AgroTech- Food Science, Technology and Environment

The Effect of Yeast Type and Cassava Age on Hydrogen Cyanide (HCN) and Protein Content in Mocaf (Modified Cassava Flour) of the Local Daplang Variety

Shodiq Eko Ariyanto — 2026-01-13

Cassava (Manihot esculenta Crant.) is a food crop that serves as one of the food sources in Indonesia. One of the cassava processing diversification efforts currently being developed is Mocaf (Modified Cassava Flour). This

study aims to determine the method of producing mocaf flour from cassava (local daplang variety) through fermentation that meets quality standards (SNI 01-2997-1992) at various cassava ages. This study used a completely randomized design consisting of two factors, namely yeast type (M-Bio mocaf, pakmaya yeast, and tape yeast) and the age of the daplang cassava plant (7, 8, and 9 months), which was repeated three times to obtain 29 experimental units. The results showed that the yeast type treatment had a significant effect on HCN and protein levels. The best HCN level was found in the tape yeast type at 7.63 mg/kg. The best protein level was found in the M-Bio mocaf treatment at 1.68%. The cassava age treatment had a significant effect on HCN levels but not on protein levels. The best result was obtained in the seven-month cassava age treatment (u1) at 1.27%. In the combination treatment, there was an interaction between yeast type and cassava age on the protein content parameter, with the best result obtained in r3u3 at 1.14%.

The Effect of Different Types of Refugia Plants on Insect Adequacy Based on Ecological Roles in Rice Fields

Af’idzatuttama — 2026-01-13

Refugia plants are an important component of Integrated Pest Management (IPM) because they provide habitats and food sources for beneficial insects. This study aimed to analyze the effect of different types of refugia plants on insect abundance based on their ecological roles, namely pests, predators, parasitoids, and pollinators, in paddy rice fields. The research was conducted in eight rice fields in Kudus Regency, Central Java, from October to December 2024. Insect sampling was conducted using the sweep-net method, with three replicates per site. Collected insects were identified to the family level and classified according to their ecological roles. Data analysis was performed using the Shannon–Wiener diversity index (H’) and the evenness index (E’). The results showed that differences in refugia plant species influenced insect abundance in rice fields. Of the total 128 insect individuals recorded, 51.56% functioned as pests and 46.58% as predators, while parasitoids and pollinators each accounted for 0.78%. Predator insects belonged to 15 families and 8 orders, with the family Coccinellidae being the dominant group. The diversity index (H’) across all fields was categorized as low, ranging from 0.223 to 0.691, while the evenness index (E’) ranged from 0.501 to 0.889. Certain refugia plants demonstrated potential to enhance the presence of natural enemies. Therefore, the use of refugia plants supports natural pest control and the sustainability of rice agroecosystems.

Influence of Plant Growth-Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR) Concentration and Soaking Duration on the Vegetative Growth of Premna oblongifolia Merr

Sholihatun — 2026-01-14

Indonesia is a country with abundant natural wealth, including a wide variety of flora and fauna that grow and thrive within its territory. Among them are plants that can be utilized as medicinal resources and food ingredients, one of which is green grass jelly (cincau hijau). This study aims to determine the effect and interaction between soaking time and PGPR concentration on the growth of green grass jelly (Premna oblongifolia Merr.) stem cuttings. The research was conducted from June to September 2024 in Sambirejo Village, Gabus District, Pati Regency. This study used a randomized complete block design (RCBD). The first factor was the length of soaking (L), namely L1 (20 minutes), L2 (40 minutes), and L3 (60 minutes). The second factor is concentration (K), namely K0 (control), K1 (2 ml/L), K2 (4 ml/L), and K3 (6 ml/L). The results showed that soaking duration had no significant effect on the growth of green grass jelly (Premna oblongifolia Merr.) stem cuttings. In contrast, PGPR concentration significantly influenced the growth of the cuttings, particularly root length and root dry weight. A PGPR concentration of 6 mL L⁻¹ resulted in the highest growth performance of green grass jelly stem cuttings. An interaction between soaking duration and PGPR concentration was observed for root length, with the best response obtained from a soaking duration of 40 minutes combined with a PGPR concentration of 6 mL L⁻¹.

The Combination of Urea and Catfish Organic Fertilizer on the Vegetative Growth of Soybean Plants in Regosol Soil

Khairul Anwar — 2026-01-14

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is the third most important food crop after rice and maize in Indonesia. Improving soybean productivity is essential, particularly through efficient fertilization strategie. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different combinations of urea fertilizer and catfish organic fertilizer on the vegetative growth of soybean cultivated in regosol soil. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with a single factor consisting of five fertilizer treatments: P1 (0.6 g urea), P2 (0.45 g urea + 1.1 g catfish organic fertilizer), P3 (0.3 g urea + 2.2 g catfish organic fertilizer), P4 (0.15 g urea + 3.3 g catfish organic fertilizer), and P5 (4.4 g catfish organic fertilizer). Each treatment was replicated four times. Observed parameters included plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, fresh and dry shoot weight, fresh and dry root weight, root length, and soil pH. The results indicated that the application of 4.4 g catfish organic fertilizer produced vegetative growth comparable to that of 0.6 g urea. This finding demonstrates that catfish organic fertilizer can effectively substitute urea fertilizer during the vegetative growth phase of soybean cultivated in regosol soil. The use of catfish organic fertilizer offers a sustainable alternative for reducing dependence on synthetic nitrogen fertilizers while maintaining soybean growth performance.

