International Journal of Agriculture and Biosciences

Cassava mosaic disease (CMD) is the primary threat to cassava cultivation throughout Africa. This leads to important losses to farmers. However, environmental conditions and the types of cultivars greatly influence disease manifestation. Hence, this study aimed to evaluate epidemiological parameters in two agricultural systems to determine the key environmental factors influencing CMD. Surveys were conducted conjointly in both Benin and Côte d’Ivoire in 2015 using WAVE harmonized protocol. 134 fields were surveyed throughout Benin, while 160 were surveyed in Côte d’Ivoire. The overall incidence of CMD was higher in Côte d’Ivoire (46.25+2.20%) than in Benin (22.81+1.90%). The prevalence of CMD was significantly higher in Côte d’Ivoire. In fact, 96.25% of the plots in Côte d’Ivoire had infected plants, compared to 79.11% in Benin. The percentage of observed healthy plants was higher in Benin (77.18%) than in Côte d’Ivoire (53.74%). The viruses causing CMD in West Africa, the African cassava mosaic virus (ACMV) and the East African cassava mosaic virus (EACMV), were present in both countries. The viruses were mostly found in double infection cases, but EACMV was found as a single infection in Benin. When comparing similar agro-climatic zones in both surveyed countries, we found a higher incidence of CMD in Côte d’Ivoire than in Benin. In all locations, cutting-borne infections were higher. The results of this study will help understand and manage the epidemiology of CMD in West Africa.

Keywords: CMD, Epidemiology, ACMV, EACMV, Agro-climatic zone, Benin, Côte d’Ivoire.

A key objective of this research is to determine the overall effectiveness of Bacillus sonklengsis, chicken manure application (CMA) and nitrogen fertilizer application (NFA) in increasing soil fertility and peanut yield. The nine experimental plots included: NT1-control (without NFA, CMA and B. sonklengsis); NT2 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+no NFA+5.0tCMA/ha); NT3 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+no NFA+10.0tCMA/ha); NT4 (no Bacillus sonklengsis inoculation+ 20kgNFA/ha+ 0.0tCMA/ha); NT5 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+20kgNFA/ha+5.0tCMA/ha); NT6 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+20kgNFA/ha+10.0tCMA/ha); NT7 [B. sonklengsis inoculation+ 40kgNFA/ha (100% of NFA)+0.0tCMA/ha; NT8 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+40kgNFA/ha+ 5.0tCMA/ha); and NT9 (B. sonklengsis inoculation+40kgNFA/ha+10.0tCMA/ha). The study demonstrated that a significant combination of 10tCMA/ha+20kgN/ha, with B. sonklengsis inoculation remarkably enhanced agronomic characteristics, yield components, pod yield and seed quality of peanut. Furthermore, this approach reduced the need for NFA by 50% while achieving the greatest fruit yield. In contrast, the lowest yield was achieved in the treatments using only phosphorous and potassium fertilization. The yield of the NT6 treatment increased by 41.5 and 18.2% compared to the NT1 treatment and the NT9 treatment, respectively. This then led to the conclusion that the CMA fertilization combined with B. sonklengsis amendment increased the yield and quality of peanut and reduced the 50% nitrogen fertilizer utilizer by 50%.

Keywords: Cattle manure, Bacillus sonklengsis , Inoculation, Nitrogen fertilizer reduction.

Coffee leaf rust (Hemileia vastatrix) represents a significant threat to coffee production, making the study of host-pathogen interactions essential. This study investigated the aggressiveness of H. vastatrix and its impact on Coffea arabica cultivar Bourbon plants. Nine isolates of H. vastatrix (1RN-9RN), collected from San Ignacio, Cajamarca, were used to inoculate Bourbon coffee plants in San Ramón, Chanchamayo. The aggressiveness of the pathogen was assessed based on several parameters: incubation period (IP), latency period (LP), medium latency period (MLP), and frequency of infection (FI). Additionally, the plant response was evaluated by measuring chlorophyll content and using the OJIP test to assess fluorescence. The ranges for IP, LP,mLP, and FI were 17–17.9, 20.7–26.8, 22–32, and 5.8–8.7 days after inoculation (dai), respectively. No significant differences were observed in IP or FI. Chlorophyll content varied between 27.78 and 42.32 units at 37dai. Regarding the OJIP analysis, the majority of the H. vastatrix isolates caused a variation in the Fv/Fm values, which ranged from 0.43 to 0.73 at 37dai. The performance index (Pi) ranged from 0.49 to 3.41 at 37dai, showing a decrease in most isolates, except for isolate 7RN. A percentage variation was observed in the following variables: ABS/RC (4.38–120.93%), TRo/RC (6.33–45.03%), and ETo/RC (0.32–30.44%). Furthermore, a physiological response indicative of the photosynthetic defense mechanism was observed in the majority of isolates. This was reflected in the increased values of ABS/RC, ETo/RC, and TRo/RC, alongside the decrease in Fv/Fm and PI.

Keywords: Coffee rust, Aggressiveness, Bourbon coffee, Chlorophyll, Growth.

