Journal of the Austrian Society of Agricultural Economics (JASAE)

Abstract : Postharvest quality of eggplant fruit diminishes rapidly after harvest especially if placed or displayed in inappropriate storages which is very evident in local markets of Samar. Calcium as major element needed by plants, it is reported to promote postharvest qualities of vegetables. A study was arranged in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) to evaluate the effects of calcium derived from organic source (eggshell and “kohol” shell) and chemical fertilizer (calcium nitrate) on the postharvest qualities, horticultural characteristics and yield components of eggplant. Results showed that yield components and growth parameters in terms of height was enhanced applied with different source of calcium (calcium nitrate, eggshell, “kohol” shell) compared to control while the days to flower initiation, number of flowers and leaves were not significantly different. Postharvest qualities of fruits was improved in plants treated with calcium. Weight loss was minimal in plants applied with calcium nitrate. Carbon dioxide percentage and respiration rate were also minimal in plants applied with calcium wherein calcium nitrate had the least CO2 production (0.37 to 0.13 %) and respiration rate (0.0275 to 0.0148 %). Visual quality appearance and firmness of fruits was prolonged with application of calcium both organic and inorganic compared. Results suggests that calcium application could improve the growth, yield, postharvest qualities of fruits and eventually the storage/shelf life..
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Abstract : Correlation between the structure and some properties of Dendrocalamus barbatus is an important scientific basis for evaluating and explaining its variation with age and height position. This study has determined the correlation between the structure and some physical and mechanical properties. The template method was used to determine the density variation, bundle area, bundle size, and fiber dissociation method to determine fiber length. Also, the method of determining the mechanical properties of small samples was used to determine fluctuations in the physical and mechanical properties of Dendrocalamus barbatus. The results of experiments and correlation analysis showed that the variation in bundle density, bundle area, fiber length is similar to that of the physical and mechanical properties. The bundle area is a factor that correlates very closely with the properties with a significant correlation with the properties such as: density at 12% moisture (R2 = 88.4%), basic density (R2 = 88.6%), sample moisture (R2 = 81.5%), grain longitudinal compressive strength (R2 = 95.2%), modulus of rupture (MOR) (R2 = 97.3%), modulus of elasticity (MOE) in static bending (R2 = 67.2%), longitudinal shear strength (R2 = 62.1%)..
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Abstract : This study conducted at Buhangin, Malite, Davao del Sur to come up with a technology on propagating with Dao shoot cuttings. The treatments were laid-out in a two factorial Complete Randomized Design (CRD) with three replications supplied with different kinds of Auxin (Factor A) and Various Auxin Concentrations (Factor B). The auxins were IBA, IAA and NAA. The concentrations were as follows: C1-10 ppm; C2- 250 ppm; C3-500 ppm; C4-750 ppm and C5- 1000 ppm. Result of the study showed that there were highly significant differences on rooting percentage, the number of roots and the length of root of Dao shoot cuttings. Cutting treated with IBA obtained the highest rooting percentage, most number of roots and had the longest roots produced. Application of varying auxin at a concentration of at 1000 ppm significantly increased the rooting percentage, most number of roots and had the longest roots produced. There was a highly significantly difference on the interaction of the of Auxin at varying concentration. This implies that application of kind of auxin at varying significantly improved the rooting performance of Dao orthotropic shoot cuttings.
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Abstract : Despite potential benefits of precision agriculture (PA) to improve profitability of small-scale farmers, adoption of PA in small farms is extremely low in Thailand. The purpose of this paper is to explore factors that affect the smallholder’s interest in investing in PA technology, focusing on variable rate technology (VRT). The survey data of 155 small-scale farmers are used in the analysis. Farmers were asked to state their interest in VRT investment from the scenario that government provides a subsidy, and the respondent would pay for the remaining cost of VRT installation. Results from the bivariate logit model have shown that factors that significantly influence the likelihood of VRT investment are perceived usefulness and worthiness of VRT, confidence to use VRT, concerns on environmentally friendly production, use of agricultural mobile application and farm size. Family labor, old-aged farmers and types of major crop production are found to be insignificant. In addition, the intention rate to invest falls dramatically if the amount of government subsidy declined. Higher amount of government subsidy is needed to induce the VRT adoption for small-scale farmers. This study suggests policy implications such as increasing the awareness of VRT usefulness and worthiness and environmentally friendly production, promoting the use of mobile application, and providing training and capacity building to use VRT..
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Abstract : Environmental protection is everyone’s responsibility but who will ultimately bear the burden? Environmental intervention protection program usually involves stakeholders in order to facilitate its mechanism to conserve the ecosystem. The principle payment for ecosystem services posits that upland dwellers (farmers) will be compensated to shift from its traditional land use practice to sustainable farming technology. The compensation however will be from lowland ecosystem beneficiaries (water users). This paper aimed to determine if the compensation or incentive provided will affect upland farmer’s participation in payment for ecosystem services (PES) program as an additional source of income. Social and human capital, farm characteristics and environmental awareness and membership in organization were subject to multinomial logit regression. The analyses show that neither land tenure, agroecosystem, offered bid amount and off farm income predicts the willingness to accept land use change among upland farmers. Apparently, upland farmers where majority are living below the poverty threshold are the ones bearing the brunt of the environmental protection activity while receiving less than there supposed monetary incentives based on ecosystem value. Nevertheless, awareness as ecosystem service provider appears to be significant predictor in enrolling to the program. Hence upland farmers should always be involved in planning for environmental management and protection..
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