Search

Shallot is one of the seven strategic commodities in Indonesia. The demand for shallot continues to increase every year as the population increases, therefore the expansion of shallot planting areas in dryland is an alternative to increase production. This study aims to investigate the response of growth and yield of shallot (Batu Ijo variety) to various doses of inorganic fertilizers coated with activated charcoal in dryland. This research was conducted at the Sandubaya Experimental Station - West Nusa Tenggara Institute for Assessment of Agricultural Technology from March to June 2019. The research location is at the coordinates of -8o30'47, 116o39'14, 56.4ft at an altitude of 46.0 m above sea level. The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 1 factor and 5 levels of treatment dose of inorganic fertilizer coated with activated charcoal. Treatment of inorganic fertilizer dosage, namely B1: farmer practices of inorganic fertilizer (100%), B2: inorganic fertilizer 25% + coated with activated charcoal, B3: inorganic fertilizer 50% + coated with activated charcoal, B4: 75% inorganic fertilizer + coated with activated charcoal and B5: 100% inorganic fertilizer + coated with activated charcoal. The results showed that there was a correlation between plant height, number of leaves, number of bulbs and yields. The application of inorganic fertilizer as much as 75% of the standard dose + activated charcoal coating can have the highest effect on plant height, number of leaves, number of bulbs, yield and weight of the shelf life of 30 to 60 days after harvesting.

Maize productivity in Indonesia currently is still around 5.1 t/ha. This result is still low when compared to research results which have reached 8.0 t/ha on dry land. One of the reasons for the low productivity of maize is the lack of application of cultivation technology at the farmers level. There is still possibility to increase the productivity of composite maize varieties in dry land by increasing the plant population. In addition, application of an intercropping system of maize with legumes can help increase maize yields. This study was conducted in Labuhan Lombok Village, Pringgabaya District, East Lombok Regency, West Nusa Tenggara Province of Indonesia from August to December 2019. The experiment was arranged according to a Randomized Block Design by testing 2 treatment factors, namely (1) mycorrhizal inoculation consisting of two levels (M0 = without mycorrhizal inoculation; M1 = with mycorrhizal inoculation), (2) the number of mungbean inserts consisting of three levels (D0 = maize cultivation without mungbean inserted; D1 = maize cultivation with 1 row of mungbean inserted; D2 = maize cultivation with 2 rows of mungbean inserted) and each treatment was replicated 3 times therefore 18 experimental plots were obtained. Results showed that maize cultivation in dry land and dry climate with double row planting system inoculated with mycorrhizae and insertion of two rows of mungbean was much better than inserting 1 row of mungbean because the difference in yield obtained was much smaller, namely 6% or 490 kg compared to monoculture yields, but from the results of the profit evaluation based on the calculation of the Land Equity Ratio, the insertion of 1 row of mungbean was much higher, namely 2.62 compared to the insertion of two rows of mungbean which only obtained a result of 2.25.

Soybean (Glycine max L.) is one of the Indonesian most important agricultural commodities which contain high protein and become a raw material for various processed foods such as tofu, tempeh, soy milk, soy sauce, and bean sprouts. Recently, Indonesian soybean production has not been able to meet domestic needs; therefore, it still relies on importation. The main obstacle of soybean production in Indonesia is low productivity. One of the efforts to increase productivity is through the use of new improved varieties. This research aims to investigate the adaptation of nine new Indonesian improved soybean varieties in paddy fields of Central Lombok, West Nusa Tenggara Province, Indonesia. The research was conducted in July - October 2019 using a non-factorial randomized block design with the treatment of nine new improved soybean varieties namely Dega 1, Deja 1, Demas, Dena 1, Devon 2, Devon 1, Burangrang, Anjasmoro, and Detap. Each variety was replicated four times. Plant performances were observed during the vegetative phase and just before harvest which included plant height, number of branches, number of leaves, number of segments, and number of clumps. While the observed yield components were included the number of pods, weight of 100 grains, and soybean productivity. The results showed that during the vegetative phase, the highest plant height was produced by the variety of Devon 1, the highest number of branches was produced by Burangrang variety, the highest number of leaves and segments were produced by Anjasmoro variety. While during the generative phase, soybean varieties had a significant effect on plant height parameters with the highest value owned by Deja 1 variety. For the yield components, Demas variety produced the greatest number of filled pods, then the highest weight of 100 grains was produced by Dega 1 variety, and the highest productivity was achieved by Dena 1 variety.

Agricultural production influenced by several factors including climate change such as drought. Agriculture is vulnerable sector to drought because it influences cropping patterns, planting time, cropping index, production, yield quality, and profit. This study aims to investigate the profitability of garlic cultivation influenced by water stress at various input packages in the rainfed highlands of Eastern Lombok, Indonesia (1200 m above sea level). Input packages that applied were reducing use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides up to 50% from farmers’ practices. Applied input consists of 4 packages, namely P1 (farmers’ existing practices), P2, P3 and P4 as reduced and modified input packages. Field experiment was conducted in Sembalun Highlands from February to June 2018 on a 0.4 ha rainfed highlands using randomized completely block design followed by economic analysis. Parameters observed were Revenue/Cost (R/C) ratio based on fresh and dry weight yield. Results show that highest R/C ratios for fresh yield was from farmers’ existing treatment (P1) followed by P4 with the value of 1.33 and 1.28 respectively, whilst for dry yield were 1.39 and 1.36 respectively, which means that expenditure of IDR 1 will generate revenue of IDR 1.33 and 1.28 for fresh garlic bulb, while for dry garlic buld were 1.39 and 1.36 respectively. However, in term of soil sustainability issue, treatment P4 is expected to be applied. This figure decreases when compared to the production of garlic in normal conditions. Drought that occurred since early April caused the crop faced water stress and unable to provide an optimal agronomic performance and productivity which led to decreasing yield and profitability for about 40-50%.

Shallot (Allium cepa L.) is one of the strategic commodities in Indonesia, where the Province of West Nusa Tenggara (NTB) is the third largest shallot-producing area. The main constraint in shallot cultivation is the limited availability of certified seeds and the weather strongly influences the cultivation. This paper discusses the impact of the 2021 weather anomaly on shallot seed production in West Lombok Regency, NTB Province, Indonesia. To produce and supply shallot seeds, the Super Phillip variety was planted in the period of May-June 2021 on farmers' land with an area of 4,000 m2 of alluvial soil. There was a weather anomaly in June 2021, in the form of high rainy days up to 12 days and an increase in rainfall of 176 mm (414%) above normal, resulting in damage to the bulb enlargement phase and Fusarium disease attacks on plants older than 40 days which resulted in harvest failures. This weather anomaly resulted in crop failure and losses in almost 100% of shallot seed production. To anticipate failures and minimize risks to the shallot farming system in the future, it is necessary to learn and transfer technology to interpret rainfall prediction information and design a shallot planting calendar.