An Interaction Model Between Environmental Factors and Black Rice Growth in Irrigated Organic Paddy Field

Black rice production in organic farming system does not meet the demand of local customers because of its low productivity. This research aimed to set an interaction model using multivariate analysis via smartPLS to identify environmental factors which simultaneously affects the growth of black rice. The growth of black rice in two irrigated organic paddy field in Malang, Indonesia was observed during planting period from November 2011 to March 2012. In each rice field, the growth was periodically recorded during planting periods: 19-29 days after planting (dap), 41-45 dap, 62-66 dap, 77-81 dap, 90-94 dap and 104-106 dap. Environmental factors such as water quantities, soil conditions, weed communities and cultivation system around the black rice population were also measured. Black rice growth was influenced simultaneously by water quantities, soil, weed communities and cultivating systems with predictive-relevance value reaching 92.83%. Based on the model, water quantities in paddy field is a key factor which directly and indirectly determined the growth and productivity of black rice

Using Benthic Diatom to Assess the Success of Batch Culture System Phytoremediation Process of Water Irrigation

Diatoms or phytobenthic are often used as bio-indicators of water quality in freshwater ecosystems such as rivers, but have never been used for monitoring the quality of artificial water ecosystems. The objective of this research is to use the diatom as a bioindicator for measurement the success of phytoremediation process of irrigation water that has status hyper-eutrophic and is polluted from organic materials using polyculture of various local hydromacrophytes through batch culture system. This experimental study was conducted in a greenhouse through planting some local emergent, submerged and floating leaf hydromacrophytes on a 30 L bucket with a given substrate from sand and gravel. The experiment used a completely randomized design with two treatment included phytoremediation model and control in the form of substrate without hydromacrophyte which repeated three times at the same time. The success of phytoremediation model was determined through some biotic diatoms indices (Percentage Pollution Tolerant Value/%PTV, Tropical Diatom Index/TDI and Shannon Wiener Diversity Index) as bioindicator and the improved water physics chemical quality on days 0, six, and 13 after incubation. The results showed that phytoremediation process using polyculture hydromacrophytes through batch culture system for 13 days significantly improving the quality of irrigation water. Based on some biotic diatom indices, the water was improved from heavily organic pollution to moderately organic pollution (%PTV), from hypereutrophic to become eutrophic (TDI) and from moderately polluted become slightly polluted (Shannon Wiener Diversity Index). This results also supported from water physico-chemical parameters. Poly-culture of some local hydromacrophytes for six days significantly decreased the organic matter content of irrigation water was reflected from the decrease concentration of Biochemical Oxygen Demand/BOD (14.79 mg/L to 3.61 mg/L), Total Suspended Solid/TSS (14.6 mg/L to 0.08 mg/L), turbidity (19.97 NTU to 1.46 NTU), nitrate (1.44 mg/L to 0.03 mg/L), orthophosphate (0.24 mg/L to 0.042 mg/L), Total Kjeldahl Nitrogen (TKN) (0.93 mg/L to 0.68 mg/L), and free chlorine (0.09 mg/L to 0.05 mg/L), while concentration of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) decreased significantly 13 days after incubation from 48.3 mg/L to18.2 mg/L

Are High Carbon Stocks in Agroforests and Forest Associated with High Plant Species Diversity?

Conserving plant diversity and retaining terrestrial carbon stocks are targets for environmental policy and appear to be generally compatible. However, detailed information on the way both respond to agroforestry management is lacking. Rubber and fruit tree agroforestry systems combine planted trees and trees that are tolerated or actively managed that derived from natural vegetation. The research aimed to evaluate plant species diversity, vegetation structure, and C stock in rubber agroforestry system (AF) and secondary forest grown in silty clay and sandy soils in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan province. A number of multistrata agroforestry systems was compared to the secondary (natural) forests (SNF) of the area; these included Fruit-Based Rubber Agroforestry (AFB) of about 100 years of age, Old Rubber Agroforestry (ARO) and Young Rubber Agroforestry (ARY). The highest C stock was found in AFB (415 Mg ha-1), while the average C stocks of other AF and SNF were 217 Mg ha-1. A plant diversity index (H') was only weakly correlated to aboveground C stocks. Including the farmer-managed agroforests in schemes to reduce emissions from deforestation and forest degradation is relevant, as their carbon stocks match or exceed those of remaining forests in the area

