Planting Research Articles

How natural are the forests in Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) Tiger Reserve? A multi-source data approach.

This study aimed to monitor long-term land use dynamics for understanding the natural forestintegrity and intactness of the Rajiv Gandhi (Nagarhole) Tiger Reserve (RTR) pre- and post-declarations as TR. We employed multi-source data from Survey of India Toposheets (1:50k), Landsat-7, and Sentinel-2A along with Global Ecosystem Dynamics Investigation (GEDI) vegetation canopy height (10m) data, a high-spatial resolution CORONA (1970) images and temporal Google Earth Pro images for mapping and validation. To map vegetation type, land use and land cover (LULC) transitions, and fragmentation (1980-2022) we employed a hybrid classification approach. This study also analyzed decadal forest dynamics within TRsusing India's State of Forest Reports (ISFR). Findings reveal significant forest fragmentation and habitat loss due to anthropogenic activities in the TR. Mono-plantations (teak and eucalyptus) were found inside TR, while the buffer (1km) was occupied mainly with coffee and orange plantations which indicates the prevalence of human footprint. The overall accuracy of the current period (2022) is 92.0% with a kappa coefficient value of 0.90. These plantations were established during the British colonial period (early 1900s) for commercial purposes by clearing natural forests. The present study highlights that mono-plantations have not transitioned into natural forests even after a century. This lack of transformation could potentially compromise the integrity of the native forest. Despite its ecological significance, RTR has experienced disturbance due to human footprint. Hence, there is a need for an action plan to protect this vital landscape by replacing mono-plantations with suitable species to preserve the integrity of the forest. These issues extend beyond the protected areas, impacting surrounding regions and require regular monitoring. The proposed methods can be applied to other protected areas facing similar problems in the countryand world.

Contribution of soil sustainable management to improve coffee nutrition and mitigate water scarcity

The soil can be managed to improve plant nutrition and resilience under water scarcity. The objective of this study was to evaluate the contribution of soil conditioners, controlled-release fertilizers, and water availability levels to mitigate water scarcity and improve the nutrition of coffee plants. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse under a randomized block design with four replicates in a factorial scheme (2 irrigation levels × 2 fertilizer types × 5 soil conditioners) of analysis of variance. The factors under study were two irrigation levels (low—40% of water holding capacity, and high—80% of water holding capacity), fertilizer type (conventional and controlled-release), and soil conditioners (coffee husk, gypsum, water-retaining polymer, organic compost, and control without soil conditioner), The characteristics assessed were soil fertility, soil moisture, and nutrient foliar contents. Multivariate analytical methods were used to interpret the results. Soil moisture, chemical attributes, and leaf nutrient contents were analyzed. There was a similarity in the clusters formed by the controlled-release fertilizer treatments, which contribute to plant nutrition. Even under water restriction, the treatments with coffee husk and organic compost were clustered along with soil moisture, favoring the absorption of nutrients. Soil cover with organic compounds improved soil moisture, even under low water availability, which favored plant fertility and nutrition.

Empowerment of coffee farmers in Gunung Manik Village through intercropping of honey bee (apis mellifera)

The potential for utilizing the natural resources of Gunung Manik Village remains largely untapped. Abundant natural commodities such as coffee, cloves, cardamom, and others are available. Utilizing land through intercropping in coffee plantations provides dual benefits for farmers, including beekeeping of Apis Mellifera species. The goal of community empowerment is to develop the natural potential through honey cultivation found in the forests of Gunung Manik Village. The method used involves workshops for training in beekeeping management, honey harvesting, and the transfer of Apis Mellifera forest bee colonies into honey bee cultivation boxes in coffee plantations. The outcome of this activity is an increase in the understanding and skills of residents in harvesting forest honey and transferring bee colonies into cultivation boxes.

