Search

This study investigates the buildup of nine Potentially Toxic Elements (PTEs) in agricultural soils, sources of contamination, ecological risks index, and health risks. All samples from four subdistricts contained detectable levels of nine PTEs, with iron, copper, arsenic, cadmium, and lead concentrations surpassing permissible limits. Natural and anthropogenic activities are revealed as the sources of PTEs. The potential ecological risk index of PTEs is very high. The weekly intake of Pb, As, Ni, Mn, Cd, and Fe in children and adults surpassed the safe intake limits. The findings call for a comprehensive environmental protection plan to safeguard public health.

Soybean productivity in paddy fields is influenced by variety selection and grass management practices. This study aimed to assess several soybean varieties and evaluate the impact of soil processing and weed control on Summed Dominance Ratio (SDR), as well as growth and yield of soybean seeds. Conducted in Sungai Kakap, Kubu Raya, West Kalimantan, during 2021, the research employed a Randomized Block Design with 15 treatments and 3 replications. Treatments included various combinations of tillage methods, weed control techniques, and mulching. The study identified four soybean varieties Detap-1, Derap-1, Devon-1, and Dena-2 with large seed sizes and high yields. These varieties also exhibited resistance to common pests such as Etiella zinkenella, Riptortus linearis, and Spodoptera litura. Weed composition analysis revealed O. sativa and Ageratum conyzoides as dominant species. Weed dry weight was lowest in the perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide treatment and highest in the minimum tillage + weeds are not controlled treatment. The highest plant growth and seed yield were observed in the minimum tillage + pre-emergence herbicide and perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide treatments. Plant height, number of pods per plant, number of seeds per plant, and dry seed yield were significantly higher in these treatments compared to others. In conclusion, varieties Detap-1, Derap-1, Devon-1, and Dena-2 possess suitable physical characteristics for cultivation in Indonesia. The most effective grass management models identified were minimum tillage + pre-emergence herbicide and perfect tillage + pre-emergence herbicide. These findings contribute to optimizing soybean cultivation practices, emphasizing varietal selection and weed control strategies for improved crop performance.

Twisted disease (Fusarium spp.) is an endemic disease that reduces shallot production in the coastal land area of Samas, Bantul, Yogyakarta. The application of Bacillus spp. can suppress the twisted disease by secreting secondary metabolites and enhancing soil suppressiveness. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of adding spraying Bacillus spp. on the disease incidence, production of shallots, and their effect on the diversity of rhizomicrobiome by culture microbe approaches. Bacillus spp. with a density 108 cfu mL-1, Trichoderma asperellum 106 cfu mL-1 was applied by spraying to the shallot. Fungicide chlorothalonil, propiconazole, and prochloraz were used to control the disease. The diversity of rhizobacteria and fungi was analyzed using the ribosomal intergenic spacer analysis (RISA) method. Based on the analysis result, the addition of spraying B. velezensis B-27, combination B. velezensis B-27 and B. cereus RC76, and T. asperellum was unable to enhance the suppression of twisted disease, but it was able to enhance the production of shallot bulbs reaching 7.10, 7.80, and 8.43 ton ha-1. Furthermore, the result revealed the diversity of the rhizomicrobiome, spraying Bacillus sp. showed 39% differences in bacterial diversity with control while T. asperellum caused 43% difference in the diversity. Spraying Bacillus spp. has not been able to suppress the incidence of twisted diseases compared to control. However, the similar disease incidence on a spraying Bacillus spp. and control showed a higher production until 70% compared to control. This result showed that the addition of spraying Bacillus spp. able to increase the tolerance of shallot plants toward twisted disease.