Effectivity of Agroedutourism to Strengthen Healthy Agro-Ecosystem Awareness of Students in Some Elementary Schools in Malang Raya, East Java

This research aimed to study the effectivity of agroedutourism to strengthen students environmental awareness, especially concerning on importance of rice organic farming system. Eighty three students were invited joining the program. They were the 5th grade of three elementary schools (SDN Ketawanggede 2, SDI Surya Buana and SDN Sumberngepoh 02). It was provided three agroedutourism programs, i.e. two outdoors programs (Farmers friends and enemies, Plants for biopesticide and natural attractant), as well as the indoor session called Healthy agroecosystem. Including the programs were joining ecoeco-games and tasting some food (steamed rice-bran brownies, organic red rice milk and zalacca fruits). Effectivity of the programs was evaluated using questionnaire. Data were analyzed by SPSS program using Wilcoxon test (α=0,05). Results showed overall that the agroedutourism increased significantly students cognitive, affective and even their appreciation to agricultural environment. Students of SDN Sumberngepoh 02 showed a highest agro-environmental awareness. While, the highest cognitive improvement was gained by students of SDI Surya Buana (76%), followed by SDN Ketawanggede 2 (62%) and SDN Sumberngepoh 02 (47%). The most interesting program was an outdoor namely Farmers friends and enemies, while they preferred a steamed rice-bran brownies than the other one. They were exciting joining some eco-games especially predator and prey as well as guest animal name and its role. It seemed that the outdoor programs were more appreciated rather than the indoor one. Keywords: Agroedutourism, awareness, effectivity, healthy agro-ecosystem Keywords: Agroedutourism, awareness, effectivity, healthy agro-ecosyste

Degradation of Riparian Tree Diversity on Spring Fed Drains and Its Impacts to Water Quality, East Java

This research aimed to determine the impact of degradation riparian tree diversity on water quality along some spring to its drains in East Java. This descriptive research conducted in selected springs and itsdrains in Jember, Kediri, Pasuruan, and Malang on April 2012 to January 2013. We used a spring water of Meru Betiri National Park as a reference site. Quality of riparian trees diversity and water were sampled with three replication.Data were tabulated by statistical analyzed using cluster and Spearman correlation. The result showed that species richness ofriparian tree in spring water and its drains has found were 69 species belonging to 28 families. Moraceae was key family of natural riparian tree and almost all the spring and its drains (92.75 %) were grown by native trees except in Kediri. All observed spring were degrading comparing to the natural one in Meru Betiri National Park where trees grown in strata A to E, and shown a highest diversity index (H=3.2). All water spring were observed in high quality but water in its downstream become turbid depend on the quality of treesriparian diversity grown around spring waters. Quality of riparian diversity was strongly influenced by land use and human activities such as illegal logging, intensive agriculture, and settlement. There was a positive correlation between riparian tree diversity, water transparency and color, but it had a negative correlation with pH value of water.Low pH, high water transparency and colorless water were found in stations where we found high tree species richness, diversity index, riparian width and stratified of tree

Organic Agroedu-Tourism Attractions Toward an Interesting Outdoor Environmental Education to Junior High School Students

The purpose of this study is to evaluate two organic agroedu-tourism attractions developed to 42 students of eight graders of three junior high schools in the village and one school in the city. Organic agroedu-tourism offers two tour programs namely Organic Garden Tour and Organic Farming Technology. Appreciations of the participants were determined by pre and post test after joining the organic agroedu-tourism. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. This study shows that 78.6 % of the participants prefer the Organic Garden Tour and 21.4% find that the Organic Farming Technology is better. Organic agroedu-tourism can improve cognitive aspect of participants from score 1 turned into 3. Most participants had a high interest in joining the organic egroedu-tourism. Organic agroedu-tourism is also able to meet the expectations of participants that are indicated by an increase in the skills and experience of participants from score 2 to 5. Satisfaction of the participants can also be assessed from the high appreciation average before and after joining Organic agroedu-tourism, which are score 4. The appreciation of the participant is shown by their willingness to invite other people to join. Factors affecting participants satisfaction were family background, socio-economy background, personal perception and knowledge. Based on the result, organic agroedu-tourism shows strength to develop the participants understanding, knowledge and skills in integrated organic farming system, even though not all participants are interested to join all programs provided. Farmer groups need to improve the quality of organic agroedu-tourism, for example, completing the facilities and agreed on tourism attractions, enhancing farmers skills as tour guide, providing organic agroedu-tourism program relevant to the school curriculum, and promoting it to public