The Coffee Trail Planning as an Effort to Develop Coffee Agrotourism in Cibeureum Village Kuningan Regency

The Regent of Kuningan revealed that the typical coffee of Kuningan Regency has the potential to increase economic and tourism activities. The purpose of this study are to determine the potential and uniqueness of the plantation area and coffee factory in Cibeureum Village, Kuningan Regency. Planning a coffee trail that is in accordance with the potential and uniqueness of coffee plantations and factories so that it can become a coffee agro-tourism product and promote coffee agro-tourism. The analytical method that will be used in this research is the descriptive analysis method. The data used is qualitative data obtained from the results of the researcher's in-depth observations and interviews with related parties. Planning a coffee trail is able to combine everything into a complete coffee journey, starting from the planting process, picking coffee, selecting coffee beans, drying coffee beans, roasting coffee beans, grinding the coffee beans and finally being able to enjoy the coffee. Coffee trails must be positioned as the most interesting form of coffee tourism activity and can improve the experience of tourists, especially coffee lovers, in exploring coffee agrotourism.

Ant communities and their trophobionts shape the incidence of pests and diseases in Indonesia’s coffee agroforestry system

Abstract. Muhammad FN, Rizali A, Rahardjo BT. 2024. Ant communities and their trophobionts shape the incidence of pests and diseases in Indonesia’s coffee agroforestry system. Biodiversitas 25: 1127-1134. Ants play various roles in a coffee agroecosystem, and their presence may impact biological control in coffee plantations. Despite the pantropical economic importance of coffee, most research is focused on the Americas. This study investigates how ant communities and their trophobionts shape the incidences of pests and diseases in the Indonesian shade coffee agroecosystem. Three 30 m x 30 m plots consisting of a total of 256 coffee plants were observed from January to March 2022. Ant communities and their trophobiont were observed using three methods: visual, tuna bait, and live bait. The ants found were classified into dominant and non-dominant based on their nesting behavior and dominance in the bait trap. Pest damage and disease intensity observation were also conducted three times. Generalized linear models were used to test the relationships between ant, hemipteran, coffee berry borer, twig borer damage and leaf rust disease intensity. Twenty-one species of ants were found, and five of them were categorized as dominant ants. Ants correlate coffee pest damage and disease intensity, their hemipteran trophobionts, or both. Dolichoderus thoracicus ant positively correlated with all trophobiont hemipteran and negatively correlated with twig borer damage. Technomyrmex albipes positively correlated with aphids but negatively with flatids. Meanwhile, Tetraponera sp.1 ant only positively correlated with flatids. In trophobiont hemipteran group, all except aphids positively correlated with coffee pests and disease. Scale insect Coccus viridis positively correlated with coffee leaf rust and twig borer infestation intensity, while flatid presence even positively correlated with all coffee plant pest and disease intensity. Indirectly, ants may reduce coffee pests and diseases through hemipteran suppression. The results suggest that the interaction of ants and their trophobiont hemipteran can act as a biological control agent for coffee pests and diseases.

Quantifying movement of the coffee berry borer at the interface between coffee plantations and adjacent land uses

IntroductionInsect pests cause important crop production losses worldwide. Their distribution and movement are affected by climate and land use change and agriculture intensification. Site colonization by insect pests is dependent on pest dispersal capability, the availability of resources, the presence of competitors or predators, the weather conditions and the characteristics of the surrounding landscape. Movement of pests between the plots might be considered in pest management strategies to counterbalance the traditional plot oriented strategies. In this study, our objective was to provide evidence of the movement of the coffee berry borer (CBB), the most important pest in coffee cultivation, from neighboring coffee plantations to adjacent land uses at different time periods of the coffee production cycle.MethodsFor 10 months we captured the CBB with funnel traps in 13 coffee plots that had an interface with forests, pastures, and abandoned coffee plantations in Costa Rica. At each interface, we established three transects with a minimum distance of 50 m between them, in the direction of the wind. Within each transect, we placed four traps 20 m apart. We fitted generalized linear mixed models to evaluate the relationship between CBB captures and the type of interface, the position of the trap, wind velocity, rainfall, temperature and relative humidity, and their interactions.ResultsOur findings suggest that CBB moves into adjacent land uses when the coffee resource in the plot is limited. This effect varies according to the interface and the position of the trap. We also found an interaction between the interface and the position of the trap with the wind and relative humidity.DiscussionOur findings suggest that movement of the CBB partly depends upon the adjacent land uses. The forest creates a barrier to CBB movement and may prevent the transport of the CBB considering the action of the wind speed. The pasture may facilitate movement of the CBB through the action of the wind speed and infest coffee plantations beyond its dispersal capacity. Our results support the importance of considering the landscape context when developing CBB management strategies.

