Timor Research Articles

Molecular identification of leaf spot-like pathogens infecting apples of soe cultivar in Timor Island

Apples of the Soe cultivar are a major horticultural crop on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. However, their cultivation and productivity are significantly hindered by leaf spot disease. This disease causes severe damage to trees, impairing their ability to photosynthesize and consequently reducing fruit production. Various training initiatives have been implemented to improve fungal pest control in apple cultivation, yet expected results have not been achieved, largely because the specific pathogen had not been identified. Therefore, in the current study, leaf samples showing leaf spot symptoms were collected from apple orchards in five villages of Timor Island: Pubasu, Tunua, Tubuhue, Tobu, and Binaus. The samples underwent DNA extraction, followed by amplification through PCR. The amplified DNA was sequenced and analyzed using BLAST to identify the exact pathogen species. Molecular analysis revealed three primary pathogens responsible for leaf spot in the Soe apple cultivar: Aspergillus flavus, A. fumigatus, and Fusarium solani. The study provided molecular identification and characterization of the major pathogens causing leaf spot in Soe apples on Timor Island. Identifying these pathogens lays the groundwork for developing more targeted and effective disease management strategies, empowering farmers to better manage and potentially eradicate this disease.

Children living in disaster-prone areas in Timor Island: what do they know about disaster and climate change?

ABSTRACT Global environmental change’s impact on local realities, which is getting more worrying daily, sparks awareness of the importance of risk reduction, adaptation, and preparedness in the communities, especially children and adolescents vulnerable to disasters and climate change. West Timor of East Nusa Tenggara Province is one of the areas that is at risk of climate change and disaster in Indonesia. This study aim to evaluate the knowledge, awareness, and preparedness for disasters and climate change in children living in climate-risk and disaster years. The data were then analyzed using thematic analysis techniques. Based on the study’s results, there are two main themes, namely (1) understanding related to disaster risk and climate change and (2) scientific attitudes possessed by students. Identifying the level of understanding and extent of critical thinking ability of children and adolescents that can inform policymakers and advocates to empower children to cope with future disaster risks.

PUBLIC TRUST IN CUSTOMS SUPERVISION ON THE INDONESIA-TIMOR LESTE BORDER

This research intends to analyze the Public Trust's customs supervision of imports at the Indonesia-Timor Leste border in the KPPBC TMP B Atambua supervision area. Increasing customs supervision is very necessary for economic growth by increasing national income through various programs, one of which is exports and imports. The progress of exports and the reduction of imports are the benchmarks for a country's success. The problem is the slow rate of GRDP growth where in the last 5 (five) years Belu (Atambua) Regency has been ranked number 8 (eight) in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, which is a potential place for increasing economic progress in the border areas between Indonesia and Timor Leste. Apart from that, there are still many customs violations in the Indonesia - Timor Leste border area which have an impact on decreasing public confidence in customs supervision at KPPBC TMP B Atambua. The main theoretical basis used is supervision theory. This research uses a qualitative approach. The data sources in this research consist of primary and secondary data. Primary data was obtained from interviews, observation and documentation. Meanwhile, secondary data is also used in the data collection process, obtained from data including: Government Agency Performance Accountability Reports (LAKIN), Service User Satisfaction Surveys (SKPJ), and other documents. The research results show that accountability, synergy and collaboration, motivation, consistency, socialization of regulations, and public awareness influence Public Trust in government agencies or bureaucracy, especially KPPBC TMP B Atambua.

Ecological and Human Health Risk Assessment Based on Stream Sediments from Coastal Oecusse (Timor)

Timor Island is located in a geologically complex region strongly affected by the collision of the Australian margin with the Banda volcanic arc. In Oecusse, an enclave of East Timor in the western part of Timor, crop out several lithological units of the Banda Terrane that are associated with the obduction of oceanic crust and upper mantle on the Australian continental crust. This study reports the geochemistry of stream sediments from the coastal region of the Oecusse enclave, where the Banda Terrane is best represented, employing statistical analyses to discern the sources of metal(oid)s and assessing ecological and health risks. Arsenic, Cr, and Ni are the elements with higher potential ecological risk factors. The potential ecological risk index (PERI), which combines single indexes of ecological risk factors for multiple elements, is very high in a stream sourced by the Lolotoi-Mutis Complex. Significant risks for human health were found for As (sourced by the Lolotoi-Multis Metamorphic Complex and basalts of the Barique Formation), Mn (sourced by the Maubisse and Barique formations), and V (sourced by the Manamas Formation). The highest values of hazard index (HI), however, were determined with Cr, in particular for children (HI higher than 10 in 12 sediments sourced by ultramafic units and their covering sedimentary units). This investigation shows that high geogenic concentrations of several elements, particularly those derived from the oceanic crust and the upper mantle, raise significant cancer and non-carcinogenic risks.

