Journal of Applied Agricultural Science and Technology

Comparative Assessment of Antioxidant Properties Between In-Vitro Cultured Cat's Whiskers Leaves (Orthosiphon stamineus) and Quercetin

Fahrauk Faramayuda — 2025-11-30

The present study investigates the antioxidant properties of in-vitro cultured leaves of cat's whiskers (Orthosiphon stamineus) compared to the well-known antioxidant quercetin. Antioxidants are crucial for neutralizing free radicals and play a significant role in protecting cells from oxidative stress, a contributing factor to various diseases and aging processes. The research aims to quantify and compare the radical scavenging activity of extracts from the in vitro cultured leaves and quercetin, using the DPPH method, a widely recognized assay in antioxidant research. Extraction involved macerating in-vitro cultured cat's whiskers leaves with 96% ethanol, which facilitates the dissolution of active phytochemicals. Antioxidant activity was subsequently assessed through the DPPH assay, where colorimetric change indicates the extract’s scavenging ability towards free radicals. The findings revealed that the in vitro cultured leaves extract exhibited a potent antioxidant activity, with an IC₅₀ value of 0.74 μg/mL, significantly lower than quercetin’s IC50 value of 7.51 μg/mL. These results highlight the potential of in-vitro cultured cat's whiskers as a natural antioxidant source, suggesting possible applications in the food and pharmaceutical industries, where combating oxidative stress is essential for health maintenance and disease prevention. Further research is necessary to elucidate the specific biochemical pathways and mechanisms underpinning the antioxidant capacity of the in vitro cultured leaves extracts.

Identification of Resistance of Local Rice Genotypes from Solok Selatan, West Sumatra to Leaf Blast (Magnaporthe oryzae) and Iron (Fe)Toxicity

Vera Septaria — 2025-11-30

Rice production in acidic soils is often limited by leaf blast disease and iron (Fe) toxicity. This study aimed to identify local rice genotypes cultivated in Solok Selatan that are tolerant to leaf blast disease and iron stresses at the vegetative stage. Ten rice genotypes, consisting of six local genotypes and four comparison genotypes, were tested under three levels of soil Fe content (11,393.12 ppm, 16,781.83 ppm, and 18,699.25 ppm) using a Completely Randomized Design with three replications. The observed variables were number of tillers, root length, leaf blast score, and Fe toxicity score. The results showed that Batang Piaman had the highest number of tillers (72.00), while Guliang Tandai Merah and Batu Hampar Putih had the longest roots (50.67 cm and 49.78 cm). Guliang Tandai Merah had the lowest leaf blast score (2.89), and together with Batang Piaman, also showed low Fe toxicity scores (3.56 and 3.22), indicating good tolerance. In contrast, Simauang and IR64 were the most susceptible against iron toxicity compared to other rice genotypes. Principal Component Analysis (PCA) explained 81.80% of the total variation and placed Batang Piaman and Cilamaya Muncul in the quadrant of high tolerance and good agronomic traits. Cluster analysis grouped the genotypes into three major clusters, with Guliang Tandai Merah and Batu Hampar Putih forming a distinct group based on strong root traits. Although no genotype was completely resistant, Batang Piaman and Guliang Tandai Merah are promising candidates for breeding programs targeting leaf blast and Fe toxicity tolerance.

Application of Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy to Evaluate Ripeness and Storage-Induced Quality Changes in Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt)

Ronaldo Talapessy — 2025-11-30

Nutmeg (Myristica fragrans Houtt) is an endemic fruit essential in the food industry; nevertheless, local farmers still rely on conventional methods to determine harvest time. The objectives of the research are to determine the freshness and ripening of nutmeg using the Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy (EIS) method. This study investigates the impedance of ripe and unripe nutmeg after five days of storage at 27°C and 4°C within a frequency range of 0–15 MHz. Ripe fruit has an impedance of 2-6 MW, lower than unripe fruit at 9-12 MW.. The high and steady impedance at low frequencies indicated the low moisture content and preserved cellular integrity of the ripe fruit. In contrast, the impedance of unripe fruits decreases gradually, indicating greater permeability and tissue disintegration. Advanced tissue breakdown reduces impedance despite decreasing water content, and these electrical changes are associated with mass loss from respiration and dehydration. The weight of nutmeg remains stable at lower temperatures but decreases at room temperature. The findings demonstrate that EIS is a rapid and non-invasive technique for assessing nutmeg maturity and postharvest quality, supporting more accurate prediction and improved storage management.

