International Journal of Agricultural Technology

The effect of refugia flowers (Cosmos sulphureus Cav.) on pest and natural enemy population dynamics of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr.) in Panaikang, Maros District, South Sulawesi

Abdullah, T. — 2026-03-24

Improving domestic soybean production remains constrained by persistent pest infestations that reduce both yield and quality. The effect of refugia flowers (Cosmos sulphureus Cav.) on pest and natural enemy population dynamics in soybean fields in Panaikang, South Sulawesi was investigated. The presence of yellow kenikir significantly altered arthropod community structure by increasing the abundance of key natural enemies, including Coccinella sp., Oxyopes sp., and Odonata, compared with insecticide-treated and artificial flower plots. Plots with C. sulphureus (P3) showed higher arthropod abundance, including both pests and natural enemies. Despite increased pest presence, pod damage intensity was lower, indicating enhanced biological control. Major pests such as Lamprosema indicata, Spodoptera litura, Melanagromyza sojae, and Valanga nigricornis were observed across treatments. However, damage caused by Etiella zinckenella was consistently lower in P3 plots, with a reduction of 5–11% during the pof filling stage. These findings indicated that C. sulphureus refugia enhanced ecosystem-based pest regulation by strengthening natural enemy activity rather than reducing pest visitation. This approach is represented a sustainable strategy for integrated pest management in soybean cultivation.

Profitability of cacao (Theobroma cacao L.) production in the selected areas of Misamis Oriental

Barros, AG. D. — 2026-03-24

This study assessed the profitability of cacao production in Claveria and Gingoog City, Misamis Oriental, from 2019 to 2021. Findings of the study showed that the relationship between socio-demographic profile, level of knowledge of farmers, and return on investment were not statistically significant based on Pearson's r correlation in 2019, 2020, and 2021. However, Gingoog City significantly differed in total income and expenses from Claveria, Misamis Oriental, with 50%, 43.46%, and 44.72% return on investment of Claveria in 2019, 2020, and 2021while 58.08%, 63.86%, and 62.14% return on investment of Gingoog City in 2019, 2020, and 2021 respectively. The study found that Gingoog City's net income increased in 2019, 2020, and 2021 by Php 20,073.33, Php 22,313.34, and Php 20,880, respectively. Gingoog City generated higher income in 2019 (Php 35,480.00), 2020 (Php 37,166.67), and year 2021 (Php 36,166.67) than Claveria, Misamis Oriental in 2019 (Php 15,406.67) 2020 (Php 14,853.33), and year 2021 (Php 15,286.67).

Effects of nitrogen fertilizer on the growth, chemical composition and antioxidant activity of Chara corallina

Chankaew, W. — 2026-03-24

The results showed nitrogen (N) fertilization can increase the growth performance, total chlorophyll, protein content, lysine, threonine, aspatatic acid, glutamic acid, arginine, phenolic content of Chara corallina. The alga in four treatments showed significant on chlorophyll, crude protein, amino acid profile. Most of the biochemical compositions in C. corallina increased significantly with the increased concentrations of nitrogen. The increasing nitrogen content in the culture system did not affect the phytochemical content of C. corallina, because nitrogen is not an essential element in the structure of phenolic, flavonoid and tannin compounds. Urea supplementation enhanced non-essential amino acids associated with flavor, particularly Glutamic acid and Aspartic acid, with the highest levels observed at 0.10 mg/L urea supplement, improving the nutritional and sensory quality of C. corallina. Additionally, nitrogen enrichment increased the antioxidant activity, likely due to elevated chlorophyll content. These findings suggested that optimizing nitrogen supply in algal cultivation can simultaneously enhance both the nutritional value and bioactive properties of C. corallina.

Antifungal efficacy of stingless bee honey extracts against a black mould causing pathogen Lasiodiplodia spp.

Datumada, H. — 2026-03-24

Fungal species causing the black sooty mould were isolated from fruit peels and subjected to molecular genetic analysis. The nucleotide sequences were found to be 100% identical to the fungus Lasiodiplodia iranensis. Results from testing the antifungal properties of stingless bee honey extracts showed that the extract from the H. itama species exhibited the highest inhibitory effect, followed by T. pagdeni, G. thoracica, and T. fuscobalteata. The average inhibition values were 21.43+1.27, 18.54+1.50, 17.51+1.76, and 17.18+0.91 mm., respectively.