Eusideroxylon Zwageri (Ulin) as Key Species in Two Zones of Sangkima Rain Forest, Kutai National Park, East Kalimantan

Aim of this research was to study trees' diversity quality in primary and intensively used forest of Sangkima area in Kutai National Park (TNK), East Kalimantan (Borneo). Field observation was carried out by vegetation analysis using 17 sampling plots of 25x25 m2. Community structure of each forest was determined by calculating trees' density, basal area, frequency, important value and stratification of species. While trees diversity was estimated by taxa richness, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and rate of endemism. Both forests were compared by Morisita community similarity index. Data were tabulated by Microsoft Excel 2007 and statistically analyzed by PCA method and supported by hierarchical cluster analysis in SPSS 15.00 for windows. The result showed that diversity quality in primary and intensively used forest of Sangkima TNK was high, indicated by similar stratification. The forests were composed by A stratum trees of > 30 m high to ground cover plants, but they were dominated by B stratum trees of 20-30m high. Primary forest's formation was Eusideroxylon zwageri-Mixed Dipterocarpaceae, while intensively used forest's formation was E. zwageri. Taxa richness of both forests was not different significantly. In the primary forest was found 34 species, 25 families and 16 orders, while intensively used forest was found 36 species, 20 families and 13 orders. Diversity Index of primary forest (H=4.57) was slightly higher than secondary forest (H=4.28). Rate of endemism of both forests reached 100%. Eusideroxylon zwageri and Cananga odorata were co-dominant in the Borneo rain forest. Tree of E. zwageri showed a biggest trunk and largest canopy. Cananga odorata showed a high density in both zones. Luxurious jungle performed A to E strata, but B stratum was dominant. Based on those five characters, trees' diversity quality in Sangkima was still high. Bi plot analysis showed that trees' community structure of both forests composed by three groups. In secondary forest, E. zwageri was a key species and characterized by high important value, while species C. odorata, Dyospiros borneensis and Dillenia beccariana found in a high distribution, otherwise other trees were classified into the 3rd group. Comparing to the secondary forest, even though E. zwageri was also as dominant tree, but the virgin one showed more species growing in a better density, distribution and dominance

Earthworm Population Density in Sugarcane Cropping System Applied with Various Quality of Organic Matter

Earthworms population in the soil are greatly impacted by agricultural management, yet little is known about how the quality and quantity of organic matter addition interact in sugarcane cropping system to earthworm population. This study describes the effect of various organic matter and application rates on earthworms in sugarcane cropping system. Earthworms were collected in April, July and December from 48 experimental plots under five kinds of organic matter application : (1) cattle manure, (2) filter cake of sugar mill, (3) sugarcane trash, (4) mixture of cattle manure+filter cake, and (5) mixture of cattle manure+sugarcane trash. There were three application rates of the organic matter (5, 10, and 15 ton ha-1). The treatments were arranged in factorial block randomize design with three replications and one treatment as a control (no organic input). Earthworms were collected using monolith sampling methods and hand-sorted from each plot, and measured its density (D) (indiv.m-2), biomass (B) (g m-2) and B/D ratio (g/indiv.). All the plots receiving organic matter input had higher earthworm density, biomass, and B/D ratio than the control. The highest earthworm population density was found in the plot receiving application of sugarcane trash (78 indiv.m-2) and the mixture of cattle manure+sugarcane trash (84 indiv.m-2). The increase in application rates of organic matter could increase the earthworm density and biomass. Earthworm population density also appeared to be strongly influenced by the quality of organic matter, such as the C-organic, N, C/N ratio, lignin, polyphenols, and cellulose content. Earthworm preferred low quality organic matter. It was caused by the higher energy of low quality organic matter than high quality organic matter. Our findings suggest that the input of low quality organic matter with application rate as 10 ton ha-1 is important for maintaining earthworm population and soil health in sugarcane land