Phenotypic Evaluation and Potential of Superior Varieties in Hybrid Watermelon (F1) from Single Cross

Anung Wahyudi — 2025-11-30

Superior hybrid watermelon seeds developed by university plant breeders are currently very limited, with most farmers relying on seeds from national seed companies. This research aims to identify the superior characteristics of watermelon plants, both qualitatively and quantitatively. This study employed a Randomized Block Design (RBD), with six F1 hybrid watermelon lines and four control varieties as factors. Data were analyzed using the F-test, and significant differences were further examined using the Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at the 5% level. Qualitative data were used to cluster analysis based on agronomic characteristics, calculated using NTSYS software. The results indicate significant variations in several morphological and agronomic traits among watermelon genotypes. Genotype WM 2210-1606 is superior in stem diameter, flowering time, and early harvest. Genotype WM 2210-1110 excels in vine and leaf length. GARNIS has the highest fruit weight, and WM 2210-1606 shows higher sugar content at the fruit's edge. Cluster analysis divides the genotypes into three main groups based on trait similarities. These variations highlight the potential for improving watermelon quality through breeding superior genotypes.

Comparative Study of Thermal Effects on Protein-Enriched Cassava Starch with Snakehead Fish and Mackerel Proteins

Agus Supriadi — 2025-11-30

Cassava-starch composites enriched with fish proteins offer a means to tailor texture and moisture management during thermal processing. We evaluated ten formulations (P1–P10) with varying proportions of snakehead fish and mackerel proteins and measured expansion, water absorption, color (ΔE*), and density. Expansion peaked at low protein ratios and subsequently declined: mackerel P2 reached 4.38 ± 0.96%, snakehead P1 reached 4.08 ± 1.40%, and both decreasing to 0.8% at P10. Water absorption also decreased with increasing protein, from 14.04 ± 0.93% (mackerel P1) and 11.67 ± 1.36% (snakehead P1) to 5.54 ± 2.16% and 4.10 ± 0.41% at P10, respectively. The water-absorption-expansion relationship was non-linear and best described by second-order polynomials (Snakehead: y = 0.0764x² − 0.8101x + 2.9686; R² = 0.978 and Mackerel: y = 0.0975x² − 1.4896x + 6.1685; R² = 0.960), indicating diminishing expansion gains at higher absorption. Apparent (saturated) density increased during soaking and plateaued at ~150 min; lower-protein formulations exhibited higher saturated density due to greater water uptake. Collectively, these results show that choosing the protein type and ratio enables targeted control of expansion, hydration, and density—mackerel favoring higher expansion at lower absorption, and snakehead providing a more gradual, controllable response—offering practical levers for designing fish-protein–starch products with desired textures.

Additional Oil Palm Ash and Nitrogen Fertilizer as Soil Ameliorant for the Oil Palm Seedlings (Elaies guineensis Jacq.) in Pre Nursery Stage

Enita Enita — 2025-11-30

Oil palm has high economic value and is one of Indonesia’s most significant contributors to foreign exchange. The management of oil palm seedlings is important in determining their growth and subsequent development in the field. Research on the application of oil palm ash and nitrogen fertilizer was conducted at the pre-nursery stage. This study aims to determine the effects of oil palm ash and nitrogen fertilizer on the growth performance of oil palm seedlings in the pre-nursery stage. The experiment employed a factorial randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was the dose of oil palm ash (A), consisting of A1 = 600 g/g/polybag, A2 = 800 g/g/polybag, A3 = 1000 g/g/polybag. The second factor was the dose of nitrogen fertilizer (N), consisting of N1 = 100 mg/polybag, N2 = 200 mg/polybag, and N3 = 300 mg/polybag. The results showed that the interaction between the dose of oil palm ash and nitrogen fertilizer significantly affected both fresh weight and dry weight of oil palm seedlings. The combination of 1000 g/g/ g/polybag of oil palm ash and 200 mg/polybag of nitrogen fertilizer produced the best growth, yielding 7.77 g/g/plant of fresh weight and 2.39 g/g/plant of dry weight. Based on observation of plant growth, the application of oil palm ash did not show a significant effect on plant height, leaf length, or number of leaves. However, the highest stem diameter was recorded in treatment A2 (0.77 cm), which was significantly different from treatment A3. In contrast, the application of nitrogen fertilizer at a rate of 100 g per (N1) resulted in the lowest plant height (21.70 cm) and the shortest leaf length (17.36 cm), both of which were significantly different from the other treatments. The largest stem diameter was obtained in treatment N2 (0.79 cm), which was substantially different from N1. No significant differences were observed in the number of leaves among the treatments.

