The Effect of Various Sources of Biochar and Kieserite Fertilizer Application on Growth and Production of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) Plant

Abstract

Shallot is one of vegetable commodities that have an important for the community, both from the economic value and the nutritional content. This research was carried out in the paddy field of Medan Selayang Subdistrict with an altitude of +25 m above sea level, starting from April 2018 to July 2018. This research used factorial randomized block design (RBD) with two factors. Factor I was a biochar source with 3 types of biochar with a dose of 10 tons / ha, named: B1: paddy husk, B2: paddy straw and B3: oil palm empty fruit bunches. Factor II was kieserite fertilizer with 4 levels, named K0: 0 g/m², K1: 5 g/m², K2: 10 g/m² and K3: 15 g/m², hence obtained 12 treatment combinations. The resulted of statistical analysis showed that the application of various biochar sources significantly affected the height of plants aged 7 and 8 weeks after growth (wag), the number of tillers aged 3 and 7 wag and the dry weight of tubers per sample. Treatment of kieserite fertilizer has no significant effect on all parameters of observation and interaction. The application of paddy straw biochar was the best treatment, while the treatment of kieserite fertilizer with a dose of 15 g/m² was the best fertilizer application.