This study uses panel data analysis to investigate macroeconomic variables’ impact on foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows to Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries from 2010 to 2021. The fixed effects model, found to be the most suitable, reveals significant country-specific effects on FDI. Notably, Saudi Arabia attracts significantly more FDI than Bahrain, Qatar, and Oman, highlighting the importance of factors beyond macroeconomic variables. The analysis reveals a negative relationship between GDP growth and FDI within individual countries, suggesting that higher GDP may reduce reliance on foreign investment. However, this relationship varies across countries, indicating a complex interplay between GDP and FDI. Exports consistently emerge as a strong positive predictor of FDI, suggesting that robust export performance attracts foreign investors. Additionally, unemployment positively correlates with FDI, potentially due to lower labor costs or government incentives. Other factors like inflation, industrial employment, number of firms, and imports show less significant effects.

Keywords: Foreign direct investments, Panel data, Gulf Cooperation Council, Macroeconomics variables.

Tacca (Tacca leontopetaloides (L.) Kuntze) is a perennial herb, distributed from West Africa through South Asia to Northern Australia. Tacca leaves, which is 35-40% of the plant’s weight are considered a waste product. In this study, the anti-microbial properties of Tacca leaf extract were investigated for their potential use in antimicrobials and fungicides. Tacca leaf extract can be obtained using different solvents including water, diethyl ether, ethyl acetate, and N-butanol. The anti-bacterial ability of the extract was evaluated by the inhibition zone diameter and the minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) against Pantoea stewartii subsp. Steartii (P. steartii; bacteria) and Aspergillus niger (mold) on the mango skin. The results showed that the n-butanol extract of Tacca leaves had the best antibacterial activity against P. steartii at a concentration of 80%, with an inhibition zone diameter of 0.67cm. The MIC value of the Tacca leaf extract with N-butanol as a solvent against A. niger was 60%.

Keywords: Anti-bacterial properties, Mango diseases, Preservation, Spot damage, Tacca leaf.

Dangke cheese is one of the typical fermented milk products from the Enrekang region of South Sulawesi, Indonesia. Dangke has acidic characteristics similar to other fermented milk products, which are thought to be produced by natural microorganisms called indigenous lactic acid bacteria (LAB) in milk. This study aims to isolate and identify lactic acid bacteria (LAB) from traditional Dangke milk products using a molecular method based on 16s rRNA gene sequencing. Lactic acid bacteria were isolated from Dangke by identifying macroscopically, microscopically, and biochemically. Then, molecular identification was performed using the PCR (Polymerase Chain Reaction) 16s rRNA gene sequencing method. The results showed that 15 LAB isolates were successfully isolated from Dangke, and molecular analysis revealed that six isolates were identified as Enterococcus faecium. This discovery provides important insights into the diversity of microorganisms in Dangke, especially the role of Enterococcus faecium as a potential lactic acid bacteria and underlines the value of Dangke as a source of local microorganisms with functional benefits that can support innovation in the food industry.

Keywords: Characterization, Dangke cheese, Isolation, Lactic acid bacteria, 16s rRNA gene sequence.

Poor management of poultry waste can lead to major public health problems, particularly if this waste is contaminated by antibiotic-resistant pathogenic bacteria. The purpose of our study was to assess the potential risks associated with the presence of Salmonella in poultry waste. Thus, twenty-eight (28) samples of poultry manure from farm and 30 samples of poultry slaughterhouse waste were analyzed in accordance with ISO 6579 for the isolation of Salmonella. Among the 200 strains obtained after biochemical characterization, 150 were positive for the inva virulence gene. The antibiotics susceptibility evaluated by the disk diffusion method indicate that all the 150 Salmonella strains were resistant to at least one of the drugs tested in this study. The resistance rate ranged from 8.67 to 66.67% for betalactam, from 10 to 56.67% for fluoroquinolones and from 23.33 to 31.33% for Aminoglycosides. However, high resistance rates were detected for Ampicillin (66.67%), Ticarcillin (56.67%), Piperacillin (36.67%) and for Perfloxacin (56.67%). Moreover, multidrug resistance (MDR) including these three antibiotics families was also detected in 43.33% of the Salmonella tested isolates. These results show the need to set up a biological system for treating the poultry waste in order to promote the reduction of its negative effect on human and animal health.

Keywords: Salmonella, Virulence gene, MDR, Poultry waste.

This study investigates the genetic diversity of maize (Zea mays L.) inbred lines derived from convergent breeding using Simple Sequence Repeat (SSR) markers. Convergent breeding combines desirable traits from diverse genetic sources into a single genotype, enhancing maize productivity, adaptability, and resilience. The experiment was conducted at the BSIP experimental field in Maros, South Sulawesi, and involved 30 inbred lines of maize. DNA isolation was performed using the CTAB buffer-modified extraction method, and 50 SSR markers were used to analyze genetic diversity. The results revealed significant genetic variation among the maize inbred lines. The study identified 421 alleles, with an average of 8.42 alleles per marker, indicating robust polymorphism levels. The phylogenetic analysis grouped the inbred lines into five clusters, with similarity coefficients ranging from 0.57 to 0.85, reflecting varying degrees of genetic diversity. The findings underscore the importance of using SSR markers to detect genetic diversity in maize populations, particularly those derived from convergent breeding, to enhance breeding programs and develop superior maize varieties. These findings provide valuable insights into breeding programs aiming to improve agronomic traits and to develop exceptional and adaptive maize varieties from convergent-derived inbred lines.

