Journal of Tropical Crop Science
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Leaf Pruning Increased Seed Yield and Leaf Production of Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp)
The leaves and pods of cowpea (Vigna unguiculata L. Walp) have potential uses as vegetables. This research aimed to assess the impact on cowpea growth and seed yield through different pruning times, methods, intensities, and their interactions. Conducted at the Cikabayan Experimental Field, IPB University, between April and August 2022, the study employed a randomized complete block design with three factors and three replications. The first factor, pruning time (5 and 7 weeks after planting, WAP), represented vegetative and generative phases. The second factor involved pruning methods (leaf and shoot), while the third focused on pruning intensity (0, 10, 30, and 50% of leaf numbers). This resulted in 16 treatment combinations, replicated three times, yielding 48 experimental plots. Measured variables included pruned leaf count, pruned leaf weight, total leaf count, plant fresh and dry weights, cowpea plant C/N ratio analysis, pod wet and dry weights, pod count, pod length, seeds per pod count, 100-seed weight, dry seed weight per plant, dry seed weight per plot, and cowpea seed productivity. Results highlighted significant effects of pruning time, method, and intensity on leaf count, shoot fresh and dry weights, and C/N ratio of cowpea plants after two weeks of pruning. However, the treatments did not significantly influence cowpea seed yield. Pruning cowpea leaves led to an average pruned leaf weight of 30 g per plant, offering a nutritious vegetable source without compromising cowpea seed yield. These leaves commanded a market price of approximately Rp. 6000 per kg, transforming them into a valuable economic asset when utilized as vegetables, thus contributing to the sale of nutritious food
Water Footprint Analysis of Different Techniques of Cocoa Propagation
The nursery phase plays a crucial role in rejuvenating cocoa plantations as it significantly impacts the quality and productivity of the mature trees in the field. However, despite its significance, there remains a lack of understanding regarding its contribution to the water footprint (WF) in cocoa production. This study aims to assess the WF of various propagation techniques to promote sustainable nursery practices. Data on nurseries were collected at the Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Institute in Jember, East Java, Indonesia, from June 2017 to January 2018. The results revealed that propagation accounted for a total WF ranging from 74.28 to 319.41 m3.ha-1 of established cocoa trees, with an average of 186.68 m3. This total WF consisted of 9.02 to 12.89 m3 (7.69%) attributed to seed production and 61.39 to 283.34 m3 (92.30%) attributed to the nursery phase. Among the different nursery techniques studied, the production of true seedlings exhibited the lowest WF, followed by side grafting. To optimize cocoa rejuvenation and minimize WF, it is crucial to carefully select the appropriate nursery technique. Further evaluation is necessary to explore the potential benefits of implementing precision irrigation techniques to reduce WF during the nursery phase. By focusing on sustainable nursery practices, we can enhance the overall sustainability of cocoa production
Evaluation of Growth Performance and Economic Return Analysis of Bathua (Chenopodium album) Genotypes
Bathua (Chenopodium album), a fast-growing weedy annual plant under the genus Chenopodium, is valuable for its high nutritional, medicinal and economic values as a leafy vegetable. The present study was carried out to evaluate the growth performance and economic returns of bathua genotypes in acid soil at Sylhet, Bangladesh. The experiment was laid out in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Morphological and growth parameters were recorded at the final harvest. The maximum plant height, number of branches per plant, fresh weight of inflorescence and leaf length were recorded in local bathua 1(110.5 cm, 65.33, and 8.93 g, respectively). The maximum fresh weight of leaves per plant, the maximum dry weight of leaves per plant were recorded in local bathua 2 (39.92 g and 8.79 g respectively). Results revealed that the studied morphological parameters including plant height, fresh and dry weight of leaves per plant, fresh and dry weight of stem per plant, fresh and dry weight of inflorescence per plant, stem base diameter, number of leaves per plant, number of branches per plant and leaf length influences the foliage yield of bathua. The highest foliage yield (9.20 t.ha-1), total gross return (Tk.552000.ha-1), net return (Tk.367000.ha-1) and BCR (2.98) were found in local bathua 1. From the findings of the present study, local bathua 1 could achieve higher productivity and profitability in acid soils of Sylhet, Bangladesh
Rice Yields at Different Dosages of Kieserite and Planting Systems
