Journal of Tropical Crop Science
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Transforming Tropical Crops: Postharvest Processing and Enterprise Viability of MaCoMa Coffee Blend in Davao Oriental, Philippines
Full text linkThis study explored the development of a novel, non-caffeinated coffee alternative using underutilized tropical crops: marang seeds (Artocarpus odoratissimus), corn (Zea mays), and malunggay (Moringa oleifera) leaves. These crops are abundant in tropical regions, such as Banaybanay, Davao Oriental, Philippines, yet remain largely untapped for value-added food products. Marang, a seasonal fruit native to the Philippines, yields seeds rich in protein, fats, and carbohydrates, which are often discarded as waste. Corn, widely cultivated in the region, contributes dietary fiber and antioxidants, while malunggay leaves are celebrated for their dense micronutrient content, including iron, calcium, and vitamins A and C. The MaCoMa (Marang + Corn + Malunggay) coffee blend was formulated through strategic post-harvest processing techniques, including roasting, drying, and blending, to enhance flavor, preserve nutrients, and extend shelf life. The research evaluated both scientific parameters, such as nutritional profiling and sensory attributes (appearance, aroma, taste, and texture), as well as business viability factors, including consumer acceptability and financial metrics. A sensory evaluation conducted with 200 respondents revealed high levels of acceptability, particularly in terms of aroma and taste. Economic analysis indicated a Return on Investment (ROI) of 7.84%, a net profit margin of 6.86%, and a payback period of 1.5 years, evidence of strong enterprise potential. A SWOT analysis highlighted key strengths, including local availability, nutritional benefits, affordability, and sustainability, while also noting challenges such as limited market awareness and shelf-life constraints. This project demonstrates the potential of transforming tropical crops into market ready products that support community-based enterprises. The MaCoMa coffee blend offers a healthier alternative to conventional coffee, promotes agricultural innovation, reduces postharvest waste, and creates livelihood opportunities. Continued research into flavor variants, shelf-life stabilization, and regional marketing is recommended to scale its impact across tropical agricultural communities
Promoting Sustainable Sorghum Production: The Role of Ratoon Cultivation and Fertilizer Management
Full text linkThis study investigated the biomass productivity of sorghum main crop, first ratoon, and second ratoon. A randomized complete block design was employed for the main crop experiment, with eight sorghum genotypes (NS2-19, NS2-102, NS2-109, NS2-111, NS2-140, IPB 4, IPB 8, and “Numbu”) as the treatment factor. The ratoon crop was designed using a Split Plots Design with two treatment factors and three replications. The first factor was fertilizer treatment on the ratoon crops, with two levels: complete N, P, and K fertilizer (urea 133 kg.ha-1, KCl 100 kg.ha-1, and SP-36 100 kg.ha-1) and N fertilizer only (urea 133 kg.ha-1); this factor was arranged as the main plot. The second factor comprised eight elite sorghum lines, the same as those used in the main crop experiment, arranged as subplots. The results indicated that complete NPK fertilization and N fertilizer alone produced similar biomass productivity in sorghum ratoon crops. Among the genotypes, NS2-140 demonstrated the highest biomass productivity in the main crop, NS2-109 in the first ratoon, and NS2-19 in the second ratoon. The second ratoon exhibited the highest biomass yield compared to the main crop and the first ratoon
Alley Cropping System to Increase Corn Crop Production and Agricultural Productivity in Dry Land
Full text linkAlley cropping is an agroforestry system that plants annual crops or food crops between alleys formed by hedges of trees or shrubs. This study aims to determine the effects of the alley cropping system, the provision of Gamal (Gliricidia sepium) biomass, and the doses of N, P, and K fertilizers on corn production. The study was conducted in 2022 at the educational plantation area, Integrated Farming System, Faculty of Agriculture, Bosowa University, Bontoramba Village, Pallangga Subdistrict, Gowa Regency, South Sulawesi, Indonesia. The experimental design used was a split plot with and without hedgerow plant treatment as the main plot and doses of N, P, and K as subplots. The subplots consist of the control or without fertilizers, P fertilizer only at 100 kg.ha-1 SP-36, K fertilizer only at 100 kg.ha-1 KCl, N and K (250 kg.ha-1 Urea, 100 kg.ha-1 KCl), N and P (250 kg.ha-1 Urea, 100 kg.ha-1 SP-36), and N, P and K (250 kg.ha-1 Urea, 100 kg.ha-1 SP-36, 100 kg.ha-1 KCl). The research showed that the alley-cropping system increased corn production from 4,690 to 6,089 tons.ha-1, with an average increase of 50% compared to corn production without the alley-cropping system. The N, P, and K fertilization produced the best average corn yields. The alley-cropping system achieved the highest land productivity compared to those without the alley-cropping system
