Effect of super K organic fertilizer with various sizes of bulbs on growth and production of shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to examine the interaction between the dose of Super K organic fertilizer and tuber size, the main effect of Super K organic fertilizer, and the main effect of tuber size on the potassium uptake of shallots. This research is a factorial experiment arranged according to a randomized block design (RAK), while the factors in this study consist of 2 factors, namely factor I: dose of Super K organic fertilizer which consists of 4 levels. P0 = without Super K organic fertilizer, P1 = Super K organic fertilizer 429 kg/ha equivalent to 42, 9 g/plot, P2 = Super K organic fertilizer 715 kg/ha equivalent to 71,5 g/plot, P3 = Super K organic fertilizer 1286 kg/ha equivalent to 128,6 g/plot. Factor II: tuber size (U) which consists of 3 level. U1 = small bulbs (diameter = <1.5 cm or <4 g), U2 = medium-sized bulbs (diameter = 1.5 − 1.8 cm or 4 6 g) and U3 = large bulbs (diameter = >1.8 cm or >6 g). Observations made in this study were plant height (cm), number of tillers per clump (stem), tuber diameter (cm), fresh tuber weight per plant (g) and dry tuber weight per plant (g). The result of this research is that the application of Super K organic fertilizer can increase the rate of photosynthesis. Bulb size can increase the number of tillers and tuber wet weight. The application of Super K organic fertilizer interacted with tuber size on the observation of stomatal conductivity and transpiration rate. The application of organic fertilizer Super K 1286 kg/ha with large tubers gave a higher yield of 39,717 g/plant.