Crop Life

Intania Evarahmani

The availability of uniform and high-quality robusta coffee seedlings remains a major constraint in nursery production, particularly due to suboptimal shoot initiation following wedge grafting. Natural plant growth regulators (PGRs) derived from organic sources may offer an alternative approach to improve early graft performance. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different types and concentrations of natural PGRs on the growth of wedge-grafted robusta coffee (Coffea robusta L. ) seedlings. The experiment was arranged in a factorial Completely Randomized Design with three natural PGR sources (shallot extract, bean sprout extract, and coconut water) and four concentration levels (25%, 50%, 75%, and 100%), with three replications and four seedlings per experimental unit. Growth parameters were measured at 90 days after grafting. Results showed that PGR type significantly affected leaf area and highly significantly affected shoot number. Coconut water produced the highest shoot number (2.54 shoots), 17.1% higher than shallot extract, whereas shallot extract resulted in the largest leaf area (42.29 cm²), 11.2% greater than coconut water. PGR concentration significantly influenced shoot emergence time, shoot length, and shoot number. Regression analysis suggested that the highest responses within the tested range occurred near 25% concentration for shoot emergence, around 48% for shoot length, and around 68.75% for shoot number. Significant interaction effects indicated that treatment responses varied according to PGR source. In conclusion, the effectiveness of natural PGRs in wedge-grafted robusta coffee seedlings varied according to source type and concentration under the conditions of this study.

Crop Life

Muhammad Ansori

The limited efficiency of conventional seed potato production systems highlights the need for alternative cultivation strategies to improve productivity and planting material quality. Hydroponic systems offer a promising solution; however, comparative evidence regarding suitable growing media for potato production under tropical highland greenhouse conditions remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of potato variety and growing medium on plant growth and tuber yield under a hydroponic drip irrigation system. A factorial experiment was conducted using two potato varieties (Granola L and Tedjo MZ) and two growing media (rice husk charcoal and cocopeat), arranged in a completely randomized design with ten replicates. Plants were cultivated under greenhouse conditions and supplied with a commercial AB-mix nutrient solution. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance followed by the least significant difference test at the 1% significance level. The results showed that growing medium significantly affected all measured growth and yield parameters, whereas potato variety and the interaction between factors had no significant effects. Cocopeat produced greater plant height (50.70 cm), number of leaves (61.65 plant⁻¹), tuber number (19.35 tubers plant⁻¹), tuber fresh weight (466.87 g plant⁻¹), and tuber volume (404.28 cm³ plant⁻¹) than rice husk charcoal. In conclusion, substrate selection was the key factor influencing hydroponic potato performance under the tested conditions, and cocopeat was the more suitable medium for improving seed potato production efficiency in tropical highland regions and similar environments worldwide sustainably.

Crop Life

Beni Azwar Suganda Hasibuan

The increasing demand for nutrient-dense vegetables under conditions of limited agricultural land requires sustainable cultivation approaches that support yield and nutritional value. Red spinach microgreens are considered a promising functional food; however, their performance may be influenced by growing media quality and cultivation inputs. This study evaluated the effects of bamboo biochar application and different concentrations of bamboo vinegar on the growth, sensory quality, and iron (Fe) content of red spinach (Amaranthus tricolor L.) microgreens. A factorial (2 × 6) experiment in a completely randomized design was conducted using cocopeat as the growing medium, with biochar application (with and without) and bamboo vinegar concentrations of 0, 50, 100, 200, 400, and 800 ppm. No significant interaction between biochar and bamboo vinegar was detected. Biochar application significantly improved overall plant growth and sensory attributes compared with the non-biochar treatment. Bamboo vinegar significantly affected plant height and fresh biomass, with the highest responses observed at 200–800 ppm for plant height and at 800 ppm for fresh weight. Iron content ranged from 202.09 to 481.66 ppm and was expressed on a fresh weight basis, which may be influenced by plant water content and thus limits direct comparison with studies reported on a dry weight basis. Therefore, Fe values in this study should be interpreted comparatively within treatments rather than as absolute nutritional equivalence to mature plants or other studies. Under the conditions of this study, biochar and selected bamboo vinegar concentrations showed potential to improve red spinach microgreen production and may contribute to low-input urban agriculture systems.

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