Rice stands as an important staple crop in Indonesia and Asia, prompting endeavors to enhance its production. One such technology, aimed at intensifying rice cultivation, involves optimizing plant density utilizing the "jajar legowo" system. This research was conducted within community rice fields located in Pasar Ambacang, Kuranji District, Padang City, West Sumatra, Indonesia, spanning from February 2020 to June 2020. The primary objective of this study was to assess the potential of the jajar legowo planting system, in conjunction with varying dosages of kieserite, to increase lowland rice yields. The study employed a two-factor experiment in a completely randomized design. The first factor is the jajar legowo types: A (25 cm x 12.5 cm x 50 cm) and B (25 cm x 25 cm x 50 cm). The second factor involved different kieserite dosages, comprising three levels (0, 150, 300 kg.ha-1). Each treatment combination was replicated four times. Our investigation unveiled that rice panicle length reached 27.20 cm under the influence of jajar legowo type A with a kieserite dosage of 150 kg.ha-1. Conversely, with the application of jajar legowo type B alongside a kieserite dose of 300 kg.ha-1, the rice panicle length increased to 27.88 cm. The highest yield was obtained with jajar legowo type A at a dose of 300 kg.ha-1, producing 5.35 tons.ha-1. It is recommended to implement the jajar legowo type A cropping pattern with the addition of 150 kg.ha-1 of kieserite, or jajar legowo type B with the addition of 300 kg.ha-1 of kieserite
Proline Accumulation and Growth of Bean Leaf (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) With Biochar Application in The Shallow Water Table Environment
Agronomic constraints for vegetable cultivation in riparian wetlands are low soil quality and shallow water table conditions. This study aims to identify the effect of biochar application and shallow water table on proline accumulation and plant growth of bean leaf (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at the generative stage. This study was carried out from April to August 2018 in factorial randomized block design. The first factor was doses of biochar (0, 1, and 2 kg.m-2), and the second was shallow water table condition (20 cm and 10 cm below the soil surface) given in the generative stage. The results showed that biochar application and the shallow water table significantly affected leaf parameters; proline accumulation and increases in the sucrose levels occurred on the leaves. Proline content increased started at 3 days after treatment (DAT) and decreased at 6 DAT until recovery day (7 DAT). The biochar application of 2 kg.m-2 provided good aeration in the soil, which enhanced the bean's ability to survive under excess water. Proline accumulation is one of the adaptation mechanisms of beans to abiotic stress in shallow water table conditions
Response of Lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) To Aquaculture Wastewater Treatment
The fish feed waste and litters are organic matter that can be a source of nutrients for plants. This study is aimed to determine the growth and production of lettuce (Lactuca sativa L.) treated with wastewater from hard-lipped barb culture of several population densities. The research was carried out from April through June of 2020 at the greenhouse of the Agrotechnology Study Program, Faculty of Agriculture, Djuanda University, Bogor, Indonesia. The controlled study used a randomized block design with one factor, wastewater from fish population density of 10, 20 and 30 per 21 L of water, and AB Mix as a control. Plants treated with the AB Mix were significantly superior to those plants treated with the hard-lipped barb farming wastewater, demonstrated by taller plants, more and larger leaves, larger stem diameter and leaf area, longer roots, greater fresh and dry weight, as well as a higher leaf nitrate content. The aquaculture wastewater at the tested fish density in this study did not support optimal growth of lettuce, so lettuce production is still very low compared to those grown with the AB mix
Effect of Allelopathy from Methanolic Extract of Broadleaf Weeds (Ageratum conyzoides and Borreria alata) on the Viability of Soybean Seeds (Glycine max L.)
The experiment aimed to investigate the allelopathic effects of active compounds present in broadleaf weeds Ageratum conyzoides and Borreria alata. The study also sought to assess the viability of various seed varieties grown using allelopathic extracts from these weeds, varying in concentrations of tannins and phenols. The research findings revealed that methanol extracts exhibited potent allelopathic properties, inhibiting germination, radicle and hypocotyl growth, as well as reducing the germination rate of soybean seeds. B. alata weed extracts demonstrated lower allelopathy than A. conyzoides, suggesting a possible alteration in the active compounds (allelochemicals) present due to a reforming process. Extracts from both A. conyzoides and B. alata weeds inhibited root length, hypocotyl growth, and germination across a range of concentrations, from low (10% v/v) to high (30% v/v)
The Effects of Application of Erythrina bruci Biomass and Inorganic Fertilizers On Wheat Productivity in Southwestern Ethiopia.
