Application of fungi Aspergillus sp. from leaf litter Rhizophora mucronata Lamk. to accelerate decomposition on various salinity levels in Belawan

Abstract

The decomposed leaves of R. mucronata are a source of organic material or nutrients for plants and various types of biota associated in the Belawan Mangrove Area. One of the microorganisms that play a role in the decomposition process is Aspergillus sp. The purpose of this study was to determine the acceleration of the rate of decomposition and measure the carbohydrate and protein content of R. mucronata leaf litter that had been decomposed by Aspergillus sp at various levels of salinity in Belawan. This research was conducted in June 2019-March 2020. The average litter decomposition rate was obtained using the Olson Formula (1963): ln (Xt / X0) = -kt, analysis of carbohydrate and protein content using SNI methods 01-2891-1992. The fastest decomposition rate of R. mucronata leaves is at station 1 with salinity 0-10 ppt which is 10.02 / year and the lowest is at station 2 with salinity 11-20 ppt which is 7.51 / year. The highest average carbohydrate content at station 1 is 7.02 and the lowest content of station 2 is 5.18%. The highest average protein content at station 3 ppt is 5.62% and the lowest is station 2 which is 4.28%.