The chrysomeline leaf beetles of Timor, Wallacea (Coleoptera: Chrysomelidae: Chrysomelinae).

The Chrysomelinae are reviewed for the island of Timor and comprise seven species. Two new species of Paropsis genus group are described, including their first-instar larvae: Paropsisterna tais new species and P. tatamailau new species. Records of Paropsisterna captiosa (Clark, 1865) and Paropsis manto Blackburn, 1899 on Timor are discussed and both shown to be misidentified, but they remain unidentified because all known specimens are female. Three additional Chrysomelinae are noted, including Phola octodecimguttata (Fabricius, 1781), new for Timor. A key is provided for identification of the known Timorese Chrysomelinae.

3-D P-wave velocity structure of the upper mantle beneath eastern Indonesia from body wave tomography

Eastern Indonesia's tectonic setting is well known for its complexity and intense seismic activity. Controlled by several major and minor plates, including the Eurasian, Australian, and Pacific plates, this region is famous for its U-shaped subduction system beneath the Banda Arc. To better understand the architecture of the underlying structure in this region, we performed body-wave travel time tomography using ten years of catalog data provided by the Indonesian Agency for Meteorology, Climatology, and Geophysics. We utilize 9729 events in total, from which 46,446 P-wave arrival times were extracted. We used a double difference method to relocate the initial event catalog, which produced a pattern of seismicity consistent with a curved subduction system. Our tomographic model reveals a high velocity band between 90 and 240 km depth in the upper mantle, which is interpreted to be a concave dipping lithospheric slab that is parallel to the present-day Banda arc. Our results also show that lithosphere subducting from the north and south starts to collide at a depth of 300–350 km and becomes shallower further east. Apparent discontinuities in the high velocity band and a corresponding lack of seismicity supports the presence of a slab tear to the west of Seram. A dipping high velocity structure that is present from south to north beneath the island of Timor represents a subducting slab that dips more steeply beyond a depth of 150–200 km, which appears consistent with slab roll-back. Our tomographic model also shows evidence of back arc thrusting to the north of Sumbawa and Flores Islands in the form of a south-dipping higher velocity band at shallow depth. Furthermore, our tomographic models also reveal the possible presence of underthrust continental forearc in the form of a thin higher velocity anomaly that connects the backarc thrust and northward dipping lithosphere slab in the Timor area. Finally, a zone of low velocity above the higher velocity slab is clearly seen beneath Seram Island at a depth of ∼100 km and may represent a partial melting zone.

Laboratory Studies on Compressive Strength of Normal Concrete Using Coral Limestone on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province as a Substitute for Coarse Aggregate

Laboratory Studies on Compressive Strength of Normal Concrete Using Coral Limestone on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province as a Substitute for Coarse Aggregate

Social and Economic Development of Rural Border Area in Malaka and Belu Regencies (Border of Indonesia-Timor Leste)

Indonesia and Timor Leste have the same land area; these countries are located on Timor Island. It encourages interaction between regions, which can have positive or negative impacts. The adverse effects of the two countries' interaction must be minimized by formulating a strategy for developing border areas, especially village areas that directly border neighboring countries. This research aims to identify rural border communities' social and economic interactions and formulate development strategies for rural border areas in the Malaka and Belu Regencies. This research uses a qualitative research approach. The data collected includes a description of the social and cultural interactions carried out by rural communities and factual conditions that constitute strengths, weaknesses, threats, and opportunities in developing rural border areas. The analysis results explain that the interactions between rural borders include socio-cultural and economic interactions in trade activities. The strategy for developing rural border areas is to increase defense and security and maintain social cohesion in border areas; strengthen local potential in each village; encourage rural economic activities (BUMDes or Cooperatives) to grow and develop, and export rustic products; form clusters in rural border areas with the same potential; strengthening cooperation networks with higher education, the private sector and non-governmental institutions in improving and developing rural border areas; strengthening rural economic activities with rural border markets; increasing rural community participation in border area maintenance efforts; as well as improving access to basic infrastructure, in particular electricity, roads, water and telecommunications.