Keywords: Maize, Inbred lines, Convergent breeding, SSR markers.

This study investigates the anatomical structure of the vegetative organs—leaves, petioles, and stems—of promising artichoke varieties, specifically Imperial Star and Violettto. A particular focus was placed on the anatomy of the petiole, alongside a comparative analysis of biometric indicators, to explore the relationship between organ strength and plant life forms. The findings revealed distinct structural diagnostic patterns in the morphological characteristics of these artichoke varieties. The insights gained not only facilitate accurate identification of plant specimens but also hold potential applications in botanical systematics. Additionally, the observed anatomical features serve as valuable tools for assessing the presence of biologically active compounds in various organs and tissues, extending their significance beyond taxonomy. Ultimately, this research enhances our understanding of the ecological adaptations of artichokes by illuminating the intricate anatomical structures of their vegetative organs.

Keywords: Anаtоmiсаl, Stоmаtа, Раrеnсhymа сеlls, Imреriаl Stаr, Viоlеttо, Cynara L.

The fishery sector plays a dynamic role in Bangladesh’s socio-economic development. The socio-economic status of fishers reflects the sector’s overall impact on the community’s overall scenario. This research was designed to study the socio-economic conditions of the fishermen’s community near the Bangali River region in Sariakandi and Dhunat Upazila of Bogura District, Bangladesh. Data were collected from 110 fishermen through interviews, surveys, individual and group discussions (primary source) and government and non-government entities (secondary sources) from June 2024 to November 2024. Data revealed that most fishermen were full-time (78.18%), whereas only 21.82% were part-time. A significant number of the fishermen were young and middle-aged. Among the fishermen, 27.27, 50.91, and 21.82% had more than 20 years, 11-20 years, and 1-10 years of fishing experience, respectively. About 22.73% of the fishing community was illiterate, 22.73% knew only signs, and 33.64% belonged to the primary level. Most were extended families (70.91%), and about 54.55% typically had 3-5 family members. Only about 10% of fishermen built their houses with bricks, while the majority (51.82%) used bamboo and tin, indicating their poverty. About 90.91% had access to electricity facilities, 60% had good sanitary facilities, and only 27% sought advice from MBBS doctors at the government health complex. The fishermen’s income levels were dire, with 32.73% earning below 10,000 BDT monthly. Consequently, many shifted occupations, and 44.55% engaged in subsistence work. If this trend continues, most fishermen will abandon their primary occupation and adopt other occupations. Governments and other organizations must take immediate steps to improve their socio-economic conditions and ensure a sustainable standard of living.

Keywords: Fishermen, Socio-economic condition, Bangali River, Bogura district, Bangladesh.

Households in rural areas of Thailand use charcoal as their cooking fuel. This study aimed at assessing the risk of PM10, determining the exposure among rural cooks, and at measuring the PM10 levels in households that use charcoal as a cooking fuel in Ubon Ratchathani Province. The study included 400 people, who were living in homes with both open and closed kitchens. The data was collected by measuring the PM10 levels in the designated locations and administering the questionnaire to the participants. The standard NIOSH (0600) was used to collect the PM10 levels. The Environmental Protection Agency’s criteria were used to examine PM10’s non-carcinogenic qualities. The gathered data was subjected to a descriptive statistical analysis. The findings showed that the PM10 levels had been higher than the standard at every examined location, including homes with open and closed kitchens. In closed kitchens, the values peaked at 1,020µg/m³. Hazard quotient (HQ) studies have shown that residents in both types of kitchens had non-cancer health risks that are within acceptable ranges, despite the high PM10 levels. In conclusion, the elevated PM10 levels in closed kitchens highlighted the pressing need for improved ventilation, even though cooking with charcoal in rural houses does not pose a significant risk to non-cancer health. Interventions that are able to encourage different cooking methods and improve ventilation could significantly reduce exposure hazards and improve the air quality in such settings.

Keywords: Health risk assessment, PM10, Charcoal fuel, Cooking, Kitchen, Rural homes.