Foliar Application of Indole-3-Butyric Acid and Gibberellic Acid Alters Growth and Yield of Carrot (Daucus Carota L.) Cv. “Shidur”
Full text linkCarrots are a nutritious and well-accepted root crop in Bangladesh, but production is very low at the farmer's field level compared to the other producing countries. Therefore, this study was undertaken to improve the yield of carrots by using different plant growth regulators. To evaluate the influence of the foliar application of indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) on the growth and yield of carrots, different concentrations viz., 0, 50, 100, 150 ppm of IBA and GA3 were sprayed at the vegetative stage of carrot production. Among all the treatments, 150 ppm GA3 shows better shoot growth with the highest plant height (56.80 cm), number of leaves (10.53), leaf length (56.81 cm), fresh weight of leaves (57.08 g), and dry matter content of leaves (10.95%). Foliar application of 150 ppm IBA significantly increased root traits, including root length (16.20 cm), diameter (3.92 cm), fresh weight per plant (98.45 g), and dry matter content (12.01%). Moreover, gross yield (36.80 tons per ha) and marketable yield (36.21 tons per ha) were the highest when IBA was applied at 150 ppm. Overall results revealed that 150 ppm IBA resulted in better growth and higher yield in carrot cv. “Shidur” compared to other treatments
Inducing Drought Stress Tolerance during Germination by Micronutrient Seed Priming and Coating of Maize (Zea mays L.)
Full text linkDrought is a significant abiotic stress that affects the germination of many crops, including maize. Improvement in seed quality and tolerance to drought stress can be induced through seed priming and coating. This research aimed to study the effect of priming and coating on maize seed germination under drought conditions. The experiment was performed in a randomized complete block design with a split plot arrangement and four replications. The main plot was drought stress level: control, and 10% PEG. The subplot was seed enhancement treatments, which consisted of untreated, hydropriming, osmopriming, priming with 6 mM Si, 0.075 mM Se + 10 mM Zn, 6 mM Si + 0.075 Se + 10 mM Zn, 0.8 mM melatonin, seed coating 1% NaAlg, P9: seed coating + 0.732 g Si.kg-1 seed, P10: seed coating + 0.014 g Se + 2.875 g Zn.kg-1 seed, P11: seed coating + 0.732 g Si + 0.014 g Se + 2.875 g Zn.kg-1 seed, and P12: seed coating + 0.186 g melatonin.kg-1 seed. The result showed that seed priming 0.075 mM Se + 10 mM Zn, priming 6 mM Si + 0.075 mM Se + 10 mM Zn, and seed coating + 0.732 g Si + 0.014 g Se + 2.875 g Zn.kg-1 seed improved maize seed germination under drought stress based on germination percentage, speed of germination, root dry weight, seedling dry weight, and seedling growth rate. Seed priming or coating with micronutrients such as silicon, selenium, and zinc could serve as an effective treatment to enhance germination of maize under drought conditions
Morphological Responses and Productivity of Indigofera (Indigofera zollingeriana) with Varied Fertilization in Limestone Post-mining Land
Full text linkIndigofera is a protein-rich plant source for ruminants, with potential for introduction to marginal lands, such as limestone post-mining areas, through integration with reclamation activities. This study aims to determine the response of varying levels of organic fertilizer and NPK on the morphology and productivity of Indigofera zollingeriana introduced to limestone post-mining. The study employed a randomized block design with a 3 × 4 factorial pattern and four replications. The first factor was organic fertilizer at the rates of 0, 5, and 10 tons.ha-1, and the second factor was NPK, 0, 50, 100, and 150 kg.ha-1. Indigofera was planted in a 3 x 4 m2 plot with a 1 m planting distance and harvested four times. The results showed that the combination of organic fertilizer with NPK affected (p<0.05) the morphology, biomass production, and nutrient profile. The combination of 10 tons.ha-1 of organic fertilizer and 100 kg.ha-1 NPK optimally produced plant with up to 217.64 cm height, 18.28 tons.ha-1 fresh production per harvest, 4.96 tons.ha-1 dry matter per harvest, 28.78% crude protein, and 72.47% total digestible nutrient. Biomass production decreased in the dry season (third harvest). Conclusively, the combination of 10 tons.ha-1 organic fertilizer and 100 kg.ha-1 NPK produced Indigofera plants with optimum plant height, biomass production, crude protein, and total digestible nutrients. Indigofera plants can be utilized as revegetation plants and as a source of green fodder on limestone post-mining land
Optimizing Tissue Culture for Yellow Dragon Fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus) Propagation: Enhancing Shoot and Root Induction
