Agriculture & Technology RMUTI Journal

Assessment viability and storage method for tomato pollen for seed production

2024-12-06T12:31:05+07:00

Tomato is an important economic vegetable crop. In the breeding process to develop new varieties and in the production of hybrid tomato seeds, high-quality pollen must be used. It is essential for the pollen to undergo an initial quality assessment prior to pollination. This study investigated a suitable dye for rapid assessment of tomato pollen viability, evaluated pollen germination by determining the optimal sucrose concentration to induce germination, and examined appropriate storage temperatures to extend pollen longevity. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments and five replications. The results showed that 1% Acetocarmine was the most effective dye for distinguishing between viable and non-viable tomato pollen, with clear staining achieved in just 10 minutes. The optimal sucrose solution for inducing pollen germination was found to be 20%, resulting in the highest germination rate of 67.50%. Pollen stored at –20°C remained viable for up to 30 days, retaining 100% viability and a germination rate of 22.5%. When this stored pollen was used for pollination, the resulting fruit set was 42.27%, with an average fresh fruit weight of 26.50 grams per fruit and an average seed weight of 0.09 g/fruit. The seeds had a high germination rate of 99%. Therefore, the developed pollen preservation method can be effectively applied to tomato breeding programs and hybrid seed production in the future.

The effect of BA (6-benzyladenine) and coconut water on the growth of variegated red duckweed (Alternanthera reineckii ‘rosanervig’) in vitro

2025-01-08T13:57:17+07:00

This study investigated the effects of cytokinin on the growth of red duckweed Alternanthera reineckii ‘rosanervig’ using tissue culture techniques. Explants from the bud and stem sections were cultured on MS (Murashige and Skoog) medium supplemented with the growth regulator BA (6-benzyladenine) at concentrations of 0, 1, 2, and 4 mg/L, combined with coconut water at 0%, 10%, and 15%, resulting in 12 experimental conditions. Tissue cultures were maintained in a controlled environment at a temperature of 25±2°C with a light intensity of 3,000 lux for 8 hours per day over 28 days. The results revealed that the addition of 10% coconut water combined with BA at 1, 2, and 4 mg/L did not significantly increase the average number of leaves per plant (p>0.05) (23.33±9.79, 22.83±9.91, and 27.83±2.48 leaves per plant, respectively). Furthermore, the addition of coconut water at 0–15% and BA at 0–4 mg/L had no significant effect on leaf length or plant height (p>0.05). Coconut water at 10% alone induced the highest number of roots (10.33±4.03 roots) and root length (1.13±0.32 cm). The medium supplemented with 10% coconut water and 4 mg/L BA resulted in the highest number of shoots (8.00±2.61 shoots per plant). However, morphological evaluation revealed that these shoots appeared as callus-like structures, with stunted growth and poorly developed roots that did not adhere well to the medium. In contrast, plants grown on medium supplemented with 10% coconut water alone exhibited robust roots, bright red leaves, and smooth, non-brittle foliage. Therefore, the optimal tissue culture condition for propagating A. reineckii ‘rosanervig’ under aseptic conditions for export purposes is the use of 10% coconut water as a growth regulator in MS medium.

A review on the ethnobotany of exotic species in Thailand III: Tamarindus indica L. (Fabaceae)

2025-01-22T13:28:46+07:00

This review explored the ethnobotanical uses of tamarind (Tamarindus indica L.: Fabaceae), an exotic species with a longstanding presence in Thailand. The study synthesized 199 use-reports from 42 references spanning 1995 to 2022, revealing its multifaceted roles in traditional medicine, food, and other applications across 16 ethnic groups. The plant is most commonly employed for treating digestive system disorders but also finds use in women's healthcare and combating infections. To understand its widespread use, we evaluated three hypotheses: availability, diversification, and versatility. The plant's ubiquity, due in part to its 700-year presence in Thailand, substantiates the availability hypothesis. Although the diversification hypothesis is less compelling in this context due to the existence of other species treating similar ailments, the versatility hypothesis was strongly supported by the plant's broad application across various domains. The review underscores the need for future phytochemical and ethnopharmacological studies to understand T. indica's medicinal efficacy better. It also suggests leveraging ethnobotanical knowledge for community-based conservation efforts.

Artificial intelligence for waste sorting using applied deep learning models

2025-02-06T16:12:25+07:00

This research aimed to develop and apply an artificial intelligence system for waste classification by utilizing deep learning technology to analyze and categorize various types of waste. Specifically, it employed Convolutional Neural Networks (CNN), a highly efficient technique for image processing, through a no-code deep learning platform, which facilitates easier development of deep learning models. The research process was divided into three main stages: data collection, model training, and model testing. A total of 2,000 waste images were collected, categorized into four main types: general waste, organic or wet waste, recyclable waste, and hazardous waste. These images were used to train and test the waste classification model. The experimental results demonstrated that the system could classify waste types with an average accuracy as high as 91.5%. The system achieved the highest efficiency in classifying general and recyclable waste with an accuracy of up to 100%, and the lowest efficiency in classifying hazardous waste with an accuracy of 86%.

