Methane (CH₄) Fluxes in Mangrove Sediments of Negeri Passo, Inner Ambon Bay: Implications for Climate Change

Mangrove ecosystems play a significant role in carbon sequestration. However, the accumulation of organic matter in mangrove sediments undergoes decomposition, which triggers the release of CH₄ gas flux. This study aims to analyze the CH₄ gas flux in the mangrove sediments of Negeri Passo, Inner Ambon Bay. Gas sampling was conducted using a cylindrical chamber at three observation stations. Gas was collected using a syringe five times at 30-second intervals. The gas concentration was analyzed using gas chromatography, while the CH₄ flux was calculated using a flux equation that considers the regression slope, chamber volume and area, temperature, gas molecular weight, ideal gas constant (R), and time constant based on the gas sampling interval. The results showed that the average CH₄ concentration was 22.46 ppm. The highest concentration was found at Station 2, with 33.33 ppm, and the lowest at Station 3, with 14.40 ppm. The average CH₄ flux was 3.2194 mg/m²/h. The highest CH₄ flux was observed at Station 3, with 4.8727 mg/m²/h, while the lowest was at Station 1, with 1.3421 mg/m²/h. Based on these findings, it can be concluded that the mangrove ecosystem in Negeri Passo has a relatively higher CH₄ flux compared to other locations within the Inner Ambon Bay area. Additionally, the significant carbon sequestration potential, as indicated by the Tier 1 model approach, suggests that this mangrove ecosystem plays a crucial role in climate change mitigation. These findings highlight the dual role of the mangrove ecosystem in Negeri Passo, acting as both a carbon sink and a source of CH₄ emissions, emphasizing the need for further research to balance its sequestration potential with methane release dynamics

Six Social Evolutions of Sustainable Swidden Agricultural Design in the Indonesian Highlands

The research developed a sustainable model for farmers transitioning to the Indonesian highlands using design thinking. The study used a qualitative methodology with a systematic literature review approach. The data came from journals indexed by Sinta, Google Scholar, Web of Science and Scopus in the last decade. Data analysis used Evidence-Based Software Engineering (EBSE) while data analysis techniques with design thinking models include six social evolutions empathy, exploration, elaboration, exposure, execution, and expansion. The findings of the study showed the stages of empathy are social, cultural, and economic challenges of highland farmers in Indonesia. The exploration stage explored satellite technology and agroforestry, supporting nature preservation and improving farmers' welfare. Through elaboration, the development of training modules and technological support ensure long-term sustainability. The exposure phase of policy testing and community outreach introduced the benefits of agroforestry practices, while execution emphasizes the implementation of collaborative policies between farmers, governments, and related institutions. Lastly, expanding the implementation of solutions has proven to be effective in involving the younger generation and building a network of sustainable farmer communities in various regions in Indonesia. The implications of research with a design-based thinking approach create a more effective and relevant solution to the needs of local farmers. Further research explores the role of digital technology in supporting sustainable agriculture as well as further evaluation of the long-term success of implemented policies

Identifying Efficient Marketing Channels for BT Cotton: The Case of Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat, India

The marketing of Bt cotton is a critical component of the agricultural value chain, especially in regions like Devbhumi Dwarka, Gujarat. This study was conducted to estimate the marketing costs, margins, and price spread through different marketing channels of Bt cotton in the Devbhumi Dwarka district of the west Gujarat region. Total 120 number of Bt cotton farmers and market functionaries were randomly selected and interviewed for collecting information by using the designed schedule. Two major marketing channels were identified for Bt cotton: Channel-I (Producer → Cotton Corporation of India (CCI)) and Channel-II (Producer → Commission Agent → Ginner → Consumer). In Devbhumi Dwarka district, producers could secure approximately 86.44% of the consumer’s rupee in Channel-I and 82.64% in Channel-II. Consequently, Channel-I was found to be more efficient compared to other channels

Constraints Faced and Suggestions Made by the Cattle Rearers in Management of Milch Cattle during Transition Period