Morphological Variation of Six Pigmented Rice Local Varieties Grown in Organic Rice Field at Sengguruh Village, Kepanjen Subdistrict, Malang District

Indonesia is the third richest country for pigmented rice source. Morphological character of pigmented rice in Indonesia is less reported since recent publications and descriptions of pigmented rice are only limited to black rice of Cempo Ireng variety and red rice of Aek Sibundong variety. Pigmented rice varieties in Indonesia are cultivated in an organic way. These varieties are Wojalaka black rice of East Nusa Tenggara (NTT), Manggarai of NTT, Toraja of South Sulawesi, Cempo Ireng of Central Java and red rice of Aek Sibundong (leading variety) and Baubau of Southeast Sulawesi. The objective of research was to compare the morphological variation of root, stem, leaf, panicle, floret and the colour of milk mature grain and mature grain by observing the vegetative and generative parts of six local rice varieties. Research had been conducted from February 2012 to February 2014 in Sengguruh Village, Kepanjen District, Malang Regency. This study type was quasi-experiment with eleven replications. Group Random Design was used. The observation was given upon vegetative, reproductive and maturity phases as groups. Independent variables in this research were six rice varieties, while the dependent variable was morphological variation (root, stem, leaf, panicle, floret, milk mature grain and mature grain). The data of morphological variation were tabulated through MS Excel 2007 for windows. Descriptive data analysis was used to determine the average rate and the deviation standard of each variable. Data were analyzed by ANOVA at a cut off value of α of 0.05. It was followed by HSD Tukey Test facilitated by SPSS 16.0. The analysis of multivariate data in cluster and biplot was carried out with PAST. The result of the study indicated that there was morphological difference on stem, leaf, panicle, floret, milk mature grain and mature grain. The colour of the stem in Aek Sibundong variety was purple, while that of other varieties was green. Toraja and Manggarai varieties had the highest height with 163-168 cm, followed by Cempo Ireng with 139 cm, Wojalaka and Baubau with 110-112 cm. Aek Sibundong Variety had the lowest height with 99 cm. Aek Sibundong and Wojalaka varieties had 6-7 internodes which were the greatest number of internode, while other varieties only had 4-5 internodes. Some varieties, such as Aek Sibundong, Wojalaka and Baubau had short and small leaf. The leaflet angle of Aek Sibundong and Baubau were 140 and it might be said as upright, while that of Wojalaka was 430 or moderate. Cempo Ireng, Manggarai and Toraja had its 63-880 of the leaflet angle or it was said as flat. Cempo Ireng and Wojalaka were included into Rice Indica Group while Toraja, Manggarai, Cempo Ireng and Baubau belonged to Rice Javanica Group. There were two morphological groups. Group 1 included Toraja, Manggarai and Cempo Ireng, while Group 2 consisted of Aek Sibundong, Baubau and Wojalaka

Assessment of Surface Water Quality for Irrigation Purposes in Jember District, Indonesia

Irrigated agriculture is dependent on an adequate water supply of usable quality. The analysis of physico­chemical parameters of surface water inJember District was done for the criteria of irrigation water quality. Surface water comprises spring water, falls, rivers, and tertiary irrigation channels. For this purpose, three sectors or locations were chosen to take twenty seven water samples in the summer season (September to October, 2013). DO, electrical conductivity (ECw), pH, and water temperature values were measured directly in the field,while analyses of nitrate (NH3-N), orthophosphate, total dissolved solids (TDS), and bicarbonate (HCO3-) was conducted in a laboratory. The results indicated that ECw, TDS, pH, water temperature,NH3-N, and orthophosphate were under the limits set out by the Rules of the Republic of Indonesia Government (PP RI) No. 82, 2001, for water quality standard and FAO for irrigation water quality standard. Thus, the surface water of Jember District was considered to be suitable for irrigation at the sampled location