Effects of animal manure and bagasse compost on growth and yield of Chinese Everest hybrid radish

2025-01-08T15:44:38+07:00

Research on the Effects of animal manure and bagasse compost on growth and yield of Everest hybrid radish. The experimental design adopted was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with 5 treatments; Treatment 1: chemical fertilizer formula 16-16-16 and chemical fertilizer formula 13-13-21, Treatment 2: sugarcane bagasse mixed with chicken manure, Treatment 3: Fermented sugarcane bagasse with cow manure, Treatment 4: sugarcane bagasse composted with pig manure, and Treatment 5: sugarcane bagasse fermented with goat manure. The results demonstrated that Treatment 1, chemical fertilizer formula 16-16-16 and chemical fertilizer formula 13-13-21, was the most effective. It resulted in the highest average yield weight in grams per head of 813 grams per head (41 kilograms per plot and 6,560 kilograms per rai). Also, the diameter and the average length of the head were 7.11 centimeters and 29.68 centimeters, respectively, which were not statistically different from other treatments. Everest hybrid radish treated with chemical fertilizers received complete and consistent nutrients, resulting in good growth and productivity. However, the use of chemical fertilizers may cause environmental impacts in the future.

Effects of using crude glycerin replacement for ground corn on growth efficiency, digestibility of nutrients and energy, and change of gastrointestinal tract in poultry

2025-02-06T16:29:44+07:00

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the utilization of crude glycerin in replacement for ground corn on the growth performance, nutrient and energy digestibility, and the change of digestive tract. This study was divided into two experiments. The first experiment was a study on the growth performance by using mixed-gender eighty-four Thai indigenous chickens with an average age of 11 weeks. The second study focused on nutrients and energy digestibility and conducted using mixed-gender thirty Thai indigenous chickens with an average age of 7 weeks. The study on the change of digestive tract was used mixed genders twenty-four Thai indigenous chickens with an average age of 8 weeks. The experiments were assigned using completely randomized design. The levels of crude glycerin in the diet at 0, 4, and 8% resulted in no significant difference on the overall growth performance and production cost. However, during the second week of the experiment, the use of 8% crude glycerin affected the growth of the chicken including the decreases of the average daily gain, fat intake, crude fiber intake while truly digestible crude fiber increased. Meanwhile, truly digestible carbohydrate, nitrogen intake, and nitrogen balance declined. In addition, the utilization of crude glycerin at 4 and 8% in diet significantly increased the crop weight but the right ceca weight and liver length were decreased.

The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on semen quality and fertility rate in native chicken

2025-03-04T15:06:53+07:00

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of vitamin E supplementation on semen quality and fertility rate in Thai native chickens. The experiment was divided into two parts as follows: Part 1: The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on semen quality. Twelve Thai native roosters aged 1–2 years were used. Semen was collected twice a week for 12 weeks. The roosters were divided into three treatment groups receiving dietary vitamin E at levels of 0, 50, and 100 mg/kg of feed. The results showed that forward motility, sperm viability, and semen concentration were significantly higher in all vitamin E-supplemented groups compared to the control group (p<0.05). The percentage of abnormal sperm was significantly lower in all vitamin E-supplemented groups (p<0.05). Moreover, the semen volume was highest in the group supplemented with 100 mg/kg of vitamin E. Part 2: The effect of dietary vitamin E supplementation on fertility rate. Thirty-six Thai native hens aged 8–12 months were used. They were divided into three treatment groups receiving vitamin E at levels of 0, 50, and 100 mg/kg of feed. Each group was inseminated with semen obtained from roosters that had been supplemented with the same level of vitamin E. The study found that the fertility rate and hatchability of fertile eggs were significantly higher in the group supplemented with 100 mg/kg of vitamin E (p<0.05), while the percentage of embryonic mortality was the lowest. In conclusion, the results of this study indicate that vitamin E supplementation enhances reproductive performance in both male and female Thai native chickens.