Evaluation of rumen bacteria bioactivator consortium from Bali cattle for enhancing agricultural waste composting

Definiati, N. — 2026-03-24

The significant differences in cellulose and lignin content were observed in week four, with oil palm waste compost showed the highest content, followed by coffee husk waste and Melastoma. Microbial activity led to notable reductions in cellulose and lignin on week 8 across all waste types, although oil palm waste still retained the highest content. The significant reduction in the C/N ratio indicated continuing microbial decomposition and nitrogen mineralization. At week 8, the greatest nitrogen content was observed in oil palm waste, while both Melastoma and coffee husk waste exhibited similar nitrogen content. There was insignificant effect of LMO concentration on cellulose, lignin, pH, C, N, C/N ratio, or micronutrient content, indicating the effectiveness of Rumen Bacteria Bio-activator Consortium (RBBC) for organic matter decomposition. The pH for all waste types increased during the decomposing with Melastoma compost had the highest pH. In general, the study showed that the RBBC effectively increased the activity of microbes and the decomposition of lignocellulosic materials, even though LMO concentration primarily had negligible effect on the composting results. This study results highlight the contribution of waste type and microbial consortia for composting. Also, RBBC has high potential in agricultural waste management.

Influence of mulch color on the productivity performance of red-fleshed dragon fruit (Hylocereus polyrhizus Britton and Rose)

Dollen, A. T. — 2026-03-24

The various color was not significantly affected on the growth parameters. However, black and silver mulches (T₂ and T₃) exhibited highly significant and consistent impacts on yield performance, such as number of flower bud emergence where T₂ (Black) obtained the highest number of 223.13, weight of fruit (T_{2 -}503.35 g and T₃ - 490.79 g respectively), and overall fruit yield (t ha-1) where T₃ (41.98 t ha^-1) obtained comparable results in T₂ (41.10 t ha^-1), resulting in the highest Return on Investment (ROI). Consequently, it is determined that T₃(Silver) and T₂ (Black) consistently demonstrated yield performance, making them favourable choices for local growers seeking to enhance the productivity and economic returns of red-fleshed dragon fruit cultivation in the region. Adopting black and silver mulches is based on their consistent and comparable positive results on yield performance, which is recommended for local dragon fruit growers in Claveria, Misamis Oriental Agro-ecosystem.

Utilization of mixed dry starter culture of yeast, lactic acid bacteria and acetic acid bacteria in cocoa bean fermentation

Gunawan, E. C. — 2026-03-24

The starter culture of Saccharomyces cerevisiae, Lactobacillus plantarum, and Acetobacter pasteurianus was made into a dried form to improve the cocoa bean fermentation. Rice flour was added as a carrier material at concentration of 30%, 40%, 50%, and 60%. The best concentrations of coating material in each dry starter culture were 50% for S. cerevisiae and L. plantarum and 60% for A. pasteurianus. The dry starter culture was then mixed in different ratio (1:1: 1, 2:1:1, 1:2:1, 1:1:2) and used in the cocoa fermentation. The fermentation results showed that the addition of mixed dry starter culture with a ratio of 1:2:1 gave a better fermentation result, after 5 days of fermentation, compared to spontaneous fermentation, in terms of temperature during cocoa bean fermentation, pH of pulp and cocoa beans, and fermentation index.

Development of low-energy snack bars made from native Thai black rice mixed with durian sauce

Kangkawisut, N. — 2026-03-24

The result indicated that durian sauce with composed of durian pulp : sugar : honey (75 : 15 : 10) showed high preference scores in terms of color, aroma, taste and overall liking, with average scores of 7.10±0.99, 7.00±0.66, 7.20±1.03 and 7.20±1.03; respectively. Next, 10% concentration of this durian sauce was the optimum condition in term of the preference scores of aroma, taste, texture, and overall liking from sensory assessments. The chemical composition of develop snack bar, moisture, protein, fat, ash and carbohydrate content were 8.96%, 5.69%, 10.19%, 1.06% and 74.10% w/w, respectively. Second, some properties of developed snack bars was performed compare with the commercial snack bar. Results showed that the developed snack bar mixed with durian sauce and dried fruits exhibited significantly (ρ<0.05) lower the value of lightness(L*), redness(a*), yellowness(b*), water activity and caloric content with the data 35.83±0.05, 6.33±0.02, 1.80±0.02, 0.36±0.00 and 160.00±0.00 Kcal, respectively. However, the hardness of the developed snack bar was significantly (ρ<0.05) higher than the commercial snack bar with the value 35.90±0.06 N. Finally, the final 100 consumers acceptance testing was determined, those consumers were moderately satisfied with the product showing the average score of 6.91±0.83. In conclusion, the developed snack bar interest to provided the health benefit and prolong shelf life storage due to its low-caloric and water activity levels than those the commercial one.

