Pengaruh ZeomicAgro terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Tanaman Jagung (Zea mays L.) pada Latosol Dramaga

Abstract

Latosol memiliki tingkat kesuburan tanah rendah dengan pH masam, kapasitas tukar kation (KTK) sedang, dan C-Organik sedang sehingga membuat tanaman kesulitan mendapatkan nutrisi yang diperlukan untuk pertumbuhan optimal. Oleh sebab itu, diperlukan upaya meningkatkan kesuburan tanah melalui perbaikan sifat-sifat kimia dan fisika tanah. Pemupukan dapat meningkatkan kesuburan, namun diperlukan juga bahan pembenah tanah untuk memperbaiki sifatsifat kimia dan fisika tanah. ZeomicAgro adalah inovasi bahan pembenah tanah yang mengkombinasikan zeolit, humat, dan kapur. ZeomicAgro diharapkan dapat memperbaiki sifat-sifat kimia dan fisika tanah sehingga menjadi lebih sesuai bagi pertumbuhan tanaman. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mengetahui pengaruh ZeomicAgro terhadap sifat-sifat kimia tanah, kadar hara pada daun jagung, pertumbuhan dan produksi tanaman jagung (Zea mays L.). Penelitian dilakukan di kebun percobaan Cikabayan, Institut Pertanian Bogor, Kabupaten Bogor pada September 2023 sampai dengan Maret 2024. Penelitian ini menggunakan Rancangan Acak Lengkap (RAL) satu faktor dengan 4 perlakuan, yaitu (1) standar, tanpa ZeomicAgro dengan NPK 400 kg/ha, (2) ZeomicAgro 100 kg/ha dan NPK 300 kg/ha, (3) ZeomicAgro 200 kg/ha dan NPK 300 kg/ha, (4) ZeomicAgro 300 kg/ha dan NPK 300 kg/ha. Tanaman indikator yang digunakan adalah jagung hibrida BISI-816. Parameter yang diamati berupa sifat-sifat kimia tanah (pH, KTK, C-organik, daya hantar listrik, P-tersedia, Al-dd, kejenuhan Al, K-tersedia, N-NH4, dan N-NO3), kadar hara (N, P, dan K) pada daun, pertumbuhan, dan produktivitas tanaman. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan pemberian bahan pembenah tanah ZeomicAgro sebesar 200 kg/ha dan NPK 300 kg/ha cenderung memperbaiki pertumbuhan serta produksi tanaman jagung dari 2,81 ton/ha bobot pipil kering menjadi 2,89 ton/ha bobot pipil kering. Pemberian ZeomicAgro cenderung memperbaiki sifat-sifat kimia tanah yaitu pH, KTK, C-organik, daya hantar listrik, P-tersedia, Al-dd, kejenuhan aluminium, K-tersedia, amonium (N-NH4) dan nitrat(N-NO3) serta kandungan hara N, P, K pada tanaman jagung.

Latosol has low soil fertility with acidic soil reaction, moderate cation exchange capacity (CEC), and moderate organic carbon (Organic-C), making it difficult for plants to obtain necessary nutrients for optimal growth. Therefore, efforts are needed to improve soil fertility through enhancing its chemical and physical properties. Fertilization can enhance fertility, but soil ameliorant is also necessary to improve soil chemical and physical properties. ZeomicAgro is an innovative soil ameliorant material that combines zeolite, humate, and lime. ZeomicAgro is expected to improve soil chemical and physical properties, making it more conducive for plant growth. This research aims to determine the effects of ZeomicAgro on soil chemical properties, plant nutrient levels, growth, and production of corn plants (Zea mays L.). The study was conducted at the Cikabayan experimental field, Bogor Regency, from September 2023 to March 2024. A completely randomized design (CRD) with one factor and four treatments were employed: (1) standard, without ZeomicAgro but with NPK at 400 kg/ha, (2) ZeomicAgro at 100 kg/ha and NPK at 300 kg/ha, (3) ZeomicAgro at 200 kg/ha and NPK at 300 kg/ha, and (4) ZeomicAgro at 300 kg/ha and NPK at 300 kg/ha. The indicator plant used was BISI-816 hybrid corn. Parameters observed included soil chemical properties such as pH, CEC, organic-C, electrical conductivity (EC), available-P, exchangeable-Al, Al saturation, available-K, ammonium-nitrogen (N-NH4) and nitrate-nitrogen (N-NO3), plant nutrient levels (N, P, and K), growth, and plant production. The research results showed that the application of ZeomicAgro soil amendment at a rate of 200 kg/ha and NPK 300 kg/ha tends to improve the growth and yield of corn, increasing dry shelled weight from 2.81 tons/ha to 2.89 tons/ha. The application of ZeomicAgro also tends to improve soil chemical properties such as pH, CEC, Organic-C, EC, available-P, exchangeable-Al, Al saturation, available-K, N-NH4, and N-NO3, as well as the nutrient content of N, P, and K in corn plants.