THE USE OF Sphagneticola trilobata L. AND Melastoma affine D. COMPOSTS TO IMPROVE CERTAIN SOIL CHEMICAL PROPERTIES AND SWEET CORN GROWTH AND YIELD
Authors: Yanuavitha Triana Eka Suci, Zainal Muktamar, Fahrurrozi Fahrurrozi, Nanik Setyowati, Kartika Putri Utami, Hesti Pujiwati and Alnopri
Yanuavitha Triana Eka Suci: Agroecotechnology Study Program, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Zainal Muktamar: Departement of Soil Science, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Fahrurrozi Fahrurrozi: Departement of Crop Production, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Nanik Setyowati: Departement of Crop Production, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Kartika Putri Utami: Departement of Soil Science, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Hesti Pujiwati: Departement of Crop Production, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
Alnopri: Departement of Crop Production, University of Bengkulu, Indonesia.
ABSTRACT
Crop productivity can be limited by the poor availability of nutrients from soil degradation due to the prolonged and excessive use of synthetic fertilizers. Weed-based organic fertilizers offer a sustainable solution to improve soil fertility in degraded lands. This study was aimed to investigate the chemical properties of selected soils after weed compost application and determine the most effective type of weed-based compost and identify the optimal dose of compost made from Sphagneticola trilobata L. Pruski and Melastoma affine D. Don to improve growth and yield of sweet corn. The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design. The treatments were consisted of application dosages of weed-based compost S. trilobata L. (S) and M. affine D (M); S0 (control/no treatment), S1 (10 tons/ha), S2 (20 tons/ha), S3 (30 tons/ha), M1 (10 tons/ha), M2 (20 tons/ha), and M3 (30 tons/ha). Results indicated that applying weed compost significantly improved soil properties, including total N, organic C, available P, exchangeable Ca, and soil pH, compared to the unfertilized plot. Likewise, soil treated with S. trilobata L. compost (S) exhibited a higher content of total N, available P, exchangeable Ca, exchangeable Mg, and pH than soil treated with M. affine D. (M) compost. The use of weed composts also significantly enhanced sweet corn growth and yield and S. trilobata L. compost demonstrated superior performance over M. affine D. compost. A weed compost application rate of 10 tons/ha was sufficiently effective to increase sweet corn growth and yield. These findings highlighted the potential of utilizing weed-derived composts as a sustainable approach to soil fertility management and crop production.
Keywords: Compost, Inceptisols, Melastoma affine, Sphagneticola trilobata, Sustainable agriculture.