AGRITROPICA : Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Quantitative Performance of Krui Cattle in Traditional Farming in Krui Selatan and Pesisir Selatan District, Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung

Dian Kurniawati — 2025-06-29

The objective of this study was to evaluate the quantitative performance of thirty-six Krui cattle aged 18 to 36 months, raised on a traditional farm located in the Krui Selatan and Pesisir Selatan district, Pesisir Barat Regency, Lampung. A survey method using purposive sampling was employed to collect the samples. Body measurements, including body weight (BW), body length (BL), chest width (CW), chest circumference (CC), chest depth (CD), and hip circumference (HC), were recorded. The collected data were analysed descriptively. The findings revealed that BW, BL, CW, CC, CD, and HC of the Krui cattle in Krui Selatan District were: 175.40 ± 41.77 kg, 111.18 ± 5.74 cm, 28.18 ± 2.56 cm, 138.55 ± 16.88 cm, 52.73 ± 8.19 cm, and 18.00 ± 1.41 cm, respectively. At the same time, the Krui cattle's BW, BL, CW, CC, CD, and HC in Pesisir Selatan District were 154.23 ± 65.70 kg, 110.64 ± 9.36 cm, 24.86 ± 5.15 cm, 120.80 ± 11.2 cm, 47.67 ± 5.33 cm, and 17.64 ± 1.36 cm, respectively. This study concludes that the quantitative performance of Krui cattle in Traditional Farming in Krui Selatan District is greater than that of Krui cattle in Pesisir Selatan District. Still, more miniature compared to other local cattle breeds (Madura cattle, Bali cattle, Aceh cattle, Ongole grade cattle, and Jabres cattle) in Indonesia.

Correlation and Regression Between Body Measurements and Body Weight of Ongole Crossbred Cattle in Various Age Groups

Nurliani Erni — 2025-06-29

This study aimed to estimate the value of genetic correlation and the regression equation between body weight and body measurements of male Ongole crossbred (PO) cattle across various age groups. The sample used consisted of 80 male PO cattle divided into four age groups: I₀ (<18 months), I₁ (18 to 24 months), I₂ (24 to 30 months), and I₃ (>30 months). The parameters observed include body weight (BW), body length (BL), body height (BH), hip height (HH), and chest circumference (CC). Correlation and regression data were analysed using the Excel program; the regression between body weight and body size was analysed using the best subset regression method. The results showed a strong to robust genetic correlation between body weight and body size, with the highest correlation value in chest circumference (CC) in all age groups (0.92-0.98). The regression equations revealed that chest circumference had the highest regression coefficients (ranging from 2.36 to 3.87), indicating that it is the most reliable body size measurement for predicting body weight in PO cattle. This study concludes that chest circumference can be used as a reliable parameter to estimate the weight of PO cattle in various age groups, especially for farmers who do not have access to scales.

Genetic Variability and Heritability of Vegetative Growth Variables in 41 Cayenne Pepper Cultivars

Pringky Okta Saputra — 2025-07-15

This study aimed to estimate genetic and phenotypic variability, as well as heritability values, in 41 Cayenne pepper cultivars based on vegetative traits. The research was conducted from May to October 2024 at the Experimental Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Bengkulu, situated in Beringin Raya village, Bengkulu City, at an elevation of 10 m above sea level. A Randomised Complete Block Design (RCBD) was employed with a single factor consisting of 41 cultivars with three replications, each comprising 20 plants per replication. The results revealed a wide range of genetic variability for traits such as plant height, first dichotomous height, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf greenness, number of dichotomous points, canopy area, stem diameter, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight. High phenotypic variability was observed across all evaluated traits. High heritability was found in the trait of first dichotomous height. Moderate heritability was observed for plant height, number of leaves, leaf greenness, number of dichotomous points, canopy area, shoot fresh weight, and shoot dry weight. Low heritability was detected in leaf area, stomatal density, and stem diameter.