The Effect of Improving Human Resources for Student Interest in Selecting University on Food Security and Health: Structural Equation Modeling (SEM)

The selection of State Universities by students has a significant impact on improving the quality of human resources, so it can also affect the improvement of food security and health. This study aims to understand the extent of students' interest in selecting university which contributes to improving human resources and can indirectly affect food security and health. This study uses the Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) method to analyze the interaction between latent variables. Data was collected through questionnaires from high school students on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border. The data used in this study include students' interest in selecting university (Y), education and knowledge (X1), skills and abilities (X2), food security (X3), and health (X4). The results showed that students' interest in selecting university had a significant correlation with improving human resources through education by 90% (X1) and 84% (X2). The impact of this increase in human resources is also seen in the improvement of food security and public health which provides a correlation of 98% (X3) and 81% (X4).

An agent-based model of agricultural land expansion in the mountain forest of Timor Island, Indonesia

An agent-based model of agricultural land expansion in the mountain forest of Timor Island, Indonesia

Preservation of Traditional Food Jagung Bose as a Gastronomic Tourism Attraction in Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara

Jagung (Corn) bose is one of the most distinctive traditional foods on Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara Province. This food is made from corn, which is the daily staple food for the people of East Nusa Tenggara. Corn is one of the staple commodities that replace rice in this province. Currently, traditional food has not been used as a featured food as a gastronomic tourism attraction that can be enjoyed by tourists. This research also aims to preserve and introduce to the wider community the potential as a gastronomic tourist attraction. The method used in this research is descriptive qualitative research method. The result of the research is the acquisition of gastronomic components as tourist attractions. Then it is necessary to comprehensively promote the distinctiveness of jagung bose as a superior traditional food from the East Nusa Tenggara region. The effort was made to the community, domestic tourists, and foreign tourists. To the local community, educational efforts need to be made to make traditional jagung bose food so that it can be passed down to the next generation.

Struktur Populasi Ternak Sapi Bali di Pulau Semau

Semau Island is an island across the west of the island of Timor which is an area of ​​Kupang Regency with the potential for developing Bali cattle. This study aims to determine the population structure of Bali cattle in Semau Island. This research uses simple random sampling method. Collecting data in the form of primary data (interviews/questionnaires) and secondary data. The total sample used is 110 farmers. The parameters measured in the population structure are livestock birth rates, livestock purchases, livestock mortality, livestock slaughter, livestock sales, livestock income, livestock expenditure, and natural increase values. The results showed that the population structure of Bali cattle on Semau Island which was owned by the respondents was dominated by 455 female cows with a total of 1103 cows. Birth rate of 16.59%, purchase rate of 4.26%, death rate of 4.17%, slaughter rate of 0.18%, sales rate of 10.06%, income rate of 20.85%, expenditure rate of 14.42%, and the Natural Increase (NI) value of 12.42%.

Analisis Metabolit Sekunder Daun Brucea javanica [L] Merr dari Dua Tempat Berbeda di Pulau Timor

The leaves of Brucea javanica [L] Merr have long been utilized as an alternative medicine for a variety of illness. Although a number of investigations have been conducted to ascertain the advantages and composition of secondary metabolites in this plant's leaves, nothing has ever been published on the particular study conducted on the island of Timor. The purpose of this study was to ascertain which secondary metabolites were present in the leaves of this plant that was grown in two distinct locations on Timor Island. The findings of this study will be used as an empirical basis for future investigations into the use of herbal remedies. The study's findings demonstrated that while flavonoids and alkaloids weren't present from the plant's ethanol extract, it did contain highly concentrated terpenoids and tannins at both locations. In contrast, saponin content was only discovered in leaves collected from the neighbourhood of Fatumnutu. The spectrophotometer test revealed that the ethanol extract of Bruce planta javanica [L] Merr from Noelbaki Village had a greater secondary metabolite absorption value compared to plant extract from Fatumnutu Village. The absorption values for tannin and alkaloid showed the largest overall variation in absorption levels, varying by around 0.513% and 0.68% for each constituent. In the meantime, there is a 0.513% variation in tannin compounds between the two sites. In order to ascertain the bioactivity of this plant's leaf extract for the creation of herbal medicines in Indonesia, more investigation is required into the variations in saponin levels and absorbency levels of secondary metabolite compounds from the two locations.

Testing the aphrodisiac effects of Sterculia quadrifida (faloak) bark powder on male white rats (Rattus norvegicus)

Background: Sterculia quadrifida R.Br has been widely known and, empirically, has been widely used as an herbal ingredient to overcome sexual disorders in men. Objective: This study aims to assess the quality, stability, and aphrodisiac properties of faloak bark solution preparations (from plants R.Br Sterculia quadrifida) found on Timor Island, specifically on male white rats of the Wistar strain. Method: This research is a type of experimental research. The activity test used two variations of the formula (50%, 100%) extract, positive and negative control tests. Data were analysed with one-way ANOVA (p < 0.05). Result: The test results of extract quality and stability, including moisture content, resting angle, flow speed, dissolving time, organoleptic test, pH, specific gravity, clarity, and homogeneity, met the requirements. The analysis results found significant differences in each test group (p < 0.05), and there were substantial differences between the negative control group and the positive control group, formula one and formula two. Conclusion: The preparation of the solution of Sterculia quadrifida R. met the established quality and stability. The results of the aphrodisiac test of the effect of Sterculia quadrifida R.Br on the parameters of introduction and climbing activity showed significant activity compared to the negative control group.

