Caraka Tani: Journal of Sustainable Agriculture
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Utilization of Cassava-Jicama Composite Flour in Making Gluten-Free Biscuits with Different Types of Fats
Biscuits are a commonly consumed bakery product typically using wheat flour as a primary ingredient, rendering them unsuitable for gluten-intolerant consumers. Using cassava as a gluten-free alternative for composite flour in bakery products has been proven effective. Furthermore, jicama, which has high total dietary fiber contents, including inulin, can enhance total dietary fiber content. However, high-fiber ingredients can often produce a tough texture. To address this, fats such as butter and margarine are typically used to enhance the texture of baked products, although the use of shortening still needs to be explored. Both margarine and shortening are vegetable-based, making them more widely consumable. The production of jicama flour and gluten-free biscuits was the focus of this study. This study uses a completely randomized design with two factors: the ratio of composite flour (100:0, 90:10, 80:20, 70:30, 60:40) and the type of fat (margarine and shortening). Analyses were performed on the gluten-free biscuits to determine the total dietary fiber, inulin, fat, moisture, spread ratio, color and hardness. Results indicated that biscuits made with shortening with a flour ratio of 90:10 of cassava to jicama flour are the best formulation, yielding 2.54±0.00% inulin, 6.50±0.10% total dietary fiber, 19.88±0.17% fat, 2.20±0.10% moisture content, 10.03±0.20 spread ratio, lightness (L*) value of 52.53±0.37, °Hue value of 66.78±0.51, and 869.88±16.07 g hardness. This study shows that jicama flour can be an alternative to producing composite flour for gluten-free products. Shortening, which is not commonly used in biscuit making, may be considered an alternative fat source
Effect of Shading Percentage and Potassium Dosages on Growth and Yield of Cutleaf Groundcherry (Physalis angulata L.)
Cutleaf groundcherry is a medicinal herbaceous plant that has not been widely cultivated. Adjustment to the light intensities supported by the fulfillment of essential macro-nutrient underlies the agronomic consideration for cropping system determination. The study aimed to examine the growth and yield of cutleaf groundcherry grown under shade nets of various shading percentages and potassium application at different dosages. A split-plot design was used for this pot experiment repeated three times. The main plot was the shading percentages (0, 25, 50 and 75), while potassium dosages (0, 60, 120 and 180 kg ha-1) were the subplot. The result showed that several growth variables were affected by the interaction between shading percentages and potassium dosage, whereas yield variables were not. Under the high level of shading, leaf number (41% to 50%), leaf area (28% to 50%), and shoot dry weight (70% to 85%) were reduced at all potassium dosages. Potassium dosage at 120 kg ha-1 was required to achieve better growth under full sun or soft shading. Shading at 50% and upper significantly decreased fruit production by 30% lower fruit number, 50% to 80% lower fruit weight, and 15% lower total soluble solids (TSS). In addition, potassium fertilizer at 120 kg K2O ha-1 improved fruit weight but did not affect TSS. It can be concluded that cutleaf groundcherry is able to grow well under high intensity of light and need an adequate supply of potassium to improve growth, yield and fruit quality
Fiscal Decentralization and Farmer Empowerment in Indonesia-Timor Leste Border: A Case Study of Village Fund
Farmers in the border areas often face challenges due to a lack of facilities and sufficient infrastructure. As a nation that shares borders with several countries, the Indonesian government aims to facilitate economic growth in these areas. One viable approach to achieve this objective is through the effective allocation of village funds. Therefore, this study aims to analyze the factors influencing the empowerment of farmers in the Indonesia-Timor Leste border using village funds. Data were collected using a survey method from 325 household heads, who served as respondents. The collected data were analyzed using the Structure Equation Model-Partial Least Square (SEM-PLS). The results showed that human, social and physical capital owned by farmers on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border had an indirect effect on the strength of empowerment programs funded through village funds. This indicated that apart from implementing policies, the community must also be involved in the planning and implementation of various programs. Furthermore, the central or regional government must play an active role during the designing stages as well as involve farmers and experts in the empowerment process in the Indonesia-Timor Leste border areas
Utilization of Nostoc piscinale as Potential Biofertilizer to the Growth and Development of Oryza sativa L.