Metabolite Formation of Pesticide Isoprocarb in Coffee Beans During Short-Term Storage and Condition

Isoprocarb (IPC) is one of the most important carbamate pesticides for white flea control in coffee plants. The prevalence of isoprocarb pesticide residues in coffee, i.e., green coffee beans, is a cause for concern. Green coffee beans were intentionally contaminated with isoprocarb at concentrations >0.01 mg/kg, which was investigated in this research. Quantitative analysis of isoprocarb with the QuEChERS method and qualitative analysis for metabolite formation was characterized using UV-Vis, FTIR, 1H-NMR, GC-MS, and LC-QTOF-MS. Based on the data, the metabolite formed is o-cumenol through the hydrolysis reaction of o-aryl carbamate with the enzyme carboxylesterase. o-cumenol or 2- isopropylphenol as a phenol derivative. To verify the existence of metabolite analytes that are believed to be there in coffee tainted with isoprocarb, more reliable analytical techniques utilizing analytical standards must be developed. Isoprocarb concentrations decreased along the storage time, especially in unsterilized conditions. As a toxic compound, a quantitative structural activity relationship study (QSAR) was initially carried out through a software application for estimating toxicity (TEST) provided by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). For additional information, based on the LC50 and LD50 data confirmed from the TEST application, it was concluded that isoprocarb is more toxic than o-cumenol.

Soil CO2 efflux in coffee agroforestry and full-sun coffee systems

Agroforestry systems may show low CO2 efflux, and CO2 efflux contributes to sustainability. This work aimed to evaluate the soil CO2 efflux in coffee plantations cultivated in agroforestry and full-sun systems during the winter in high-altitude tropical climate regions. The work was carried out at three family farms (RO, GI, and PA) in Minas Gerais, Brazil. Two treatments were established: coffee with and without trees, and 20 sampling spots for soil and gases. The air and soil temperatures in the agroforestry systems were lower than in the full-sun systems. The soil moisture content in agroforestry systems was higher than full-sun only on the GI. Except for the agroforestry systems in PA, all the other systems showed an increase in CO2 efflux with increasing soil moisture. This increase was more pronounced in agroforestry systems (RO), followed by full sun (RO). On the GI farm, this correlation was lower in the agroforestry system. Soil CO2 efflux was positively correlated with soil temperature and negatively correlated with total nitrogen, labile carbon and total organic carbon. Therefore, despite the microclimate stability promoted by the agroforestry systems in the winter, no decrease in the soil CO2 efflux was observed when compared to full sun systems.

Analisis Indeks Diversitas Vegetasi Hutan Sosial Sukobubuk Kabupaten Pati (Studi Terhadap Habitat Vegetasi Pohon Kayu Jati, Balsa, dan Sengon Hutan Sukobubuk)

Pati Regency, located in Central Java, is known to have many social forests. One example is the Sukobubuk Social Forest. With the management efforts carried out by the Sukobubuk Rejo Forest Farmers Group (KTH), the condition of the Sukobubuk Social Forest has experienced significant improvements. To assess the extent of this progress, an analysis of the vegetation diversitas index in the forest is needed. This research uses a quantitative approach with a diversitas index calculation method which includes frequency, density, dominance, relative number, significant figure index (INP), and diversitas index (ID). The results show that the level of biodiversitas or diversitas index in the dominant woody vegetation habitat in the Sukobubuk forest is still relatively low. This can be seen from the diversitas index figures for the entire vegetation calculated which are still below number 1 (H'<1), with the highest to lowest order being sengon 0.154115951, teak 0.11926885, and balsa 0.078055196. However, forest management by KTH Sukobubuyk Rejo can be said to have experienced quite a development with conservation efforts, this is marked by the start of growth of vegetation habitat, although not yet significant.

Assessing changes in soil organic carbon stocks and vulnerability to land degradation in Western Ghats, South India: Is it restorative enough?