Efficacy of fungicides for controlling anthracnose disease on durian flowers caused by Colletotrichum gloeosporioides (CGD 5)

2025-03-06T22:15:05+07:00

Anthracnose disease in durian flowers has severely harmed farmers. The disease can cause durian flowers to dry out and fall off, leading to a direct impact on durian production. Therefore, it is essential to find preventive measures that can help reduce the problem of anthracnose disease in durian flowers. This research aimed to study the effectiveness of five types of fungicides: Carbendazim, Prochloraz, Hymexazol, Pyraclostrobin, and Difenoconazole + Azoxystrobin; in controlling anthracnose disease in durian flowers caused by the fungus Colletotrichum gloeosporioides. The fungal pathogen was first isolated from durian flower that showed the symptoms of the disease. After isolating the fungus and conducting molecular classification, it was identified as the fungus C. gloeosporioides, with five isolates namely: CGD1, CGD2, CGD3, CGD4, and CGD5. These were then tested for pathogenicity on durian flowers at two stages: the "bracelet" stage and the "yellow flower" stage. Results indicated that the CGD5 isolate caused the most severe disease, with an infection rate of 100%. Subsequently, tests were conducted with five types of fungicides using the agar well diffusion method. It was found that two fungicides, Carbendazim and Prochloraz, effectively controlled the C. gloeosporioides, inhibiting the growth of the pathogen by approximately 75-80%. When the pathogen treated with Prochloraz was observed under the microscope, abnormalities in the fungal hyphae of C. gloeosporioides (CGD5) were noted, showing swelling, expansion, and distortion. In conclusion, the experiment determined that Carbendazim and Prochloraz are the most suitable fungicides for controlling anthracnose disease in durian flowers.

Development of 5-Unit IoT-based Electricity Meters

2025-03-06T18:18:47+07:00

The development of five-unit IoT-based (Internet of Things) electricity meters aimed to design, evaluate, and verify their characteristics, also to develop a data transmission system to the cloud and display the information via a dashboard. The developed electricity meters could measure electrical quantities using the PZEM-004T v3.0 energy measurement module and transmit data to an ESP32 board for processing before sending it to the cloud via an internet network. The electricity meters operated at a voltage of 230V to power the circuit. The research results indicated that the five IoT-based electricity meters, utilizing PZEM-004T energy measurement modules and communicating via the Modbus protocol, could accurately measure electrical quantities, including voltage (V), current (A), power (W), frequency (Hz), power factor (PF), and energy consumption (Wh). The measurement errors observed were ±0.16% for voltage, ±0.91% for current, and ±0.80% for power. All were within the accuracy standard limit set by the Provincial Electricity Authority at ±2.5% error for the meter installed in lower than 33 kV voltage system. Additionally, data transmission to the cloud and the dashboard display was accurate and real-time precise. In conclusion, the development of five-unit IoT-based electricity meters demonstrated acceptable measurement accuracy and reliable data presentation through the dashboard. Historical electricity consumption data could be accessed via a web browser, and the data could be utilized for analysis and management purposes.

Determination of appropriate design and standard construction price of small agricultural product buying-selling building in Thailand

2025-04-17T14:07:45+07:00

This research aimed to (1) study and explore the demand for design and pricing models of small-scale agricultural product buying-selling building; (2) establish guidelines for designing such buildings to align with the needs of the target groups; and (3) determine standardized construction costs corresponding to the proposed building designs. The study integrated theoretical concepts on architectural design and construction costs and utilized quantitative data collected from 110 farmers in Chanthaburi Province and qualitative data from at least 18 key informants, including experts, academics, construction business operators, and government officials, selected through purposive sampling. The research instruments comprised (1) a structured quantitative questionnaire and (2) in-depth interviews. Quantitative data were analyzed using statistical software, while qualitative data were examined through descriptive analysis. The findings revealed that: (1) the design and pricing requirements encompassed key elements such as usable area, column structure, flooring, wall characteristics, roof structure, cost per square meter, and restroom design, all of which show consistent demand trends; (2) farmers' perspectives indicated that architectural design, financial investment, economic returns, and functional aspects are critical factors influencing demand at the highest level. Based on this study, the appropriate design and standardized construction cost for Thailand's small-scale agricultural product buying-selling building should prioritize farmers' practical needs and functionality, cost-effectiveness, and long-term value. Furthermore, compliance with relevant regulations and industry standards is essential to enhance the buildings' efficiency and sustainability.

Design of experiment for evaluation the optical condition in deodorizing charcoal forming from mangosteen peel

2025-05-21T15:22:25+07:00

Mangosteen peel odor-absorbing charcoal adds value to agricultural waste, aligning with the circular economy and supporting community products through the One Tambon One Product initiative (OTOP). However, due to the trial-and-error methods used by OTOP groups, quality control is inconsistent, leading to mold growth caused by high moisture content. This research aimed to address this problem by investigating factors affecting moisture levels and identifying the optimal formulation through an experimental design involving three factors: starch type (Tapioca starch and rice flour), mixing ratio (80, 100, and 120 grams), and aging time (8, 10, and 12 hours), with three experimental replicates. The results revealed that only aging time significantly influenced moisture content at a 95% confidence level with an error margin of 5%, and the best formulation consists of 800 grams of mangosteen peel, 100 grams of rice flour, and aging time of 12 hours.