Optimisation of KUB-2 Chicken Growth to Increase Feed Efficiency Through Feed Restriction

Sabrina Sabrina — 2025-07-15

This study aims to optimise the growth of Superior Balitbangtan (KUB-2) chickens through feed restriction during the starter period and its effect on the recovery phase. This study used 100 two-week-old KUB-2 chickens, placed in 20 cages measuring 70 cm x 70 cm x 60 cm, with each cage containing 5 KUB-2 chickens. The study employed a Completely Randomised Design (CRD) with four treatments and five replicates. The variables observed were feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion ratio (FCR), Growth Rate, and Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC). The research showed that applying 20%, 30%, and 40% feed restriction had a significant effect (P < 0.01) on decreasing feed intake and body weight gain, but had no significant effect (P > 0.05) on the feed conversion ratio during the 4 weeks of treatment. During the recovery phase, ad libitum feeding had a significant effect (P < 0.05) on feed intake, but did not affect body weight gain or feed conversion ratio. Throughout the study, feed restriction followed by recovery had a very significant effect (P < 0.01) on feed intake and a significant effect (P < 0.05) on body weight gain and feed conversion ratio. This study concludes that the 20% feed restriction treatment showed the best performance, with a feed intake of 339.97 g/bird/week, body weight gain of 98.35 g/bird/week, a feed conversion ratio of 3.46, a growth rate of 0.227, and an Income Over Feed Cost (IOFC) of Rp. 14,815.

Diversity of Land Arthropods in Community Oil Palm Plantations in the Coastal Area of Bengkulu

Ariffatchur Fauzi — 2025-07-15

Bengkulu is one of the provinces located on the island of Sumatra, boasting a significant agricultural sector. One of the leading agrarian commodities in Bengkulu Province is oil palm. Oil palm in Bengkulu is planted in coastal areas. One of the key factors supporting oil palm fruit production is a healthy soil arthropod ecosystem. Soil arthropods play an essential role in the oil palm plantation ecosystem. As organisms that live in the soil, these animals help maintain soil and plant health, improving soil structure and nutrient availability for oil palm plants. This study aims to obtain initial data on the diversity of soil arthropods and their roles in smallholder oil palm plantations on the coast of Bengkulu. This study began with sampling oil palm plantations around the coast of Bengkulu. The areas that will be used as study locations include Sungai Suci, Danau Gedang, and Pekik Nyaring. Arthropod sampling was carried out by installing pitfall traps in both areas, which were determined diagonally in a 200 m² area, with 20 pitfall trap units per location. Arthropod species were identified based on morphology, and the type and number of populations were recorded. The Shannon-Wiener diversity index, dominance index, and evenness index measure analysis of biodiversity data. The results of the study showed that in the majority, the diversity of soil arthropods in the three sampling areas was moderate, the dominance of arthropod types was low to moderate, and evenness was moderate to high.

Vegetable Insecticide as an Environmentally Friendly Alternative to Control Crocidolomia pavonana F. on Pak Choi Plants

Djamilah Djamilah — 2025-07-15

Pak choi plant (Brassica rapa L) is a type of vegetable that is popular and loved by the public. This cultivation cannot be separated from pest attacks. Crocidolomia pavonana F. (crop caterpillar) is an important pest that causes severe damage to Pak choi plants. Pest control with the application of synthetic chemical insecticides causes resistance to crop caterpillars, kills natural enemies of insect pests and hurts the environment and human health. Another environmentally friendly alternative for controlling C. pavonana is needed. It is necessary to use vegetable insecticides. Jengkol skin and kabau skin have the potential as plant-based insecticides to control C. pavonana. This research aims to find concentrations of jengkol and kabau skin extracts (vegetable insecticides) that are effective in preventing C. pavonana on Pak choi plants. This research used a Completely Randomized Design (CRD). It was carried out in two stages, namely testing the effectiveness of jengkol and kabau skin extracts on C. pavonana in the laboratory. Laboratory tests were carried out with three treatments of jengkol and kabau skin extract concentrations at concentrations of 4%, 6% and 8% respectively, repeated five times. Observations were carried out for a week. The variable observed was larval mortality. The laboratory test research results showed that 66% mortality occurred in kabau skin extract at a concentration of 8%, and in jengkol skin extract at a concentration of 8%, causing 53% mortality of crop caterpillar larvae.

