Edison Purba

Empowering farmers is essential for achieving sustainable agriculture, particularly in rural regions who depend on this sector as their primary means of subsistence. Given the increasing challenges in the agricultural sector, such as the dynamic market conditions and limited access to modern technology, there is a pressing need to identify and implement strategic interventions that enhance farmer empowerment. This study seeks to elucidate the impact of diverse elements, such as farmer motivation, local resources, cultural context, infrastructure, subsidy programs, agricultural cooperatives, the role of facilitators, and coffee-livestock integration on the degree of farmer empowerment. The analysis involved 168 farmers as respondents and using the fuzzy-set Qualitative Comparative Analysis (fsQCA) approach to discover factor combinations that correlate with varying levels of empowerment by evaluates the interaction among the determinant factors and determines the unique configurations that drive either high or low levels of empowerment. The findings indicate that the integration of appropriate local resources, the presence of active agricultural cooperatives, and a well managed crop-livestock integration system positively influences farmer production and economic stability. Robust infrastructure and focused subsidy policies enhance farmer competitiveness in the agriculture industry. Nonetheless, the influence of facilitators is not universally predominant, as there are instances where farmers attain significant empowerment despite minimal facilitator engagement. This study emphasizes the significance of a multi-faceted strategy in formulating more successful tactics for farmer empowerment. These findings are anticipated to provide a reference for policymakers and stakeholders in formulating policies that better align with farmers' demands, therefore enhancing the resilience and sustainability of the agricultural industry over the long term.

Sitinjak L, Purba E, Hanum C, Siregar LAM. 2025. Vertical distribution of weed seed bank in three-year-old oil palm plantations. Biodiversitas 26: 3571-3579. Soil may contain millions of weed seeds from different species. Understanding the soil seed bank is crucial for making effective and sustainable weed management plans. This study provides novel insight into vertical seed bank distribution in tropical agroecosystems, a topic that remains underexplored, so that it can prevent reinfestation and dependence on herbicides. In this study, we measured the species composition and vertical distribution of the weed seed bank in agricultural soil. We collected soil samples using a 9 cm diameter soil core in a zigzag pattern. Samples were taken at depths of 0-5 cm, 5-10 cm, 10-15 cm, and 15-20 cm, with four duplicates per depth. At Universitas Sumatera Utara, Indonesia, each sample was spread in sterile trays filled with sand and incubated in a greenhouse. Seedling emergence was monitored for eight weeks. No new seedlings appeared in the last two weeks. A vegetation survey at the sampling site was also included. Data were analyzed using a non-factorial, randomized complete block design. Seedling emergence was significantly affected by soil depth. The highest seed bank density was at 5-10 cm (51.50 seedlings, 43.45%), followed by 0-5 cm (48.75 seedlings, 41.14%), 10-15 cm (12.50 seedlings, 10.55%), and 15-20 cm (5.75 seedlings, 4.85%). In total, the seed bank produced 354 seedlings. Asystasia gangetica was the most common, with 131 individuals. Aboveground vegetation yielded 256 individuals, predominantly Persicaria odorata (38 individuals, 14.84%). Most weed propagules accumulated in the top 10 cm of soil. Thus, shallow tillage, competitive cover crops, and well-timed herbicide applications targeting seedling flushes should focus on this layer. To prevent replenishment of the seed bank and curb invasive or resistant species, seasonal adjustments and routine observation of the seed bank and vegetation are vital. This integrated, site-specific approach supports more effective and sustainable weed control in agricultural systems.

Background: The use of herbicides is a common practice to control weeds in oil palm plantation. However, high dependency on herbicides causes intense selection pressure, which could lead to the evolution of herbicide resistance in weed. Objective: To assess planters’ understanding of herbicide resistance management practices. Methods: Data were gathered via the application of questionnaires during the 2022 growing season to planters working with oil palm in Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. There were 101 respondents, covering about 14 states. [...] Background: The use of herbicides is a common practice to control weeds in oil palm plantation. However, high dependency on herbicides causes intense selection pressure, which could lead to the evolution of herbicide resistance in weed. Objective: To assess planters’ understanding of herbicide resistance management practices. Methods: Data were gathered via the application of questionnaires during the 2022 growing season to planters working with oil palm in Peninsular Malaysia and Indonesia. There were 101 respondents, covering about 14 states.

