Akta Agrosia

Growth Responses of Superior Varieties of Rice in South Coast of Kebumen Regency

Umi Barokah — 2025-02-23

The rice plant (Oryza sativa L.) is a staple food source for most people in Indonesia, including those in Kebumen Regency; hence, any decline in rice productivity will impact national food security. A research was carried out to evaluate the growth responses of nine rice varieties under marginal coastal lands in Kebumen Regency. The varieties tested were Inpari 34 Salin Agritan, Inpari 35 Salin Agritan, Inpari Unsoed 79 Agritan, Inpari 47 WBC, IPB 12S, IPB13S, TP-Padi 1, TP-Padi 2, Ciherang, Cilamaya Muncul. Each variety was planted using a square planting system at a distance of 25cm × 25cm, with a plot size of 4m × 5m. Plant growth variables were plant height, number of tillers, root length, root dry weight, shoot dry weight, root/shoot ratio, 50% flowering age and plant lifespan. Paddy varieties grown in South Kebumen coastal area significantly showed different response in plant height, number of tillers, shoot dry weight, 50% flowering age, and plant lifespan. The varieties of IPB 12S, Inpari 47 WBC, and Inpari 34 Salin Agritan have higher growth and flowering performance in coastal area that might be have potential to the tolerance to salinity and drought stresses.

Keywords: coastal marginal land, drought rice, salinity

The Inhibitory Properties of the Single-Chain 2S Albumin Seed Storage Protein from Theobroma cacao

Norzulaiha Abd. Karim — 2025-02-23

2S albumin seed storage proteins from Theobroma cacao (Tc-2S) are known for their roles in plant defense mechanisms due to their antimicrobial properties. However, it remains unclear whether both the light and heavy chains of Tc-2S are required for this activity. This study develops an expression system for the single-chain precursor of Tc-2S and evaluate its antimicrobial activity. Specifically, the heavy-chain subunit (Tc-9M), corresponding to residues 78 to 150 of the Tc-2S precursor, was cloned and expressed in a heterologous system. The resulting Tc-9M protein, expressed as a fully soluble protein, was purified via column chromatography, yielding 24 mg of pure protein from 300 mL of the expression culture. Antibacterial and antifungal activity was assessed using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion method, revealing that Tc-9M remarkably inhibited the growth of several bacterial strains, including Salmonella sp., Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Staphylococcus aureus, and Bacillus cereus. Additionally, Tc-9M inhibited the growth of the yeasts Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Pichia pastoris but showed no activity against the fungus Trichoderma asperellum. These findings ndicate that the single-chain Tc-2S may be sufficient for antimicrobial defense in plants. Because the characterization of the Tc-9M protein has not been previously reported, this work provides a basis for further exploration of the biological significance of the 2S albumin subunit in plant defense.

Keywords: 2S albumin protein, antibacterial, antifungal, heavy-chain peptide, Theobroma cacao

Correlation and Path Analysis for Grain Yield and Its Components of Lowland Rice Grown under Coastland Agroecosystem

Rika Aprillia — 2025-02-23

Growth traits and yield components of rice plants affect yield. The magnitude of this relationship is seen from the correlation value between characters, and the direct and indirect effects are seen from the cross-fingerprint value. The study aims to determine which characters have a correlation with rice plant yield and their direct and indirect effects. The study was conducted from July 2023 to February 2024. The research location was in the rice fields of SPA Hamlet, Rias Village, Toboali, South Bangka Regency. The study used an experimental method, with a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD). The study was divided into 4 experimental blocks. The treatments were 10 superior varieties consisting of 8 inbred varieties (Inpari 32 HDB, Inpari 33, Inpari 42 Agritan GSR, Inpari 49 Jembar, Ciherang, Siliwangi, Padjajaran Agritan, and Cakrabuana Agritan) and 2 hybrid varieties (Mapan P05 and Bridantara 8). Data analysis was using correlation analysis and path analysis with Excel and SPSS applications. The results of the correlation analysis showed that only leaf width correlated with grain dry weight. Leaf width, plant height and number of productive tillers had the highest direct influence on yield. Leaf width characters can be recommended as selection characters in rice breeding.