Nostoc is a blue-green cyanobacteria that produce their food through photosynthesis and nitrogen fixation. These organisms undergo nitrogen fixation and provide a potential nitrogen source for growth and development. Since rice is known as one of the world’s staple foods, especially in Asia, this study aims to determine the utilization of Nostoc piscinale as a potential biofertilizer for planting rice crops. N. piscinale was inoculated into three subcultures and incubated for 87 to 170 days, and then analyzed for nitrogen-fixing activity and rice plant development. Growth of cyanobacteria showed a significant increase in chlorophyll a starting from day 30 up to day 170 while nitrogen-fixing activity remained constant from day 4. On the other hand, the growth and development of rice treated with cyanobacteria showed correlated trends with commercial fertilizer (CSF) in terms of root and shoot (growth and fresh weight) and chlorophyll a content with no statistical differences (p-value ≥ 0.05). Nitrogen tests indicate the utilization of ammonia produced by N. piscinale and the change in soil pH. After harvesting the samples at 20 days and measuring the soil pH, the cyanobacterial samples were seen to lower the soil pH before planting, which is significantly different from the untreated and CSF-treated samples. The utilization of nitrogen for the growth and development of Oryza sativa subsp. indica proved that N. piscinale would be a positive alternative source of nitrogen due to the results obtained from the soil nitrogen composition and soil pH
Analysis of the Effects of Climate Change on Cotton Production in Maharashtra State of India Using Statistical Model and GIS Mapping
Cotton is a prominent cash crop cultivated for fiber, edible oil and oil cake. A global environmental issue, like climate change, alters weather parameters necessary for the healthy growth and development of cotton plants, affecting fiber quality and economic yield. The study aims to illustrate the evidence of climate change in Maharashtra and assess its impact on the production of cotton in this region. The study was conducted in the state of Maharashtra, India. Geographic information system (GIS)-based models were created based on the vector data (geopolitical boundaries of the state of Maharashtra and its districts) and the corresponding raster attributes (meteorological data) to examine the changes in the patterns of distribution of temperature, rainfall and severity of drought (Standardized Precipitation Index-SPI) over the study period (1990 to 2015). Further, a statistical multiple linear regression model was developed using district-wise data on yield and climatic parameters obtained from International Crops Research Institute for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT) to estimate the relationship between the dependent variable (yield of cotton) and the independent variables (annual rainfall and annual mean temperature). GIS modeling and mapping provide evidence of changes in the spatial distribution of rainfall and temperature. Although the regression analysis seems weak, it is acceptable for natural systems because natural systems are complex and often highly variable, making it difficult to create a perfect model. The multiple linear regression model shows that such changes in climatic parameters have a significant negative impact on the economic yield of cotton
Pectinase Production by Rhizopus stolonifer A3 Isolated from Apple Peels
The application of pectinase in industries will continue to be developed. To broaden the applicability of enzyme manufacturing in new industries, more research to investigate pectinolytic microorganisms with high activity and stability is still required. Therefore, this study aimed to obtain pectinolytic fungi that have the potential as pectinase producers. Pectinolytic fungi were isolated from rotten apple peels and selected based on clear zone formation on pectic agar media after cetyl trimethyl ammonium bromide (CTAB) staining. Pectinolytic fungi were identified based on 18S rRNA partial gene sequences and morphological characteristics. Pectinase production used Mandels and Weber medium with citrus pectin 20 g l-1 addition. Pectinase activity was determined based on the measurement of reducing sugars by a colorimetric method. A total of 5 fungal isolates were successfully isolated. All of the isolates had pectinolytic activities with clear zone diameters ranging between 0.99 to 7.32 mm. The isolate A3 showing the highest pectinolytic activity was identified as Rhizopus stolonifer. Microscopically, R. stolonifer A3 showed typical characteristics for Rhizopus, characterized by the presence of rhizoids, stolons and sporangiophores bearing a single spherical sporangium. The pectinase production of R. stolonifer A3 was optimum at initial pH 5.0, temperature 35 °C and incubation period of 3 days with pectinase activity of 14.75 U ml-1. R. stolonifer A3 produced acidic pectinase having optimum activity at pH 5.0 and temperature 50 °C. Thus R. stolonifer A3 has the potential to be used as a producer of acidic pectinase appropriate for use in the processing of fruit products
Measuring Consumer Involvement and Product Attributes on Beef Consumer Segmentation
