Abstract
Turnover of organic matters to the soil can increase the efficiency of chemical fertilizers, improve the plant growth and sustain the environment. Field experiment was carried out in the Buyut Udik Village, Gunung Sugih District, Central Lampung from May to August 2009. Rice straw was composted by three kinds of decomposer (bioactivator A, B, and C). Rice straw compost (2 Mg ha-1) was applied to the paddy-field soil that was planted by rice (Oryza sativa) of Ciherang Variety. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with three replicates. The results showed that application of rice straw compost reduced the numbers of empty grain per tiller compared to control (without compost) in which control had the highest percentage of empty grain (15.9%). The application of rice straw compost that was decomposed by bioactivator A gave the highest numbers of grain per panicle and yield per plot as followed 162.5 seed and 33 kg plot-1, respectively. Application of various rice straw composts that were decomposed by three kinds of bioactivator increased the rice grain up to 13-26% compared to control.
Highlights
Intensive farming systems that are applied so far are marked by the use of chemical fertilizers and pesticides in large quantities, so that in long periods of time it will change the physical and chemical properties of soil and reduces the land productivity (Djamhari 2002; Las et al 2002)
The results showed that application of rice straw compost reduced the numbers of empty grain per tiller compared to control in which control had the highest percentage of empty grain (15.9%)
The application of rice straw compost that was decomposed by bioactivator A gave the highest numbers of grain per panicle and yield per plot as followed 162.5 seed and 33 kg plot-1, respectively
Summary
Intensive farming systems that are applied so far are marked by the use of chemical fertilizers (especially nitrogen) and pesticides in large quantities, so that in long periods of time it will change the physical and chemical properties of soil and reduces the land productivity (Djamhari 2002; Las et al 2002). One indicator of declining the soil fertility is low level of soil organic matter. Karama et al (1990) reported that from 30 locations of the paddy-field soil in Indonesia that was taken randomly, 68% had low soil organic matter content (< 1.5%) and only 9% had high organic matter content (> 2%). Junaedi (2008) reported that application of rice straw compost of 10 Mg ha-1 reduced soil density and improved soil permeability. The function of organic matter is as a glue for soil granular, so it will form and consolidate the soil aggregate,
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