Keywords: correlation, hybrid, path analysis, superior rice

The Effects of Land Uses on Soil Physical Health in Agricultural Land (Case Study: Kismantoro District, Central Java Province, Indonesia)

Mujiyo — 2025-06-30

Kismantoro district is a karst land with unique characteristics and its physical health is easily influenced by land use. The purpose of this study was to identify the physical health status of soil, and find the influence of land use and parameters that limit soil physical health, which eventually provide appropriate land management strategies and recommendations to improve soil health. The research was conducted using a descriptive explorative approach and a purposive sampling method on the 12 Land Map Units (LMU) with three replications. Data were analysed using Analysis of Variance and Pearson correlation. Results indicated that most soil physical health in agricultural land in Kismantoro District is healthy. The highest soil physical health status was found on plantation agricultural land, with the average of the soil physical health being high status of 63.22%, followed by moor agricultural land at 52.83% and rice fields at 48.2%. The determinant factors of soil physical health were soil porosity, bulk density, and soil texture. To enhance the physical health of agricultural soil in Kismantoro District, it is recommended to apply organic matter, adopt zero or no-tillage practices, and grow cover crops on agricultural land.

Keywords: determinant factor, soil compaction, soil texture, sustainable management.

Potential of Trichoderma asperellum in Suppressing the Growth of Several Fungal Pathogens in Rice In Vitro

Selvia Arianti — 2025-06-30

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is an important food crop with Helminthosporium oryzae B. de Haan, Curvularia sp., and Rhizoctonia solani as three major associated pathogenic fungi. In controlling these pathogens, the use of antagonistic fungus, such as Trichoderma asperellum, is still considered the most effective and environmentally friendly. The study aimed to determine the potential of T. asperellum in suppressing several pathogenic fungi that cause disease in rice plants in vitro. The study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 10 replicates. The treatments were several pathogens that cause disease in rice plants with antagonistic fungi T. asperellum to inhibit several pathogens in rice plants, namely R. solani, Curvularia sp., H. oryzae., and untreated control. Testing the antagonistic power of T. asperellum against several pathogenic fungi was carried out by double culture method and culture vapor method. Observations made included the percentage of inhibition, invasion rate, colony area, changes in morphological characters, the number of conidia and the number of germinated conidia. The results showed that T. asperellum has the potential to suppress the growth of several pathogenic fungi studied in vitro. In the double culture method, T. asperellum suppressed the growth of R. solani fungus with the highest inhibition percentage of 68.40%, whereas in the vapor culture method, T. asperellum suppressed the growth of Curvularia sp. fungus with the highest effectiveness of 62.04%.

Keywords: biological control, Curvularia sp., Helminthosporium oryzae, Rhizoctonia solani.

Genotypic and Phenotypic Variability and Heritability of Generative Traits, Yield Components, and The Yield in 39 Cayenne Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) Genotypes

Said Agil Almunawar — 2025-06-30

Cayenne pepper is a horticultural crop with high economic value, and its productivity can be improved through plant breeding programs. Genotypic and phenotypic variability, and heritability are important parameters for such programs. This study aimed of obtaining information on genotypic and phenotypic variability as well as heritability of generative traits, yield components, and the yield in 39 cayenne pepper genotypes. The research was conducted from May to October 2024 at the Experimental Farm, the University of Bengkulu. A Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) was used, involving 39 genotypes planted in three replications, with 20 plants per replication. The results showed broad genotypic variability was found in days to anthesis, days to first harvest, number of fruits per plant, fruit diameter, fruit length, pedicel length, and average fruit weight. Broad phenotypic variability was observed in all traits. High heritability was found in days to anthesis, fruit diameter, fruit length, and average fruit weight. These findings are highly valuable for determining effective selection strategies in plant breeding and the development of superior cultivars.

Keywords: breeding, chili pepper, diversity, genotypic variance, phenotypic variance.

Growth Responses of Peppermint Plant (Mentha arvensis L.) to Several Sources of Natural Plant Growth Regulators

Andronicus Christian Nugraha — 2025-06-30

Indonesia, endowed with diverse medicinal plants, is exploring the commercial cultivation of peppermint plants (Mentha arvensis L.) to meet increasing demand for peppermint oil. This study investigated the effects of various natural plant growth regulators (PGRs) on peppermint plant growth and yield. Conducted in Bengkulu City from December 2020 to March 2021, the study used a Completely Randomized Design with 9 treatments of natural plant growth regulators and 3 replications. Results indicated that natural PGRs, including extracts from mung bean sprout filtrate, corn, shallots, and young coconut water, influenced leaf and tiller growth but showed no significant effects on plant height, number of branch shoots, stem segments, stolon, roots, leaf size, or essential oil aroma concentration. The combination of mung bean sprout filtrate and shallot filtrate yielded the greatest number of leaves. The findings suggest that while natural PGRs can enhance specific growth parameters, their overall impact on peppermint plant development may be limited by optimal soil conditions and nutrient availability.

Keywords:

peppermint, natural PGRs, leaf growth, mung bean sprouts, shallot extracts