Abstract
The volcanic ash can not be used as crop growth media directly due to lack of physical characteristics and low rate of plant’s nutrient. With addition of other components (elements) such as organic matter and mineral soil, this mixed media expected to empower the volcanic ash used as growth media for crops. To realize this idea, a research was done with maize as a crop indicator. This study was conducted to find out the combination effects of Merapi volcanic ash, cow manure and mineral soil on organic carbon, total N, organic matter and growth of maize ( Zea mays L . ). During April to July 2011, in the pot under the glass house at Faculty of Agricultural Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor-West Java at about 740 m above sea level. The experiment used a randomized block design which arranged in one factor, nine treatments and three replications. The nine treatments consisted of: 0% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (I), 40% volcanic ash + 10% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (II), 30% volcanic ash + 20% cow manure + 50 mineral soil (III), 20% volcanic ash + 30% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (IV), 10% volcanic ash + 40% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (V), 40% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 10% mineral soil (VI), 30% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 20% mineral soil (VII), 20% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 30% mineral soil (VIII), and 10% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 40% mineral soil (IX). The data were analyzed by using Anova Test and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The result showed that there were significant effects of mixed media (volcanic ash, cow manure and mineral soil) on organic carbon, total N, organic matter and plant growth of maize. The highest organic carbon (4.6%) and organic matter (8.08%) was found in combination (treatment VII): 30% volcanic ash, 50% cow manure and 20% mineral soils. Combination in treatment IX: combination of 10% ash volcano, 40% cow manure and 50% mineral soil gave a significant scored on total N.
Highlights
Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is the most active volcano in the world
The results showed that there were various combinations of Merapi volcanic ash, cow manure and mineral soil that significantly affect the soil organic matter
Based on the results obtained, the following conclusions are : 1. The combination of 10% Merapi volcanic ash, 40% cow manure and 50% mineral soil as growing media gave significant scored on N-total
Summary
Mount Merapi in Yogyakarta, Indonesia, is the most active volcano in the world. Until October 26, 2010, major eruptions of Mount Merapi had occurred as many as 84 times with short interval of eruptions about 2-5 years (Daryono, 2010). The composition of volcanic ash clouds that ejected by Mount Merapi comprised predominantly of silica (>50 per cent), together with smaller amounts of the oxides of aluminium, iron, calcium and sodium. Agriculture farmers, sand miners, and dairy farmers are types of occupations that related to the resources found at and provided by Mount Merapi. The fertile land and cool climate to raise the cattle and horticulture, high amount of sands and rocks produced from eruption may provide for build their own houses and they can sell to the city residents (Sagala, 2009). Volcanic ash gives negative impact on agricultural sector due to the recent material (new material), yet has not been exposed to a perfect weathering that is able to contribute nutrients to the plants
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