Towards sustainable rural community: the lessons learned from a pilot intervention at an Akha tribal community (Mae Chan Tai Village) in Northern Thailand

Konuma, Hiroyuki — 2026-03-24

As a part of global efforts to pursue SDG Localization, a pilot project “Community based Sustainable Livelihood Development in Mae Chan Tai Village” was formulated and implemented (2018-2025) at Akha tribal village in Northern Thailand, with a focus to SDG 1 (poverty), SDG 2 (hunger, sustainable agriculture) and SDG 10 (inequality). The pilot project achieved good progress. Mae Chan Tai village community established a community organization (Community Enterprise) which played a key role in bringing all villagers to help each other and working together to pursue their common objectives. The village community has successfully built-up community revolving fund (one of the most important key indicators to measure the sustainability of community-centered self-help effort) with a total of 127,617 baht (approximately 4,000 US dollars) in one year during 2024 which was used for various community activities. Estimated average annual net income of villagers doubled during 2018-2025, reflecting largely significant increase of the farm gate price of Mae Chan Tai arabica coffee beans, which corresponded to sharp appreciation of international coffee markets price, and increased recognition of the quality, taste and value of Mae Chan Tai arabica coffee that draw local buyers to pay higher prices for their superior quality. The living conditions of villagers improved significantly during the period.

Effects of solid-state fermentation using Trichoderma harzianum and Saccharomyces cerevisiae on proximate and fiber content analysis of coffee husk (Coffea canephora L.)

Labadan, P. S. — 2026-03-24

Solid-state fermented coffee husk (SSFCH) showed a significant effect (p<0.05) in terms of crude protein (CP), dry matter (DM), ash, ether extract (EE), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), and acid detergent fiber (ADF) content. Solid state fermented coffee husk with Trichoderma harzianum (SSFCHTh) exhibited the highest CP content (14.25%) and lowest DM (79.93%), ash (4.98%) across all treatments. SSFCHTh reduced fiber content composition for NDF (54.02%) and ADF (44.99%) compared to unfermented coffee husk (UCH) and solid-state fermented coffee husk with Saccharomyces cerevisiae SSFCHSc. Therefore, solid-state fermentation with Trichoderma harzianum is enhanced by a proximate analysis of coffee husk, which increases its crude protein content while reducing fiber components, making it suitable as animal feed.

Development of pudding products from young rice milk supplemented with whey protein and inulin

Leelawat, B. — 2026-03-24

This study is developed a healthy pudding by integrating plant-based milks with a natural non-nutritive sweetener and functional ingredients to enhance both nutritional value and consumer acceptability. Young rice milk and cereal coconut milk blends (100:0–0:100 w/w) were first optimized, with a 50:50 ratio achieving the highest sensory acceptance. Monk fruit (Siraitia grosvenorii) extract–sucrose ratios (100:0–0:100 w/w) were subsequently evaluated, and 25:75 was most preferred. Six whey protein–inulin formulations, namely W8I2, W8I4, W10I2, W10I4, W12I2, and W12I4, were assessed, where W and I represent whey protein (%) and inulin (%) concentrations, respectively. An increase in whey protein concentration was associated with greater hardness and gumminess, while no significant differences were observed in sensory scores (p > 0.05), except for the W12I4 formulation. The W12I2 formulation provided 61.04% moisture, 0.66% ash, 12.16% protein, 6.40% fat, and 19.10% total carbohydrates. During refrigerated storage (4 ± 2 °C), hardness and gumminess increased, while microbial quality met community product standards. The novelty of this work lies in the combined use of young rice milk, cereal coconut milk, and monk fruit extract to produce a plant-based, nutritionally enhanced pudding with reduced sugar content, offering a promising alternative for health-conscious consumers and the functional dessert market.

