Inadequate feed intake and nutrient supply are associated with the suboptimal reproductive performance of Kacang goats reared using a traditional tethering system in the Pariaman region of Indonesia. The objectives of this study were to (i) identify reproductive problems in tethered female Kacang goats, (ii) assess crude nutrient and mineral composition of feed consumed by tethered goats, and (iii) evaluate the beneficial effects of mineral supplementation on reproductive performance of tethered female Kacang goats. A field survey was carried out in Pariaman City and the Padang Pariaman Regency to collect data on reproductive performance as well as blood mineral and hematological profiles of tethered female Kacang goats. Forage and feed samples were collected and analyzed for dry matter (DM), crude protein (CP), and minerals (Ca, P, Mg, Fe, Cu, and Zn) contents. Feed was formulated with supplemented complete minerals in either block form or mixed with feed. A total of 15 young female Kacang goats received feed without supplement (P0, n=5), or mineral supplement with feed (P1, n=5), or in a manually prepared block lick (P2, n=5). Parameters measured included body weight, number of pregnant goats, blood mineral concentrations, hematological parameters, total protein concentrations, and progesterone concentrations. Results of the field survey showed that the age of maturity of female Kacang goats reared under a tethering system ranged between 5 and 9 months and the first kidding occurred between 12 and 23 months. The suboptimal reproductive performance of female Kacang goats raised using a tethering system was closely related to the inadequate feed intake and nutritional deficiency. Supplementation with minerals is an effective method to enhance nutritional status and health to increase pregnancy rate of tethered female Kacang goats.

No abstract

No abstract

Mercury composite and cyanidation are gold mining methods that are frequently used. The mercury composite method produces tailings containing heavy metals that can harm living organisms. Utilisation of tailings for the development of forage may be enhanced through arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi (AMF) inoculation to increase plant resistance, absorption of macro and micronutrients, and reduce levels of metal contaminants in the tailings. This study aimed to investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi on nutrients and heavy metals uptake by <em>Pennisetum purpureum</em> cv Mott in phytoremediation of gold mine tailings. Treatments consisted of four levels of AMF inoculation (0, 5, 10 and 15 g pot^-1) were arranged in a completely randomised design with five replications. Each pot contained 3 kg of tailings. The results showed that the best crude protein, crude fiber, crude fat, Ca, and P contents in the plant shoots was obtained by providing AMF inoculation of 15 g pot^-1. However, the treatment had no significant effect on dry weight, dry matter, and nitrogen-free extract. AMF significantly increased the uptake of heavy metals by the plant roots. The treatments did not significantly affect Pb uptake by plant roots and shoots and Hg uptake by plant shoots. AMF treatments significantly reduced the translocation factor (TF) value for Hg, bioconcentration factor (BCF) values for Cd and Pb, and removal efficiency (RE) values for Cd and Pb. AMF could effectively increase nutrient absorption in the plant shoots, reduce Cd, Hg, and Pb translocation in plant shoots, and reduce Cd, Hg, and Pb in the tailings.

Kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai adalah salah satu dari sekian banyak kabupaten di Indonesia yang bisa dikatakan masih tertinggal. Konsep daerah tertinggal kontras dengan konsep nagari madani. Universitas Andalas untuk tahun 2018 mengangkat tema KKN PPM untuk KKN Tematik NDC. Salah satunya di desa Sido Makmur, kecamatan Sipora Utara, kabupaten Kepulauan Mentawai. Sesuai dengan ketetapan pemerintah tentang otonomi daerah bahwa desa harus bisa mengolah dan mengatur sendiri pemerintahannya. Hal ini juga harus sejalan dengan pelaksaaannya bahwa harus dilaksanakan pemberdyaaan masyarakat yang ada di desa agar bisa mewujudkan program Desa Mandiri. Mahasiswa Universitas Andalas dalam pelaksanaan KKN (Kuliah Kerja Nyata) membantu mewujudkan pelaksanaan program tersebut dengan bentuk pengabdian kepada masyarakat berbekal ilmu pengetahuan yang diperoleh selama kuliah. Bekerja sama dengan berbagai lapisan elemen di masyarakat desa, seperti pemerintah desa, masyarakat, lembaga adat, kelompok pemuda, karang taruna, lemabaga pemberdayaan masyarakat (LPM), kelompok PKK dan lain sebagainya. Beberapa program kerja yang telah direncanakan berjalan baik dan lancar karena kerja sama yang terjalin. Diantaranya survei penduduk, pelatihan Microsoft Office kepada perangkat desa, penyuluhan kesehatan kepada masyarakat, sosialiasasi kepada siswa-siswi SMA tentang jurusan dan motivasi untuk melanjutkan pendidikan ke jenjang yang lebih tinggi.