Search

For this research, an application of cyanobacteria Nostoc sp. SO-A31 as a nitrogen source for the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica L.) was carried out using a modified Deep-Water Culture (DWC) hydroponic system, outdoors. A Hoagland medium was used for the growth medium, with the absence or presence of ammonium and nitrate as the nitrogen sources. A 0.7 g fresh weight biomass of 21-day-old Nostoc sp. SO-A31 was inoculated into the system. The four treatment media for this study were HA0 (Hoagland, ammonium free+inoculant), HN0 (Hoagland, nitrate free+inoculant), HA0N0 (Hoagland, ammonium free and nitrate free+inoculant), and HI (Hoagland with ammonium and nitrate +inoculant). AB-mix and complete Hoagland media were used as controls. The result showed that water spinach cultured on HA0 had good vegetative growth, as shown by the high yield of biomass, high number of leaves, high stem growth, and long roots. Inoculation of Nostoc sp. SO-A31 elongated the root of the water spinach plants in all treatments. The presence of Nostoc sp. SO-A31 in the complete Hoagland medium, though, caused chlorosis of the water spinach leaves. This study suggests that water spinach is a nitrate-dependent leafy vegetable.

Objective: The imposition of protective health protocols in public spaces to curb the spread of coronavirus disease (COVID-19) has confronted the ritual of congregational prayers in mosques for Muslims. This study examines the adoption of protective behaviors in the early stage of the COVID-19 outbreak and the influence of religion on risk perception by comparing precautionary behaviors in public and in mosques., Methods: Data were collected through an online survey of 327 Muslim men across the Aceh Province, Indonesia, from April 21, 2020, to May 2, 2020. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test and the paired t-test were employed to compare the uptake of protective behaviors in public and mosques., Results: The adoption of protective behaviors was higher in public rather than in mosques. It further revealed that the understanding of Islamic teachings during the pandemic has influenced perceived risk and the way Muslim men comply with the protective guidelines. Those who have complete, incomplete, or no compliance of precautionary behaviors have their own interpretation of Islamic teachings that inform their individual actions to manage the risk., Conclusion: This study suggests the significance of religious views for developing public health preparedness during the current and future pandemics in Aceh and other Muslim majority regions.