Journal of Applied Agricultural Science and Technology

An Analytical Hierarchy Process-Based Evaluation of Food Estate Location Selection: A Case Study in Central Java

2026-01-08T23:29:04+07:00

The food estate program is a governmental initiative designed to facilitate the integrated development of food systems within a designated area, including agriculture, plantations, and animal husbandry. The objective of the present study is first to identify the most suitable agricultural crop according to local determining characteristics; and second, to evaluate the land's suitability for each chosen agricultural crop. This study employed a combination of qualitative and quantitative methodologies. The qualitative study focused on the identification and analysis of the criteria used for the selection of suitable food estate locations and the determination of promising commodities within the study area. This was achieved through a series of focus group discussions (FGDs). Three FGDs were conducted with participants comprising provincial and regency-level government decision-makers and experts from local universities. Their insights contribute to the formulation and refinement of the selection indicators relevant to local conditions. The quantitative study employed the Analytical Hierarchy Process (AHP), enabling a systematic evaluation of expert priorities. To assess and rank the importance of key criteria influencing location selection decisions, eleven experts were interviewed. The AHP results have identified seven main criteria as being essential for determining the suitable locations for food estates in Purbalingga Regency. Pineapple has been identified as the most suitable, promising commodity for food estate development in Purbalingga Regency, as determined by the integrated assessment. This determination is based on the compatibility of pineapple with local environmental conditions, its market potential, and stakeholder preferences.

Isolation and Characterization of Cellulose from Sugar Palm Pulp Using the Alkaline Method

2025-08-11T14:13:35+07:00

Sugar palm pulp is a by-product generated during the palm starch filtration process and contains lignocellulosic components. These lignocellulosic components can be separated through a delignification process. One chemical method of delignification uses an alkaline solvent. This study aimed to determine the optimal concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) for maximising cellulose yield from sugar palm pulp and to characterise the resulting cellulose. The research was conducted using a completely randomised design (CRD) with four treatments and four replications. The treatments consisted of varying NaOH concentrations: K1 (1% w/v), K2 (3% w/v), K3 (5% w/v), and K4 (7% w/v). Observations were made on yield, moisture content, ash content, pH, colour, and iodine test. Data were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA). If the calculated F-value was greater than or equal to the tabulated F-value, the treatment effect was considered significant, and the analysis proceeded with Duncan's multiple range test at the 5% significance level. The results showed that sodium hydroxide concentration significantly affected yield, moisture content, ash content, pH, and colour. The selected treatments (3% NaOH concentration) yielded cellulose with the following characteristics: yield of 34.07%, moisture content of 6.8%, ash content of 5.99%, pH of 8.68, and whiteness degree of 36.65%. The colour coordinates were L=37.27 (low brightness) a=0.62 (slight redness) b=1.74 (slight yellowness). The iodine test resulted in a brown colour, indicating a positive reaction for cellulose.

Integrating Land Use Planning with Regenerative Agriculture: A Synergistic Approach to Enhance Sustainable Agricultural Productivity and Ecosystem Resilience

2025-11-26T15:16:48+07:00

Land-use planning and regenerative agriculture are increasingly recognised as complementary strategies for addressing declining soil quality, land degradation, and the need for more resilient food systems. The present study investigates the manner in which the integration of regenerative practices within land-use planning frameworks contributes to sustainable agricultural productivity and ecosystem stability. A bibliometric analysis of 70 publications from 2015–2025 using VOSviewer has identified key thematic clusters, including climate–resilience, sustainable productivity, spatial governance, green infrastructure, and environmental monitoring. The findings show that regenerative practices, such as no-till systems, cover cropping, diversified rotations, and agroforestry, support soil restoration, carbon accumulation, and water retention. Land-use planning provides the spatial, institutional, and regulatory mechanisms needed to align these practices with land suitability, environmental carrying capacity, and regional planning objectives. Evidence from marginal lands (S2 and S3) highlights the effectiveness of regenerative methods in enhancing productivity when integrated with suitability assessments and long-term planning. A case study of Brazil’s Carbon Farming Initiative demonstrates how coordinated land-use policies, spatial data, and public–private partnerships can scale regenerative systems and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The analysis further shows that this integration supports multiple Sustainable Development Goals, particularly those related to food security, clean water, climate action, and terrestrial ecosystem conservation. Key barriers, including policy fragmentation, limited farmer adoption, and technological constraints, are addressed through recommendations involving financial incentives, farmer training, geospatial monitoring, and precision agriculture tools. The study provides a comprehensive understanding of how land-use planning can operationalise regenerative agricultural strategies to enhance landscape resilience, improve resource efficiency, and strengthen long-term sustainability across agricultural regions.