AbstractSoil organic carbon stock is an important universal land degradation indicator. Owing to the depletion in soil nutrients, the pace of land degradation has increased in the Western Ghats of South India. To understand the changes in surface and subsurface soil organic carbon stocks and vulnerability to land degradation upon land use change, a study was carried out along the natural forest and coffee plantation ecosystems of Western Ghats in South India. The study sites were located in Chikmagaluru of Karnataka and Wayanad and Idukki districts of Kerala. Soil organic carbon stocks (SOC) at the surface (0–30 cm) were higher, 9.10 t C ha−1 and 7.49 k t C ha−1 in forest soils of Chikmagaluru and Idukki, respectively, and the subsurface (30–100 cm) SOC stocks were higher in the coffee plantation ecosystems, 9.11, 9.87, and 8.41 t C ha−1, respectively, in Chikmagaluru, Wayanad, and Idukki. Vulnerability analysis revealed that Chikmagaluru forest (0.57) and coffee (0.51), Wayanad forest (0.58) and coffee (0.55) land uses were low, and both the land uses in Idukki were medium in the status of land degradation with scores of 0.65 and 0.60, respectively, in forest and coffee ecosystems. The difference in the status of land degradation was mainly because of changes in soil reaction, surface, and subsurface SOC stock. An increase in soil pH, CEC, and available nutrients upon conversion to coffee plantation along with increased subsurface carbon storage have confirmed the restorative properties of coffee land use even after conversion from natural forests.

Au-delà de la traversée : The Transatlantic Slave Trade within Prerevolutionary Saint Domingue

Abstract: Prior to the 1791 revolution, three-quarters of a million captive Africans were dragged to Saint Domingue through the transatlantic slave trade. Re-creating these Africans' pathways of forced migration after their arrival in the island reveals the existence of a large, sophisticated, and well-organized intracolonial slave trade on Saint Domingue that has largely escaped the attention of historians. Slave ship captains steered their vessels to different locations within the colony depending on the age, health, ethnicity, and gender of their captives, determining where in the island enslaved people would likely spend the remainder of their lives. Colonial slave traders then organized sales that were designed to sort physically diverse captives and distribute them to socially and racially diverse colonial buyers. Africans moved away from such sales to remarkably varied fates: many were marched to sugar, coffee, indigo or cotton plantations; others were forced to work as servants or apprentices in port cities; and still more were held in urban barracoons and later resold, sometimes hundreds of miles away. Enslaved people were thus forced through an intracolonial slave trade that powerfully determined their often-divergent fates and began to acclimatize them to the brutalities of colonial life.

Semendo Coffee Development and Partnership Strategy to Enhance Governance for Food Security and Climate Change Mitigation

Semendo coffee is a major income source for agricultural households in the Semendo region. Agroforestry is commonly employed practice at numerous Semendo coffee plantations. Timber and Multipurpose Tree Species widely cultivated to provide shade. This study examines Semendo coffee’s governance-enhancing development and collaboration methods. SWOT (strength, weakness, opportunities, threats) and AHP (analytic hierarchy process) analysis are used to determine the most suitable governance strategies and policies for Semendo coffee development. The data was gathered from key persons who possess expertise and serve as representatives for pertinent stakeholders and commercial entities throughout the Semendo coffee supply chain. SWOT analysis shows that the Strength-Opportunity (SO) strategy could improve Semendo coffee governance. High-quality coffee production, relevant party cooperation, and marketing network expansion are the proposed strategies. The AHP says mutual need drives partnership decision-making the most. Plasma-core partnerships are best for creating a strong sense of mutual need. Integration of the SO strategy with the core-plasma partnership is proposed to improve Semendo coffee governance. Agroforestry in Semendo coffee production can produce fruits and sequester carbon, reducing climate change. Agroforestry-based Semendo coffee management is expected to improve food supply, distribution, and consumption. This development is expected to maintain environmental integrity, notably in climate change mitigation.

