Improvement of soybean yields using amendments on dryland soils of Aceh Besar, Indonesia

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the response of soybeans to the application of various amendments to the sub-optimal dryland of Aceh Besar. A pot experiment was conducted in a greenhouse in Darussalam, Banda Aceh at an altitude of 3 m above sea level. The soil amendments used are biochar, compost, CaCO3 lime, and SP-36 phosphate fertilizer (SP-36). The experiment used a bifactorial 8 x 3 Randomized Block Design (RBD) in 2 replications. The first factor was the application of amendments consisting of eight levels, namely: control (without ameliorant or 0 t ha−1), applications of biochar 20 t ha−1, compost 20 t ha−1, CaCO3 4 t ha−1, SP-36, 4 t ha−1, biochar 10 t ha−1 + CaCO3 4 t ha−1, compost 10 t ha−1 + CaCO3 4 t ha−1, and biochar 10 t ha−1 + compost 10 t ha−1. The second factor is the three soil orders originating from the dryland farming system of Aceh Besar, namely: Andisols Saree, Inceptisols Cucum, and Ultisols Jantho. The soil used was taken from the top layer at a 0-20 cm depth. The soybean tested was the Anjasmoro variety with a potential yield of 2.03-2.25 t ha−1. The results showed that the application of amendments (Biochar, Compost, CaCO3, and SP-36) to three soil orders from the dryland of Aceh Besar could increase soybean growth and yield with a maximum yield of 2.2 t ha−1. In Andisols Saree and Inceptisols Cucum, the highest soybean yield was obtained when combined with biochar and compost at a dose of 10 tons ha−1. In Ultisols Jantho it was got when compost was given a single dose of 20 t ha−1. The growth and yield of Anjasmoro soybean varieties on Ultisols Jantho were better than those on Andisols Saree and Inceptisols Cucum.