The growth and yield of taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) plants are influenced by the planting material. The use of planting material derived from corms is expected to improve the quality and quantity of taro growth and yield. This research aimed to find the best type of planting material and cultivars for taro growth and the potential of taro plants as animal feed. The experiment was carried out in Jember, East Java ( elevation ±89 m asl). The experiment used the randomized completed block design method with two treatment factors, the type of planting material (B) as the first factor (B1: taro corms, B2: taro tiller, B3: taro stolon) and the use of taro cultivars (V) as the second factor (V1: green taro, V2: ketan taro, V3: Sukabumi taro). The treatment was repeated four times. The results showed that there was an interaction between the use of taro planting material and taro cultivar that could influence the tuber weight per plant. The types of planting material had a significant effect on the number of tillers, leaf area, corm weight and diameter, and the planting of several taro cultivars significantly affected all observed variables. The treatment that gave the best results was planting material from taro tuber (B1) and Sukabumi cultivar (V3) with a tuber weight yield of 362.58 g (±14.5 tons/ha). Meanwhile, the Sukabumi cultivar (V3) had the best potential as animal feed. Overall, the stems and leaves of taro had a protein content of 1.19–2.02%, while the corms had 2.82–4.09%.

Background and Aim: Subclinical mastitis (SCM) is a disease that frequently attacks lactating dairy cows and possibly decreases production, causing economic losses to farmers. This study aimed to define the prevalence of SCM and risk factor-associated related management practice by dairy farmers in East Java, Indonesia. Materials and Methods: The milk sample per quarter of individual lactating Friesian–Holstein cows (592 samples) was collected from 148 cows from 62 selected farms in the region with high dairy cattle populations in Malang, Sidoarjo, Mojokerto, Probolinggo, Pasuruan, Lumajang, Jember, and Banyuwangi. SCM determination was performed using the California mastitis test. A survey including field observation and interviews with farmers was conducted to find out the management practices of the selected farms. The analysis of risk factors was conducted by multinomial regression using the IBM SPSS version 26.0 (IBM SPSS Statistics, Chicago, USA). Results: In addition, 68.18% and 66.72% at the cow and quarter levels, respectively, of the lactating dairy cows examined had SCM. In multinomial regression, four variables were significantly given impact in association with the SCM prevalence in identifying related lactation stage (odds ratio [OR]: 1-2 months=5.67, 2-6 months=9.435), teat wiping after milking (OR=42.197), house cleanliness (OR: dirty=0.120, moderate=0.527), and location (regencies) of raising the cows (OR: Sidoarjo=0.076, Mojokerto=0.165, Jember=1.210, Probolinggo=3.449, Lumajang=1.638, Malang=1.210, and Pasuruan=0.681). Conclusion: The SCM prevalence in East Java is relatively high and a threat to the dairy industry's performance. This study found a significant association with SCM that needs to be considered in the practice of management to prevent and control SCM. However, the finding also suggested that hygienic management practices performed by farmers need to be improved to reduce SCM incidents.

Agricultural wastes are very diverse in type and have low nutrient values, especially in lignin and cellulose, which are difficult to digest. One way of overcoming this problem is by biological treatment using microorganisms, also known as silage. The availability of bio-activators that are both cost-efficient and easy to make further suggests that using local microorganisms may be an effective possible solution. This study focused on processing food crop waste (corn leaves) into silage using local microorganisms as the bio-activators. Research took place in the Agrotechnology Laboratory, University of Jember. The experimental design was completely randomized with four treatments: Treatment 1 (rumen), Treatment 2 (rumen + banana humps), Treatment 3 (rumen + petung bamboo shoots), and Treatment 4 (rumen + gamal leaves). The parameters tested were local microorganism quality (pH, total microbial, and organoleptic) and silage quality (nutrient composition, pH, and organoleptic). After three weeks, the organoleptic local microorganism test results in all treatments showed clear colors, an acidic aroma, small number of fungi, and normal pH (3–5). In terms of silage quality, the resulting local microorganisms could be used as a bio-activator in the silage fermentation process, with the maturity level indicated by a color change (green to brownish green), sweet and acidic aroma, softer tape and texture, and pH of 4–6. The proximate test results of this silage feed showed better nutrient content in the addition of formulations in the manufacture of local microorganisms. Petung bamboo shoots, gamal leaves, and banana humps can increase the nutrient content, mainly the protein. We therefore conclude that local microorganisms from the rumen and local materials can be used as activator materials in making silage from corn leaves with an increase in the value of waste nutrients.

