Pengaruh Mulsa Organik dan Kepadatan Cacing Tanah Terhadap Sifat Fisik Dystrudepts pada Pertanaman Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Oil palm cultivation in Riau is done mostly on Dystrudepts. Dystrudepts have several problems such as low pH, low organic matter content, high bulk & particle density. One of curative solution is by applying organic mulch and earthworms. This research aims to identify organic mulch, earthworms density, and its interaction while determining the best treatment combination that can fix Dystrudepts physical properties on oil palm. It was conducted at experimental garden and soil science laboratorium of Riau University Agriculture Faculty for three months from December 2019 to March 2020. Method applied for this research was 3x4 factorial experiment using Split Plot Design by Randomized Block Design as its basic. Observed parameter contained of several soil physical properties such as bulk density, particle density, pore space total, water content, permeability and infiltration rate. Data from variance analysis was tested by using Least Significance Different test on 5% value. The result showed that Mucuna bracteata produced less bulk & particle density while producing greater pore space total, permeability, and infiltration rate than oil palm fruit bunch and fronds. Earthworms density of 65 worms per square meter produced less bulk & particle and greater pore space total, water content, permeability, and infiltration rate than other earthworms density. The combination of both resulted on lower bulk & particle density while having greater pore space total, permeability, and infiltration rate than other treatment.

Keywords: Dystrudepts, physical properties, organic mulch, earthworms