Pesticide residue has been detected not only on agricultural lands but also in bodies of water such as rivers, lakes, and the sea. This study was aimed at exploring the potency of local bacterial isolates to degrade carbofuran, an active pesticide compound. Two biosurfactant-producing bacteria were isolated from hydrocarbon-compound-contaminated seas (NF9) and agricultural land with a long-term history of pesticide application (AB2). Bacteria were selected according to their ability to grow on a mineral medium, Bushnell Haas Agar, with the addition of 41.86 ppm of carbofuran pesticide as the sole carbon source. Their growth was characterized morphologically, biochemically, and molecularly based on their 16S rRNA genes. All isolates were Gram+ and indicated as Bacillus thuringiensis KD168 for isolate NF9 and Bacillus paranthracis C9 for isolate AB2. Both of the isolates were immobilized in sodium alginate and polyurethane matrixes. Both B. thuringiensis NF9 and B. paranthracis AB2 were able to degrade carbofuran, as indicated by the presence of carbofuran residue that ranged from 1.03 to 1.89 ppm; however, the residue was undetected after 15 days of incubation. We also confirmed that bacterial cells were immobilized and retained in polyurethane as well as in the sodium alginate matrix. The immobilization of the bacterial cells showed the abilities of the cells to degrade pesticides and their potential to be developed as bioremediation agents in polluted areas.

The resistance status of Eleusine indica to the isopropylamine glyphosate herbicide leads to control losses in oil palm plantations. Appropriate management is needed to reduce the presence of glyphosate-resistant E. indica. This study aimed to...

| The study was aimed to investgate utilization M2 generation of Indigofera zollingeriana results from gamma-ray irradiation as a roughage animal feed and its effect in soil characteristics on saline soil. The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments of gamma-irradiated M2 generation I. zollingeriana (0, 100, 200, and 300 gray) and six replications. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and then evaluated using an orthogonal polynomial contrast test. In this study, the soil characteristics were analyzed descriptively. The findings showed that there was no significant difference (P > 0.05) between the M2 I. zollingeriana generations in terms of quantity and quality. Numerically, 300 Gy treatment produced the most dry matter production (11.08 t ha-1 y-1). When compared with those that are not irradiated, the impact of radiation can result in an increase in dry matter yield of 1.2 t ha-1 y-1. The highest crude protein content (26%) was seen in the 300 Gy treatment. The digestibility of dry and organic matter peaked at 200 Gy (73.65 and 72.26%, respectively). The 200 Gy treatment had the highest proline concentration (65450 ppm). The population of phosphate-solubilizing bacteria was highest at 100 Gy (2.06 x 109 CFU/g). It was concluded that M2 I. zollingeriana irradiation treatment could produce more production and quality compared to non-iradiated treatments and could increase the population of phosphate-solubilizing microbes in saline soil.

Background Drought stress is one of the main causes of plant death. Strategies for plants survival are morphological adaptations, specific signaling pathways, and tolerance mechanisms. Rubber plantations have many uses, such as foreign exchange sources, job sources, forest revitalization, and a source of alternative wood for building materials and furniture. The rubber plant’s response to drought stress is a complex biological process. A tolerant rubber clone in a dry area is the right approach. The present study aimed to identify drought tolerant traits in order to select or identify drought-tolerant clones at juvenile stage. Methods The first factor examined for this work was clones (IRR 425, IRR 428, IRR 429, IRR 434, IRR 440, RRIC 100, and BPM 24) and the second factor was water content (30%, 60%, and 90%). The study was arranged on a factorial randomized block design and repeated three times. Characteristics observed were total sugar (µM), proline (mg/L), chlorophyll a, b, total (µg/mL), hydrogen peroxidase (µmol/g), ascorbate peroxidase (unit/mg), superoxide dismutase (unit/mg), and peroxide dismutase (unit/mg). Results The tolerance ability of the IRR 400 series rubber clones to drought stress was determined by observing the characteristics of sugar total and proline. The concentration of total sugar and proline were higher when the plant was treated with a lower water content. The selected clones tolerant to drought stress are RR 425 and IR 434 with high total sugar content and proline. Other characteristics, namely chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as hydrogen peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, super oxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, cannot be used as selection characteristics for this study. Conclusions This drought study of IRR 400 clones with varying water content percentages illustrated that the total sugar and proline characteristics could be used to distinguish tolerance levels from other observed characteristics.

