The Effect of Concentration of Nano Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunch Ash Nano-fertilizer on Growth and Production of Wounded Cassava Inoculated with Mycorrhiza

Abstract

Innovation on cassava cultivation technology by through inoculation with mycorrhiza and wounded cassava have been proven to increase root number and cassava tubers, even though that tuber filling was not maximally reached which may be due to the less availability of potassium for the plant. It is of interesting, therefore, to explore the use potassium fertilizer through leaves spray. This study was aimed at determining the best concentration of nano empty palm oil fruit bunch ash nano-fertilizer (EPOFB nano-fertilizer) through spraying technique. The study was performed by using Completely Randomised Design, with a single experimental factor of EPOFB nano-fertilizer concentrations, consisting of control, treatment with 0.20% of EPOFB nano-fertilizer at 30 g/plant, treatment with 0.40% of EPOFB nano-fertilizer at 60 g/plant, and treatment with 0.60% of EPOFB nano-fertilizer at 90 g/plant. Growth variables paramaters analyzed were mycorrhizal development, root development, plant growth, and cassava production. The results of this study demonstrated that foliar spraying using nano EPOFB ash nano-fertilizer increased the number of mycorrhizal spores’ number, root proliferation, length of tubers, and cassava production. The best concentration of EPOFB nano-fertilizer was found at 0.40% (at 60g/plant), which increased cassava production by 27.11% compared to control treatment.