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This research aimed to determine the effectiveness of several types of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) derived from plant waste and the dose of P fertilizer on the growth and yield of upland rice on degraded acid soil. The treatments consisted of two factors. The first factor (A) was several types of LOF consisting of A1 (control), A2 (LOF containing isolates of P-solubilizing bacteria), A3 (LOF-banana waste), and A4 (A2+A3). The second factor (B) was fertilizer doses consisting of B1 (50% of the recommended dose of P fertilizer), B2 (75% of the recommended dose of P fertilizer), and B3 (100% of the recommended dose of P fertilizer). The treatment combinations were arranged in a factorial randomized block design with three replications. The research results showed that applying either LOF-banana waste or the mixture of LOF-banana waste and LOF-containing isolates of P-solubilizing bacteria improved plant height, the number of tillers, and N and P uptake by the plant. The rice grain yields among the treatments were not significantly different, but the highest rice grain yield (139.8 g/pot) was obtained at the treatment of the mixture of LOF-P isolate + LOF-banana waste (A2+A3 treatments). The 75% of the recommended dose of P fertilizer was not significantly different from 100% P fertilizer with LOF on growth and yield upland rice and nutrient uptake by the plant.

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of starters made from cattle rumen and EM 4 on the decomposition of agricultural biomass wastes (rice straw, corncobs, and coffee husks).Method: Three types of starter i.e. starter from local cattle rumen (grass/straw feed), starter from the rumen of cattle farms (concentrate feed), EM 4 (factory product), and control (water) applied to three types of biomass waste (rice straw, corncob, and coffee husk) to observe the decomposition process using the litterbag method. An evaluation was carried out on the rate of decomposition of biomass. Parameters evaluated include decomposition rate, C and total-N content, as well as the C/N ratio.Results: The starter made from the rumen of grass-fed cows could decompose rice straw and coffee husks at an average that was not significantly different from using EM 4 starter with the speed ratio (k=-0.0852 vs. k=-0.0924) and (k=-0.0832 vs k=-0.0908) respectively. In corncobs, the decomposition speed with a starter of the rumen of cattle farms-concentrate feed was not significantly different from using EM 4 (k=-0.0916 vs. k=-0.1067). The decrease in the C/N ratio is also in line with the decomposition process and was faster with the adding of the starter.Conclusion: The starter made from the rumen of local cattle (grass feed) and from company cattle (concentrate feed) could decompose plant biomass waste (rice straw, corncobs, and coffee husks) with an average speed that was not significantly different from a starter from factories (EM 4).

Purpose Rice biomass waste can be used as a soil amendment. This study examined the effect of the application of rice husk biochar and straw compost on several soil properties and yields of rice and soybeans in tropical upland. Method Field experiments were carried out with two applications of rice husk biochar and straw compost on upland rice and soybean cultivation, respectively. Three-levels of rice husk biochar application (5, 10, and 20 t ha-1) and straw compost (5 t ha-1) along with the control. The changes in soil chemical properties like pH, C, N, CEC, P, K, Mg, Ca, Na, and physical properties including soil bulk density, particle density, total porosity, macropores, micropores, permeability, and soil water content at various pressures were measured. The grain yields of rice and soybean were also recorded.Results Total-C and exchangeable-K increased after the second application of rice husk biochar and straw compost. There was a significant improvement in total porosity and micro-pores, soil water content especially at PF 2.54 (0.33 Pa) and PF 4.2 (15 Pa), and increased soybean yield compared to control. Based on the overall results, we got a significant effect of rice husk biochar at higher doses (10 and 20 t ha-1).Conclusion The application of rice husk biochar (at doses 10 or 20 t ha-1) and straw compost 5 t ha-1 gave a positive effect on several soil properties including total-C, soil porosity, and soil water content, especially at pF 2.54 and pF 4.2, and also increased soybean yields.

Indonesia has an abundant amount of basalt rocks resources, including in East Lampung Regency of Lampung Province. This basalt has not been used optimally and only be used as a foundation. The use of basalt as soil fertilizer also known as the stone meal. This study focused on the effect of using basalt dust on the growth and development of organic fertilizer application for the cassava plant. This study is to support the local government policies that declared Lampung as a national development centre of cassava, with a production rate of 30.8% of the national production of cassava. Basalt powder was characterized using test petrograph and X-ray Fluorescence (XRF) for a description of microscopic and chemical composition. The test results were used to determine the chemical composition of rock classification using the TAS diagram. The experiments of applying fertilizer on cassava crops in the demonstration plots 8 treatment x 3 repetitions were conducted by adding the percentage by weight of the basalt towards organic fertilizer between 0% (control 1), 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, and without treatment (control 2). The results indicated that basalt from East Lampung is classified as olivine Tholeite basalt which is rich in CaO, Mg and Na2O + K2O. The growth rate of cassava plants which are affected by basalt powder presentation is characterized by a value which is higher than the value of CGR control, and recommended to not exceed 10% of the weight of basalt fertilizer.