Full text linkYellow dragon fruit (Selenicereus megalanthus) "Palora" variety is a tropical cactus recognized for its yellow pericarp, white mesocarp, and black seeds. Dragon fruits are also known as pitaya. The yellow pitaya variant is regarded as the sweetest and most nutrient-dense, with high commercial value among the commonly cultivated pitaya types. However, large-scale cultivation of yellow dragon fruit remains limited by propagation constraints. The conventional propagation method using vegetative stem cuttings is labour-intensive and results in inconsistent growth and genetic variability. Tissue culture has emerged as a viable biotechnological alternative, enabling rapid multiplication of genetically uniform and disease-free plantlets under controlled conditions. The study aimed to optimize tissue culture medium for enhancing shoot induction on yellow dragon fruit. The experiments were conducted in two steps. The first step evaluated the explant response in MS medium containing 3 mg.L-1 BAP and varying NAA concentrations (0.1, 0.2, 1, 2, and 3 mg.L-1). The results showed that an elevation in NAA concentration promoted progressive growth in shoots, roots, and callus. However, when NAA was further augmented to 3 mg.L-1, shoot and root formation were repressed, while callus formation increased. The second step evaluated the combined effects of auxin and cytokinin on shoot formation. A factorial treatment design was applied using combinations of three NAA concentrations (1, 2, and 3 mg.L-1) and three BAP concentrations (1, 2, and 3 mg.L-1), resulting in nine treatment combinations, with the lowest concentration (NAA 1 mg.L-1 + BAP 1 mg.L-1) as the control. Statistical analysis revealed that NAA, BAP, and their interaction had a significant effect on the number of shoots. The optimal treatment for producing the highest number of shoots is a combination of NAA at 3 mg.L-1 and BAP at 2 mg.L-1
Effects of Pruning, Branch Bending, and Biofertilizer Application on Flowering and Fruiting of Guava “Crystal”
Full text linkGuava “Crystal” is one of Indonesia’s most popular varieties; its demand continues to increase, so it is important to examine methods to increase fruit production. This research aims to increase the flowering and fruiting of guava “Crystal” through branch-bending and application of biofertilizer. The results showed that pruning + bending significantly increased the number of shoots by 15.8%, shoot length by 11.16%, and leaf number by 15.09%. This treatment also increased flower number by 88.84%, fruit number by 77.9%, and double the fruit weight. Biofertilizers significantly increased vegetative growth in the form of the number of shoots (5.12%), shoot length (9.21%), and number of leaves (10.29%). Pruning + bending and biofertilizer did not significantly affect weight per fruit, fruit diameter, fruit volume, fruit firmness, total soluble solids, total titratable acids, and vitamin C content
Biomass Partitioning of Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz) at Various Doses of Nitrogen Fertilization
Full text linkThe distribution of carbohydrates across different plant organs, or carbohydrate partitioning, is a vital indicator of nitrogen use efficiency and resource allocation in plants. This study aimed to evaluate the impact of varying nitrogen fertilization rates on carbohydrate partitioning in cassava (Manihot esculenta Crantz). A randomized block design was used with six nitrogen dose treatments (0, 45, 90, 135, 180, 225 kg.ha-1) and four replications. Parameters observed included dry weight and carbohydrate distribution in roots, stems, leaves, root tubers, and petioles over eight months after planting (MAP). Results indicated that nitrogen fertilization significantly influenced cassava plants’ dry weight and carbohydrate partitioning, with optimal nitrogen doses varying by plant organ and growth stage. Nitrogen application enhanced carbohydrate allocation to root tubers, particularly from 3 to 8 MAP
Effect of Nitrogen on Intercropped Radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and Spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) Productivity under Greenhouse Conditions
Full text linkDue to a rapidly increasing global population and limited arable land, there is a need to increase crop productivity per unit area and optimize resource utilization by plants. One strategy to achieve improved resource utilization is intercropping, whereby two or more crops are grown in mixed or alternating patterns within a block of land. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of nitrogen on radish (Raphanus sativus L.) and spinach (Spinacia oleracea L.) intercropping on crop growth parameters and yield. Intercropped radish and spinach grown in the greenhouse resulted in only one radish-spinach intercrop ratio (50:50) with the same or greater productivity as radish and spinach monocultures, and it did not include an addition of nitrogen. The LER value associated with this treatment was 1.06. However, adding fertilizer resulted in significantly different (P<0.05) leaf numbers, chlorophyll content, and dry biomass of intercropped radish and spinach compared to treatments without fertilizer, except for leaf number in radish. Radish and spinach’s replacement series response curves are concave and convex, respectively, in fertilizer and non-fertilizer treatments. The response curves imply that radish is more aggressive than spinach in intercropping systems. In the only intercrop treatment with an LER>1.0 (50:50 without fertilizer), radish was 2.9 times more competitive than spinach