Identification of Suitable Sites for Jatropha curcas L. Bioenergy Plantation Using the AquaCrop Model

Jatropha curcas (JC), as a biofuel plant, has been reported to have various desired characteristics such as high oil content seeds (27–40%), fast-growth, easy cultivation, drought tolerance, and can be grown on marginal soil and wasteland, requiring fewer nutrients and management and does not interfere with existing food crops, insects, and pest resistance. This investigation was the first study of its type to use climatological data, blue/green water footprints, and JC seed production to identify suitable sites for JC bioenergy plantation using the AquaCrop FAO model across the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province in northwest Pakistan. The JC seed yield (10 ton/ha) was at a maximum in the districts of Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan, and Dera Ismail Khan, in addition to its frontier regions, Tank, Peshawar, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, Kohat, Charsadda, Mardan, Swabi, and Nowshera, respectively. Green water footprint (264 m3/ton of JC seed) and blue water footprint (825 m3/ton) was less in these areas. Furthermore, the results revealed that, depending on climatological circumstances, the southern part of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province is more appropriate for JC bioenergy plantation than the northern region. The districts of Bannu, Karak, Hangu, Kurram, North Waziristan, Lakki Marwat, South Waziristan, Dera Ismail Khan, and its frontier regions, Tank, Peshawar, Mohmand, Orakzai, Khyber, and Kohat, in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province were identified to be the most ideal places for JC bioenergy plantation. As a result, under the Billion Tree Afforestation Project (BTAP) and the Green Pakistan Project, the Forest Department of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa should consider planting JC species in the province’s southern region. Furthermore, this research will provide scientific information to government and private sector officials for better management and optimum yield of the JC biofuel crop, as well as for the promotion of energy forestry in Pakistan.

Optimization of curcumin temulawak (Curcuma xanthorrizha Roxb.) on calcareous marginal land under teak

Temulawak produces bioactive compounds that have antioxidant activity and changes in its chemical composition are caused by environmental pH. Sulphur is an essential nutrient for plants and a constituent of several coenzymes and vitamins that play a role in plant metabolism. Marginal calcareous land in Tuban is generally used as teak production forest, because food crops cannot grow optimally in this land. Temulawak is a shade-tolerant plant that can grow well in conditions of low light intensity. The objective of this research is to obtain the appropriate goat manure and sulphur fertilizer dosages for temulawak planted beneath teak stands on calcareous marginal soil in order to maximize its yield and quality. The field experiment was RCBD with three replications and two factors: manure level (10, 15 and 20 t ha-1) and ZA level (0, 40, 80 and 120 kg ha-1). The results showed that a higher fresh weight of rhizomes per clump was obtained in combination of 10 and 15 ha-1 manures and 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer. Similar high yield is obtained when 20 t ha-1 of manure is applied in combination with 80 kg ha-1 of sulphur. In addition, a higher curcumin content and antioxidant activity were obtained in plant treated with 10 t ha-1 manure without S fertilizer. Similar high curcumin content and antioxidant activity of the rhizome were also obtained from rhizome treated with 15 t ha-1 of manure in combination with 40 kg ha-1 sulphur fertilizer and 20 t ha-1 manure without sulphur fertilizer.

Abundance and potency of Non-Symbiotic Nitrogen-Fixing Bacteria in Padang Sapu-sapu, Pejem Village, Bangka

Padang sapu-sapu soil is similar with post-tin mining soil in its white sand texture and poor nutrient. One factor causes the disturbed land in Bangka Belitung islands is tin mining activity. One method to rehabilitate marginal soil is by utilizing the potential nonsymbiotic N2-fixing bacteria, which are able to fertilize the soil and is able to provide macro nutrient. This study aims to measure the abundance and potency of non-symbiotic N2-fixing bacteria in padang sapu-sapu, Pejem Village, Bangka. The site selection is determined by purposive sampling method and interviews and the samples were collected randomly. Isolation used selective media Ashby'`s Monitol Agar and Azospirillum media. Morphological characterization was conducted on isolates and a series selective test was carried out, i.e. hipersentivity test, hemolysis test, IAA phytohormone test and nitrogenase test. The study of the abundance population of non-symbiotic N2-fixing bacteria of two different locations showed that the total bacterial population in padang sapusapu is very small compared to its lowland forest. Isolate Azotobacter sp. TH105(a) from the lowland forests is potential as natural fertilizer.