Optimizing Hydroponically Cultivated Kale Growth Using Nano-Formulated Organic Fertilizers: A Multivariate Evaluation Using PCA

2026-02-12T11:28:15+07:00

Kale (Brassica oleracea var. acephala) cultivated in hydroponic systems commonly relies on inorganic AB Mix nutrients, which raises sustainability concerns. This study evaluated the potential of nano-technology liquid organic fertilizers (nano-POC) derived from Sargassum, Gliricidia sepium (gamal leaves) and Tithonia diversifolia as partial substitutes for AB Mix in hydroponic kale cultivation. The experiment was conducted using different substitution formulations, and plant growth responses were assessed based on morphological and biomass-related parameters. The results showed that partial substitution of AB Mix with nano-POC maintained superior growth performance compared to full organic application. The formulation P3S (50% AB Mix + 50% Sargassum nano-POC) produced the most balanced and consistent growth responses, reaching a plant height of 22.5 cm, an average of seven leaves and a dry weight of 0.17 g, and showed no significant difference from the 100% AB Mix control. In contrast, the exclusive use of nano-POC resulted in significant declines across all growth indicators. Multivariate analysis using Principal Component Analysis (PCA) confirmed the stability and consistency of the optimal treatment across growth parameters. These findings indicate that nano-POC functions effectively as a complementary nutrient source in hydroponic systems. Integrating nano-technology liquid organic fertilizers through partial substitution strategies offers a sustainable approach to reducing dependence on synthetic fertilizers while maintaining hydroponic kale productivity.

Effect of Enzymatic Extrusion Treatment on Pregelatinized Sorghum Flour

2026-02-12T11:10:29+07:00

Sorghum flour has gained considerable attention as a gluten-free cereal with high nutritional value; however, its functional properties require improvement for industrial applications. This study aimed to investigate the effects of combined extrusion and enzymatic treatment on the morphological characteristics, thermal properties, and carbohydrate composition of pregelatinized sorghum flour. Three flour samples were prepared: native sorghum flour (PS1), extrusion-treated flour (PS2), and extrusion-enzymatic-treated flour with α-amylase (PS3). Morphological analysis was performed using polarized light microscopy and scanning electron microscopy. Thermal properties were assessed by differential scanning calorimetry (DSC), and carbohydrate composition was determined by high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Results showed progressive loss of the Maltese cross pattern in PS2 and PS3, indicating disruption of crystalline structure, along with granule aggregation caused by amylose leaching. DSC analysis revealed that PS2 exhibited the most significant reduction in gelatinization temperature (T_o: 77.84 °C) and enthalpy (ΔH: 2.60 J/g) compared to native sorghum starch (T_o: 82.38 °C; ΔH: 7.52 J/g), representing a 57% decrease in ΔH. In contrast, PS3 showed no detectable endothermic peak (n.d.), indicating complete loss of residual crystalline structure. HPLC analysis confirmed extensive starch hydrolysis in PS3, with glucose concentration increasing more than 15-fold (77.31 mg/mL) compared to PS1, along with elevated maltose (12.05 mg/mL) and fructose (8.13 mg/mL) concentrations. These findings demonstrate that extrusion-enzymatic treatment effectively modifies sorghum flour structure, enhancing sugar release and altering thermal characteristics, thereby indicating improved functional properties for applications in instant foods, bakery products, and fermentation processes.

Land-Use Scenario Modeling Using Remote Sensing and Cellular Automata and Its Impact on the Drought Hazard at the Sub-catchment Area Level