Soil fertility depletion is emerging as a serious challenge causing low crop yields and food insecurity in Ethiopia. An experiment was conducted in two cropping seasons 2016 to 2018 to investigate the effects of the application of Erythrina biomass and nitrogen fertilizer on soil properties and wheat yields in southwestern Ethiopia. Treatments were the recommended N and P fertilizers, 50% of the standard rate of Erythrina + 50% of the recommended N, 25% Erythrina + 75% N, 75% of the standard rate of Erythrina + 25% of the standard rate of N, 100% of the standard rate of Erythrina, and 50% of the standard rate of Erythrina, and without fertilizer as the control. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. Application of Erythrina and nitrogen fertilizer increased soil organic carbon (OC), total nitrogen (TN), and cation exchange capacity (CEC) compared to before fertilizer application or the control. Plots amended with 25% Erythrina + 75% of the recommended N provided the highest above ground biomass (8.98 t.ha-1) and grain yield (3.453 t.ha-1) and it was higher than the 100% chemical fertilizer treatment. Conversely, the lowest above ground biomass (5.44 t.ha-1) and grain yields (1.958 t.ha-1) were obtained from the control. Our study demonstrated that an integrated nutrient management which combines organic and chemical fertilizer can improve soil properties and increase wheat yield in the highlands of southwestern Ethiopia
Evaluation of Source and Sink Capacity of New Cowpea Varieties
Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp) is a perennial species originating from sub-Saharan Africa. Cowpea has long been cultivated in Indonesia and is classified as a species tolerant of drought and acid soil. Cowpea shows its adaptation to acidic soil (pH = 4.83) by being able to produce 50% to 60% of the seed weight under optimum conditions. This enhances the potential of cowpea to be used and developed as one of the current food options. This research was carried out to optimise of cowpea productivity by studying the relationship between the source and sink of cowpea. This research was conducted from December 2020 to March 2021 at the Cikabayan experimental station, Bogor Agricultural University. The experiment was set up in a completely randomized block design. Four cowpea varieties were evaluated, “Albina”, “Arghavan”, and “Uno”. The measured parameters consisted of photosynthesis rate, stomatal conductance, plant growth rate, the net assimilation rate of the number of pods, pod weight, number of seeds per pod, dry seed weight, the weight of 100-seeds, and productivity. The cowpea varieties did not show significant differences in the rate of photosynthesis, stomatal conductance, plant growth rate, and net assimilation rate. Photosynthesis rate in the three cowpea varieties ranged from 29.20 to 31.77 mol. m⁻².s⁻1 at 50% flowering, and from 17.01 to 19.79 mol.m⁻².s⁻1 at the first harvest. The three cowpea varieties in this study showed no differences in their source-sink capacity and productivity
The Development of Germination Tests and Breaking Dormancy Techniques of Bitter Seeds (Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees)
Bitter seed (Andrographis paniculata (Burm. f.) Wall. ex Nees) is a medicinal species used in phyto pharmacy and known as ‘the king of bitterness’. Bitter seeds contain andrographolide,
a diterpenoid lactone which is widely used in Indian medicine for snake bites and for the treatment of hepatitis. The research was conducted at the Seed Management Unit experimental field of the Indonesian Spice and Medicinal Plants Research Institute (IMACRI) and at the Seed Quality Testing Laboratory of IPB University, Indonesia, from January until May 2021. The objectives of the study is to determine the best germination test and effective breaking dormancy techniques to increase the germination percentage of bitter seeds. The study was arranged in a completely randomized design with two-factors. The first factor was seed treatments, i.e., control/untreated, chemical scarification with 5% H2SO4 for 10 minutes, and 5% H2SO4 followed by a 100 ppm GA3 soaking treatment. The second factor conducted was germination test methods according to International Seed Testing Association, i.e., germinating the seeds on the top of paper and in pleated paper. Our study demonstrated that seed treatment with H2SO4 can break seed dormancy and speed up seed germination. Bitter seed germination on the pleated paper was higher than with the top-of-paper method. Bitter seed germination with the top-of-paper method was at 65 DAS and the final germination was at 80 days after sowing (DAS), and the final germination was 55.2%. With the pleated paper method, the seeds germinated at 30 DAS and the final germination was at 70 DAS, and the final the germination of 59.2%