EFFECTS OF GRANULAR ORGANIC FERTILIZER, CHEMICAL AND GRANULAR ORGANIC FERTILIZER WITH HORMONE MIXED FORMULA (HO), AND CHEMICAL FERTILIZER ON GROWTH AND BIOMASS ACCUMULATION OF CASSAVA

Abstract

The objective of this research was to investigate the effects of granular organic fertilizer, chemical, granular organic fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO), and chemical fertilizer on effects within soil properties, growth, and biomass accumulation of cassava (Manihot esculenta, Crantz). The study examined the effects of four types of fertilizers: 1) organic granular fertilizer (ORG), 2) chemical and organic granular fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO-1), 3) chemical and organic granular fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO-2), and 4) chemical fertilizer (CHEM) with a grade of 15-15-15, applied at the rates of 50 and 100 kilograms per rai. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 9 treatments, 4 replications. The results indicated that the soil before the study had low fertility. However, after the study, it was found that the application of HO-1 (T5) and HO-2 (T7) at a rate of 100 kilograms per rai increased the overall plant nutrient content of the soil and improved some physical properties such as bulk density (BD), porosity (E), and field capacity (FC) compared to chemical and granular organic fertilizers. Regarding the growth of cassava, it was observed that the application of HO-1 at a rate of 100 kilograms per rai (T5) resulting in better stem size (diameter), canopy size, and leaf chlorophyll content compared to other treatments. As for the biomass accumulation of cassava at 8 months of age, it was found to be highest in the trunk, branch, leaf, root, and leaf stalk respectively. It was found that the use of HO-1 (T5) and HO-2 (T7) had the highest dry weight accumulation in the tubers (starch content) at 34.5% and 34.3%, respectively, which was higher than other treatments. Based on the results of this study, chemical and organic granular fertilizer with hormone mixed formula (HO) can be considered as an alternative option for soil and fertilizer management in the cultivation of other varieties of cassava to achieve higher quantity and quality.