Preparing Colombian coffee production for climate change: Integrated spatial modelling to identify potential robusta coffee (Coffea canephora P.) growing areas

Meeting future demand for coffee under climate change is a challenge. Approaches that can inform where coffee may grow best under current and future climate scenarios are needed. Robusta coffee (Coffea canephora P.) is planted in many tropical areas and makes up around 40% of the world’s coffee supply. However, as the climate shifts, current robusta areas may become less productive, while in other areas new growing regions for robusta may emerge. Colombia is one of the world’s most important Arabica coffee producer, famous for its high-quality coffee. Although robusta coffee is not yet a commercial crop in Colombia, it could be one of the future bastions for robusta coffee in South America contributing to meeting the increasing demand, but this remains unexplored. We aimed to identify areas with highest biophysical and socio-economic potential to grow robusta coffee in Colombia. An integrated modelling approach was used, combining climate suitability and crop-yield modelling for current and future climate scenarios, soil constraints, pest risk assessment and socio-economic constraints to identify the regions with the highest potential productivity and the lowest pest and climate change risks with good market access and low security risks which don’t further expand the agricultural frontier. Our results showed that parts of the foothills along the eastern Andean Mountain ranges, the high plains of the Orinoquía region and the wet parts of the Caribbean region are the best candidates for the potential development of robusta coffee plantations in Colombia. The crop-yield model indicated highest yields of green coffee on the foothills of the eastern Andean Mountain range with an estimated average yield of 2.6 t ha−1 (under rain-fed conditions) which is projected to occur at elevations below 600 m avoiding interference with the traditional and established Arabica coffee regions in Colombia. Under a 2 °C global warming scenario climate change is projected to have the largest impacts on the Caribbean region. Therefore, larger scale irrigated production system could be an appropriate option in the Caribbean region, while diversified smallholder robusta coffee agroforestry systems are considered more favourable in the Orinoquía region.

Sustainable Tourism through Coffee: Agrotourism Development in Turekisa Village, East Nusa Tenggara

Agrotourism in Indonesia stands as a vital potential for development support. Indonesia boasts numerous agrotourism destinations, with one such developed site located in Turekisa Village, Ngada Regency, East Nusa Tenggara (NTT). This tourist destination has gained prominence due to its breathtaking natural beauty, often dubbed as the "land above the clouds," a reputation that continues to grow alongside the increasing number of visitors to the hills and the abundant natural resources, particularly the substantial coffee production at Bukit Wolobobo. The coffee cultivated around Bukit Wolobobo is of the Arabica variety. The aim of this study is to analyze strengths, opportunities, weaknesses, and threats, and to determine development strategies for coffee-based agrotourism in Turekisa Village, Ngada Regency. The research methodology employs SWOT analysis, drawing data from interviews with six key informants: the Head of Agriculture Department, Head of Tourism Department, Agricultural Extension Officer, Chairperson of the Coffee Farmers' Group, Tourism Management, and Community Leaders. The findings of this study indicate placement in Quadrant I, suggesting that the coffee plantation agrotourism in Turekisa Village needs to be maintained and further enhanced given its significant quality potential.

First Report of Alternaria alternata Causing Leaf Spot on Coffea arabica in China.

