AGRITROPICA : Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Potential Beneficial Effect of Granule Organic Fertilizer (GOF) to Enhance the Growth and Productivities of Sweet Corn (Zea Mays L.)

Andi Kurniawan, Mochammad Dawam Maghfoer — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Inorganic fertilizers have played a vital role in increasing crop production. However, its application in high doses caused adverse impacts on soil and plant production, as well as human health. The study aims to evaluate the beneficial effects of organic fertilizer in supporting sustainable plant growth and production and increasing economic value. The study was conducted from July to October 2022 in Poncokusumo, Kabupaten Malang. This study used a randomized block design (RBD) consisting of ten combination treatments with three times replication. The fertilizer combination includes GOF (250, 500, 750, and 1000 kg ha^-1), Phonska (250 and 300 kg ha^-1), and Urea 300 kg ha^-1. Our results showed that application of GOF at a dose of 750-1000 kg ha^-1 GOF + 250/300 kg ha^-1 Phonska + 300 kg ha^-1 Urea plays a role in increasing growth (height, number of leaves and stem diameter) and yields ha-¹ sweet corn. The treatment of 1000 kg ha^-1 GOF + 300 kg ha^-1 Phonska + 300 kg ha^-1 Urea (T8) gave the highest yield reaching 21.70 tons ha^-1. The combination of GOF treatment with inorganic fertilizer (T2-T9) produces RAE values that meet the criteria for cultivation effectiveness, ranging from 128-163%. Meanwhile, the combination of 1000 kg ha^-1 GOF with 300 kg ha^-1 Phonska fertilizer and 300 kg ha^-1 Urea (T8) fertilizer showed the highest R/C and B/C ratio values, 1.65 and 0.65. Reducing the Phonska dose by 50 kg ha^-1, followed by increasing the GOF dose, can increase income. Overall, the GOF application can help increase productivity and economic benefits in sweet corn cultivation.

Cover Crops Implementation in Mango and Longan Orchards in Battambang Province, Cambodia

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

After years of mono-cropping and farmland expansion, Cambodia faces soil degradation, deforestation, and biodiversity loss. Conservation Agriculture (CA) could improve the Cambodian situation. Among the CA approaches, permanent soil organic cover, like cover crops, decreases soil erosion, suppresses pests and diseases, and increases yields. Currently, in Cambodia, CA practices are mainly implemented in cash crops, such as soybean, corn and cassava, leaving marginal-income crops, such as fruit trees, behind. More research about CA in fruit tree production in Cambodia is needed. This study investigates cover crops’ opportunities and constraints in mango and longan orchards and farmers’ knowledge and attitude towards this practice. Mango and longan are a source of subsistence income in the country and, therefore, do generally receive less focus. Qualitative and quantitative data collection was conducted in 2022 in Battambang province. Thirty-nine semi-structured household interviews were led in nine villages of Rattanak Mondoul and Banan districts, with CA-, CT- (conventional) and CT (CA*)- (previous CA, now CT) farmers. Two Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) were led in the Sangha and Borun villages of Rattanak Mondoul districts. Key informant interviews and a literature review were used to gather data. The results showed that most farmers do not know the definition of CA. CA- and CT (CA*)-farmers are satisfied with applying cover crops and recommend CT farmers to grow them. CT farmers are willing to start growing cover crops in their orchards. The main reasons for farmers to start growing cover crops are weed presence, low soil fertility and high erosion in the orchards. Farmers have noticed an improvement in their orchards and fruit yield since they started growing cover crops. Farmers believe more training and technical support about CA and covering crops are needed. This might also attract more farmers to these approaches, increasing the adoption of CA techniques, improving Cambodian agriculture and reducing soil degradation, deforestation and biodiversity loss.

Virus Identification in Yard Long Bean Plants with Yellow Mosaic Symptoms

Mimi Sutrawati, Ewa Aulia — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Begomovirus infection, which causes yellow leaf curl disease, is commonly found in the Bengkulu province, affecting various plants, including chilli, melon, cucumber, papaya, and weeds. The viruses reported to date in long bean plants include Mungbean yellow mosaic India virus (MYMIV) and Bean common mosaic virus (BCMV). This study aimed to detect viruses in long bean samples collected from Musi Rawas (South Sumatra) and North Bengkulu (Bengkulu), areas where yellow mosaic symptoms resembling those caused by Begomovirus infection were observed. Virus detection was performed using PCR-based DNA analysis with specific MYMIV (MY1/MY2) primers, targeting a DNA fragment of approximately 238 bp. The results revealed that yard-long bean plants from Musi Rawas were positively infected with MYMIV, while those from North Bengkulu tested negative for MYMIV. Begomovirus or other viral infections may cause the yellow mosaic symptoms observed in North Bengkulu yard long beans. Therefore, further investigations using additional primers are needed to identify the specific virus responsible for the symptoms in this region.