Effects of Dietary Habits of Arable Crop Farmers on Agricultural Productivity

Luqman Adedeji Hussain — 2026-06-30

This study investigates the impact of dietary habits of arable crop farmers on the agricultural productivity in Ado-Odo Ota and Badagry Local Government Areas, Ogun and Lagos States, respectively. The research explores the relationship between nutritional intake and physical activity levels and examines the impact on farmers' productivity and sustainable agriculture. A survey design was employed, with a sample of 120 arable crop farmers selected through a multistage sampling technique. Data was collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed using descriptive statistics, including frequency counts, percentages, and mean scores. The findings reveal that 55% of the respondents were aged between 26 and 45 years, with 55% being male and 40% of the farmers had completed secondary education. The study also highlights a trend towards balanced nutrition, with 94.4% of participants consuming fruits and vegetables regularly, 86.6% includes lean proteins in their diets, and 61.7% minimizing their intake of sugary beverages and processed foods. Additionally, 82% of the farmers engage in moderate to vigorous physical activity between 6 and 8 hours daily, with 91.7% adjusting their diets accordingly to meet these physical demands. The research concludes that improved nutrition significantly enhances farmers' productivity, with 90% of the respondents affirmed its positive impact on job satisfaction and engagement. Factors such as convenience (94.5%) and cost (89.4%) play a crucial role in influencing food choices. These findings underscore the need for targeted nutritional interventions to enhance the productivity and quality of life of arable crop farmers in southwestern Nigeria to ensure sustainable agriculture.

Commodity Area Analysis of Coffee in Kudus Regency

Winda Widyastuti — 2026-06-30

Coffee is one of the important plantation commodities cultivated in Kudus Regency and has the potential to be developed as a leading commodity to support regional economic growth. This study aims to identify coffee based production areas and analyze the characteristics of the spatial distribution of coffee commodities in Kudus Regency. The scope of the research focuses on robusta coffee production across districts in Kudus Regency. The study uses secondary time-series data covering the period from 2015 to 2024 obtained from official statistical sources. A descriptive quantitative approach was applied, employing Location Quotient (LQ) analysis, locality analysis, and specialization analysis to determine base areas, spatial concentration, and production specialization of coffee farming. The results show that based on coffee production indicators, there are two out of nine districts in Kudus Regency identified as coffee base areas, namely Gebog and Dawe Districts. However, coffee farming activities are not localized or concentrated in a single district but are instead spread across several districts. In addition, coffee farming in Kudus Regency does not indicate a high level of specialization compared to other plantation commodities. Despite this condition, coffee remains a strategic commodity that contributes to plantation development and regional development in Kudus Regency. These findings can serve as a reference for regional planning and policy formulation in developing coffee as a superior plantation commodity.

The level and determinants of technical efficiency of smallholder farmers in maize intercropping and monocropping in Tanzania

Asela Miho — 2026-06-30

The study focused on examining and comparing the level and determinants of technical efficiency among maize smallholder farmers in maize intercropping options and maize monocropping in Tanzania on 5595 households (1323 in 2010, 1680 in 2012, 1219 in 2014 and 1373 in 2020) from the 2010/2011 to 2020/2021Tanzania National Panel Surveys data that were considered cross-sectional following the limited panel structure due to sample splitting, attrition and refreshment. By using a one-step Translog stochastic frontier model, the results revealed that, household that intercropped maize and legumes are consistently more technically efficient, with efficiency increasing from an average of 57% in 2010/11 to 76% in 2020/21 relative to54.2% to 67.4% in maize monocropping and 54% to 67% in maize and other crops. Concurrently, the trend was volatile in maize monocropping and decreasing in maize production regardless of the technology (72% to 62% respectively). Throughout the study, male-headed household emerges more efficient than female-headed households. Household joint farming decisions, agriculture as main occupation, livestock ownership reduce inefficiency in maize and legumes and maize monocropping, land ownership, secondary education or above reduce inefficiency in maize monocropping, household size and improved seed reduce inefficiency in maize and legumes, extensions services and irrigation reduce inefficiency in maize and other crops. Farming machinery reduces inefficiency, while environmental shocks and age increases inefficiency in all maize cropping systems. Government should promote maize and legumes intercropping as a strategic method, easy smallholder access to farming machinery, promote household joint decisions and attract young farmers in agriculture through subsidies.

