Effect of zeolite, volcanic sand and sea water on bulk density of peat soil and growth of rice

Abstract

In addition to the problem of low nutrient availability, bulk density is also an important limiting factor on peat soil. The aims of this research was to determine the effect of zeolite minerals and volcanic sand after leached by sea water as ameliorants on changes the bulk density of peat soils to improve the fertility of peat soil and its effects on the rice that conducted in the greenhouse. The experimental design used was factorial randomized block design consist of 2 factors, factor 1 was the type of mineral with 3 treatments and factor 2 was sea water dosage with 4 treatments. Result showed that the volcanic sand was the most effective ameliorant in increasing soil bulk density and rice growth. Application of 1000 g volcanic sand and mixture of 200 g zeolite + 1000 g volcanic sand and then leached by 500 ml seawater per pot each other gave the best results for growing rice plants, namely number of vegetative tillers, generative tillers, dry weight of shoot and roots in peat soil, in contrast, leached with 1500 ml sea water was reduced the rice growth.