Experiments were conducted during the 2022-23 and 2023-24 Rabi seasons at three locations, Line x Tester mating design was used to assess the stability of 67 wheat genotypes for yield and related traits. In Phase I (first stage of the experiment) was carried out to generate forty-five F1 hybrids by crossing fifteen lines with three testers. In Phase II (second stage of the experiment) was conducted by multilocational trial which involved three locations (one in India and two in Nigeria) using Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Standard agronomic practices were followed and data obtained were analyzed using the Eberhart and Russell statistical procedures. The results observed that, there was no stable genotype for all traits. However, some genotypes like DH-3086X PBW-343 and DBW-222X PBW ZN1 revealed high yield with moderate stability for grain yield/plant and other yield-related traits. DBW-173 and PBW ZN1 showed the highest stability with moderate yield. For chlorophyll content, the stable genotypes were HD-3721 X PBW-343, PBW-550X PBW-343, and CSW-18. Regarding protein content, DBW-187 and BORLAUG-100 were the most stable and high-performing. Therefore, selection of stable and high-yielding genotypes is reliable and beneficial for genotypes like DBW-173; PBW ZN1 (for grain yield); HD-3721 X PBW-343; PBW-550X PBW-343; CSW-18 (for chlorophyll content); DBW-187 and BORLAUG-100 (for protein content) for wheat improvement across the locations.

Keywords: Stability analysis, Genotype, Yield contributing trait, Yield.

Livestock methane emissions contribute significantly to global warming, necessitating the exploration of sustainable feed additives to enhance rumen efficiency and reduce environmental impact. This study investigates the potential of South Sulawesi seaweeds as feed additives to improve rumen fermentation efficiency and reduce methane emissions in ruminants. Seven seaweed species—Eucheuma cottoni, Eucheuma denticulatum, Caulerpa sp. (cultivated and non-cultivated), Gracilaria sp., Halimynea sp., and Sargassum sp.—were evaluated at inclusion levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15% in complete feed formulations using a factorial in vitro design. Key parameters such as dry matter degradation (DMD), organic matter degradation (OMD), ammonia concentration (NH₃), volatile fatty acids (VFAs), gas production, and methane (CH₄) output were measured. The highest DMD and OMD were observed with Sargassum sp. and Gracilaria sp. at the 15% inclusion level, suggesting enhanced nutrient utilization. Gracilaria sp. and Halimynea sp. produced the highest VFAs, indicating efficient fermentation. Methane production was significantly lower with Sargassum sp. and Eucheuma cottoni, likely due to bioactive compounds such as tannins and saponins. Non-cultivated species exhibited higher bioactive compound levels than cultivated ones, potentially influenced by environmental factors. These findings demonstrate that seaweed inclusion at 15% optimizes rumen efficiency and reduces methane emissions, presenting a sustainable strategy for improving livestock productivity while mitigating climate change impacts.

Keywords: In vitro fermentation, Seaweed feed additives, Methane reduction, Rumen fermentation efficiency, Bioactive compounds.

Palm oil belongs to important commodities to support food and energy security, especially for some tropical countries. To increase productivity, quality and sustainability of palm seed production, quality is an important key factor. Various tests of seed purity levels can support this effort. One of them is DNA testing which has recently been widely developed. However, in its implementation, it still faces challenges regarding when the test should be used and at what stage in the supply chain. The application of effective DNA testing is intended to provide a solution to ensure the purity of oil palm seeds and seedlings. The characteristics that determine high-quality and cheap oil palm seeds are found using descriptive analysis of field survey data and questionnaires. In oil palm nurseries, DNA testing application models can be used and have high accuracy. This paper conducts a study related to accuracy, effectiveness and weaknesses that must be improved.

Keywords: Oil palm seed, Genetic testing, Purity-quality, National standards, Nurseries.

Rice yellow mottle (RYMV) is the most well-known viral disease of rice fields that causes significant economic loss. However, the high resistant rice genotypes that are available can be circumvented by emergent virulent pathotypes. In order to develop sustainable rice breeding strategies against RYMV in Côte d’Ivoire, both resistance spectra and intraspecific viral pathogenecity have to be taken into account. For this purpose, RYMV 95 strains were sampled from infected leaves within the 7 rice growing regions in Côte d’Ivoire and were confirmed serologically as S2 (98%) and S1 (2%). The phylogeny of the Cp protein amplified by RT-PCR revealed that while the S1 pathotype represented one clade, an intrapathotype diversity was observed within S2 in Côte d’Ivoire. An extended resistance spectrum analysis of 22 strains representing S1 and S2 pathotypes was carried out using the promising resistant rice varieties Gigante, TOG 5674, TOG 5672, TOG 5681 that carry four different alleles rymv 1-2, rymv 1.5, rymv 1-4, rymv 1-3 and the sensitive check Bouaké 189. Whithin the S2 pathotypes, a group of viruses could circumvent the resistance by giving symptoms (SRB) while the second group could bypass resistance without giving symptoms (nSRB). While the resistance genes Rymv1-5, Rymv 1-3 and Rymv 1-4/Rymv2 could be bypassed by 81%, 9% and 22.7% of S2 pathotype, no S2 pathotype bypassed the gene Rymv1-Moreover, the two S1 that were genetically identical showed a pathogenic variation and a divergence within the Vp region.

Keywords: RYMV, Rice, Resistance, Isolates, Symptoms, Circumvention.

