Ants play an important role in terrestrial ecosystems, including in organic and inorganic farmland, as predators, scavengers, and their interaction with other organism. The objectives of this study were to compare the community structure and the role of the ant in organic and inorganic farmland, and also to determine soil abiotic factors in both farmland. The study was conducted in organic and inorganic chili crop land at Batur village, Getasan, Semarang. The sampling of ants was performed using pitfall traps and bait traps, and then the ants were identified. Data analysis used is an abundance index, diversity index, evenness index, Hutchinson test and similarity index. The results showed that the number of species and the number of individual of ants in organic farm were higher (45 individuals, 8 species) than inorganic farm (35 individuals, 6 species). Diversity index of ant species in both farmlands were categorized moderate with the index value of 1.92 and 1.42. Statistically, there were no significant differences in species diversity of ants in organic and inorganic farmland. There were five dominant species in organic field and three dominant species in inorganic field. Ants that predominate in both farmlands were Iridomyrmexsp, Tetramorium sp, Solenopsisgeminata, Odontoponeradenticulata and Diacammasp. The similarity of ant communities between organic and inorganic farmland showed high value of similarity index (IS) which was 85.7%. Statistically, abiotic factors showed that there were significantly different of some abiotic factors in both farmlands, the content of carbon, phospor, organic matter and c / n ratio. Keywords: community structure of ants, agricultural ecosystems

No abstract

No abstract

Cholesterol in quail meat is one of the factors causing consumers to control consumption of quail meat. On the other hand, the antioxidant content in quail meat could attracts the consumers. Cinnamon (Cinnamomum sp.) bark and gotu kola (Centella asiatica) leaves are medicinal plants that contain many polyphenol compounds. The objective of this study was to obtain the most optimum formula made from cinnamon and gotu kola as a feed supplement to produce the quail meat which has low cholesterol but rich in antioxidants. This study used a completely randomized design which consisting of six groups with three replications. The six groups included one control (P0), 5 treatments consisted of 5% cinnamon (P1), 5% gotu kola (P2), combination of cinnamon and gotu kola powder with ratio 5%:5% (P3), 5%:10% (P4) and 10%:5% (P5). The results showed that food supplements made from cinnamon bark and gotu kola leaves could increase the body weight, antioxidant levels, and reduce cholesterol levels in quail meat. Cinnamon as feed supplement with a concentration of 5% or a combination of cinnamon and gotu kola with a ratio of 5%: 10% provided the best effect on antioxidants and cholesterol level in meat. The use of cinnamon and gotu kola supplementation to produce high antioxidant and low cholesterol of quail met have not studied yet. The result of the study would be beneficial for developing the healthy, safe and good quality of quail meat.

Nowadays, the need for medicinal plants as raw materials of traditional medicine is increasing. This study aims to determine the plant species that potential as medicine and its abundance in Penggaron Tourism Forest. Study sites were in the mixed forests and pine forests of Penggaron tourism forest. Vegetation sampling was carried out using a plot method with a size of 10 x 10 m for tree strata, 5 x 5 m for shrub strata and 1 x 1 m for grass or herbaceous strata. Each species of medicinal plant found was identified up to species level and determined their benefit. The medicinal plants found in the study site was 24 species, consisting of 15 families. The most commonly found plant species i.e., the Familia Asteraceae (Chromolaena odorata, Crassocephalum crepidiodes, and Elephantopus scaber), Malvaceae (Hibiscus tiliaceus, Sida rhombifolia, and Urena lobata) and Zingiberaceae (Alpinia galanga, Zingiber officinale, and Zingiber montanum). The habitus of found medicinal plants were 25% tree, 25% shrubs and 50% herbs/grasses. Medicinal plants in the Penggaron forest have not been widely used by people around the forest.