The study, conducted in 2023-24 in the Nashik district of Maharashtra, investigates the constraints faced and suggestions made by cattle rearers in management of milch cattle during transition period. The research was carried out in Sinnar tehsil of Nashik district, involving 120 cattle rearers from twelve villages, with data collected through personal interviews using a specially designed schedule. Statistical analysis revealed several significant constraints such as, high veterinary medicine costs, low milk rates, and high feed costs. Additionally, many respondents lacked sufficient information on proper management practices during the transition period. Other notable constraints included difficulties in identifying cattle diseases, high incidence of diseases during the transition period, distant veterinary hospitals and unavailability of government veterinary doctors, lack of knowledge about vaccination schedules and calf care, and inadequate veterinary services. To address these challenges, respondents suggested providing generic animal drugs in each circle, government regulation on milk adulteration and pricing of feed, medicines, and dairy equipment and on-farm demonstrations of improved management practices. Additional suggestions included linking dairy farmers with agricultural universities and institutions, strengthening agricultural extension services and imparting training

Performance of Starter Broiler Chickens Fed Diets Containing Rejected Mango Fruit Pulp and Maize Offal Mix

The study was conducted to determine the performance of broiler chickens fed diets containing rejected mango fruit pulp - maize offal mix. The extracted mango pulp was evenly mixed with maize offal (Dusa) in a ratio of 2:3 (RMFP: MOM). The mixture was sun dried for 5 days until moisture of less than 12% was achieved. Five diets were prepared in which RMFP-MOM partially replaced maize at 0, 5, 10, 15 and 20% representing treatments T1, T2, T3, T4 and T5 respectively. A total of (200) day-old ROSS chicks averaged 44.24 g were randomly allocated to 5 dietary treatments, balancing for body weight. Each treatment group made up of forty birds, was replicated four times and each replicate had ten (10) birds in a completely randomized design (CRD). Result of the proximate analysis revealed that, RMFP-MOM contains 9.59 % crude protein, 0.99% ether extract, 3.02 %, moisture, 11.51 % crude fibre, ash was 5.47 %, 75.85 % nitrogen free extract and 3127.79 kcal/kg metabolizable energy. Phytochemicals and minerals found included Phytates (0.13%), tannin (2.53%), mycotoxin (3.76%), citric acid (0.1%), calcium (0.98%) and phosphorus (0.17%) while ADF, NDF and hemicellulose were found at levels of 10.10 %, 45.10% and 35.00 % respectively. Result on performance of the starter broiler chickens revealed significant effects (p<0.05) of RMFP-MOM on final body weight (FBW), daily weight gain (DWG) and daily feed intake (DFI) which all declined at T5 (20 % RMFP-MOM). Result on digestibility showed that, there was significantly lower (p<0.05) digestibility of ether extract in T1 (80.73 %). Cost of feed consumed was significantly lower (p<0.05) at T5. Gross revenue was ₦4000 across treatments while gross profit was higher at T5. Given the nutrients profile of RMFP-MOM as revealed by the result of the proximate analysis, it was inferred that these materials are valuable feedstuff in broiler nutrition as the use of RMFP-MOM in the diets of the broiler chicken up to 15% maintained growth rates at levels comparable to the control. The result of this study also revealed that broiler chickens can be reared at cheaper cost with the inclusion of RMFP-MOM at 15%. It was recommended that, 15 % RMFP-MOM be used in broiler diets

Evaluation of Palm Oil Market Dynamics in Ogbadibo Local Government Area, Benue State, Nigeria

