The Effects of Phosphorus Fertilizer and Initial Cutting on The Vigority and Quality of Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)

Abstract

Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) is a herbaceous legume, which has high protein content but still very rarely cultivated in Indonesia. This research was conducted to know the effects of phosphorus fertilizer and initial cutting on plant vigority and quality of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.). This research used Factorial Completely Randomize Design. For a four mounth fertilizing trial, a total of 60 plants of alfalfa were allotted to 15 treatments. The treatments were divided into 2 factors, fertilizing of phospor, and initial cutting. Factor A were 0 kg P/ha, 30 kg P/ha, 60 kg P/ha, 90 kg P/ha, 180 kg P/ha. Factor B were 60 days, 80 days, 100 days. Statistical analysis were conducted using ANOVA. When indicated a significant effect (p<0.05), the Duncan test was used. These result showed that fertilizing of phospor did not have significant effects on all variances (dry matter, vertical growth, crude protein, and crude fiber). Initial cutting (days 100) had significant effect in dry matter and vertical height.

Hijauan pakan merupakan salah satu faktor penting dalam budidaya ternak ruminansia. Hijauan pakan berkualitas tinggi sebagai salah satu bahan baku ransum ternak ruminansia semakin dibutuhkan mengingat harga konsentrat yang mahal. Salah satu upaya pengadaan hijauan pakan berkualitas tinggi yaitu dengan cara mengintroduksi hijauan yang memiliki kandungan nutrisi yang cukup tinggi, salah satunya yaitu alfalfa tropis. Salah satu prinsip manajemen yang diterapkan pada budidaya hijauan makanan ternak tak terkecuali adalah mengupayakan vigoritas (ketegaran) pertumbuhan awal yang prima, sebagai basis pertumbuhan kembali (regrowth) yang kuat ketika dilakukan pemanenan berkali-kali dalam jangka waktu yang panjang.