Yunnan Province is the major region for coffee (Coffea arabica) cultivation in China, contributing to over 98% of the national yield and total production value (Ma et al. 2022). In May 2023, brown spot symptoms were observed only on the leaves of coffee plants in a field located in Baoshan City (98°52'37.988400"E, 24°58'17.673600"N), Yunnan Province. Notably, brown and irregularly shaped spots initially started on the leaf bases. The spots enlarged and developed concentric rings with dark brown margins, which are often surrounded by yellow halos. Finally, the necrotic spots spread across the entire leaf and caused the leaf to curl and fall off. The incidence of the disease was approximately 3% of the coffee plants (n = 600). The symptomatic leaves collected from 10 plants were sectioned (5 × 5 mm), subjected to surface sterilization with 70% ethanol for 40 s, rinsed with sterile distilled water, air-dried, and transferred to potato dextrose agar (PDA). Fungi with grayish-white, cotton-like aerial mycelia grew after 7 days at 28°C. The older mycelia of these isolates displayed dark gray pigmentation. Single conidia were cultivated on PDA, and 15 morphologically similar monosporic isolates were ultimately obtained. Microscopic observation revealed that these isolates produced branched, septate, transparent and amber mycelium. Brown, elliptical or pear-shaped conidia with 2 to 4 transversal septa and 0 to 3 longitudinal septa, measuring 9.6 to 33.3 long × 6.0 to 15.0 μm wide (n = 30), were observed on potato carrot agar (PCA). Molecular identification of multiple genes, such as ITS (Schoch et al. 2012), RPB2 (O'Donnell et al. 2010) and GAPDH (Berbee et al. 1999), indicated consistent 100% identity among these isolates. Sequences of the representative isolates CFSY1-CFSY5 were deposited in GenBank (acc. nos.: OR351112, PP188577, PP188578, PP294863, PP294864, OR509742, PP215341-PP215344, OR509740 and PP239378-PP239381), revealing 98.35% - 100% homology with distinct Alternaria alternata strains previously deposited in GenBank (acc. nos.: PP110780, MN649031 and OR485338). The multigene phylogenetic analysis positioned isolates CFSY1-CFSY5 within a distinct cluster, alongside diverse A. alternata isolates. Based on morphological and molecular characterizations, the pathogen was identified as A. alternata. To verify its pathogenicity, a conidial suspension (1×106 conidia/mL) of isolate CFSY1 was sprayed on six leaves of three healthy one-year-old C. arabica seedlings. Subsequently, the inoculated seedlings were covered with plastic bags and placed in a growth chamber under controlled conditions (a 14 h daylight period and a 10 h dark period at 28°C). The experiment was repeated three times. After 20 days, typical brown spot symptoms analogous to those originally observed in the field appeared on the leaves in all inoculated plants. Reisolation, morphology identification and DNA sequencing substantiated Koch's postulates. In contrast, control plants treated with sterilized water remained asymptomatic, and no pathogen was reisolated from them. Significantly, A. alternata has been previously reported as the causal agent for leaf spot disease in a diverse variety of woody plant species in China, including Prunus avium (Ahmad et al. 2020), Magnolia grandiflora (Liu et al. 2019) and citrus (Wang et al. 2010). This study represents the first report of brown leaf spot caused by A. alternata specifically on C. arabica in China, enriching the contents of fungal pathogens under Chinese coffee cultivation conditions.

Development strategies for sustainable smallholder coffee plantations in Wagir District, Malang Regency

Introduction: The coffee plantation subsector is one of the most significant subsectors in Wagir District, Malang Regency. Sustainable practices are critical to the success of smallholder coffee crops. This research aims to create a sustainable plan for smallholder coffee crops in Wagir District, Malang Regency. Methods: Twenty farmers and five experts chosen by purposive sampling participated in the study, which was carried out in the Wagir District of Malang Regency. A questionnaire was utilized to interview participants to capture the phenomenon. Data analysis employs a hybrid approach that combines SWOT and AHP. Results: Six strategic priorities are identified by the study findings following the identification of internal and external factors in the SWOT and AHP analyses. Limitations - Second Opportunity (WO2) The most important strategy to be put into practice based on the situation on smallholder coffee plantations in Wagir District is the one with a score of 1.135. Conclusion: To have a more widespread and long-lasting impact, the primary tactic to increase the sustainability of smallholder coffee plantations in Wagir District, Malang Regency, is to work with multi-stakeholders like the local government, academic institutions, and research centers to directly educate the community or serve as resource persons in capacity building for agricultural extension workers.

Impact of Smut (Sporisorium scitamineum) on Sugarcane’s Above-Ground Growth and the Determinants of the Disease Intensity in the Ethiopian Sugarcane Plantations

The development of sustainable smut management techniques requires an understanding of the impacts of smut on sugarcane growth and the relationships between smut intensity and meteorological variables, varieties, and crop types. Thus, assessments were made with the objectives to 1) determine the effect of smut on the above-ground growth of sugarcane, and 2) quantify the association of smut with weather variables, varieties and crop types. The effect of smut on above-ground growth was assessed in six fields planted with NCo 334 (wider coverage) having 6 months of age in Fincha and Metehara fields in 2021. Data on above-ground growth were taken from 20 randomly selected smut-affected and healthy stools from each field. Besides, 6 years’ data (2015 to 2021) on the numbers of smut-affected stools and smut whips of 79 fields were collected. Furthermore, 10 years’ (2011 to 2021) weather data were acquired from the sugar plantations. The results demonstrated reduction in the above-ground growth of sugarcane in the range of 18.39% and 73.42% due to smut. In addition, weather variables explained about 68.48% and 66.58% of the variability in the number of smut-affected stools and whips respectively. Smut intensity increased with crop types for susceptible varieties. The tight association between the smut epidemic and crop types, varieties, and weather, implied that these parameters must be carefully considered in management decisions. Continuous monitoring of smut disease, meteorological variables, varieties, and crop types in all the sugarcane plantations could be done as a part of integrated smut management in the future.