2026-01-23T17:14:38+07:00

Rapid land-use change in upland watersheds alters hydrological processes and increases drought vulnerability. The Upper Brantas and Kali Konto sub-watersheds in East Java serve as important rainfall catchment and water storage areas, yet ongoing land conversion has progressively reduced their capacity to regulate water availability. However, the implications of future land-use trajectories for drought hazards at the sub-catchment scale remain insufficiently understood. This study aims to analyze land-use dynamics, simulate future land-use change, and evaluate alternative land-use planning scenarios to assess their potential influence on drought hazard distribution. Multi-temporal land-use data from 2017, 2019, 2021, and 2025 were analyzed using remote sensing, and future land-use patterns were projected for 2030 using the Artificial Neural Network–Cellular Automata–Markov (ANN–CA–Markov) model. The simulated land-use distribution was then evaluated under Regional Spatial Planning (RSP) and Land Capability Classification (LCC) scenarios to examine their implications for drought hazards. The results showed a substantial decline in natural forest from 12,600.35 ha (31.4%) in 2017 to 9,975.70 ha (24.9%) in 2025—a reduction of more than 20%—accompanied by the expansion of plantation systems, dryland farming, and built-up areas. Under the 2030 Business-as-Usual (BAU) scenario, moderate drought hazard areas increased from 44.0% to approximately 50.2% of the watershed area. Among the evaluated scenarios, the Land Capability Classification (LCC)-based planning approach showed the greatest potential to mitigate drought risk, reducing high drought hazard areas from 25.1% under the BAU scenario to 15.2%. These findings highlight the importance of integrating land capability considerations into spatial planning to support drought-resilient watershed management.

The Effect of Storage Duration on Fat Deterioration and Sensory Quality of Beef Rendang at Dapoer Rendang Riry, Payakumbuh City

2026-02-03T18:20:41+07:00

Rendang is a high-fat food product that is susceptible to quality deterioration during storage, particularly due to lipid oxidation and potential microbiological contamination resulting from inadequate packaging. This study investigated the effect of storage duration on the quality of beef rendang stored at room temperature, as indicated by fat deterioration, sensory changes, and microbiological quality. Beef rendang was stored for three months in vacuum-sealed aluminum foil packaging at room temperature. Monthly analyses included fat content, free fatty acid (FFA) levels, thiobarbituric acid (TBA) value, total plate count (TPC), initial spoilage assessment using the Eber test, and sensory evaluation of color, aroma, texture, taste, and overall appearance. Protein, moisture, and ash contents were determined at the beginning and end of storage to evaluate compliance with SNI 7764:2012. Protein was analyzed using the Kjeldahl method, while moisture and ash were determined gravimetrically in accordance with AOAC (2007) procedures. The results showed a gradual decline in product quality during storage. Fat content decreased from 27.00±0.16% to 20.95±0.43%, while FFA levels increased from 3.31±0.17% to 5.52±0.34%. The TBA value increased from 0.01±0.002 to 0.07±0.002 mg Ma/kg. Sensory attributes exhibited a decreasing trend over the storage period. No microbial growth, including Salmonella and Escherichia coli, was detected, and the Eber test indicated no ammonia formation. Protein, moisture, and ash contents remained within SNI limits. Overall, quality deterioration was mainly associated with lipid degradation, while the product remained safe and suitable for consumption throughout storage.

Enhancing Resistant Starch and Functional Properties of Corn Flour via Dual Modification with Organic Acids and Annealing

2026-01-29T16:24:01+07:00

Corn flour holds a potential for functional food through chemical and thermal modification. This study examines the impact of dual modification—organic acid esterification (using citric, acetic, or lactic acid) followed by annealing—on the physicochemical and morphological properties of corn flour. Citric acid treatment, combined with annealing, yielded the lowest swelling power and the highest clarity, indicating improved stability and transparency. Acetic acid modification produced the highest RS values, suggesting strong applicability in functional food development. The increase in RS content implies potential health benefits such as glycemic control and gut microbiota modulation, making the modified flour suitable for preventive nutrition applications

Optimization of Culture Media and Elicitation for Enhancing Steviol Glycosides in Stevia rebaudiana Callus Culture

2026-04-14T16:22:02+07:00

Stevia rebaudiana is a valuable medicinal plant known for producing steviol glycosides, which are widely used as natural sugar substitutes. This study aims to optimize culture media and elicitation treatments to enhance callus induction, growth, and steviol glycoside accumulation in S. rebaudiana callus culture. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments: MS0, DKW0, MS + 2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L GA₃, and DKW + 2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L GA₃, each with five replicates. The results showed that the highest callus induction percentage (100%) and the fastest callus initiation time (6.33–6.40 days) were achieved on MS and DKW media supplemented with plant growth regulators (2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L GA₃). The highest fresh weight (0.158 g) and dry weight (0.011 g) were obtained on DKW medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L GA₃. The highest stevioside content (0.147 mg/g DW) was recorded in the 4 mg/L GA₃ treatment, whereas the highest rebaudioside A content (0.114 mg/g DW) was observed in the 0.5 mg/L SA treatment. The highest rebaudioside D content (3.256 mg/g DW) was obtained in the 0.25 mg/L SA treatment, while the highest dulcoside content (0.120 mg/g DW) was found in the control treatment. In addition, the highest total phenolic content (19.37 mg GAE/g DW) was observed in the 20 mg/L daminozide treatment. In conclusion, DKW medium supplemented with 2 mg/L 2,4-D + 0.5 mg/L BAP + 0.5 mg/L GA₃ was the most effective treatment for promoting callus growth, while elicitation treatments, particularly 4 mg/L GA3, significantly enhanced the accumulation of steviol glycosides in S. rebaudiana callus culture (0.147 mg/L).

