. Air temperature is the variable that has the greatest influence on the flowering phenology of forest clove plants.

Forest clove ( Syzygium obtusifolium L.) has not been widely known for its properties and characteristics. To recognize them properly, deeply, and thoroughly, efforts are required to characterize the morphological characteristics of the main organs. The research aims to reveal the morphological characteristics of the main organ ( cormus ) of the forest clove plant, which include roots, stems, and leaves. The research was conducted on the island of Ambon, Maluku, Eastern Indonesia, for five months from May-September 2020. This research is survey research, data collection using a questionnaire arranged according to IPGRI criteria. The list of questions was filled indirectly to the field. The results showed that the root system of the forest clove plant was a taproot consisting of primary roots followed by lateral roots (primary root branches), secondary, tertiary, and quartet-like roots which were then overgrown with root hairs. Lateral root branches are large, and in subsequent root branches, the size is smaller but in increasing numbers. The trunk is round, with a diameter ranging from 12.5-25.5 cm, the surface of the trunk is rough brown and grayish, accompanied by black spots. The branching pattern is intensive with the main branching angles included in the medium category, meaning that the angles formed with the main rods range from 45-90o. The leaves of the forest clove plant are oblong with a length ranging from 15-25.5 cm and a width of 5.5-9.5 cm. The correction factor to determine leaf area is 0.65, therefore the leaf area ranges from 53.63 to 157.46 cm2. The shape of the base of the leaf is tapered, the angle of the petiole is sharp (<45o). The nature of the tips of the leaves is rather hard, the texture of the leaves is strong, the edges are flat, and the color of the leaves is dark green (green 139 A).

The decline in Indonesia’s cocoa production as a result of soil fertility degra dation causes fertilization to become one of effective effects. Because of that, it is possible to restore soil fertility potential by using soil fertility enhancer biochar combined with rhizobacteria consortium to create suitable conditions for plant. This research was aimed to study and investigate coconut shell biochar interacts with rhizobacteria in increasing cocoa production. This research was conducted at Kodeoha, North Kolaka, Southeast Sulawesi from September 2022 until March 2023. A split plot design with three replications each consisted of two experimental units was used as an experimental design. Biochar dosage as the main plot consisted of four levels, namely 0 ton ha-1 (control), 2.5 ton ha-1, 5 ton ha-1, and 7.5 ton ha-1 and rhizobacteria concentration as the sub plots consisted of four levels, namely 0 mL L-1, 50 mL L-1, 100 mL L-1, and 150 mL L-1. Results of this research showed a significant interaction between biochar 5 tons ha-1 and rhizobacteria 100 mL L-1 which provide best result for chlorophyll a (336 μmol m-2), chlorophyll b (150 μmol m-2), and total chlorophyll (484 μmol m-2). The interaction between biochar 5 tons ha-1 and rhizobacteria 150 mL L-1 showed the best results for number of harvested pods per tree (10.00 pods), bean weight per tree (606 g trees-1), stomata opening area (31 μm2). The interaction between biochar 7.5 tons ha-1 and rhizobacteria 150 mL L-1 showed the best results on the weight of 100 dry beans at water content 8% (159.03 g)

Abstract. Anwar AR, Ala A, Kuswinanti T, Syam’un E. 2022. The ability of potassium-solubilizing fungi isolated from leucite potassium rock deposits. Biodiversitas 23: 6579-6586. Present investigation was aimed to explore the potassium-dissolving ability of some indigenous fungi living in Indonesian leucite tuffs from volcanic rock members of Camba Formation in Barru Regency, South Sulawesi Province. There are no such findings on potassium-solubilizing fungi from South Sulawesi Province. The recent study isolated some fungi strains from the rhizosphere of vegetation found in the potassium rock deposits using Alexandrov media. A total of 22 fungal strains were isolated and tested for their ability to dissolve potassium bound to the potassium carrier minerals, qualitatively and quantitatively. Production of indole-3-acetic acid (IAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) were also measured to test the ability of the fungus to produce growth regulator compounds. Fungal isolates with the highest dissolution index (IP) values were MgT1Pb, RgGc, PT3Pe, PT3Pa, JbT2Pa, JbT2Pd, and JbT2Pp. The highest amount of exchangeable potassium (K-exch.) was JbT2Pa with the amount of 919.8 ppm and MgT1Pb of 69.33 ppm. The isolate capable of producing the highest IAA was PsT2Pe at 6.820 ppm while the RgGd isolates resulted in the highest production of GA3 hormone at 4.116 ppm.