On Timor Island, East Nusa Tenggara, nixtamalization and pre-gelatinization were used as Bose Corn instantiation techniques

Abstract The province of East Nusa Tenggara is an archipelago province. Timor Island is one of the islands in the province of East Nusa Tenggara, where most of the population consumes corn as a staple food besides rice. The typical food on Timor Island, known since ancient times, is Bose Corn. The Bose corn cooking procedure is time-consuming and water-intensive. Timor Island is an area with dry land and a dry climate. Therefore, it is necessary to introduce technology that can shorten the cooking time by using less water. The instantiation process of bose corn using nixtamalization and pre-gelatinization methods is used as a technology to overcome this problem. The nixtamalization method using 0.4% (w/v) Ca(OH)2 in the steeping time treatment (0, 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 hours) showed an increase in the color components (brightness, redness, and yellowness) in a raw and cooked instant bose corn. The grain yield of instant bose corn experienced a significant increase, namely 53.63% in the treatment without steeping time (0 hours) to 72.21% in the treatment of 10 hours steeping time. Water absorption increased to 352.36% at a steeping time of 6 hours but decreased to 320.17% at 10 hours of steeping time. Instantiation of bose corn using the pre-gelatinization method with different treatments of cooking time (60, 90, 120, 150, and 180 minutes) showed almost the same brightness value in raw and cooked instant bose corn. Differences in the color components redness and yellowness are indicated by the color towards yellowish red on raw instant bose corn and the color towards yellowish green on cooked instant bose corn. The grain yield of instant bose corn in large the pre-gelatinization method decreased significantly with the cooking time, namely 91.38% at 60 minutes to 75.23% at 180 minutes. The water absorption capacity of instant bose corn has increased but not significantly. It proves that the discoloration of instant bose corn in raw and cooked conditions using nixtamalization and pre-gelatinization methods was not significantly different. The grain yields produced from these two methods have no significant difference in water absorption. Thus, these two instantiation methods can be applied to the people of the island of Timor to make instant bose corn.

MODEL PERAMALAN JUMLAH TANGKAPAN IKAN KAKAP YANG DIDARATKAN DI PPI OEBA KUPANG NUSA TENGGARA TIMUR

Snapper is one of the economically important fish targeted by fishers in the island of Timor. Domestic and foreign markets for fillet and fresh snapper is considerably large. The export volume in 2021 was 4,172,056 kg, and the total value reached 12,452,211 USD. Along with the increasing snapper production in Kupang City and NTT, it is necessary to forecast the future snapper production. Thus, it can be a reference for policy makers in the region in designing fisheries development. This study aims to produce forecasting model for snapper catches at PPI Oeba Kupang. This research applied Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (ARIMA) and Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average (SARIMA), as a forecasting method. The data of snapper production analyzed in this study consisted of 72 months, started from January 2016 to December 2021. Data were obtained from the UPT of the Department of Marine and Fisheries of NTT Province at PPI Oeba Kupang. Data have a non-stationary pattern to the variance, hence a logarithmic transformation is needed, as well as seasonal differences analysis. However, there is no need for non-seasonal differences since the data are stationary with respect to the mean. The results of the identification of the Autocorrelation function and Partial Autucorrelation function Plots are ARIMA models with seasonal factor period 4, ARIMA (P,D,Q) = (1,0,1), while the SARIMA order (P, D, Q) = (2,1,1)4. Based on parameter testing, verification, examination, and testing of suitable models, the best model obtained was (0,0,1)(2,1,1)4. Keywords: Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, focecasting model, Seasonal Autoregressive Integrated Moving Average, Snapper.