Predictive model for optimal ozone condition to control Collectotrichum sp. and maintain quality of Kaew Kamin mango

Lueangprasert, K. — 2026-03-24

The obtained optimum conditions using RSM were a 25,000 mg/hr ozone and treatment time of 30 min. At the optimum condition, the shelf-life of Kaew Kamin mangoes was longer under the 21 days at 25±2°C. Application of the optimized ozone treatment condition, when compared to the untreated control, was significantly affected in preserving postharvest quality of the fruit. Specifically, the treatment effectively delayed weight loss, maintained alteration in peel and induced adaptaion in pulp color attributes (L*, a*, b*, chroma, and hue values), and maintained fruit firmness, titratable acidity, and cellular membrane integrity as indicated by lower electrolyte leakage. Conversely, no significant differences were observed in total soluble solids, ascorbic acid, and total phenolic contents, and antioxidant capacity between treated and untreated samples.

Investigating antioxidant and antibacterial activity of Thai local herbal extracts for development reducing muscle pain product

Lueangprasert, K. — 2026-03-24

The results revealed that Turmeric and Ginger extracts had the high antioxidant efficacy by DPPH assay at IC₅₀ = 0.57±0.01 and 0.61±0.01 mg/mL, respectively., The ABTS assay showed that Turmeric, Ginger and Plai extract had IC₅₀= 0.22±0.00, 0.23±0.00 and 0.30±0.01 mg/mL, respectively. In addition, turmeric and ginger extracts was determined FRAP value at 105.85±1.99 and 137.94±3.11 mg TE/g sample, respectively. The TPC and TFC of turmeric extract exhibited the highest TPC at 63.07 mg GAE/g sample and TFC at 555.94 mg QE/g sample, respectively. Antibacterial assay was evaluated by agar well diffusion technique against Staphylococcus aureus. It was found that the turmeric extract had the highest activity, with a zone of inhibition at 7.33±0.29 mm. These results indicated that five herbal extracts exhibited both antioxidant and antibacterial effects could be used as ingredients for development in reducing pain product.

Evaluation of sweet potato flour as a wheat flour substitute in the development of edible spoons

Ngohayon, J. M. — 2026-03-24

The study investigated the effect of substituting sweet potato flour for wheat flour in developing edible spoons. The results suggested that F2 (20% sweet potato flour substitution) had the most optimal properties. It has the highest sweet potato flour substitution, which showed no signs of sugar decomposition. Moreover, it has a good balance of good nutritional content, low water absorption, adequate relative hardness, and is readily biodegradable. Furthermore, consumers had a positive reception of its use as an alternative to plastic spoons.

A socio-entrepreneurship empowerment model for coffee farmers to sustain soil fertility practices

Novanda, R. R. — 2026-03-24

The findings showed that external assistance is shown to be a crucial for encouraging socio-entrepreneurship among coffee growers working to sustain soil fertility in Rejang Lebong Regency. Key drivers included financial access, cooperatives, and government initiatives, which significantly boost socio-entrepreneurship (β = 0.46, p < 0.01). Access to financing and stable coffee prices enabled growers to invest confidently in sustainable land management. Farmer capacity, mainly through education, training, and agricultural knowledge, was also important (β = 0.20, p = 0.05) and leaded to a better understanding of sustainable practices and enhanced use of digital tools for technical and market information, improving entrepreneurial readiness. Notably, the direct effect of soil fertility practices alone on socio-entrepreneurship was not significant. Conservation strategies such as terracing, shade planting, and composting with coffee waste are seen as standard for productivity but not as entrepreneurial opportunities. Factors, such as limited technology, restricted markets, and weak economic incentives, prevented the farmers from turning ecological practices into profitable ventures. Overall, advancing socio-entrepreneurship in coffee farming requires combining environmental sustainability with social and economic support. The most important enabling conditions are found to access and finance, strengthened farmer capacity, and transparent, stable markets.

Larvicidal efficacy and morphological abnormalities induced by plant essential oils against housefly (Musca domestica L.)

Passara, H. — 2026-03-24

The results showed that the lowest complete pupation rate was 43.67%, indicating a significant inhibition of normal metamorphosis. Additionally, 56.33% of third-instar larvae were classified as malformed larvae (ML), dying before pupation and exhibiting severe morphological and physiological abnormalities. These findings suggest that the star anise nanoemulsion interferes with key developmental pathways, preventing larvae from reaching the pupal stage. Due to its high effectiveness and plant-based origin, this nanoformulation offers a promising, environmentally friendly alternative to conventional chemical insecticides. It has potential for further development into a natural larvicidal agent for use in integrated pest management (IPM) strategies targeting housefly populations. Future research should explore the underlying mechanisms of action and assess the efficacy and safety of this nanoemulsion under real-world conditions to support its application in sustainable vector control.

