The Effect of Corn Compost and NPK Fertilizer on The Growth and Production of Shallot Plants (Allium ascalonicum L.) Ardian
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Riau University
Abstract
Red onion (Allium ascalonicum L.) is a horticultural commodity that people need as cooking spices and medicines. Efforts to increase shallot production can be done by adding organic material to the soil, by applying corn compost which can increase the cation exchange capacity (CEC) of the soil so that it can provide more nutrients. Another effort that can be made is adding nutrients that plants need in their vegetative and generative growth processes. This effort can be done by applying NPK fertilizer. This research aims to determine the interaction of corn compost and NPK fertilizer, as well as to obtain the best treatment combination. This research is a factorial experiment prepared using a completely randomized design (CRD) consisting of 2 factors, namely corn compost and NPK fertilizer dosage. Factor I: Corn compost consisting of 4 levels, namely: K0 = no corn compost, K1 = 15 t.ha corn compost-1, K2 = 20 t.ha corn compost-1 and K3 = 25 t.ha corn compost-1. Factor II: Dose of NPK fertilizer consisting of 3 levels, namely: N1 = NPK 300 kg.ha-1, N2 = NPK 400 kg.ha- 1, dan N3 = NPK 500 kg.ha-1. From the two treatments, 12 combinations were obtained, with 3 repetitions and 36 experimental units. Data from the analysis of variance were further tested using Duncan^s multiple range test at the 5% level. The research results showed that the combination of corn compost with 15 t.ha-1 and NPK fertilizer at a dose of 400 kg.ha-1 increase plant height, number of leaves, speed up harvest time, increase fresh tuber weight per plant, fresh tuber weight per plot and storable tuber weight per plot.