Cocoa fine roots are responsive to changes in the soil environment to maximize nutrient and water absorption for plant growth. The presence of rock increases soil density and decreases available water content, promoting modification of fine root development. The purpose of this study was to clarify the effect of the physical properties of stony soil on the morphological properties of fine roots. In three land-use systems, soil samples were taken from four depths using a sample core measuring 385 cm3 in three land-use systems. Fine roots were extracted by the immersion method, to measure the length of fine roots from five classes of orders based on diameter. We notes, the bulk density of stony soil increases as the rock mass increases, and the depth increases. The available water content decreases with the increase in bulk density, and this decrease is more pronounced in the lower soil layer. Fine root length was found more in the lower order diameter class, decreasing soil moisture against the bulk density gradient. The bulk density in the topsoil layer reaches 1.71 g cm-3, increasing to 1.84 g cm-3 in the lower soil layer. It seems unreasonable, when compared to the general density of soil mass. Still, this result is solely due to the high fraction of rock with a higher density. Fine roots were dominated by orders 1 and 2 with root diameters < 0.25 mm and < 0.50 mm, reaching 70% of the total fine root length. Fine roots in this diameter class act as absorbent roots, acquiring water and nutrients from the soil.

Abstract. Saleh AR, Gusli S, Ala A, Neswati R, Sudewi S. 2021. Tree density impact on growth, roots length density, and yield in agroforestry based cocoa. Biodiversitas 23: 496-506. Cocoa-based agroforestry systems using langsat trees as shade is aimed to maximize the absorptions of solar energy, water, and nutrients, and increase income sources for farmers. Limited information about interspecific interactions between cocoa and langsat which is needed to improve the performance of agroforestry systems is a challenging idea. We studied the relationship characteristics of cocoa trees as a present shaded effect in the agroforestry system. Compared agroforestry systems were based on ages, namely young and old cocoa agroforestry or YCAF and OCAF, and monoculture systems (Mono) regardless of plant age. On above stony soil, we observed root length density (RLD) of cocoa and langsat fine roots, from under cocoa canopy to three distance levels from the cocoa stem (i.e. at a distance 0.4 m, 1.2 m and, 1.7 m), and four distance depths for all systems (i.e. at a depth 0-10 cm, 10-20 cm, 20-30 cm and, 30-40 cm). Stem diameter, basal area, canopy cover, yield cocoa beans, and convertible products non-cocoa were equivalent to the price of cocoa beans by tree equivalent yield (TEY) formula. Cocoa RLD in the Mono system did not differ from RLD-cocoa in the OCAF system, but both significantly differed with RLD-cocoa in the YCAF system. Shade trees increased tree density in both agroforestry systems, triggering competition in the canopy for sunlight. Expansion of langsat roots that spread closer to the cocoa trunk increased competition for nutrients and water. Both cocoa and langsat roots overlapped, exploring the same area. The yield of cocoa beans harvested by farmers from the YCAF and OCAF systems decreased by 50%. However, the langsat tree and several other species were accounted for 50% of the TEY in the agroforestry system, thereby adding a source of income to farmers is equivalent to the yield of cocoa beans from a monoculture system.