Several promising rice (Oryza sativa L.) lines derived from hybridization between Sintanur x PTB33 (SP) and IR64 x PTB33 (IP) have been obtained. These lines were developed by phenotypic screening for the brown planthopper (BPH) resistance using the Standard Seedbox Screening Test (SSST) and confirmation by SSR (simple sequence repeats) molecular markers. However, yield evaluation for these particular lines is highly required in order to evaluate performance and obtain the yield of F5 rice lines. The experiment was arranged in an augmented randomized block design for 15 genotypes as treatment and replicated 4 times of the check varieties, i.e., namely Sintanur, IR64, Ciherang, and Inpari13. Data analysis was performed by using the Analysis of Variance and the Least Significant Increase (LSI), and clustering analysis using R studio for agronomic, yield components, and yield. The results showed that a significant different of test line traits with those of the check was found on days to 50% flowering, productive tiller number, panicle length, grain number per panicle, and total grain yield. Line SP-87-25-7 had a grain weight of 16.36 g and was significantly different from IR64, Ciherang, and Inpari13, except for cv. Sintanur. Clustering analysis divided the genotypes into three clusters and the principal component analysis accounted for 70.0% of the total variations among the traits studied. The SP-87-25-7 was selected based on the performance to be further developed and registered as a new high-yielding rice line.

Keywords: Augmented design, Clustering analysis, Least Significant Increase (LSI), Rice, Yield.

Dryland agriculture faces significant challenges, particularly in tropical regions like Indonesia, due to climate variability and the gradual decline in productive land. One potential solution to enhance agricultural efficiency in these areas is the practice of intercropping. This study examines an engineered management approach that involves intercropping superior maize varieties with high-yielding upland rice varieties to optimize land use and productivity. The experiment was conducted at the Makariki Experimental Garden of the Food Crops Research Center, Maluku, from May to September 2020, using a Randomized Block Design with five treatments and five replications. The intercropping treatments consisted of maize (Nasa 29) combined with five different upland rice varieties: (1) Inpago 8, (2) Inpago 11, (3) Inpago 12, (4) Rindang 1, and (5) Rindang 2. For comparison, monoculture plots of maize (Nasa 29) and monoculture plots of the respective upland rice varieties were also evaluated. Results indicated that intercropping significantly increased maize productivity by 142% compared to monoculture systems. However, upland rice productivity declined by 72% under intercropping conditions. Despite this reduction, all five upland rice varieties (Inpago 8, Inpago 11, Inpago 12, Rindang 1, and Rindang 2) demonstrated suitability for intercropping with maize, as the system improved overall land productivity. The Land Equivalent Ratio (LER) values ranged from 2.11 to 2.45, indicating an increase in dryland productivity by 111–145% compared to monoculture cultivation. These findings confirm that intercropping maize with high-yielding upland rice varieties enhances both land use efficiency and overall crop yield productivity. This approach presents a viable strategy for optimizing dryland agriculture, making better use of available resources while sustaining productivity.

Keywords: Corn; Dry land; Intercropping; Productivity; Upland rice.

Applying eco-enzymes and compost to improve plant growth on marginal dry land is an alternative to reducing chemical fertilizers. Moreover, utilizing agricultural waste as a raw material for producing eco-enzymes and compost is crucial for minimizing agricultural waste accumulation, which continues to rise with increasing population and agricultural activities. This research aims to produce eco-enzymes from vegetable waste as liquid organic fertilizer and examine their effect on the growth of red onion. Eco-enzyme production was carried out from July to October 2024, and a field examination of the impact of eco-enzyme on the growth of red onion was carried out from October to December 2024. The study included the chemical characteristics of eco-enzymes, marginal dry land properties (pH, nitrogen, C-Organic, nitrogen-total, phosphorus available, P2O5, K2O, and potassium levels), and red onion plant growth components (plant height, number of leaves, leaves area, and number of shoots Field experiments were conducted to evaluate the effects of eco-enzyme application on the growth of red onion plants using a randomized block design (RBD). The treatment included: control (EK0), eco-enzyme 15ml/L water + sago pulp compost 10 ton ha-1 (EK1), eco-enzyme 25ml/L water + sago pulp compost 10tonha-1 (EK2), eco-enzyme 15ml/L water + sago pulp compost 15tonha-1 (EK3), eco-enzyme 25ml/L water + sago pulp compost 15tonha-1 (EK4), eco-enzyme 15ml/L water + sago pulp compost 20tonha-1 (EK5), and eco-enzyme 15ml/L water + sago pulp compost 20tonha-1 (EK6). Each treatment was repeated five times to obtain 35 experimental units. The study results showed that the nutritional content of eco-enzyme meets the requirements of a liquid organic fertilizer. The research site is classified as marginal dry land. Applying eco-enzyme and sago pulp compost fertilizer positively affects the growth of red onion plants. This study suggests that treating eco-enzyme 15ml/L water + sago pulp compost 20tonha-1 (EK6) have significant influences on plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, and shoot development.

Keywords: Eco-enzyme, Sago pulp, Red onion, Vegetable waste, Organic fertilizer.