Total Plate Count (TPC) and Organoleptic Test on Beef Meatballs with Moringa (Moringa oleifera) Leaf Flour Addition

Khaerul Hakim — 2025-07-15

Meat refers to parts of an animal's body, such as liver, kidneys, brain, and other muscle tissues that are edible, and meat has a fairly complete nutritional content. Meatballs are a type of food popular in Indonesia, but are prone to spoilage due to the activity of microorganisms. The production of beef meatballs with the addition of moringa leaf powder (Moringa oleifera) can inhibit microbial growth and affect the quality of beef meatballs. This study aims to evaluate the effect of Moringa oleifera (Moringa leaf flour, MLF) addition on total microbes and organoleptic of beef meatballs, including color, texture, taste, and preference for color, aroma/smell, texture, and flavor. The research method used a completely randomized design (CRD) with four treatments: meatballs without the addition of MLF (T0) and meatballs with the addition of MLF 1% (T1), 2% (T2), and 3% (T3). The parameters observed included measurements, total microbes, and organoleptic characteristics, which included hedonic and sensory quality tests of beef meatballs. The results showed that the addition of moringa flour had a significant effect (P<0.05) on the results of hedonic and organoleptic quality tests but had no significant effect (P>0.05) on total microbes. The study results show that adding MLF at different levels does not effectively suppress the microbial growth of beef meatballs. Adding MLF with different levels in beef meatballs does not effectively suppress microbial growth. The addition of MLF in the hedonic and organoleptic quality tests significantly affected color, texture, smell, and taste, and was still acceptable to the panelists.

Characteristics of Soyghurt Added with Tuntung Pandang Bananas with Variations in Fermentation Time

Titis Linangsari — 2025-07-15

Soyghurt is one of the beverage products from soy milk, which is produced through a fermentation process by lactic acid bacteria (LAB). The bacteria commonly used are Lactobacillus bulgaricus and Streptococcus thermophilus. This study aimed to analyse the quality of the physical and chemical properties of banana yoghurt with various fermentation times. The method used in this research involves making soy yoghurt products through four stages of fermentation: 6 hours, 12 hours, 18 hours, and 24 hours. The quality analysis performed was physical analysis (viscosity test and pH test), chemical analysis (ash content test, acid content test, and protein test), and organoleptic properties (hedonic test and hedonic quality test). Then, an analysis of the ANOVA test was conducted to determine the average of more than two groups of data by comparing the variances and describing the total data. Based on the results of the study, it can be interpreted that the analysis of the quality of banana soyghurt with various physical and chemical showed results, namely the viscosity between 51.00cp - 55.05cp, pH test 5.27 - 4.18, ash content 0.37% - 0.49%, test for acid content 0.50% - 0.72%, and test for protein 2.18%, and the organoleptic test for hedonic panelists is somewhat like texture, somewhat like the taste, liked the aroma and somewhat liked the color, for hedonic quality slightly thick texture, sour flavour, distinctive pungent soyghurt aroma, and yellowish white color.

Cost Structure and Function of Smoked Skipjack Fish Processing Business in North Sulawesi Province

Vera Octalia — 2025-08-04

This research aims to analyse the cost structure of the smoked skipjack fish processing business in North Sulawesi Province, with a focus on determining the cost function and its effects. Eighty-one skipjack-smoked fish producers were censused and interviewed using questionnaires that had been prepared before. The analysis method used in this research consists of descriptive analysis and Cobb-Douglas cost function analysis, in which the cost function is modelled in the short term. The result showed that the cost of fresh fish, supplementary materials, and labour largely dominated the skipjack smoked fish processing cost. These costs account for 98.86% of the total cost; the remainder is variable costs, namely depreciation costs. From the regression analysis, the production volume and firewood price significantly affect production costs, while others do not.