Optimizing agricultural waste for black soldier fly larvae feed: A case study in Kanchanaburi, Thailand

Pitaktunsakul, N. — 2026-03-24

The results indicated that larvae fed papaya and mixed fruit diets showed higher weights, body sizes, and prolonged growth periods compared to those fed bananas. Although the differences in larval weight and size, the survival rates of the diets were similar. The fruit waste diet was significantly affected the sex ratios, with the mixed fruit diet providing the highest male proportion (0.55) and the pomelo diet the lowest (0.44). Furthermore, different fruit wastes influenced the ratio of abnormal adults with larvae fed on papaya and banana showing the highest incidence, whereas those fed on chicken feed displayed the lowest. Larvae fed with mixed fruit generated the highest amount of frass (70 g dry weight), followed by chicken feed (60 g) and papaya (55 g). The findings indicated that a mixed fruit diet improves larval growth, development, and waste recycling efficiency, creating prospects for small scale farmer, especially in areas with insufficient waste management infrastructure.

Influence of leaf type, genotype, and location on bioactivities and assessment of genetic diversity in teak (Tectona grandis L. f.)

Poeaim, S. — 2026-03-24

Marked variation in biological activities was observed among teak (Tectona grandis L. f.) leaf extracts as influenced by leaf type, tree genotype, and planting location. Fresh leaves generally exhibited stronger antibacterial activity than fallen leaves, with significant differences detected among plus trees originating from Chiang Mai, Phrae, Sukhothai, Lampang, and Khon Kaen and grown at the Thongphaphum and Phitsanulok Silviculture Research Stations. Among all samples, the Phrae plus tree cultivated at Thongphaphum showed the highest antibacterial inhibition against the tested microorganisms. Methanol extracts demonstrated antibacterial, anti-tyrosinase, and anti-inflammatory activities, while sequential extraction of Phrae plus tree leaves using hexane and dichloromethane yielded fractions with potent antibacterial effects, indicating promising potential for the development of new antibacterial agents. Genetic analysis based on sequence-related amplified polymorphism (SRAP) markers revealed similarity coefficients ranging from 0.67 to 1.00, reflecting low to moderate genetic diversity among the studied germplasm, with some samples exhibiting nearly identical genetic profiles. Overall, the observed variation in biological activities was closely associated with both genetic background and environmental conditions, providing valuable information for teak germplasm selection and the utilization of leaf-derived bioactive compounds in product development.

Driving organic farm success in India: The interplay of agripreneurial orientation and training

Raman, K. — 2026-03-24

Growing concern about the sustainability of the present system has necessitated farmers to show greater interest in `Organic cultivation’ which is a safer alternative environmentally and socially. This study investigates the effect of the three major dimensions of agripreneurial orientation, namely, innovativeness, opportunity seeking, and risk taking on performance of smallholder organic vegetable farmers. Incorporating the interaction effect of training in the framework, the paper discusses how agripreneurial orientation can be critical in driving farm success. Innovativeness and opportunity seeking were found to be contributing significantly to the success of organic farms while risk taking did not exhibit a direct significant effect. However, it was interesting to note that training interventions strongly moderated the relationship between risk taking and farm performance demonstrating that taking risk with effective training led to positive farm performance while without training it may have an adverse impact due to reckless risk taking. Training also moderated the relationship between innovativeness and farm performance highlighting that with effective training, a less innovative organic farmer may also become successful. These findings highlight the synergetic effects of training and its imperativeness for customized and crop focused entrepreneurial training program for enhancing the adoption and success rates of organic farming practices by smallholder farmers in emerging economies. Actionable recommendations for organic farmers, policymakers and other stakeholders for fostering sustainable organic farming practices in India and other developing countries are given.

Antagonistic effects of Chaetomium globosum and Trichoderma viride against Chili Anthracnose

Rohaendi, P. — 2026-03-24

The research demonstrated that Trichoderma viride and Chaetomium globosum inhibited Colletotrichum acutatum by 90.30% and 88.20%, respectively, primarily via competition for nutrients/space and parasitism, with no observed antibiosis. the field trials revealed that both fungi significantly reduced anthracnose severity. Trichoderma viride applications at 1, 2, and 3 g/L decreased disease incidence by 80.68%, 91.16%, and 92.27%, respectively, while Chaetomium globosum reduced it by 87.61–92.65%. Both exceeded synthetic fungicide Antracol (83.48–89.37% reduction) as a controlled treatment. Attack intensity followed a similar trend, with Trichoderma viride (95.12–97.46% suppression) and Chaetomium globosum (92.76–96.83%) surpassing Antracol (89.95–93.80%). Additionally, Trichoderma viride and Chaetomium globosum enhanced salicylic acid levels in chili plants, suggesting induced systemic resistance. These findings highlighted the potential of antagonistic fungi as sustainable biocontrol agents which would develop to be biofungicide, offering effective anthracnose management while reducing chemical residues.

