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Volume 10, Issue 1, 2024
Open Access
Research article
Assessment of Drought Adaptation in Hevea Brasiliensis PB 260 Clone Seedlings During El Nino Events
yayuk purwaningrum ,
yenni asbur ,
dedi kusbiantoro ,
dian hendrawan ,
khairunnisyah nasution ,
fiqi alfisar lubis
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Available online: 03-30-2024

Abstract

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The atmospheric El Nino phenomenon, characterized by elevated sea surface temperatures in the eastern Pacific Ocean, leads to reduced precipitation and increased temperatures in Indonesia due to diminished influx of moist air. These conditions necessitate the development of drought-resistant rubber (Hevea brasiliensis) seedlings, particularly for regions susceptible to such climatic variations. This study focuses on the PB 260 clone, investigating the efficacy of burnt husk applications in enhancing drought resilience. Employing a non-factorial randomized block design (RBD), three treatments were administered to the seedlings: no burnt husk, burnt husk as mulch, and burnt husk as a planting medium, with each treatment replicated three times and utilizing 30g of burnt husk per polybag. It was observed that the application of burnt husk as mulch significantly promoted root growth compared to the other treatments. This was quantified by measurements showing an increase in root length (98.7m), surface area (45.54m²), and volume (30 mL). These results suggest that the use of burnt husk as mulch might offer a viable strategy for enhancing drought adaptation in Hevea brasiliensis, providing a foundation for earlier tapping maturity through improved root development under drought conditions.

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Rice is a dietary staple and vital economic crop for the majority of Bangladesh's population. To sustain yields amidst growing demand, the widespread application of chemical fertilizers and pesticides has led to concerns over soil health and long-term productivity. This study presents a novel mathematical model, comprising a system of non-linear ordinary differential equations (ODEs), to analyze the effects of diminishing soil fertility due to excessive fertilizer use. The model was investigated analytically and numerically, examining equilibrium points, stability, and the interactions between soil nutrients, plant nutrients, and rice yield. Numerical solutions were obtained using the Runge-Kutta method. Findings indicate that while the initial application of chemical fertilizers results in an increase in yield, prolonged usage ultimately depletes soil organic matters, causing a decline in long-term productivity. The improper use of organic fertilizers exacerbates soil salinity, further hindering rice cultivation. Additionally, rising global temperatures encourage pest proliferation, necessitating higher pesticide usage that adversely affects human health and the environment. The study underscores that optimal fertilizer application, combined with sustainable practices such as straw residue incorporation and land relaxation, improves soil fertility and ensures long-term productivity, addressing food security concerns. Optimal fertilizer application strategies are recommended to sustain rice yields and minimize adverse environmental impacts. The model's insights are crucial for policymakers and farmers in optimizing fertilizer and pesticide use to secure long-term rice productivity in Bangladesh while mitigating the risk of soil degradation.

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In compliance with European Regulation (EC) 2018/848, organic farming practices necessitate the use of organically produced seeds when available. When suitable organic seeds cannot be sourced, farmers may seek an exemption permitting the use of non-organic seeds. This study examines data from the German national organic seed database to assess trends in the use of crop varieties originating from both organic and conventional seed production. Findings reveal that the diversity of cultivars produced organically is expanding across 15 of the 17 analyzed crops. Correlation analysis suggests that as the availability of organic cereal seed cultivars rises, recorded in the national database, the demand for derogations to use conventional cereal seed cultivars decreases, and vice versa. This positive development in the organic seed sector implies that farmers are adapting their practices in response to the expanding supply of organically multiplied cultivars available through the national database. Nevertheless, challenges such as crop diseases and production limitations in organic cereal seed multiplication can lead to supply deficits, which subsequently result in increased derogation requests for non-organic seeds in the following year. The findings underscore the importance of ensuring robust multiplication of organic cereal seeds to increase the supply, leading to higher adoption of organic seeds and a reduction in derogation requests for non-organic seeds. This study contributes to understanding the impact of supply trends on farmer behavior and highlights the need for further strengthening organic seed multiplication to facilitate full compliance with European organic farming regulations.
Open Access
Research article
Influence of Brewery Waste and Animal Manure-Based Compost on the Growth of Green Amaranth in Sandy Tropical Soils
nancy e. ebido ,
adaobi l. nnadi ,
olugbenga o. adeoluwa ,
uchenna m. ndubuaku ,
sunday e. obalum ,
chioma l. ugwuoju ,
ginika m. ajoagu ,
kayode p. baiyeri
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Available online: 03-30-2024

Abstract

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The productivity of sandy tropical soils may be enhanced through the application of composted organic materials. This study investigates the effects of composted mixtures of brewery spent grain (BSG) and animal manures on the growth of green amaranth (Amaranthus caudatus L) under field conditions. Composted treatments included BSG mixed with poultry droppings (PD) or cattle dung (CD) in volumetric ratios of 1:1 and 2:1 prior to composting, resulting in four compost variants: BSG+PD(1:1), BSG+PD(2:1), BSG+CD(1:1), and BSG+CD(2:1). Additionally, composted BSG alone served as a reference. Each amendment was added at 20 t ha–1, alongside an un-amended control for comparative purposes. Growth and yield assessments conducted four weeks post-sowing revealed that not all amended treatments outperformed the control. Notably, the BSG+PD(1:1) treatment consistently increased total biomass (fresh and dry matter yields by approximately 143% and 58%, respectively) as immediate effects, and significantly more (184% and 108%, respectively) as residual effects when compared to the control. Leaf yields under this treatment showed increases of 173-177% (immediate effects) and 122-125% (residual effects). These variations in amaranth growth and yield were primarily attributed to improvements in soil exchangeable calcium (Ca) and total nitrogen (N) content due to the compost application. The findings suggest that a composted equal-volume mix of BSG and PD may serve as an effective organic amendment for enhancing the yield of short-duration leafy vegetables like amaranth in coarse-textured soils of the humid tropics.

Open Access
Research article
Enhancing Nutritional Value and Production Efficiency of Feeds Through Biochemical Composition Optimization
saltanat baidalina ,
akhama akhet ,
marden baidalin ,
zulfiya bayazitova ,
gulzhiyan bekimova ,
gulmira ualiyeva
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Available online: 03-30-2024

Abstract

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The necessity to optimize feed crop cultivation in Kazakhstan's steppe zone is underscored by evolving climatic conditions and sustainable agriculture demands. This study, conducted from 2021 to 2023 in the Akmola region, evaluated the nutritional value and production efficiency of annual and perennial grass mixtures. A randomized complete block design was utilized for annual grasses, while a sequential scheme was applied for perennial grasses, each with three replications per plot. Statistical data processing was employed to analyze the outcomes. Results indicated that mixed-feed crops exhibited superior nutritional composition and energy value. Specific combinations of annual grasses, such as oats with peas or oats, peas, and vetch, alongside multicomponent mixtures incorporating legumes for perennial grasses, demonstrated optimal results. The ideal harvest timings for these grass mixtures were also established. It is recommended to cultivate combinations like Sudan grass with peas and vetch, or oats with peas and vetch for green feed, and for hay and pasture, combinations of red fescue, bluegrass, wheatgrass, and alfalfa, as well as red fescue, bluegrass, brome, sainfoin, and alfalfa. This research emphasizes the importance of diverse crop mixtures to enhance feed nutritional value, thereby contributing to sustainable agricultural practices, food security, and environmental resilience amid climate change.

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