Construction and Evaluation of Transfer Function of Marginal Soil Temperature on the South Side of Greenhouse under Different Linings

The marginal soil temperature on the south side of a greenhouse remains at low temperatures in winter for long periods, which affects crop growth and land-use efficiency, it is of great significance to grasp the influencing factors of soil temperature change to improve the marginal soil temperature on the south side of the greenhouse. This study was conducted in at typical greenhouse in the cold and arid area of northern China and used the Grey Relational Analysis (GRA) method, the relational degree between the marginal soil temperature on the south side of the greenhouse and environmental factors under different lining structures was analyzed, and established the soil temperature transfer function. The results show that soil temperature had the greatest correlation with the soil humidity and air humidity inside and outside the greenhouse, and the second greatest correlation was the relation with the air temperature inside and outside the greenhouse and the outdoor soil temperature; the lining structure could effectively reduce the relation between soil temperature and humidity inside and outside the greenhouse. Polystyrene extruded board (PEB) had a greater degree of relational reduction than other lining materials in the test. Through verification analysis, the mean absolute error of soil temperature of 5 cm was less than 0.85 °C, the average absolute error of soil temperature at 15 cm was less than 0.57 °C, and the average absolute error of soil temperature at 25 and 55 cm was less than 0.2 °C. In conclusion, the constructed soil temperature transfer function could be used to predict the variation trend of soil temperature, and the PEB material lining structure had good thermal insulation.

Sustainability Evaluation of Non-Toxic Jatropha curcas in Rural Marginal Soil for Obtaining Biodiesel Using Life-Cycle Assessment

Using information from an experimental planting of non-toxic Jatropha curcas (NTJC) with minimal water and fertilization resources on rural marginal soil the objective of this article is to determine the sustainability of this raw material for producing biodiesel and the possibilities for improving it through life-cycle assessment (LCA). Three production scenarios were studied: minimal resources (MR), which focuses on the obtaining of biodiesel; minimal resources and utilization of sub-products (MRUS), which includes the utilization of the residual products in order to produce food and solid biofuels, as well as biodiesel; and utilization of biofertilizers, flood irrigation, and sub-products (UBIS), which incorporates the use of bio-fertilizers and irrigation in the production system. This study includes the selection of six sustainability indicators, as well as indicators by means of LCA methodology Finally, a sustainability index (SI) for each scenario was determined on the basis of an index of environmental sustainability of energy products (IESEP). Our results indicated that the MR scenario yielded the lowest SI 0.673, while the MRUS scenario had the highest SI 0.956. It concludes that sustainability is greater when it utilizes minimal water and fertilization resources during the raw material production stage, and the residual products are used for food and energy products made possible by the non-toxic properties of Jatropha curcas.

Effect of cow dung manure and SP-36 fertilizer on the quality of patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) planted on Ultisol

The medical function of patchouli oil as an anti-virus allows it to be developed into a drug for COVID-19. The management of marginal soil namely Ultisol for patchouli development is very important because of its vast potential in Aceh. Therefore, the purpose of this study is to find out the effect of cow dung manure and SP-36 fertilizer on the quality of patchouli oil (Pogostemon cablin Benth.) on Ultisol. This study used factorial randomized block design with 3 replications. The first treatment factor was the dose of cow dung manure (control, 10 tonnes ha-1, 20 tonnes ha-1, 30 tonnes ha-1). The second treatment factor was the dose of SP-36 fertilizer (control, 100 kg ha-1, 200 kg ha-1, 300 kg ha-1). The results showed that the treatment had no significant effect on patchouli oil yield. The highest Patchouli Alcohol obtained was 27.74% on the combination of 30 tonnes ha-1 cow dung manure and 300 kg ha-1 SP-36 fertilizer.