Background: Drought stress is one of the main causes of plant death. Strategies for plants survival are morphological adaptations, specific signaling pathways, and tolerance mechanisms. Rubber plantations have many uses, such as foreign exchange sources, job sources, forest revitalization, and a source of alternative wood for building materials and furniture. The rubber plant’s response to drought stress is a complex biological process. A tolerant rubber clone in a dry area is the right approach. The present study aimed to determine the mechanism of drought-tolerant clones, based on physiological characteristics, to obtain character selection and drought-tolerant clones early. Methods: The first factor examined for this work was clones (IRR 425, IRR 428, IRR 429, IRR 434, IRR 440, RRIC 100, and BPM 24) and the second factor was water content (30%, 60%, and 90%). The study was arranged on a factorial randomized block design and repeated three times. Characteristics observed were total sugar (µM), proline (mg/L), chlorophyll a, b, total (µg/mL), hydrogen peroxidase (µmol/g), ascorbate peroxidase (unit/mg), superoxide dismutase (unit/mg), and peroxide dismutase (unit/mg). Results: The tolerance ability of the IRR 400 series rubber clones to drought stress was determined by observing the characteristics of sugar total and proline. The concentration of total sugar and proline were higher when the plant was treated with a lower water content. The selected clones tolerant to drought stress are RR 425 and IR 434 with high total sugar content and proline. Other characteristics, namely chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as hydrogen peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, super oxide dismutase, peroxide dismutase, cannot be used as selection characteristics for this study. Conclusions: This drought study of IRR 400 clones with varying water content percentages illustrated that the total sugar and proline characteristics could be used to distinguish tolerance levels from other observed characteristics.

Background: Drought stress is one of the main causes of plant death. Strategies for plant survival include triggering of specific signaling pathways and tolerance mechanisms. Rubber plantations have many uses, including in forest revitalization and as foreign exchange sources, job sources, and as an alternative source for building materials and furniture. The rubber plant’s response to drought stress is a complex biological process. Planting tolerant rubber clone in drought prone areas would be more appropriate. The present study is aimed to identify drought tolerant traits in order to select drought-tolerant clones at juvenile stage itself. Methods: The first factor examined for this research was the clones (IRR 425, IRR 428, IRR 429, IRR 434, IRR 440, RRIC 100, and BPM 24), with water content (30%, 60%, and 90%) as the second factor studied. The study was arranged on a factorial randomized block design and repeated three times. Characteristics observed included total sugar (µM), proline (mg/L), chlorophyll a, b, total (µg/mL), hydrogen peroxidase (µmol/g), ascorbate peroxidase (unit/mg), superoxide dismutase (unit/mg), and peroxide dismutase (unit/mg). Results: The tolerance ability of the IRR 400 series rubber clones to drought stress was determined by observing the concentrations of total sugar and proline, which were higher when the plant was treated with a lower water content. The selected clones tolerant to drought stress were RR 425 and IR 434 with high total sugar and proline. Other characteristics, namely chlorophyll a, b, and total, as well as hydrogen peroxidase, ascorbate peroxidase, superoxide dismutase, and peroxide dismutase, cannot be used as selection characteristics for this study. Conclusions: This drought study of IRR 400 clones with varying water content percentages illustrated that the total sugar and proline characteristics could be used to distinguish tolerance levels.

Increase in science and technology development today has spurred environmental pollution in water, soil and air. Water pollution caused by the impact of industrial development must be controlled as quickly as possible. The study aimed to investigate the effect of Eichhornia crassipes plants at given metal concentrations. The Eichhornia crassipes plant was used as an observation material with varying concentrations of metal (Cr, Hg, and Pb). The method used in this study was Randomised Block Design (RBD) and continued with Duncan's Multiple Range Test analysis, or better known as the DMRT test. The study observations showed that the increase in Eichhornia crassipes seedlings was 3cm, 2cm and 2cm, respectively with the recorded concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80%. Meanwhile, the leachate concentrations of 20%, 40%, 60%, and 80% could also increase the roots of Eichhornia crassipes plants by 3.5cm, 1.5cm and 1cm, respectively. However, the leaf growth of Eichhornia crassipes plants at concentrations of 20% and 40% recorded as much as three and two leaves only. Additionally, it can be noted that at leachate concentrations of 20% and 40%, there was an increase in the number of Eichhornia crassipes leaf petals during observation. Overall results showed that low concentrations could increase the Eichhornia crassipes plants. This was evident in the statistical test analysis, where the leachate concentration in the Eichhornia crassipes plant affected the overall test results.