Involvement is crucial in explaining emerging consumer behavior, such as purchasing and consumption decisions. Consumer involvement and purchase decisions are influenced by product attributes, resulting in differences in segmentation. Therefore, this study aims to examine consumer involvement in various beef segmentation categories and their product attributes. This would enable the profiling of consumer segmentation based on their level and type of involvement. The data were collected through an unrestricted self-selected survey run among 303 consumer and 4 consumer segments were identified. Furthermore, the One-way ANOVA F-tests with post-hoc Tukey multiple comparison test of mean scores and Pearson's chi-squared were used to achieve the second objective. The results showed concerned-consumer and cautious-consumer segment place emphasis on the economic value of the product when making purchasing decisions. In contrast, there was no distinction between functional and symbolic values of involvement in each consumer segment. This indicates that concerned-consumer, cautious-consumer, indifferent-consumer and straightforward-consumer segment perceive the advantages of purchasing beef. Furthermore, the concerned-consumer segment scored high on all product attributes. This study found that consumer with high involvement may consider a variety of factors before purchasing a product. Nevertheless, a low level of consumer involvement has less information to be apprehensive about, and improved consumer service can assist the cautious-consumer and concerned-consumer segment by simplifying the various information considered. Also, the identification of consumer segment based on balancing their attitudes towards meat consumption is of fundamental importance for the development of strategies in the red meat sector. The formulation of the market orientation has implications for product differentiation and marketing communication strategies
Status and Recent Developments of Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii Causes the Wilt Disease in Maize in Indonesia: A Review
Pantoea stewartii subsp. stewartii is a pathogen that causes Stewart wilt on maize. This disease is important in maize. Infection early in growth can cause yield losses of up to 100%. This review examines the history, recent developments, economic impacts and developments of detection technology of Stewart wilt diseases. This paper was created by reviewing several articles relevant to the purpose of the topic. The article's results revealed that the pathogen underwent many changes, including its name, taxonomy, physiological abilities, status as an important pathogen in many countries and the development of detection technology. Currently, P. stewartii subsp. stewartii belongs to the Erwiniaceae family and has physiological abilities that can be distinguished from bacteria of the same genus and species. This pathogen has been reported to spread to more than 82 countries, including Indonesia, with 18 host plants. Some areas have reported pathogens in Indonesia, but no vector has been written. The biggest economic threat caused by this disease is the industrial production of corn seeds which require strict phytosanitary requirements and are free from pathogens. To anticipate its spread, there are four methods of detection of pathogenic bacteria that are commonly used, but serological and molecular detection technologies are the main recommendations
Study on Weeds Abundance on Rice Fields in Mycorrhizal Inoculation and Different Planting Methods
The increasing demand for rice and the increasing population growth rate require sustainable rice production. Direct seeding of rice (DSR) combined with the use of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) is needed to achieve sustainable food production. This study aims to determine the effect of the planting method and mycorrhizal inoculation on the diversity, composition and dominance of weeds in a rice field for the sustainability of agricultural production. The research used a split-plot design with three replications. The main plot was the planting method consisting of on row, drum seeder and transplanting, while the subplot was mycorrhizal inoculation divided into with mycorrhizal inoculation and without mycorrhizal inoculation. The observed variables were light penetration, weeds population, weeds composition, weeds biomass, summed dominance ratio and community coefficient. The results showed that there were 34 kinds of weeds consisting of 13 families and the dominant weed was annual weeds, most of which were broadleaf weeds. The dominant weed was Alternanthera sessilis (L.) R. Br. ex DC. (sessile joyweed). The planting methods affected the weed population in 24 days after sowing (DAS) and the composition of broadleaf weeds in 24 DAS but did not affect weed biomass. The AMF inoculation did not affect weed population, composition, or biomass. It is necessary to find mycorrhizal species that can affect weed growth
The Effects of Different Undergrowth Vegetation on the Types and Densities of Functional Ground-Dwelling Arthropods in Citrus Orchards
In agricultural lands, citrus orchards, pest feeding and weed seed predation by ground-dwelling arthropods are essential ecosystem services. This research aims to investigate the effects of different undergrowth vegetation, including weed area, bare land, rattail fescue and white clover fields, on the types and densities of functional ground-dwelling arthropods in citrus orchards, using pitfall traps. The captured organisms included carnivorous beetles (Pheropsophus jessoensis, Chlaenius naeviger and Dolichus halensis), wolf spiders (Lycosidae sp.), earwigs (Anisolabididae sp.), house centipedes (Scutigeromorpha sp.), herbivorous ground beetles (Amara sp., Harpalinae sp.), crickets and millipedes. Furthermore, the population of the functional ground-dwelling arthropods was significantly increased by the presence of a live mulch, where a higher number was seen in the rattail fescue or white clover compared to the weed or bare land fields. The cover crops also affected the types of arthropods identified, with the rattail fescue field including more Pheropsophus jessoensis while the white clover had an elevated number of wolf spiders, earwigs and Amara sp. (a weed seed predator). This discovery indicates that the type of undergrowth vegetation plays an important role in enhancing functional biodiversity. The kind of pests and weeds that these arthropods are effective against, as well as the extent to which their densities can be decreased, is also unknown. Therefore, further research on the feeding habit and predation of these arthropods should be conducted