The Effect of Using Fast Roast and Slow Roast Roasting Techniques on the Chemical and Organoleptic Characteristics of Robusta Coffee Beans (Coffea robusta L.)

One of the commodities with the highest economic value in the plantation sector in Indonesia is coffee. In 2016 there was a significant difference between the area of robusta and arabica coffee, with the area of robusta coffee being superior. The wide difference between robusta and arabica coffee plantations is because robusta coffee is considered a potential opportunity in developing the community's economy compared to arabica coffee with a particular market. To improve the taste or quality of coffee production, one of the factors is the roasting process. Currently, the demand for coffee production is increasing with the need for maximum quality and taste of coffee beans, so the processing of coffee plants must be very concerned and improved. Therefore this study aims to determine the roasting technique with a roasting machine and its effect on improving the quality and taste of coffee beans that are popular with consumers. This study used a Split Plot Design (SPD) using the basic pattern of a completely Randomized Design consisting of 2 levels. The first factor is the roasting time as the main plot with four levels. Then the second factor is the roasting temperature with two levels. Each factor was repeated four times so there were 32 experimental units. The results of this study indicate that in the roasting process using slow roast and fast roast techniques, roasting time affects all observation parameters, namely moisture content, pH value, brix value, flavor, aroma, and caffeine. However, the roasting temperature only affects moisture content, brix value, and caffeine.

Revegetation of Used Limestone Mining Soil with the Addition of Humic Acid and Limestone Waste

PT Akarna Marindo is a limestone mining company located in West Bandung that will carry out revegetation activities with Arabica coffee plants on ex-mining land. PT Akarna Marindo did this by mixing a combination of 5 mm limestone waste from crusher activities and humic acid in Arabica coffee growing media. This research aims to analyze the response of Arabica coffee seedlings to the use of a combination of humic acid and limestone waste. The research used an experimental method with experimental polybags consisting of 5 treatments with 3 repetitions. The response of Arabica coffee seedlings includes seed height and seed diameter. Data processing uses the Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) test. The results of the analysis showed that the response of Arabica coffee seedlings to the combination of 15 mL humic acid and 4 kg limestone waste (A15L4) was an optimal combination of humic acid and limestone waste compared to other treatments in the response of Arabica coffee seedlings. There was an increase in the average height of seedlings from 19.23 cm to 24.90 cm and the diameter of seedling stems from 2.13 mm to 2.53 mm.

Empowerment Strategies for Forest Farmer Groups (FFGs) in Honeybee Cultivation within the Dolago Tanggunu Forest Management Unit Area

This research aims to empower and identify internal (strengths and weaknesses) and external (opportunities and threats) factors influencing the empowerment of Forest Farmer Groups (FFGs) in honeybee cultivation within the Dolago Tanggung Forest Management Unit, Central Sulawesi. The study was conducted from March to May 2023, involving 45 respondents from 3 FFGs, each comprising 15 members. Qualitative descriptive analysis and SWOT analysis with IFAS and EFAS matrices were employed. The results of the internal and external factor analyses revealed strengths such as training for FFG members and financial assistance, weaknesses including limited FFG members participating in training and difficulties in securing additional funds for maintenance costs. Opportunities encompassed government support and consumer trust in products, while threats comprised weather changes and underutilization of technology for information acquisition. The SWOT analysis placed the study in Quadrant 1, indicating support for an aggressive strategy leveraging strengths to seize opportunities. Strategies suggested involve enhancing relationships among government, FFGs, and partners, boosting honey production and quality, providing regular honeybee cultivation training, utilizing agricultural and information technologies for product marketing, and employing attractive packaging to enhance consumer appeal.