Spatial Characterization of NDVI-Based Vegetation Density in Smallholder Coffee Plantation on Mount Kawi’s Southern Slopes

Dinna Hadi Sholikah — 2025-11-30

Indonesia’s coffee cultivation covers 1.25 million hectares, predominantly managed by smallholders (98.14%). Malang Regency, a key production area in East Java, experienced a sharp yield decline from 29,728 tonnes (2021) to 14,151 tonnes (2022). This study investigates smallholder plantations in the Kletek sub-watershed, emphasising the role of shade vegetation in coffee growth. Shade density critically influences productivity and ecological resilience. To support sustainable management, vegetation cover is assessed via remote sensing using the Normalised Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI), enabling spatial analysis of canopy structure. This research aims to analyse the types of coffee shade trees on smallholder coffee farms. NDVI is used to distinguish differences in land cover, including coffee shade. The study employed a land survey using the grid method with 30 observation points. Spatial analysis involves spectral transformation of Sentinel-2A Harmonised imagery, while statistical analysis uses correlation tests. Smallholder coffee farms in the Kletek Sub-watershed feature shade plants such as lamtoro, mahogany, and banana trees. NDVI values across these plantations ranged from moderate (0.4–0.5) to very high (>0.6) vegetation density, showing a strong correlation with land cover conditions (r = 0.80). This confirms NDVI as an effective remote sensing tool for assessing shade vegetation, significantly influencing coffee productivity and ecological resilience. The findings support NDVI-based monitoring for precision agriculture and adaptive management, with scalable applications in sustainable land-use planning, agroforestry optimisation, and climate-resilient coffee cultivation in regions such as Malang Regency, where production has declined.

Effects of Naphthaleneacetic Acid and Kinetin on Chrysanthemum Plantlets in Vitro

Saipul Sihotang — 2025-11-30

Naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and kinetin play a crucial role in plant growth but must be used in correct proportions in order to produce the best outcomes. An optimal combination of both can enhance shoot, leaf, and root growth, whereas inappropriate doses may otherwise inhibit growth due to hormonal imbalance. This study examined the effects of the interaction between NAA and kinetin on the growth of chrysanthemum plants at eight weeks of age. The research was carried out using the Completely Randomized Design (CRD) in triplicate. The medium used was MS medium, supplemented with NAA at concentrations of 0–1.5 mg/L and kinetin at concentrations of 0–3 mg/L. The results indicate that NAA and kinetin positively influenced plant growth, but only when the optimal concentrations were applied. The best combination of NAA at 1.0 mg/L (N₂) and kinetin at 3.0 mg/L (K₃) produced the best results in terms of height (153 mm), number of leaves (31 leaves), number of roots (26 roots), and fresh weight (5.85 g). Increasing kinetin concentrations (K₀-₃) generally promoted plant growth, whereas excessive NAA concentrations (> 1.0 mg/L, N₃) produced the opposite effect, likely due to toxicity or hormonal imbalance. The interaction between kinetin and NAA exhibited a synergistic effect up to a certain threshold, while excessive NAA application negatively impacted on plant development.