Bioprospecting of actinomycetes isolated from Malaysia agriculture soil

Jeffrey Seng Heng Lim — 2026-06-30

Actinomycetes are well-recognized for their ability to produce diverse bioactive compounds with applications in sustainable agriculture. This study aimed to investigate the biodiversity of soil-derived actinomycetes and evaluate their potential for producing plant growth–promoting substances and antimicrobial metabolites. A total of 23 actinomycete isolates were obtained from soil samples, with a population density of 4.5 × 10⁶ CFU g⁻¹, and exhibited variation in spore coloration, indicating taxonomic diversity. Screening for phytohormone traits revealed that 60.9% of isolates produced indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), while 43.5% synthesized gibberellic acid (GA₃). Additionally, 47.8% and 26.1% of isolates demonstrated antimicrobial activity against Ralstonia solanacearum and Colletotrichum gloeosporioides, respectively. Statistical analysis using ANOVA and Tukey’s HSD test confirmed significant differences among isolates (P < 0.05). Notably, isolate 5 exhibited the highest overall performance across multiple assays, suggesting strong multifunctional potential. The results highlight the presence of actinomycetes with combined plant growth–promoting and biocontrol properties, which are highly desirable for agricultural applications. Overall, this study underscores the importance of soil actinomycetes as promising candidates for the development of eco-friendly bioinoculants. Further studies involving molecular identification, characterization of bioactive compounds, and field validation are recommended to fully exploit their biotechnological potential.

Wheat Value Chain in Garmser District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan

Ahmad Ali — 2026-06-30

This study was conducted in 2025 in the Garmser district, Helmand Province, under the title 'Wheat Value Chain'. The objectives of the research were to determine wheat production, identify available facilities in the wheat processing sector, and analyze wheat marketing. For this purpose, the Garmser district was purposively selected, and 210 farmers and 7 processing factories were randomly selected. Data were collected through questionnaires and interviews. The study found that the average wheat production for small, medium, and large farms was 2,120.4 kg, 4,636 kg, and 8,135.1 kg, respectively. The annual flour production of processing factories was found to be 848,250 kg. The study identified two main wheat marketing channels: (1) producers and consumers, and (2) producers, wholesalers, retailers, and consumers. The study concludes that wheat production in the Garmser district shows significant variation across farm sizes, with larger farms achieving substantially higher output, indicating the importance of farm scale and resource availability in improving productivity. Additionally, the presence of processing facilities with significant flour production capacity underscores the district’s potential for value addition along the wheat value chain. Furthermore, the analysis of marketing channels reveals a relatively simple structure dominated by direct sales and intermediary-based distribution, suggesting opportunities to improve market efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance farmers’ share of final consumer prices by improving market linkages and developing infrastructure.

Effects of Different Application Rates of Black Soldier Fly Frass on Growth of Brassica juncea

Mohd Yusri Zainudin — 2026-06-30

Today's agriculture often uses chemical fertilizers excessively, which leads to waste and soil pollution. Although there are many good effects of chemical fertilizers such as it can increase crop productivity but the excessive use of chemical fertilizers causes damage to the environment (Ali et al., 2021). Chemical fertilizers and pesticides are used excessively as a result of the growing global population and the consequent scarcity of land resources. This excessive use causes acidic soil and poisoning of underground water and the environment as a whole (Singh et al., 2021). Black soldier fly frass fertilizer (BSFFF) is the result of the conversion of organic bio-waste using BSF larvae into an organic fertilizer rich in nutrients and it is clean. Anyega et al. (2021) stated that a large amount of frass which is a mixture of substrate, feces, and uneaten exuvial is produced by the mass reproductive system of insects, and it has the potential to increase soil and crop productivity. There are 4 groups namely Control Group (NF), NPK Group (NPK), BSF Group with a litter quantity of 5.0 grams (BSF 5.0) and 2.5 grams (BSF 2.5). NPK fertilizer with a ratio of 16:16:16 was used in this experiment. Control group (NF) is unfertilized medium. Each treatment group had 3 replicates and was conducted in the greenhouse at MARDI. NPK 16-16-16 fertilizer is given according to the recommended quantity on the fertilizer package which is 2.5 grams. Most of the parameters showed that the NPK group had a greater effect on mustard growth in plant height, number of leaves, diameter of plant stem, and wet mass of plants and roots. In some investigations, the lack of compost stability may have contributed to the low growth (Lopes et al., 2022). In this experiment, BSF frass was produced fresh rather than composted afterwards. Composted BSF frass can ensure the stability and maturity of the frass. However, the number of leaves in the NPK treatment group was found to be reduced because some leaves were affected for several reasons. Throughout the observation, most plant pests, such as aphids and whiteflies, tended to come to plants that had been treated with NPK compared to BSF 2.5 and BSF 5.0. Although the NPK treatment group showed better results on mustard compared to the effects of BSF 2.5 and BSF 5.0, it was evident that there were nutrients available in the litter in comparison with the control group.

Keywords: Black soldier fly, frass, mustard plant, bio-compost, plant growth