This study investigated the tensile properties, fracture morphology, and biodegradability of Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA) and cassava starch biocomposites reinforced with lemon peel fibers. The biocomposites were prepared using the solution casting method with variations of lemon peel fiber fillers of 1, 2, 3, and 4%. Adding lemon peel fibers significantly increased the tensile strength as this addition increased the fiber content. Notably, the highest tensile strength observed was 14.82 MPa for the PVA/cassava starch biocomposite containing 3% lemon peel fibers. This result surpassed the tensile strength of the pure PVA and the PVA/cassava starch composites. This indicates that the lemon peel fibers effectively reinforce the matrix, resulting in stronger interfacial bonds and a more compact composite structure. In contrast, the elongation at break values decreased with higher concentrations of starch and fibers, indicating that adding fibers made the material stiffer and less flexible. In addition, this study assessed the biodegradation rate of the biocomposites, and found that the biocomposite with the highest lemon peel fiber content (4%) exhibited the most rapid biodegradation, with a degradation rate of 80.47% after 15 days of burial. This suggests that the presence of lemon peel fibers improves the mechanical properties of the biocomposites and increases their environmental friendliness. These findings suggest that PVA/cassava starch biocomposites reinforced with lemon peel fiber show significant potential as a sustainable alternative to conventional synthetic plastics, offering a balance of strength, flexibility, and environmental degradability.

Keywords: Polyvinyl Alcohol (PVA), Lemon Peel Fiber, Cassava starch, Biocomposite, Tensile properties.

Maize plays a prominent role in fulfilling food and fodder demands in the industry. This study aimed to determine the effect of NPK fertilization on soil chemical properties and maize productivity. The study used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with five levels of NPK, organic, and CaCO3 fertilization treatments, each with five replications. Statistical analysis was performed using ANOVA, followed by DMRT and Tukey’s test at P<0.05. The research results demonstrated the following initial soil chemical and physical characteristics: neutral soil pH, low organic carbon content, very low nitrogen (N) content, moderate phosphorus (P), potassium (K), and magnesium (Mg) contents, moderate cation exchange capacity (CEC), very high calcium (Ca) content, and sandy clay loam texture. After fertilization with N, P, K, organic matter, and CaCO3, the following changes were observed: decreased soil pH, organic carbon, Ca content, CEC, and silt content, along with a significant increase in N, P, K, Mg, sand, and clay contents. The highest organic carbon, P, and K contents in maize biomass were achieved with 75% and 100% NPK fertilization, while the highest N content was observed with 50, 75, and 100% NPK fertilization. The best C/N ratio and the most optimal maize growth and productivity were obtained from 100% NPK fertilization. The highest maize yields were recorded with 75% (7,610kgha⁻¹) and 100% (7,690kgha⁻¹) NPK fertilization. The highest maize yields were recorded from 75% (7,610kgha⁻¹) and 100% (7,690kgha⁻¹) fertilization.

Keywords: Maize; Fertilization; Soil chemical contents; Biomass material; Productivity.

In this study, the hydrodistillation (HD) method and solvent-free microwave extraction (SFME) have been used for extraction of essential oil from kaffir lime peel. The HD method was able to extract 0.650±0.020% of kaffir lime essential oil in 3h. While SFME provided an extraction yield of 0.615±0.021% under a microwave irradiation power of 800 W for shorter time (10min). The chemical components were investigated by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The peak area revealed that the main components were β-phellandrene (24.38%), D-limonene (17.03%), β-pinene (15.69%), citronellal (12.5%), and citronellol (4.16%). The microcapsules were prepared by complex coacervation method using Arabic gum and gelatin as the core material. The encapsulation yield, loading capacity, and encapsulation efficiency of the microcapsules were 76.02, 28.4, and 62.07%, respectively. The scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and optical microscopy showed spherical-shaped microcapsules with a particle size of 4-7µm. Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy supported gum Arabic, gelatin, and kaffir lime oil components into the microcapsules. Last of all, the scented microcapsules were impregnated into textile materials. Further SEM analysis confirmed the finding to reveal that microcapsules anchored themselves onto fibrous textile surface. Thus, this study has provided the revelation that kaffir lime essential oil can be efficiently extracted by both HD and SFME. High-efficiency microcapsules in the form of spherical microcapsules composed of gum Arabic and gelatin with reasonable efficiency of the essential oil were used. The fabrication of the essential oil microcapsules was accomplished, and the microcapsules were immobilized onto textiles to be used as fragrance delivery systems.

Keywords: Solvent-free Microwave Extraction, Microcapsule, Encapsulation, Kaffir Lime Oil, Citrus hystrix DC.

Patin fish (Pangasius hypophthalmus) is a freshwater species with high economic value in the Indonesian aquaculture industry. South Kalimantan, Indonesia, comprises a significant population of Patin fish rich in essential fatty acids. Therefore, this study aimed to analyze fatty acids found in fish oil obtained from South Kalimantan, Indonesia. Gas Chromatography-Flame Ionization Detection (GC-FID) was used to analyze fish oil samples extracted through the wet rendering method without purification. The results showed that the 21 distinct types of fatty acids in Patin fish oil were 41.7% of the total composition. These included elaidic, palmitate, linoleic, and oleic acids present in high amounts, while omega-9 oil content was greater than omega-3 and 6. Additionally, the analysis of the peroxide value of 0.32 meq/kg, which was still below the maximum level recommended for the category of fish oil worthy of consumption. Patin fish oil was found to contain essential fatty acids beneficial for improving human health and preventing degenerative diseases.

