Crop Life

Jade Kristelle E. Tagok, John Vincent M. Mission, Janel P. Anito, Jhon Dave S. Amoguis, Clinton D. Sequihod

This study assessed tree species composition and spatial distribution patterns within a 0.32-ha lowland dipterocarp forest in the Philippines. Eight 20 m × 20 m plots were established to document tree species meeting the minimum diameter criterion. Species richness, relative abundance, and selected structural attributes were calculated, and a chi-square test was applied to assess plot-level distribution patterns. A total of 14 tree species were recorded, including dipterocarps and other canopy-associated taxa, as well as shade-tolerant understory species and several light-demanding pioneer species. The presence of shade-tolerant families such as Fagaceae and Lauraceae indicates ongoing recruitment under closed-canopy conditions, while the occurrence of pioneer species suggests localized canopy openings within the sampled area. Distribution analysis showed that some species exhibited aggregated patterns, whereas others did not significantly deviate from random distribution. This indicates that certain species tend to cluster in areas with favorable environmental conditions or resources, while others are more evenly dispersed across the habitat. Given the limited sampling extent and number of plots, the findings are interpreted only at the scale of the study area and do not imply broader forest-level structural conditions. Although species richness was lower than typically reported for larger lowland dipterocarp forest inventories in the Philippines, the results provide preliminary insights into local stand composition and small-scale spatial structure.

Crop Life

Lia Waroca, M. Nur

Eggplant production frequently faces constraints due to low soil fertility and improper nutrient management, resulting in suboptimal plant performance. This study investigated the effect of Takakura compost on the growth, flowering, and yield performance of four eggplant varieties (purple, green, white, and finger-shaped). The experiment was conducted using a factorial design with four compost doses (0, 190, 380, and 570 g/polybag) and analyzed through ANOVA followed by HSD at 5%, with three replications to ensure randomization validity. Compost application significantly improved plant height, flowering time, fruit set, and yield attributes; however, certain variables demonstrated non-significant varietal × compost interactions. The highest plant height (48.91 cm) and earliest flowering time (30 days) were recorded at 570 g/polybag in purple, green, and white varieties. Fruit set reached 86.33% in purple and white eggplants, and the highest fruit number was 13 fruits/plant with a corresponding fruit weight of 2065.67 g (82.6 t/ha). In contrast, finger-shaped eggplant produced lower yields across treatments. Overall, Takakura compost at 570 g/polybag enhanced eggplant growth and productivity, particularly in purple, white, and green varieties, while interaction variations among varieties should be taken into account.

Crop Life

Muhamad Falih Bhahari

Acclimatization is a critical stage in the cultivation of Cavendish banana, particularly in the adaptation of tissue culture-derived seedlings to external environmental conditions. Essential micronutrients such as manganese play an important role in supporting this process. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of manganese fertilizer concentrations, types of fertilizers (Gandasil D and vitamin B₁), and their interactions on the acclimatization of Cavendish banana seedlings. The research was conducted at the In Vitro Culture Laboratory of KB TPH Salaman, Magelang Regency, at an altitude of 360 meters above sea level, from October to December 2021. A two-factor Completely Randomized Design (CRD) was used, with manganese concentrations (0, 1, 2, 3, and 4 ppm) as the first factor, and types of fertilizers (control, Gandasil D only, and Gandasil D + vitamin B₁) as the second factor. The results showed that manganese concentration alone did not significantly affect plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, photosynthesis rate, transpiration, stomatal conductance, photosynthetically active radiation, and total chlorophyll content. However, the interaction between manganese concentration and fertilizer type had a highly significant effect on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and the chlorophyll a/b ratio. These findings highlight the importance of combining micronutrient application with appropriate fertilizer types to enhance the efficiency of Cavendish banana seedling acclimatization.

Crop Life

Sahfira Sahfira, Rinaldi Rinaldi

Edamame has strong market potential in Indonesia, but its development is constrained by reliance on chemical fertilizers that increase production costs and may reduce soil quality. Organic materials such as cattle manure compost offer a sustainable solution by improving soil fertility while supplying essential nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different cattle manure compost application rates on the growth and yield of edamame. The experiment was conducted from February to May 2023 at the Teaching and Research Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Jambi University, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with five treatments: 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 tons per hectare, each replicated five times. The application of compost significantly increased the number of filled pods per plant, fresh pod weight, and total yield, with the highest yield recorded at 20 tons per hectare, representing a 28.9 percent increase compared to the control. However, compost application did not significantly affect vegetative growth parameters such as plant height and the number of branches, likely due to moderate nutrient content and slow nutrient mineralization. Overall, cattle manure compost at 20 tons per hectare improved edamame yield and offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers for enhancing soil fertility and productivity. These findings highlight the potential of organic amendments to support more environmentally friendly and cost-efficient edamame cultivation systems.

Crop Life

Veronika Vellin

This thesis examines the growth response and yield performance of long bean (Vigna sinensis L.) variety Pertiwi F1 in relation to the application of Triple Super Phosphate (TSP) and Kascing (earthworm castings) fertilizers. The study employed an experimental approach using a factorial design to assess plant responses to various fertilizer dosages and to determine the most effective treatment for optimizing growth and production. The research measured key parameters including plant height, number of branches, pod length, pod weight, and total yield. The results demonstrated that TSP fertilizer significantly influenced fruit weight, with the optimal effect observed at a dosage of 10.8 g per polybag (equivalent to 300 kg/ha). In contrast, Kascing fertilizer did not produce significant effects on most growth and yield parameters, although the application of 72 g per polybag (equivalent to 20 tons/ha) resulted in the highest pod yield among the Kascing treatments. Additionally, the interaction between TSP and Kascing fertilizers showed no significant impact on the observed variables. The novelty of this research lies in its combined evaluation of inorganic and organic fertilizers in a polybag cultivation system, which is relevant for small-scale and limited-land agricultural practices. The strength of this study is its evidence-based recommendations that contribute to more efficient fertilization strategies, offering practical guidance for improving long bean productivity under controlled cultivation conditions.

Crop Life