Application of Pandora neoaphidis for the control of aphid pests in vegetable crops in Thailand

Rungkiat, K. — 2026-03-24

The entomopathogenic fungus Pandora neoaphidis has great potential for use in the biological control of aphids. In the present study, aphid cadavers were collected from three provinces in Northern Thailand: Chiang Rai, Chiang Mai, and Lamphun. Pathogenicity of three aphid species, Myzus persicae, Lipaphis erysimi, and Aphis fabae, was evaluated in the laboratory. The pure culture of PAN04 showed the highest pathogenicity for the respective aphid species, with average of 95.56% ± 3.25%, 91.83% ± 2.18%, and 92.36% ± 2.73%, respectively. Additionally, the lethal concentration (LC50) based on laboratory tests was calculated for each aphid species, which were 75.55, 78.44, and 59.78 spores/mm2, respectively. Under greenhouse conditions, P. neoaphidis suppressed aphid populations with a percent cumulative mortality (PCM) of 50.94% ± 16.55%, 45.17% ± 4.27%, and 47.36% ± 11.56%, while the mean time to death (MTD) was 5.67 ± 1.15, 5.56 ± 1.53, and 3.67 ± 0.58 days, respectively. In field conditions, the PCM of the respective aphid species averaged 45.00% ± 80%, 34.21% ± 15.3%, and 34.82% ± 7.24%, while the MTD was 6.00 ± 2.00, 6.67 ± 0.58, and 7.42 ± 0.58 days. According to the present study, P. neoaphidis has great potential for controlling economically important aphid species in Thailand.

Modelling ozone-based process for decontamination of Opisthorchis viverrini in cyprinid fish

Saelim, K. — 2026-03-24

Result indicated that the quadratic model with a correlation coefficient (R²) of 0.9376 was significantly predicted the responses (p<0.05). RSM model showed that optimal condition refers to 0.50 ppm ozone for 20 min, resulting in 100% decontamination of Opisthorchis viverrini metacercariae (OVMC). These findings demonstrated the high efficiency and practical applicability of ozone-based treatment as a food safety intervention to reduce opisthorchiasis transmission through cyprinid fish, with potential impact on public health in endemic regions.

Synergistic role of PGPR and fungal isolates in mitigating As and Pb stress and promoting growth of Arachis hypogaea L.

Sathya, C. — 2026-03-24

Heavy metals, also known as toxic metals, are major environmental pollutants that adversely impact all forms of life, disturbing soil ecology and reducing agricultural productivity. Certain indigenous microbes possess remarkable tolerance to these metals and play a vital role in restoring contaminated soils. In the present study, plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria and fungi were isolated from the rhizosphere and evaluated for their metal tolerance potential. Among the bacterial isolates (Pseudomonas alcaliphila PAS1, Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAS2, Pseudomonas toyotomiensis PTS3, Bacillus subtilis BSS1) expressing resistance to arsenic and lead which observed up to concentrations of 100–1200 ppm on nutrient agar. The fungal isolate Aspergillus japonicus (AJ01) exhibited tolerance up to 200 ppm of Pb and 500 ppm of As. Pot culture experiments were using Arachis hypogaea grown under As and Pb stresses with treatments of PGPR, PGPF, Compost and chemical control. Pseudomonas alcaliphila PAS1 was significantly enhanced plant growth by 100% and Pseudomonas aeruginosa PAS2 by 60% in contaminated soil, indicating strong tolerance and growth-promoting potential. Pseudomonas alcaliphila PAS1 increased chlorophyll content by 92.3% under As stress as compared to the control, while Pseudomonas toyotomiensis PTS3 showed a 70% increased, demonstrating high metal tolerance. In contrast, As and Pb stressed plants showed adverse effects. These findings highlighted the potential of selected PGPR and fungi as eco-friendly alternatives for the remediation and recovery of heavy metal-contaminated soils in Arachis hypogaea cultivation.