Application of Biofertilizer Combined with Bioactivator in the Vegetative Phase of Inpari 32 Rice Variety

2026-03-30T17:01:29+07:00

Sustainable rice cultivation requires effective nutrient management strategies to reduce chemical fertilizer dependency. Biofertilizers enriched with humic acid and microbial consortia offer an eco-friendly alternative to enhance soil fertility and plant productivity. This study evaluated the effects of biofertilizer combined with humic acid and a microbial consortium on vegetative growth, chlorophyll content, and macronutrient availability in Inpari 32 rice. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse at Banyuwangi State Polytechnic using a completely randomized factorial design with two biofertilizer types: biofertilizer + humic acid (B1) and biofertilizer + microbial consortium (Bacillus, Trichoderma, Saccharomyces) (B2), and three application doses: 300 g, 400 g, and 500 g per pot. Although ANOVA results indicated no statistically significant differences among treatments, a consistent positive trend was observed in plant height, tiller number, and chlorophyll content at the 400 g dose. Soil N, P, and K levels tended to decrease, possibly due to enhanced nutrient uptake by plants, suggesting an improved nutrient use efficiency. Overall, the combination of biofertilizer and humic acid at the 400 g dose tended to show higher values compared to other treatments, although these differences were not statistically significant. These findings support the use of multi-species microbial biofertilizers and IoT-based precision fertilization systems to promote sustainable rice production in Indonesia.

Integrated Assessment of Land Capability Classes and Land Damage Status in the Bangsal Sub-watershed

2026-01-23T17:07:32+07:00

The Bangsal Sub-watershed is located downstream of the greater Brantas Watershed. It is experiencing problems primarily with poor vegetation cover and high erosion rates. This study aimed to evaluate land capability classes based on land damage status across different land uses. Sampling was carried out purposively at 15 points across five land uses, namely, forests, plantations, dry fields, rice fields and shrublands. The parameters analyzed included the physical, chemical and biological properties of soil. Land capability assessment was conducted based on Arsyad’s work (2010), while damage status was based on the Government Regulation No. 150 of 2000 and the Ministry of Environment Regulation No. 07 of 2006. The results show that the Bangsal Sub-watershed is dominated by land capability classes III to IV with moderate damage status (R.II). Fourteen observation points show moderate damage, and one shows severe damage. The main limiting factors found include porosity, redox potential and permeability. Forest and shrubland land uses show the most stable conditions in terms of all three aforesaid limiting factors. Meanwhile, dry field land use has the most complex limiting factors, including slope, surface rockiness, bulk density, porosity and redox potential. These findings emphasize the importance of matching land use to land capacity to prevent further degradation. Management recommendations include increasing organic matter to improve soil structure, applying contour terraces on sloping terrain to reduce runoff and erosion and developing agroforestry systems to improve soil stability and support watershed sustainability.

Effects of Microorganisms and Fermentation Time on the Characteristics of Flour from Whole Foxtail Millet (Hotong)

2026-04-23T15:46:24+07:00

Abstract. Hotong (Setaria italica) has promising potential as a functional food ingredient, but its native flour requires technological enhancement for broader utilization. This study evaluated the effects of solid-state fermentation using Lactobacillus plantarum, Saccharomyces cerevisiae, and their combination for 24, 48, and 72 h on the physicochemical and functional properties of hotong flour. Fermentation significantly improved flour characteristics, with outcomes strongly influenced by microbial type and duration. L. plantarum at 72 h produced flour with the highest water-holding capacity and brightness, indicating suitability for products requiring high water-holding capacity and light color. In contrast, S. cerevisiae and mixed cultures enhanced antioxidant activity, while short-term L. plantarum fermentation better preserved phenolic content. These findings demonstrate that targeted fermentation conditions can be strategically selected to produce hotong flour with characteristics optimized for specific food applications, supporting its potential development as a versatile functional ingredient.