Enhancement of Soybean Growth using Biological Agents Seed Treatment and Fertilization

Abstract

The provision of quality soybean seeds in Indonesia is currently still experiencing problems, especially the deterioration of soybean seeds during storage, especially when they are at the seed storage. Presently, soybean seeds that are circulating in the community are seeds that have experienced a decrease in quality. So that the soybean seeds can still be used, a special treatment is needed, specifically utilized biological agents. This technique was carried out by integrating inoculants of biological agents from the bacterial group for seed treatment before planting. In addition, to get maximum results, there needs to be a breakthrough in the cultivation system, specifically by combining chemical fertilizers and organic fertilizers. This research was carried out in the Seed Analysis Laboratory and Experimental Farm of The Seed Study Program, Politeknik Negeri Lampung on August to November 2021. This experiment was arranged using a factorial completely randomized design (CRD). The first factor was application of biological agents seed treatment which consisted of three levels, especially control/no biological agents (A0), husk charcoal powder + Trichoderma inoculant (A1), and husk charcoal powder + Pseudomonas inoculant (A2). The second factor is fertilization which consists of five levels, especially control (no fertilization (B0), 100% inorganic fertilizer dosage (B2), 100% organic fertilizer dosage + 100% inorganic fertilizer dosage (B3), 100% organic fertilizer dosage + 50% inorganic fertilizer dosage (B4) and 100% organic fertilizer dosage + 25% inorganic fertilizer dosage (B5). This research resulted application of biological agents Trichoderma asperellum and Pseudomonas aeruginosa to soybean seed treatment before planting can reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers on soybean plants. The combination of 100% organic fertilizer, 25% and or 50% inorganic fertilizer, can increased the growth of soybean plants based on the variables of plant height, leaf number and leaf width.