Sorghum is uniquely adapted to dryland and used by the Indonesian government to optimize the utilization of dryland and increase farmers’ incomes. The objective of this study was to analyze the contribution of sorghum to increasing income and the level of welfare of dryland farmer households in Wonogiri, Central Java, Indonesia. The study was conducted from October to December 2022 using a survey method through direct interviews with purposively selected sorghum-growing farmers. A set of questions included household income and expenditure. The average total income and expenditure indicators, poverty line figures, RMW, and ERFHI were used to measure the welfare level of farmer households. The study found that the income derived from sorghum contributes 22.87% to total household income and tends to increase household income by 29.65%. According to the average total income earned, farming households were in a prosperous condition. This can be seen from the total income, which is higher than the total expenditure, the average per capita income higher than the poverty line, the average total income higher than RMW, and the value of ERFHI at 1.25. Income derived from sorghum has increased by 21.43–56.00% from less prosperous households to prosperous ones. The results of this study are expected to contribute to the existing literature on sorghum development and farmers’ income and to be a reference for policy makers in formulating poverty alleviation programs and improving the welfare of farmer households, as well as expanding sorghum development by optimizing the utilization of agroecological, economic and social resources.

One component of integrated rat management in rice fields is barn owl as biological control. The study was conducted to evaluate the occupancy rate of barn owl nest boxes, the local rat population, and rat damage to rice crops. It was conducted in three locations in Yogyakarta by observing 10 nest boxes per site. Assessment of their occupancy was monitored by barn owl presence in nest box (egg, chick, and adult) and natural nests in villages nearby. In comparison with control village, the local rat population was observed by the active burrow count method and linear trap barrier systems. Rat damage intensity is estimated by sampling 150 tillers using a stratified sampling approach. The result indicated that 1-4 nest boxes were occupied per location. The owls also nested within buildings nearby. Active burrows ranged from 4 to 25 burrows per 150 m. The rat damage area ranged from 33.33% - 48.57% with 6.33% - 14.86% damage intensity was significantly lower than the control site. Artificial nest box installation for owls in rice fields were only occupied for breeding. The use of barn owls for biological control of rice field rats should be combined with other methods in an integrated approach.

Sorghum is an important food crop commodity in the midst of climate change conditions and the threat of a global food crisis. Sorghum, which has an adaptive advantage to all land conditions, is suitable for use as a food substitute for rice and wheat. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the economic value, farmers’ perceptions, and specific strategies for developing sorghum in Central Java and Yogyakarta, Indonesia. The research was conducted in Wonogiri Regency, Central Java, and Gunungkidul Regency, Yogyakarta from September to November 2022. The research was carried out through the observation of 120 respondents with indicators of farming characteristics and farmers’ perceptions of sorghum development, as well as focus group discussions (FGD) and depth interviews with indicators of internal and external factors for sorghum development. The analysis used is benefit cost (BC) to evaluate the economic value of sorghum farming, the Likert scale to determine farmers’ perceptions of sorghum, and Strength Weak Opportunity Threat (SWOT) to determine specific strategies for developing sorghum. The results showed that sorghum farming is feasible to develop in Wonogiri Central Java and Gunungkidul Yogyakarta because it provides a profit value greater than production costs with a BCR value of >1. The perception of farmers in Central Java regarding the development of sorghum is included in the very good category with an average value of 3.31, and the perception of farmers in Yogyakarta is included in the good category with an average value of 2.55. The operational policy strategy for developing sorghum in Wonogiri Central Java and Gunungkidul Yogyakarta is an expansion strategy (S-O).

Farmer adoption of sustainable rice farming technologies and practices is critical for climate change adaptation and mitigation. Often adoption is investigated in isolation focusing on factors influencing farmer decision making and overlooking the effects of technology adoption on farmers’ livelihoods and perceptions of change. Therefore, the present study investigated technology adoption and its effects on farmers with a special focus on additional revenue allocation and perception of social, economic and environmental change. Using a digital survey platform, 153 farmers (21.6% female) were interviewed in three sub-districts of Yogyakarta, Indonesia. On average, farmers adopted two technologies or practices, adopted high-yielding rice varieties, and increased their revenue from US$105 to US$122 per hectare per season. Barriers to adoption included time constraints, unsuitability for field conditions and incompatibility with cropping systems. Farmers invested the extra income in farming business and improved diets. Furthermore, farmers perceived changes in social and human capital and also poverty reduction due to technology adoption. This study highlights the importance of including an analysis of social impact in agricultural research.