ABSTRACT The growth and yield of taro plants can be influenced by the planting material used, and the use of improper types of planting material can cause plants to be unproductive according to potential yields. The use of planting materials derived from tubers is expected to increase the yield of taro. This study aims to determine the best type of planting material to increase the yield of taro. The experiments were carried out in the villages of Antirogo, Sumbersari, Jember, East Java with an altitude of ± 89 meters above sea level starting in April 2018 to October 2018. The experiment used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) method with 2 treatment factors. Factor 1 is the type of planting material (B), B1: Bulbs; B2: Puppies; B3: Stolon. Factor 2 is taro variety (V), V1: Green Taro; B2: Brown Taro; B3: Purple Line Green Taro. Each repeated 4 times. The results showed that there was an interaction between the use of different types of planting material and varieties that had an effect on tuber weight per plant. The type of planting material has a significant effect on the number of tillers, leaf area, tuber weight, and tube diameter. Varieties significantly affect all observed variables. The treatment that gave the best results was planting material from tubers (B1) and Purple Line Green taro varieties (V3) with tuber yield per plant 362.58 grams (± 14.5 tons/ha). Keywords: taro, planting material, varieties ABSTRAK Pertumbuhan dan hasil tanaman talas dapat dipengaruhi oleh bahan tanam yang digunakan, dan penggunaan macam bahan tanam yang kurang tepat dapat menyebabkan tanaman tidak produktif sesuai dengan hasil potensial. Penggunaan bahan tanam yang berasal dari umbi diharapkan dapat meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan hasil talas. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk menentukan macam bahan tanam terbaik untuk meningkatkan pertumbuhan dan hasil talas. Percobaan dilakukan di desa Antirogo, Sumbersari, Jember, Jawa Timur dengan ketinggian ± 89 mdpl dimulai pada bulan April 2018 sampai Oktober 2018. Percobaan menggunakan metode Rancangan Acak Kelompok (RAK) dengan 2 faktor perlakuan. Faktor 1 yaitu macam bahan tanam (B), B1: Umbi; B2: Anakan; B3: Stolon. Faktor 2 yaitu varietas talas (V), V1: Talas Hijau; V2: Talas Coklat; V3: Talas Hijau Garis Ungu. Perlakuan diulang sebanyak 4 kali. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan terdapat interaksi antara penggunaan macam bahan tanam dan varietas yang memberikan pengaruh terhadap bobot umbi per tanaman. Macam bahan tanam berpengaruh nyata terhadap jumlah anakan, luas daun, bobot umbi, dan diameter umbi. Varietas berpengaruh nyata terhadap seluruh variabel pengamatan. Perlakuan yang memberikan hasil terbaik yaitu bahan tanam dari umbi (B1) dan varietas talas Hijau Garis Ungu (V3) dengan hasil bobot umbi per tanaman 362,58 gram (±14,5 ton/ha). Kata kunci : talas, bahan tanam, varietas

Maize (Zea mays. L) is a source of carbohydrates as food, feed ingredients for livestock and industrial raw materials and bioethanol raw materials. To optimize the productivity of local maize, fertilization can be done. The use of organic fertilizers is very good for maintaining soil health, one of them is vermicompost. The application of vermicompost fertilizer is the right solution in this problem because composting of organic waste with the help of earthworms (Lumbricus sp.) contains high nutrients. The needs of adequate nutrient and growing environment will maximize the genetic potential of a variety. This research was conducted with the aim to determine the effect of vermicompost fertilizer on growth and yield of several maize varieties (Zea mays L). This study used a grooved plot design (Strip Plot) with 3 replications. The vertical path consists of 4 doses of fertilizer, namely P0 = 0 ton /ha, P1 = 4.5 tons/ha, P2 = 9 tons/ha, and P3 = 13.5 ton/ha. Horizontal path consists of 4 varieties, namely V1 = Dampit local variety, V2 = Arjuno superior variety, V3 = Karangploso local variety and V4 = Madura local variety (V4). Results of this study shows that fertilizer dose is 13.5 tons/ha (P3) and themaizeDampit localvariety (V1) showed good results on the growth and yield of maize crops. The results of P3V1 in maize plants were 2.66 kg of maize per bed and 1.15 kg of maize per bed. Keywords: Maize, Varieties, Vermicompost.