Efficiency of Bacillus subtilis in inhibiting the mycelial growth of Ganoderma boninense the causal agent of basal stem rot disease in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Seephueak, P. — 2026-03-24

This research evaluated the efficacy of biological products derived from Bacillus subtilis subsp. subtilis RUTs001, Bacillus subtilis RUTs002 and Bacillus subtilis RUTs003 in inhibiting the mycelial growth of Ganoderma boninense, the causal agent of basal stem rot disease in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) on agar media and on mushroom bag. The results demonstrated that the combinations of B. subtilis subsp. subtilis RUTs001 + B. subtilis RUTs003 and B. subtilis subsp. subtilis RUTs001 + B. subtilis RUTs002 emerged as the most effective, inhibiting the mycelial growth of G. boninense and resulting in a notable slowdown of mycelial growth. The time required for full colonization of the substrate was recorded at 35 days after inoculation. Followed by commercial B. subtilis product achieved full colonization at 34 days. Moreover, the use of bioproduct of B. subtilis can degrade mycelium completely within 150 days of its colonization. While in the control, mycelium growth was slower, and full colonized was achieved at 32 days.

Impact of water stress and sorghum varieties on flavonoid content and the bioherbicidal potential of water extracts for weed control

Susilo, E. — 2026-03-24

The results showed that the Super 1 sorghum variety under drought stress with watering every 4 days produced the highest total flavonoid content (4120.61 µg/g), while the Bioguma variety with watering every 2 days had the lowest total flavonoid content (2859.83 µg/g). A longer drought stress period led to the higher the flavonoid content. The allelopathic extract sources showed varying levels of effectiveness in inhibiting weed growth. Sorghum aqueous extracts (based on variety and drought stress level) were able to control grass weeds, except Eleusine indica, which showed higher tolerance. Sedge was effectively suppressed by extracts from the Super 1 variety under 4- or 5-day stress intervals and the Suri 4 variety with 5-day stress. Broadleaf weeds were effectively controlled by extracts from the Super 1 variety under 4-day drought stress. Sorghum aqueous extracts effectively controlled weeds, with weed control efficiency ranging from 69.19% to 77.52%. The highest weed control efficiency (77.52%) was achieved using extracts from Super 1 under 5-day drought stress and Suri 4 under 4-day stress. Consequently, sorghum aqueous extract can be considered a possible bioherbicide for efficient weed management. To identify the most effective allelopathic constituents for weed management, additional experiments with extracts from different sorghum varieties subjected to greater drought stress (beyond 5 days) will be needed.

The relationships among slaughter age, final body weight, carcass weight, dressing percent, marbling, and income of crossbred Angus beef

Tathong, T. — 2026-03-24

In 156 crossbred Angus beef cattle, final body weight (FBW) and carcass weight (CW) were highly correlated (r = 0.964, R² = 0.930, P < 0.001). Income (THB) showed significant positive correlations with slaughter age (r = 0.450, R² = 0.202, P < 0.001), FBW (r = 0.688, R² = 0.470, P < 0.001), CW (r = 0.751, R² = 0.564, P < 0.001), dressing percentage (DP) (r = 0.392, R² = 0.153, P < 0.001), and marbling score (r = 0.734, R² = 0.538, P < 0.001), with CW and marbling showing the strongest associations. Slaughter age was positively correlated with FBW (r = 0.503, R² = 0.253, P < 0.001) and CW (r = 0.486, R² = 0.236, P < 0.001), and weakly correlated with marbling (r = 0.160, R² = 0.025, P < 0.05). DP was positively correlated with CW (r = 0.338, R² = 0.114, P < 0.001), marbling (r = 0.280, R² = 0.078, P < 0.001), and income (r = 0.392, R² = 0.153, P < 0.001), but not with slaughter age or FBW. Network analysis confirmed CW, marbling, and FBW as central variables influencing income, highlighting their potential as key production indicators. These findings indicated that optimizing FBW, CW, and marbling could substantially enhance economic returns in crossbred Angus beef systems in Thailand.

