No abstract

Increasing the cropping index is a strategic policy and program to increase the efficiency of available land use. Referring to the potential and constraints of cropping index improvement, it is necessary to review the supporting components that affect cropping index implementation improvement in some agroecosystems. The purpose of this study was to aims to analyze the components of farming that support the implementation of increased cropping index in upland, rainfed lowland, and swampy land. This activity was carried out in five provinces namely Banten, West Java, DI Yogyakarta, East Nusa Tenggara, and South Sumatra from August to December 2018. The site selection was done purposively based on agroecosystems. The collected data were tabulated and analyzed using quantitative and qualitative approaches then interpreted descriptively and analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. The dependent variable (Y) is the cropping index and the independent variables (x i ) are labor, water availability, demons tration plot capital availability, water resources, supervisory, and extension media. The results of the combined linear regression analysis showed that water availability and supervisory were the supporting components that have a significant effect on every agroecosystem. Meanwhile, water, capital and labour availability were variables that have a significant effect on the implementation of increased cropping index in upland agroecosystems. The dissemination media has a significant effect only on rainfed lowland, while the capital availability and water sources were supporting components that have a significant effect at swampy land.

Tin mining produces a by-product sand tailing from soil leaching with characteristic low pH and total organic carbon, and can be reclaimed by providing a suitable ameliorant.  When available in situ, ameliorant materials can be economically used as they are required in large amounts. Fortunately, Bangka Belitung has sample stock of such kaolinite-rich minerals that can be utilized for improving soil chemical properties. Extracted organic materials, such as humic substances, can also be utilized as they influence the complex soil reactions, and promote plant growth. Thus, this study aimed to assess the effects of mineral, humic materials and interaction of both material on soil chemical properties and nutrient uptake of Pennisetum purpureum Schumach. A completely randomized design with 2 factors and 3 replications each was employed. Factor 1 was mineral matter is 0; 420; 840; 1.260 Mg ha-1 while Factor 2 was humic material is 0; 0.46; 0.92; 1.38 kg C ha-1. Air-dried samples of tailing were applied with oil palm compost then mixed evenly with mineral and humic materials.  Penissetum purpureum Schumach was planted after 4 weeks incubation, and maintained for another 4 weeks. The results demonstrated that the addition of mineral matter significantly increased soil organic carbon content, total N, exchangeable K, Fe, Mn and boosted nutrient - total Ca, Mg and Mn – uptake of the plant. But the application of humic material increased only soil organic carbon content. The interaction of both materials only lowered soil pH.

A cropping pattern is an effort to plant things on a plot of land by arranging the layout and order of plants for a certain period of time. Cropping patterns and or intercropping can be done with the aim of utilizing resources optimally and to avoid the risk of crop failure and market risk. Diversified cropping patterns are farming diversification with the aim of increasing agricultural yields so that income is maintained. The purpose of this research is to determine the types of farming patterns based on beef cattle, the impact of farming patterns on business objectives, and the income generated from the Decent Living Needs (KHL) that applies on dry land. Decent Living Needs (KHL) is the standard of needs of a single worker/labor to be able to live physically decently in 1 month. KHL is also the basis for determining the Minimum Wage. The study was carried out in Takisung District, Tanah Laut Regency, South Kalimantan. A survey and focus group discussions were used as research methods. Income, livestock waste for fertilizer, agricultural waste for feed, utilization of agricultural land, forage area, and livestock weight gain are the business objectives that are determined and analyzed. The analysis used is analysis of variance (ANOVA), and the Duncan test will be used to determine the contribution of income to the KHL. The research found six dominant cattle-based farming patterns. Farming patterns have a significant impact on business objectives such as income, agricultural waste utilization for animal feed, and agricultural land utilization. The conclusion of this research is that there are 6 dominant farming patterns in the research location, namely paddy and cattle; paddy, rubber and cattle; paddy, rubber, soybeans and cattle; Paddy, soybeans and cattle; paddy, soybeans, peanut and cattle; paddy, corn and cattle. The pattern of business that produces the highest income is the pattern of rice, rubber and cattle and the second is rice, soybean, rubber and cattle. The recommended business is business diversification with several commodities so that the necessities of life can be achieved and sustainable.