Effect of Growing Media Composition on the Growth of Areca Nut (Areca catechu L.).

Abstract

<b>Background and Objective:</b> Every plant needs a suitable growing medium to grow and develop optimally. The growing media provide nutrients and an ideal place for roots to grow and take nutrients. This study aimed to obtain a suitable growing medium composition to increase the growth of areca nut. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The research was carried out at the Agronomy Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University, Indonesia from March-September, 2020. Nine treatments of growing media composition in combination with the percentage of soil medium, rice husk charcoal and organic fertilizer used and arranged in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with three replications. <b>Results:</b> The result showed that the composition of the growing medium has a significant effect on the growth of areca nuts. Growing media using the composition of 25% soil, 25% rice husk charcoal, 50% of organic plus fertilizer (M<sub>5</sub>) is the best growing medium composition that can increase the growth of areca nut. Another growing media is composed of 50% soil, 0% rice husk charcoal, 50% organic plus fertilizer (M<sub>2</sub>), 50% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 25% organic plus fertilizer (M<sub>4</sub>), 25% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 25% organic plus fertilizer (M<sub>7</sub>) and 0% soil, 50% rice husk charcoal, 50% organic plus fertilizer (M<sub>8</sub>) can also be an alternative in increasing the growth of areca nut. <b>Conclusion:</b> The composition of the growing medium has a significant effect on the growth of areca nuts seedling. The growing media using the composition of 25% soil, 25% rice husk charcoal and 50% organic plus fertilizer is the best growing medium composition that can increase the growth of areca nut seedling.