Producing Quality Bokashi Compost, Development of Certified Chili Seedlings, and Processing Flavored Milk

Sigit Sudjatmiko, Dwi Wahyuni Ganefianti, Endang Sulistyowati — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The program aimed to produce high-quality bokashi compost, develop certified chilli seeds, and process cow's milk into flavored milk products. The results demonstrated that combining raw materials from the farmyard with dairy farm yard produced bokashi compost with favorable nutrient content: total nitrogen at 1.3%, phosphorus at 0.99%, potassium at 1.3%, organic carbon at 26.12%, and a C/N ratio of 17.18 qualified the standards of SNI 19-7030-200. Additionally, a comparison of 4 chilli hybrids with a combination revealed that the hybrid combination between UNIB C H63 x UNIB C H43 in the one plot achieved greater plant height and canopy area. However, although differences in yield components were not statistically significant, the single cropping of hybrids UNIB C H13 and UNIB C H53 significantly improved the resistance to yellow leaf curl disease. Lastly, the flavoured milk development resulted in a high-quality product with a fat content of 3.91%, protein at 3.30%, lactose at 4.96%, and a specific gravity of 1.032. Overall, the program successfully met its objectives, producing quality compost, promising chilli hybrids, and nutritious flavored milk.

Economic Inequality Analysis Between Coastal Regions in Bengkulu Province 2018-2022

Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Bengkulu Province in Sumatra exhibits lower economic growth than the average national level. Over the past five years, its average economic growth rate has been 4.82%, significantly below the national average of 5.31%. Economic disparities are evident between cities and regencies within the province, with coastal areas dominating yet showing significant variations in economic growth. This research used secondary data from the Bengkulu Provincial Statistics Agency for 2018-2022. It applies Klassen typology analysis and the Williamson Index to measure regional development disparities. The Klassen typology categorises Bengkulu City as an advanced and rapidly growing area, while Muko-Muko Regency and North Bengkulu Regency are identified as rapidly developing regions. Conversely, Kaur Regency and Seluma Regency are categorized as relatively underdeveloped areas. The Williamson Index analysis reveals significant disparities among the regencies/cities, with an average index of 0.385, indicating an increasing trend over the years. These disparities are influenced by regional characteristics and natural resource differences, hindering equitable development. These findings are expected to serve as a reference for the government in formulating appropriate policy strategies to reduce disparities and enhance economic growth in Bengkulu Province. Strategies such as job diversification and increased employment opportunities in the fisheries and processing industries can help address the disparities and poverty in coastal areas.

Clustering of Food Security Areas in Bengkulu Province Using Biplot Analysis Approach

Hariz Eko Wibowo, Ridha Rizki Novanda , Rihan Ifebri, Ariffatchur Fauzi — Sun, 29 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Food security is one of the crucial issues in developing countries. The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) identifies four food security components: availability, affordability, utilization, and stability. Bengkulu Province, until 2023, is the second poorest province on the island of Sumatra. This has an impact on food affordability, which is a component of food security. There needs to be mapping or grouping in each region in Bengkulu Province so that the policies formed and implemented can be more optimal. This study aims to group and map areas or districts in Bengkulu Province that have similar characteristics based on aspects of food availability, food affordability or physical access to food, and aspects of food utilization. Biplot analysis describes regional characteristics and variable correlations in a two-dimensional graph. The results of grouping food security areas based on the characteristics of the three aspects are three clusters. The first cluster consists of Kaur, South Bengkulu, and Lebong. The second cluster consists of Central Bengkulu, Mukomuko, and North Bengkulu. The third cluster consists of Rejang Lebong, Seluma, and Kepahiang. The first cluster tends to have good food security because its characteristics are relatively close to the food availability and utilisation indicators. The second cluster has strong attributes as an indicator of food affordability. The third cluster has characteristics that describe indicators of lack of electricity, clean water, poverty rate, and life expectancy.