Keywords: Pangasius hypophthalmus, Fatty acids, Fish oil, Omega, Indonesia.

This study examined the heat stress tolerance of IPB-D1 chickens through physiological responses, behaviour during heat stress tests, body surface temperature, rectal temperature, and changes in corticosterone and triiodothyronine hormone levels. The chickens were raised under two different rearing systems: the intensive system (P0) and the free-range system (P1). A total of 90 chickens were reared in each system for 12 weeks. Heat stress tests were conducted using random sampling, with 15 chickens representing each rearing system, intensive (P0) and free-range (P1). Data were analyzed using an independent T-test. The results showed that behavioural parameters, including the time to start panting, time to start rapid panting, and wing spreading, were significantly higher (P<0.05) in chickens raised in the free-range system. Furthermore, based on delta tests conducted before and after heat stress for each rearing system, body surface temperature in the comb, shank, and spur was significantly lower (P<0.05) in free-range chickens (P1) compared to intensive chickens (P0). Meanwhile, for rectal temperature and changes in corticosterone and triiodothyronine hormone concentrations, both free-range (P1) and intensive (P0) chickens showed similar results.

Keywords: Body temperature, Free-range, Heat stress, Hormones, IPB-D1 chickens.

The sustainable development of agricultural human resources (HR) is a paramount challenge in modern agribusiness, particularly within faith-based educational settings. This study assessed the sustainability of agricultural HR development within Islamic boarding schools (pesantren) in West Java, Indonesia, using a comprehensive multidimensional approach that encompassed economic, social, environmental, technological, and institutional factors. Data from 300 students across four pesantren were analyzed using the Multi-Dimensional Scaling (MDS) method, which employed Rapid Appraisal for Agribusiness Boarding School (RAPABS) analysis. The findings revealed that agricultural HR development was “moderately sustainable”, with an index score of 55.79. The environmental dimension achieved the highest score (61.15), demonstrating the schools’ success in cultivating ecological awareness. Conversely, the technological dimension recorded the lowest score (52.83), highlighting the need for enhanced technology adoption and more robust post-harvest training. While the social and economic dimensions exhibited promise, they encountered obstacles related to market access and equitable profit distribution. Additionally, the institutional dimension emphasized the significance of stakeholder collaboration and reinforcing microfinance support. This study illuminated the unique role of Islamic boarding schools in harmonizing religious education with sustainable agribusiness strategies. It offered valuable insights for policymakers seeking to enhance agribusiness sustainability through faith-based education and advocated for future research on regional variations and long-term socio-economic impacts.

Keywords: Multi-Dimensional Scaling, Agricultural Human Resources, Sustainability, Islamic boarding school.

Food safety is critical to the food industry, particularly for high-consumption products like smoked fish. Non-compliance with production standards can increase the risk of microbiological contamination, including Escherichia coli and Salmonella spp. This study endeavors to evaluate the appropriateness of production site locations, environmental conditions, and the conformity of buildings and facilities utilized in smoked fish production in Kendari City, Indonesia, with the standards stipulated in The Good Food Production Practices for Home Industries (CPPB-IRT). A descriptive observational study design involved 13 purposively selected smoked fish producers. Data were collected through direct observations using a CPPB-IRT-based checklist and classified according to the level of non-compliance (critical, serious, major, and minor). The findings revealed that all producers failed to meet the requirements for safe production site locations and environments, categorized as serious non-compliance. Regarding production buildings and facilities, only six producers (46.15%) had spacious production areas that were not mixed with other products, while other aspects such as flooring, walls, ventilation, and doors did not meet the standards. The primary factors contributing to non-compliance included limited resources, lack of awareness regarding hygiene and sanitation standards, and inadequate regulatory oversight. These findings highlight the need for interventions such as increasing producers’ awareness, providing technical training, and strengthening regulatory supervision to ensure food safety compliance. This study provides recommendations for producers and policymakers to enhance the quality of smoked fish production, thereby reducing contamination risks and safeguarding public health.

Keywords: CPPB-IRT, Food safety, Hygiene and sanitation, Production facilities, Smoked fish.

Foodborne diseases are an inevitable threat to Pakistan’s population. The rapid spread of gastrointestinal disorders has demanded the adoption of hygiene and quality practices. Understanding households’ awareness of food safety measures could play an essential role in planning an effective policy regarding implementing food safety measures to reduce foodborne diseases. Therefore, the current study investigated awareness of food safety practices among households. A simple random sampling technique was used to collect data from women’s households residing in District Jhang, Pakistan. A pre-tested paper-based questionnaire was prepared in their local language. The outcomes of the analysis showed that most households were highly aware of food safety practices. The households’ marital status significantly influenced their awareness of food safety. The study proposes that the Punjab Food Authority should arrange food safety programs and training sessions regarding the awareness of the health advantages of food safety practices.

