Application of Liquid Organic Pusri Fertilizer (LOPF) and Inorganic Fertilizer on Ultisols Planted With Red Chili (Capsicum annuum L.)

Abstract

Red chili is a strategic horticultural commodity that is currently experiencing an increase in demand, especially in the food industry. Chili productivity itself tends to be unstable and often decreases. The things that can be done to increase the plant growth and production are fertilization. Liquid Organic Pusri Fertilizer (LOPF) is a biological fertilizer product developed by Pupuk Sriwidjaja Ltd. As the growth promoter, LOPF contains nitrogen fixing bacteria, P and K solubillizing bacteria with a biostimulant carrier made from seaweed extract. This study was designed in a randomized block design with 9 treatment levels and 3 replications. The treatment levels are P0 (100% inorganic fertilizer); P1 (LOPF application to soil); P2 (LOPF application to soil + 50% inorganic fertilizer); P3 (LOPF application to soil + 75% inorganic fertilizer); P4 (LOPF application to soil + 100% inorganic fertilizer); P5 (LOPF application to seeds and soil); P6 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 50% inorganic fertilizer); P7 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 75% inorganic fertilizer); and P8 (LOPF application to seeds and soil + 100% inorganic fertilizer). The recommendation dose of 100% inorganic fertilizer for NPK 16-16-16 is 300 kg ha−1 and urea fertilizer 200 kg ha−1. LOPF applied to seeds with a concentration of 100 ppm and in soil was 12 L ha−1. Application of LOPF on seeds and soil combined with 100% recommendation dose of inorganic fertilizer gave the best results in increasing the production of red chili plants with a production of 9.70 tons ha−1.