This study examined the analysis of palm oil marketing in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State, Nigeria. Specifically, the study examined the socio-economic characteristics of the palm oil marketers in the study area; marketing channels; determined the marketing costs and return incurred by palm oil marketers in the study area; determined the factors that affect the marketing of palm oil in the area and to determine the constraints experienced by palm oil marketers in the study area. The research employs a public opinion survey using well-structured questionnaire and interview schedule to achieve the specific objectives. Data were collected from 120 respondents in September, 2024, the peak of palm oil marketing in the study area through the administration of a questionnaire and was analyzed with the use of descriptive statistics such as frequency, and percentages and determined multiple regression. The result showed that palm oil marketing is a women-dominated business as revealed by (82.5%) of the respondents were female. The results also indicated that people from the ages of 31 – 40 are more interested in palm oil marketing as they formed the majority with about 50%. The majority (73.8%) of the marketers were married which showed that there were more married people involved in the marketing of palm oil in Ogbadibo Local Government Area of Benue State. Also, majority (45%) of the marketers have been in the palm oil business for 5 to 10 years. Furthermore, all respondents had formal education. The majority (60%) of palm oil marketers have household sizes of 2– 4 persons, with majority (42.5%%) earning between N 61,000 – N 80,000 as monthly the income of the majority of the marketers. Also, the result showed that on the average, the total variable cost incurred was N26, 000 while fixed cost amounted to N3, 500, on the return side, the average total revenue amounted to N57, 600, the gross margin of the marketers was estimated to be N26, 100, the profit of N22, 600 while the net return on investment was 0.55% per gallon per day. Result of pricing efficiency ratio of 1.175 and 1.367 for wholesalers and retailers respectively, indicated that wholesalers and retailers quoted prices were under efficient implying that few of them were running the business at a loss. The major constraints affecting palm oil marketers were high cost of transportation, lack of access to credit facilities, substitution by other products among others. The study concluded that palm oil marketing was profitable and solvent with a return on investment of 0.55% and a profit of N22, 600 per gallon per day or (1 gallon =3.7854 liters). The study recommends that there should be an improvement in the transportation system to reduce the high cost of palm oil transportation

Evaluating the Adaptability of Hybrid Onions for Yield and Performance Analysis in Northwestern Tigray

A field experiment was carried out in October 2019 in Tselemti District, North Western Zone of Tigray to assess the adaptability of seven registered hybrid onion varieties and one standard check for yield and yield attributing parameters of onion (Allium cepa L.). The tested hybrid onion varieties included MALBEC F1, NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, RED KING F1, RED COACH F1, ANKIN F1, and NASIK RED (Standard Check), and the experiment followed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. The results indicated that the variety significantly impacted all characteristics except for neck thickness and bulb length. MALBEC F1 demonstrated the highest marketable bulb yield, followed by NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, and RED KING F1, yielding 49.81, 49.04, 48.02, 46.49, and 45.65 tons per hectare, respectively. Conversely, the lowest bulb yield was observed in NASIK RED (34.90) and ANKIN F1 (34.04 tons per hectare). Consequently, it is recommended that MALBEC F1, NEPTUNE, RUSSET, JAMBAR, and RED KING F1 hybrid onion varieties are the most adaptable and highest yielding options in the study area

Food Value of Native and Non-Native Tree Species in Tigray, Northern Ethiopia

Indigenous and adopted food-bearing trees play a crucial role in ensuring food security during food shortages and on a daily basis in rural and urban communities in Tigray. However, information on their nutritional composition is still lacking. The objective of this study was to assess the macronutrient and mineral content of the most commonly used indigenous and adopted food trees. Fruit samples were selected based on their degree of maturation, health, and disease-free status. Three samples per plant species were collected and analyzed at the Ethiopian Health and Nutritional Research Institute laboratory. The results revealed that protein content was highest in Ximenia americana (8.04 ± 1.1%), followed by Cordia africana (5.09 ± 0.9%) and Ficus sycomorus (4.63 ± 1.0%), with the lowest protein content found in Adansonia digitata (2.02 ± 0.8%) and Hyphaene thebaica (2.44 ± 1.7%). Crude fiber and fat content were highest in Tamarindus indica, with fat content also being highest in Ficus sycomorus. Adansonia digitata had the lowest ash content, while Syzygium guineense had the highest moisture content. Ficus sycomorus fruits contained the highest levels of iron (56.5 ± 5.0 mg/100g), calcium (584.3 ± 14.0 mg/100g), and copper (0.9 ± 0.1 mg/100g), while zinc levels were lower in Hyphaene thebaica and higher in Ficus sycomorus. The potassium and phosphorus contents varied among the species, with Tamarindus indica having 3030.3 mg of potassium and 30.9 mg of phosphorus, Ximenia americana having 2704.0 mg of potassium and 106.6 mg of phosphorus, and other species showing varying amounts. Higher total carbohydrate content was found in Adansonia digitata (71.76%), Hyphaene thebaica (63.31%), Tamarindus indica (62.79%), and Cordia africana (59.28%). The highest energy values (347.2, 283.4, 264.2, and 258.4 kcal/100g) were observed in Tamarindus indica, Cordia africana, Hyphaene thebaica, and Syzygium guineense, respectively. In conclusion, wild and semi-wild edible trees are essential for addressing food shortages and have the potential to combat nutrient deficiencies in the region