Keywords: Food safety practices, Households, Women, Awareness, Punjab.

Fusarium oxysporum is a pathogenic fungus that damages shallot crops by causing Fusarium wilt disease. Managing this disease using antagonistic fungi offers an environmentally sustainable approach and a promising alternative to chemical treatments. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of several unidentified endophytic fungi, Trichoderma harzianum Th-B18 and Dichotomomyces cejpii, as antagonistic agents for inhibiting the growth of F. oxysporum. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design (CRD) with a single factor, endophytic fungi (B6, Si AA 10; Si AA 11), T. harzianum Th-B18, and D. cejpii as the antagonistic fungi, applied across six treatment levels. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA), followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level. Additionally, descriptive analysis was also performed to evaluate the antagonistic properties of the tested fungi. The findings revealed that T. harzianum Th-B18 exhibited the most significant antagonistic activity, achieving the highest colony diameter (7.18cm) and inhibition rate of 75.14% on the twelfth day of observation, indicating a significant level of antagonistic activity. The endophytic fungi SiAA11 and B6 demonstrated moderate inhibition. Based on these results, T. harzianum Th-B18, along with endophytic fungi Si AA 11 and B6, show potential as biological control agents for managing F. oxysporum. The use of these fungi represents an effective and environmentally friendly strategy for combating Fusarium wilt disease.

Keywords: Biocontrol agent, Antagonistic fungi, Fusarium oxysporum, Inhibition rate.

Ginger (Zingiber officinale Roscoe) is a widely recognized spice and medicinal plant with significant economic, culinary, and therapeutic value. This review provides a comprehensive overview of ginger’s botanical description, phytochemistry, traditional and modern uses, pharmacological properties, clinical studies, safety, and toxicity. Ginger’s rich phytochemical profile, including phenolic compounds like gingerols and shogaols, contributes to its potent anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and antimicrobial properties. Historically, ginger has been a cornerstone in traditional medicine systems such as Ayurveda and Traditional Chinese Medicine, used to treat a wide range of ailments. Modern applications of ginger extend to managing nausea, pain, and metabolic disorders, supported by numerous clinical trials demonstrating its efficacy. Despite its widespread use, ginger’s therapeutic potential is often limited by variability in extract composition, small sample sizes in studies, and a lack of standardized formulations. Safety and toxicity studies affirm ginger’s low toxicity and general safety, although caution is advised for individuals on anticoagulant therapy or those with specific health conditions. However, studies have evaluated its acute toxicity by determining the median lethal dose (LD50), which is the dose that causes death in 50% of test subjects. For Aqueous extract, for example it is observed intraperitoneal route in rats (LD50 of 178mg/kg), intraperitoneal route (90%) in mice (LD50 of 1g/kg) in hydroalcoholic extract, etc. The review identifies significant research gaps, including the need for more comprehensive studies on the synergistic interactions of ginger’s bioactive compounds, long-term safety, and efficacy, as well as its potential in treating less-studied conditions. Additionally, there is a notable lack of genetic studies on ginger, which hinders the understanding of its genetic diversity and breeding potential. Addressing these research gaps will be crucial for advancing the scientific understanding and clinical use of ginger, ultimately contributing to the development of natural and holistic healthcare solutions.

Keywords: Ginger; Zingiber officinale; Phytochemistry; Traditional medicine; Clinical efficacy; Genetic studies.

A high-fat diet is known to negatively impact reproductive efficiency due to the accumulation of free radicals in testicular tissue, leading to damage in the testes, Sertoli, and Leydig cells. This disruption affects the hypothalamus-pituitary-gonadal axis, which plays a critical role in spermatogenesis. Reducing saturated fat and total energy intake, along with probiotic supplementation, has been recommended to lower triglyceride levels in both humans and animals. This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus subtilis as probiotics in Wistar rats (Rattus norvegicus) subjected to a high-cholesterol diet. A total of 25 rats were divided into five treatment groups, with body weights ranging from 150–250g. Sperm morphology was assessed by analyzing the structural characteristics of 100 randomly selected spermatozoa stained with 0.05% eosin-Y. The sperm count analysis categorized sperm forms into normal and abnormal categories, including primary and secondary abnormalities, as well as sperm agglutination. A decline in motility was observed in the K+ group, which was given a high-fat diet, with values of 53.33±7.64 compared to the K- group with values of 83±1.75. Furthermore, the highest abnormality rates were recorded in the K+ group (11.67±4.93) compared to the K- group (4.67±1.15). However, after probiotic intervention, the KP3 group, which received a combination of Lactobacillus sp. and Bacillus subtilis, demonstrated the highest motility and the lowest abnormalities, indicating its potential in mitigating the adverse effects of a high-fat diet.

Keywords: Probiotics, Spermatozoa, High-fat diet.