The purpose of this study is to: (1) look at the possible concept of agriculture 4.0 which can be an important part of the smart village program; (2) evaluate the relationship between the concept of agriculture 4.0 and the principles of sustainable agriculture in line with the achievement of the Village Sustainable Development Goals; (3) analyze the opportunities of the agriculture-based smart village program 4.0 to be able to contribute to food security. The method used in this study is a qualitative approach with case study methods and is analyzed descriptively. Data is collected from written and audio-visual materials, in the form of policies, field data, opinions and experiences of experts and practitioners, and others. The results of this study show several conclusions, including; (a) The concept of agriculture 4.0 is very likely to be part of the implementation of the Smart Village program, considering that Indonesian villages in general are agricultural villages that still need digitalization in agricultural activities. (b) Agriculture 4.0 technology has characteristics that are in line with the principles of sustainable agriculture, including minimizing the use of inputs, minimizing the use of water in agricultural cultivation, and the ability to make various predictions that can provide benefits for farmers, (c) thus the opportunity to develop smart villages based on agriculture 4.0, can provide a great opportunity to be able to contribute to food security in Indonesia and can improve the welfare of rural communities.

This study aimed to determine the interaction effects of several maize varieties and KNO3 concentrations on maize production. The research was carried out from December 2020 to April 2021 at the Indonesian Cereal Research Institute Facility, Bajeng District, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi (5°18'21.5"S, 119°28'38.6"E). The study was designed using a split-plot experimental design, where the main plot was variety (V) which consisted of 4 varieties V1 (NASA-29), V2 (JH-37), V3 (BISI-2), and V4 (Pioner P-35). The subplots were KNO3 (K) concentration which consisted of 4 concentrations, namely Control (K0), 2.5 g.L–1 (K1), 5 g.L–1 (K2), and 7.5 g.L–1 (K3). Observational data were processed using ANOVA, and if there was a significant difference in the treatment, it was further tested with a 0.05 LSD follow-up test. The results showed that the JH-37 variety gave the best response, such as plant height, cob length, and production. The 7.5 g.L–1 KNO3 concentration gave the highest effect on all parameters of maize production; The interaction between the JH-37 variety with 7.5 g.L–1 KNO3 concentration gave the highest maize production; Parameters that have a positive correlation with maize productivity are expressed by plant height and weight of 1000 seeds.

Abstract. Kamsurya MY, Ala A, Musa Y, Rafiuddin. 2022. Short Communication: Correlation of flowering phenology and heat unit of forest cloves (Syzygium obtusifolium) at different elevations in Maluku Province, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 23: 5593-5599. The phenology and heat unit of the forest clove (Syzygium obtusifolium L.) are important parameters for the efficient maintenance of this plant. This study aimed to describe phenological flowering stages (PFS) and calculate growing degree days for different PFS, which will have a big impact on crop management and understanding the impact of climate variables on crucial phenological events. The research was conducted in Ambon, Maluku Province, Indonesia, for 16 months, from January 2020 to May 2021. Five sample points at different elevations were determined purposively, i.e: Halasi (6 m above sea level (m asl)), Tibang (11 m asl), Oli (125 m asl), Wanat (175 m asl), and Telaga Kodok (214 m asl). The phenology of flowering is separated into 6 stages: the flowering primordia, the appearance of the flower stalk, the perfect flower stalk, the appearance of the flower bud, the flower is fully formed, and the flower starts to bloom. The results showed that the phenological cycle of the forest clove plant was flowering periodically for 365 days. The average temperature of PFS (29oC) in Halasi was higher compared to other locations. It indicates that the lower the altitude, the faster the flowering period. This study found significant correlations between altitude and PFS, except flower stalks appear and flowers will appear. The phenology of clove plants is influenced by the accumulation of heat units, with the highest heat unit value in the flowers start to bloom stage, ranging from 2,983.23 dayso (Telaga Kodok) to 3,128.84 dayso (Halasi). As elevation increases, the number of heat units decreases, so the PFS is delayed. The primordial phase in Halasi appears in August-September while at Telaga Kodok in December.