Returning and addition of organic material to soil is a key to protecting the soil, plants, and the environment. A study aimed to elucidate the effect of residual biomass application on some indicators of soil physical properties, abundance of earthworms and soil microbial activities was conducted in Kebun Percobaan (KP) Natar, BPTP Lampung from February to July 2017. The treatments were three types of crops biomass residues, i.e., maize stover, rice straw, and soybean stover (fresh or compost). The dosage rates were 0, 2.5, 5.0, 7.5, and 10 t/ha. The treatments were arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. Upland rice (Inpago 9 variety) was planted after two weeks application of biomass residues treatments. The results showed that application of crops biomass residues improved bulkdensity and significantly increased soil water content at the high dose of biomass residues (7.5 or 10 t/ha). The amount and weight of earthworms with added of compost biomass was significantly correlated with soil water content (r values 0.491 and 0.376, respectively). The dose of biomass residues had a significant effect on soil respiration that the highest soil respiration was obtained in maize compost biomass treatment (at 12 weeks observation) was 31.7 and rice straw compost (at 8 weeks observation) which was 30.19 mg/hour/m2 C-CO2.

The importance to return organic matter to the soil has been widely recognized, especially to agricultural lands that are low in organic matter and nutrients contents that will decrease the productivity of food crops. This study aimed to study the effect of biochar (rice husk and corn cob biochar) and straw compost on soil chemical properties and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. The experiments were done in the laboratory and the field experiment at February–July 2015. The first study was laboratory test using a randomized block designwith three replicates. Soil samples were ground and sieved to obtain the less than 4 mm fraction for the incubation experiment. A five kg soil was mixtured with amandement treatments (A: control; B: Rice husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1 ; C: corn cob 10 Mg ha-1; D: straw compost 10 Mg ha-1; and E. Rice husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1 + straw compost 10 Mg ha-1 ; F. corn cob biochar 10 Mg ha-1 + straw compost 10 Mg ha-1) were filled into plastic pots. The treatments were incubated for 1 and 2 months. Soil samples measured were pH, Organic-C, Total-N, P2O5 (Bray-1), K2O (Morgan), Na, Ca, Mg, S, and CEC. The field experiment was conducted at Sukaraja Nuban Village, Batanghari Nuban sub district, East Lampung Regency. The treatments (similar too laboratory experiment) were arranged in a randomized block design with four replicates. Plot size was 10 m× 20 m, and soybean as crop indicators. The parameters observed were plant heigh, number of branches , number of pods per plant , number of seeds per plant, grain weight, and stover. The results of laboratory experiment showed that application of biochar and compost improve soil fertility due to the increase in soil pH and nutrient availability for plant especially P2O5 and K2O available. The treatment of a rice husk biochar and compost mixture was better than single application to improve soil fertility and soybean yield. Apllication mixture husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1and straw compost 10 Mg ha-1 increased grain weight about 41% compost to control.

he importance to return organic matter to the soil has been widely recognized, especially to agricultural lands that are low in organic matter and nutrients contents that will decrease the productivity of food crops. This study aimed to study the effect of biochar (rice husk and corn cob biochar) and straw compost on soil chemical properties and yield of soybean (Glycine max (L.) Merr. The experiments were done in the laboratory and the field experiment at February–July 2015. The first study was laboratory test using a randomized block design with three replicates. Soil samples were ground and sieved to obtain the less than 4 mm fraction for the incubation experiment. A five kg soil was mixtured with amandement treatments (A: control; B: Rice husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1 ; C: corn cob 10 Mg ha-1; D: straw compost 10 Mg ha-1; and E. Rice husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1 + straw compost 10 Mg ha-1 ; F. corn cob biochar 10 Mg ha-1 + straw compost 10 Mg ha-1) were filled into plastic pots. The treatments were incubated for 1 and 2 months. Soil samples measured were pH, Organic-C, Total-N, P2O5 (Bray-1), K2O (Morgan), Na, Ca, Mg, S, and CEC. The field experiment was conducted at Sukaraja Nuban Village, Batanghari Nuban sub district, East Lampung Regency. The treatments (similar too laboratory experiment) were arranged in a randomized block design with four replicates. Plot size was 10 m × 20 m, and soybean as crop indicators. The parameters observed were plant heigh, number of branches , number of pods per plant , number of seeds per plant, grain weight, and stover. The results of laboratory experiment showed that application of biochar and compost improve soil fertility due to the increase in soil pH and nutrient availability for plant especially P2O5 and K2O available. The treatment of a rice husk biochar and compost mixture was better than single application to improve soil fertility and soybean yield. Apllication mixture husk biochar 10 Mg ha-1and straw compost 10 Mg ha-1 increased grain weight about 41% compost to control.

Fertilizer recommendation in specific location will be related to fertilizers efficiency. The studywas conducted at five locations which were planted with corn minimal once a year, namely: (1) Sidowaras village,Bumi Ratu Nuban Subdistrict, Lampung Tengah Regency; (2) Binjai Ngagung, Bekri Subdistrict, Lampung SelatanRegency; (3) Watu Agung, Kalirejo Subdistrict, Lampung Tengah Regency, (4) Balai Rejo, Kalirejo Subdistrict,Lampung Tengah Regency, and (5) Trimulyo, Tegineneng Subdistrict, Lampung Selatan Regency. The soil sampleswere analyzed in the Research and Development Centre for Soil and Agroclimate Laboratory in Bogor. The value ofP and K in soil were compared to the results of correlation study using several extraction of P and K in Lampung.Results of the study showed that the status of P was high for three location, medium for one location and low for onelocation. K status was low for five locations. Phosphorus fertilizer recommendation on the three locations with highlevel of P (Sidowaras, Binjai Ngagung, and Balai Rejo) was 75 kg ha-1 SP-36, on the middle P levels (Trimulyo) was150 kg and on the low level of P (Watu Agung) was 300 kg. On the other hand, the recommendation for K fertilizer forall locations were 150 kg ha-1 KCl.