Phytohormone-like activity of Volvariella volvacea (Bull. Ex Fr.) Singer

Valentino, M. J. G. — 2026-03-24

Results revealed the potential hormonelike activities of V. volvacea crude and hot water extracts influencing the growth and development of rice, corn and radish. The effect of V. volvacea (9.87) in the number of roots initiated in rice is comparable to those treated with auxin (11.23) and gibberellin (12.40) while in corn, V. volvacea (9.77) was statistically similar to gibberellin (9.03). In addition, the length of corn roots treated with V. volvacea crude extract (98.07mm) and V. volvacea hot water extract (93.65mm) exhibited auxin (87.74mm) and gibberellin (100.08mm) like activity. Meanwhile, auxin like activity was observed in rice treated with V. volvacea crude extracts with the length of second leaf of 109.39mm and 98.29mm, respectively. Whereas for the secondary leaf of corn, the effect of V. volvacea crude extract (87.89mm) and hot water extracts(84.17mm) were comparable to the effect of gibberellin (82.95mm). Cytokinin like activity was observed in V. volvacea hot water and crude extracts through rice coleoptile and biomass of radish assay with 16.88mm coleoptile length and cucumber cotyledon biomass of 0.164g. Lastly, the observed total chlorophyll content ranged from 65.12% to 192.67% which indicated the greening effect of V. volvacea extracts.

Anatomy, phytochemical analysis and medicinal uses of Pteris vittata L.

Vyas, M. K. — 2026-03-24

Most of the diversity studies are focused in flowering plants and ferns and fern allies are almost neglected group of Plants are found in diverse parts of the world. Pteridophytes form a conspicuous flora and represent the earliest vascular land plants. More than 12,000 species of pteridophytes are estimated and distributed along different biogeographical regions of India. From the survey of literature, research shows that geographical description, morphological characters and uses of various plant species have been studied by many researchers however investigations on anatomical characters of various plants of pteridophytes are scanty or fragmentary. In the present work an effort has been made on Pteris vittatta L. a pteridophyta species of family Pteridaceae that commonly distributed in South Gujarat region, India. Mainly morphological, anatomical, phytochemical and medicinal uses of this plant is evaluated. Additionally, the secondary metabolites like saponins, flavonoids, alkaloids and phenolic compounds were analyzed quantitatively. The internal characteristics of the plant that were found to be significant in taxonomy, pharmacognosy, and the active principal compounds that were isolated from the chosen fern will be utilized in future medical applications.

Physiological and biochemical responses of sugar palm (Arenga pinnata Merr.) at different elevation levels

Wisnubroto, M. P. — 2026-03-24

Altitude influences the physiological and biochemical responses of sugar palm due to changes in weather and climatic conditions. In this study, sugar palms were observed at low (427 masl), medium (620–700 masl), and high (1,011–1,026 masl) altitudes. The results revealed that altitude had no significant effect on chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, total chlorophyll, carotenoids, proline, anthocyanin reductase (ANR), superoxide dismutase (SOD), peroxidase (POD), and malondialdehyde (MDA) levels. However, a trend of increasing stress with altitude was observed, indicated by a negative correlation between SOD and POD activities with chlorophyll content and ANR activity. As SOD and POD activities increased, chlorophyll content and ANR activity decreased, suggesting an adaptive response to oxidative stress at higher altitudes. Overall, sugar palms exhibited more favorable physiological and biochemical profiles when cultivated at low to medium altitudes. These findings indicated that sugar palms grow optimally in lower elevation environments and may experience increasing physiological stress with altitude, providing important insight for their conservation and potential development as a sugar-producing crop.

Small-scale spatial variability of selected soil properties in a sloped cultivation area  A case study of Phetchabun province's highland region, Thailand

Wongkaew, A. — 2026-03-24

Spatial variability analysis revealed distinct patterns among selected soil properties in a small-scale sloped cultivation area in the highland region of Phetchabun Province, Thailand. Descriptive statistics revealed low coefficients of variation (CV) for soil bulk density (BD), gravimetric soil water content (GWC), soil pH, soil organic carbon (SOC), and soil organic matter (SOM), indicating little variability. Exchangeable potassium (K_exch), exchangeable calcium (Ca_exch), and exchangeable magnesium (Mg_exch) showed moderate variability, while both saturated soil hydraulic conductivity (K_sat) and available phosphorus (P_avai) displayed high variability. A geostatistical analysis, where residuals are kriged before adding with trend obtained through linear regression, reliably predicted BD, GWC, and K_exch under a small sample size; however, caution is needed for soil pH predictions. The study underscored the impact of a small sample size on log-transformed K_sat, SOC, SOM, log-transformed P_avai, Ca_exch, and Mg_exch correlations. Overall, the findings are emphasized the importance of spatial variability analysis in guiding precise agricultural practices and resource utilization for small-scale sloped cultivation areas.