Optimizing Nutrient and Quality of Second Ratoon Odot Grass through Biochar Application on Post-Nickel Soil

Abstract

This study aims to determine the application of various levels of biochar in post-nickel mining soil on the productivity and quality of second ratoon odot grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. mott). This study used a completely randomized design (CRD) with 4 treatments and 4 replications. The treatments consisted of P0: without biochar (control), P1: 75 gr/polybag biochar, P2: 150 gr/polybag biochar, and P3: 225 gr/polybag biochar. Each treatment contained 30 kg/polybag of post-nickel mining soil and was given 150 g/polybag of goat manure. The data obtained were analyzed using analysis of variance and further tested with the Duncan Multiple Range Test on treatments that had a significant effect. Parameters observed included the content of dry matter (DM), organic matter (OM), crude fiber (CF), and crude protein (CP). The results showed that the application of biochar on post-mining soil had no significant effect on DM, OM, and CP content but significantly (P<0.05) different CF content of odot grass. P1 showed 9.06% DM, 84.70% OM, 21.60% CF, and 9.74% CP. This study concludes that the application of 75 g/polybag biochar on post-nickel soil showed the best quality of the second ratoon odot grass in this study.