The Features of Dawanese Traditional House as a Cultural Identity Marker of Dawanese People in Timor Island Indonesia

This study explores features of Dawanese traditional house as a cultural identity marker of Dawanese people in terms of its forms, functions, and meanings in view of semiotics, a branch of science which is concerned with the study of signs. The study is descriptive. The procedures of research were field research and the library research. The data were analyzed by using inductive method as the analysis was started from the data to the local-ideograhic theory providing a written description regarding the features of Dawanese traditional house as a cultural identity marker of Dawanese people. The results of study show the traditional house of Dawanese people known as ume kubhu has unique and specific features in terms of its forms, functions, and meanings. The umme kbubu is designed in the form of a round shape without window, the roof is shaped like a hairstyle that is rounded and tapered at the top, and the door is short of about one meter in height so that adults entering the house must bow. The umme kbubu serves as a place for performing such activities as sleeping, gathering with their family, cooking, weaving, storing foodstuffs, receiving guests, and carrying out various rituals. Along with its practical and symbolic functions, the ume kbubu serves social, enonomic, historical, and religious meanings. The ume kbubu designates the ways Dawanese people view and make sense of the world as it is not simply defined as a house that anchors them to a place, divides them into visible groups, and expresses their continuity of relationships over generations but also as a cultural identity marker for them as a house based-community.

Structural Equation Modeling: The Influence of School Environment on Students' Interest in Selecting State University

Despite prior research on student interest in colleges, this study focuses specifically on how the school environment, including individual factors, friends, and teachers, influences students' interest in attending a state university. Understanding these influences can help improve educational systems to better guide students towards higher education. This study aims to determine the influence of the school environment on students' interest in selecting a state university. This research employs a quantitative approach, utilizing structural equation modeling to analyze the relationships between variables. This study examines how a school environment, captured by twelve indicators across individual, friend, and teacher influences, impacts students' interest in state universities. Therefore, data retrieval based on questionnaires is designed accordingly based on latent variables. The sample in this study were 474 high school and vocational school students on the Indonesia-Timor Leste border, which is precisely located in Timor Tengah Utara Regency. The results showed that the school environment that came from individuals, partners, and teachers had a major influence on students' interest in choosing State University. Based on the analysis of structural equations, it was found that individual environments had a direct influence of 98%, partner environments had an indirect influence of 90%, and teachers also indirectly affected 71%. This study contributes to the field by quantifying the distinct influences of individual, peer, and teacher aspects of the school environment on students' interest in attending state universities. This knowledge can inform the development of targeted interventions to improve educational guidance and support student decision-making.

The illegal trade in rosewood in Indonesia

Rosewoods are among the most valuable traded hardwoods, and there is a significant illegal trade. From 2017 onwards the international trade in all species of Dalbergia rosewood is regulated through the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora. I focus on two species of rosewood that occur in parts of Indonesia, Dalbergia latifolia and D. sissoo, to assess the extent of the illegal trade and to analyse geographical and temporal patterns of wildlife crime. Based on 67 seizure reports from 2014 to 2022 I show that (a) 117 logs of D. sissoo and 4,285 logs of D. latifolia were confiscated, (b) seizures occurred on the islands of Sumatra (16 seizures; 1,190 logs), Java (43; 1,780 logs), and Bali, Lombok, Sumbawa and Timor (8; 1,408 logs), (c) while there was an increase in the number of seizures per year, there were no seasonal differences in seizure activities. For 10% of the logs there was supporting evidence that they were taken from State managed forests and 18% was taken from conservation areas, thus causing more damage than just the removal of individual trees. Seizures in Indonesia over this period equals 0.12 ± 0.04% of the legal rosewood export. The illegal trade is dominated by Indonesians rather than foreign nationals and the direction of trade is towards Java from where > 95% will be exported to China. While policies are in place concerning rosewood seizures and stockpiling (including auctioning or destruction) in practise it is unclear where seized rosewood ends up. When used with caution, analysis of seizure data offers a valuable means to gain insights in illicit activities that normally remain hidden from view.

The impact of watershed characteristics on flood behaviour in the Noelmina River region

Timor Island has two river regions, one of which is the Noelmina River Region. There are 91 watersheds in the Noelmina River Region, covering a total area of 5,418.85 km2. Each watershed possesses unique characteristics that influence the amount of flood discharge. The key watershed features that can be analysed to assess their impact on floods include shape, area, river length, slope of the watershed, slope of the river, and runoff coefficient. The aim of this study was to identify the specific characteristics of watersheds within the Noelmina River Region that contribute to significant flood discharge. The study focused on examining 20 watersheds within the Noelmina River Region, utilising spatial data such as the Timor Island DEM, land use, and hydrogeological map. The rainfall analysis was performed using the Log Pearson III distribution method with a return period of 500 years. Analysis of flood discharge using the SCS-CN method. The results obtained are that the shape of the watershed, the land use, and the curve number values have a greater impact on the amount of flood discharge produced. The time required to reach peak flood discharge in the Noelmina River Region typically ranges from 7-12 hours.