Effects of Irrigation Regimes on Yield and Water Use Efficiency of Cucumber (Cucumis sativus L.) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria

Aims: This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different irrigation depths and intervals on cucumber yield and water use efficiency (WUE) in Ogbomoso, Nigeria, to develop sustainable irrigation strategies for water-limited environments. Study Design:  The experiment employed a split-plot randomized complete block design with three irrigation depths (D1: 100% ETc, D2: 85% ETc, D3: 70% ETc) as main plots and three irrigation intervals (I1: daily, I2: 2-day, I3: 3-day) as sub-plots. Place and Duration of Study: The study was conducted at the Teaching and Research Farm of the Agricultural Engineering Department, Ladoke Akintola University of Technology, Ogbomoso, Nigeria, during the dry season between February and April 2024. Methodology: The Darina F1 cucumber variety was grown under drip irrigation. Yield and water consumption were monitored throughout the growing season. Irrigation volumes were calculated based on crop evapotranspiration (ETc), and WUE was determined as the ratio of yield to total irrigation water applied. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, and treatment means were separated using Fisher’s Least Significant Difference (LSD) test at a 5% probability level. Results: The highest yield (8,738.79 kg/ha) was achieved under full irrigation (D1), while the highest WUE (155.30 kg/m³) was observed under D3, representing a 15% improvement over full irrigation. Daily irrigation (I1) produced the highest WUE (196.52 kg/m³), approximately 37% higher than 2-day intervals. The interaction between depth and interval revealed that D3I1 (70% ETc with daily irrigation) achieved the optimal balance between yield and water use efficiency, with a WUE of 210.18 kg/m³. Conclusion: 70% ETc irrigation combined with daily water application offers a sustainable approach for cucumber production in water-limited environments, balancing yield and water conservation. Full irrigation with daily intervals remains the most productive approach where water availability is not constrained

An Overview on Amaranthus cruentus L.: Alternative Source of Crop, its Economical Uses and Associated Beneficial Microbes

Amaranthus cruentus L.is a medicinally important locally available tropical plant belonging to the family Amaranthaceae. In present scenario, this plant is designated as ‘alternative source of crop’ or ‘Pseudocereal’ having various nutritional properties (Protein, carbohydrate, fatty acid, Vitamins, Minerals). Moreover, this plant has various medicinal properties also i.e. antioxidant, antihypertensive, antidiabetic, immune stimulation, anthelmintic, hepatoprotective, antimalarial etc. This plant has Worldwide distribution and short growing period of time. It is also regarded as Fodder crop and other industrial uses. The microbes associated with this plant help to protect the host plants from both pathogenic microorganisms and adverse climatic conditions by secreting different types of bioactive secondary metabolites i.e. phenolics, flavonoids, terpenoids, terpenes, tannins, alkaloids, quinones, anthocyanin, saponin, steroids and promote growth and development of the plant. Some unique features of this plant are also descried here. This review intends to expand the understanding of taxonomic characteristics of this plant, economic uses, associated beneficial microbes and their application for sustainability of this alternative source of crop. The cultivation of A. cruentus possess a good attraction among both the researchers and farmers and cultivation procedure is more easy than other species. Some species of this genus are not cultivated yet, they are under process. Additionally, this species is more adorably cultivated due to the high nutritional value of its seeds