Utilization of Banana Leaf Fiber as a Material for Making False Eyelashes

Vivi Efrianova — 2025-11-30

False eyelashes are essential tools used to enhance the appearance of the eyes in makeup application. However, most variants of false eyelashes currently available on the market are made from human hair and synthetic materials, which do not guarantee halal quality for Muslim consumers. This study aims to develop a new variant of false eyelashes made from halal-certified natural fibers. The false eyelashes are produced using natural fibers derived from the leaf sheaths of Musa paradisiaca (kepok banana), Musa textilis (abaca banana), and Musa sapientum (ambon banana), which are mechanically processed and crafted using a hanging netting technique, with designs adjusted to fit the shape of the eyes. Based on laboratory tests for tensile strength and modulus of elasticity, abaca banana fibers achieved the highest values at 72.49 g/tex and 1.85 g/tex, respectively. For fiber smoothness testing, kepok banana fibers scored the highest at 10.44 g/tex. In organoleptic tests, abaca banana fibers received the highest score for curliness at 66.7%; for lightness, both kepok and abaca banana fibers shared the highest score at 44.4%; and for neatness, kepok and abaca banana fibers again shared the highest score at 66.7%. In hedonic preference tests, kepok banana fibers scored 44.4%, abaca 50%, and ambon 60%. It can be concluded that false eyelashes made from the leaf sheath fibers of kepok, abaca, and ambon bananas are considered visually suitable for use in makeup based on organoleptic and hedonic evaluations. The results of this study contribute to the development of new variants of halal-certified false eyelashes in the cosmetic industry.

Morphological Degradation of Sago Starch (Metroxylon sp.) Bioplastic of Palopo, South Sulawesi

Pria Gautama — 2025-11-30

The growing concern over non-organic plastic waste has driven the development of bioplastics from renewable sources, such as sago starch (Metroxylon sp.), as an environmentally friendly alternative. This study aims to analyze the morphological structural changes of sago starch bioplastics exposed to UV radiation using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM). The bioplastics were prepared from sago starch, subjected to controlled UV irradiation, and subsequently examined with SEM to observe microstructural modifications. The results demonstrate that UV radiation significantly induces degradation and structural alterations, characterized by increased surface roughness, and changes in the fracture structure and cross-section of the bioplastic. SEM images show the progression of structural damage at various UV exposure times (24, 48, and 72 hours), illustrating the formation of cracks, micro-cavities, and increased porosity. These findings underscore the importance of understanding UV degradation for developing more environmentally resistant sago bioplastics.

Effects of Price Inflation on Urban Households' Food Expenditure Patterns in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria: Insights on Food and Nutrition Security

Michael Ige Ediabai Edaba — 2025-11-30

Port Harcourt is the most economically vibrant city in Nigeria after Lagos, and it has an estimated population exceeding three million people. In recent years, food commodities, especially energy-rich foods, have continued to gain significant market value in the city. This study examined the effects of price inflation on food expenditure patterns in Port Harcourt, South-South Nigeria, against the backdrop of food and nutrition security. The study examined 265 urban households in the city, and special attention was given to common dietary food sources such as rice, yam, garri, noodles, beans, meat/fish, vegetables, and oils. The research used descriptive and inferential statistical models, including quartile, chi-square, multiple regression, and the Linear Approximate Almost Ideal Demand System models. Results of the analysis revealed that garri and rice were the most frequently consumed food products in the area. Similarly, the households spent a significant weekly share of their food budget (54 per cent) on energy-rich foods (rice, garri, yam, and noodles) compared to meat/fish (46 per percent) and vegetables (27 per cent). Furthermore, in the buildup to the regression analysis. The double-log functional form was selected as the lead equation with an R² of 93.68 per cent, with age (0.1893), household size (0.0512), income (0.0201), price of meat and fish (-0.0081), and consumer preference (0.0038) significantly influencing household expenditure on energy-rich foods. The Marshallian uncompensated own price elasticities for rice, garri, beans, and meat/fish were found to be -0.713, 0.374, -0.891, and -1.271, while the Hicksian cross price elasticities for yam and noodles as well as that of vegetables and oils were 0.062 and 0.163, respectively, implying that these commodities were inelastic and close substitutes. The elasticity estimates indicate that most food commodities are inelastic and exhibit substitution tendencies, particularly between vegetables and oils. Policymakers should therefore prioritize price stabilization, income enhancement, and food supply diversification to strengthen urban food and nutrition security.