YRU Journal of Science and Technology

Analysis of Physical Environmental Factors in Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) Rearing Systems in Chana District, Songkhla Province

2026-01-14T15:13:59+07:00

Zebra Dove (Geopelia striata) farming is an important community economic activity that faces challenges from both internal and external environment factors, particularly physical environment factors. This research aims to analyze the physical environment factors affecting Zebra Dove farming in Chana District, Songkhla Province. The study utilized a quantitative approach, collecting data from five sample farms located in five main zones of Chana District during two seasons: the rainy season and the summer season. Relative humidity, temperature, dust levels, light intensity, and noise level were measured. The findings revealed that the physical environmental conditions for Zebra Dove keeping included a temperature range of 26–30°C, relative humidity of 70–85%, light intensity of approximately 200–1,000 lux, noise levels not exceeding 60 decibels, and dust concentration not exceeding 0.15 milligrams per cubic meter. Farms in Ban Khu and Na Thap demonstrated the most suitable environmental quality, as their conditions were highly consistent with the recommended standards for poultry management in tropical regions, particularly regarding noise levels and dust concentration, which remained low and positively contributed to the welfare of zebra doves. In contrast, farms in Ban Na Tin and Khok Ma required improvements in dust and noise management. The findings suggest three key measures for sustainable Zebra Dove farming: establishing environmental standards, adopting real-time monitoring technology, and ensuring proper farm environment management.

Genetic Parameters of Carcass Composition and Meat Quality Traits in Betong Chicken

2025-12-31T22:07:08+07:00

Genetic development for body weight traits in Betong chickens should consider carcass composition and meat quality because of their preferred meat and skin quality. This study aimed to estimate genetic parameters for carcass composition and meat quality traits in Betong chickens. The data were collected from 583 progeny and 626 pedigree records were used in this study. Variance and covariance components were analyzed using a multi-trait animal model via the Restricted Maximum Likelihood (REML) method. The results showed that the estimates of heritability for percent of pectoralis major weight, percent of pectoralis minor weight, percent of drumstick weight, percent of thigh weight, percent of wing weight, lightness, redness, yellowness, and percent of cooking loss, were 0.56, 0.87, 0.47, 0.37, 0.38, 0.14, 0.12, 0.03, and 0.19, respectively. The genetic correlation between the percent of thigh weight and percent of cooking loss was high and negative (-0.78). Whereas, the genetic correlation between the percent of pectoralis major weight and yellowness was high and positive (0.82). Genetic correlations among carcass composition and meat quality traits had large standard errors. Therefore, the breeding schemes of Betong chicken should be carefully planned to allow for improved by selection for all traits.

Concentration of Primary, Secondary, and Micronutrient Elements in Different Parts of ‘Hom Thong’ Banana (Musa AAA Group)

2026-01-28T20:07:22+07:00

Hom Thong banana is a significant economic crop in Thailand. However, there is limited information regarding nutrient accumulation patterns within its various plant parts, which is essential for effective fertilizer management and the efficient utilization of plant residues. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the nutrient accumulation in different parts of Hom Thong banana at the 9-month harvest stages from a plantation in Saitong Subdistrict, Chaiburi District, Surat Thani Province. A total of 30 harvest-ready plants were randomly selected from three rows, and the experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four treatments: (1) pseudo stem, (2) leaf, (3) fruit, and (4) banana blossom. The results showed that nutrient accumulation varied significantly among plant parts (p < 0.05). In the pseudo stem, macronutrient concentrations were highest for K (4.33%), while the micronutrients were dominated by Mn (492.21 mg/kg). In the leaves, K was also highest (2.71%) with Mn (1,107.78 mg/kg) being the most abundant micronutrient. In the fruit, K was highest (2.28%) among micronutrients, Fe was highest (105.51 mg/kg). In the banana blossom, K was highest (5.77%), while Mn (396.23 mg/kg) was the dominant micronutrient.

Chemical Composition, Antioxidant and Anticancer Activities of Essential Oils from the Pericarp of Zanthoxylum rhetsa

2026-02-20T12:42:03+07:00

Makhwaen (Zanthoxylum rhetsa) is a Thai indigenous medicinal plant widely used in traditional practices. However, scientific information on essential oils derived from the fruit pericarp in western Thailand remains limited. This study aimed to analyze the chemical composition of essential oil extracted from the fruit pericarp of Z. rhetsa collected from Nong Ya Plong District, Phetchaburi Province, evaluate its antioxidant activity, investigate its anticancer effects against human colorectal cancer (HT-29) and liver cancer (HepG2) cell lines, and assess its safety toward normal cells. The essential oil was obtained by hydrodistillation, and its chemical composition was analyzed using gas chromatography–mass spectrometry (GC–MS). Antioxidant activity was determined using the DPPH radical scavenging assay, while cytotoxicity was evaluated using the MTT assay. The results showed that the essential oil yield was 1.42% (w/w), and a total of 25 compounds were identified. The major constituents were sabinene (42.45±1.21%) and terpinen-4-ol (12.76±0.14%), indicating a sabinene-dominant chemotype, which differs from reports in other regions of Thailand. This finding highlights the influence of geographical factors on secondary metabolite biosynthesis. The essential oil exhibited moderate antioxidant activity with an IC₅₀ value of 36.23±1.47 mg/mL. It also demonstrated dose-dependent inhibitory effects on HT-29 (IC₅₀= 147.80±1.33 µg/mL) and HepG2 cells (IC₅₀ = 125.58 ±1.64 µg/mL), with HepG2 cells being more sensitive. Notably, no cytotoxicity was observed against normal fibroblast cells within the tested concentration range (6.25-200 µg/mL). These findings suggest that the essential oil from the fruit pericarp of Z. rhetsa is a promising source of bioactive terpenes with antioxidant and anticancer properties, along with preliminary safety toward normal cells. This study supports the scientific utilization of Thai indigenous medicinal plants and their potential development into sustainable health-related products.

Assessment of the Growth, Diversity, Ecosystem Services, and Value of Fruit Trees and Perennial Trees in Agroforestry Systems

2025-12-03T00:40:40+07:00

Farmers in the southern region prefer to grow fruit trees and perennial trees together in an agroecosystem. To assess the value and ecosystem services alongside the utilization of fruit trees and perennial trees planted in the southern agroforestry system, a survey of plant diversity was conducted, together with an evaluation of the value of each plant species. It was found that plant groups can be classified according to their use into three groups: fruit trees, local vegetables, and utility trees. The total diversity was 20 families and 33 species. High-value plants in the fruit trees and perennial trees, with high value per area, include Monthong durian (60,000 baht per year), local durian (8,000–16,000 baht per year), longkong (4,000–12,000 baht per year), Siamese rosewood (100,000 baht per year), and golden teak (40,000–80,000 baht per year). In terms of ecosystem services, it was found that the ability to absorb carbon dioxide and produce oxygen was quite similar in both fruit trees and utility trees. The ability to absorb carbon dioxide was 5.43 and 5.82 tons per rai per year, respectively, while the ability to produce oxygen was 14.50 and 15.54 tons per rai per year, respectively. This study shows that the integrated fruit tree agroforestry system in the southern region not only maximizes land-use efficiency but also creates value from the plants cultivated together in the agroforestry and low-carbon agricultural systems, sustainably benefiting farmers’ agricultural ecosystems.