The incorporation of lime and NPK fertilizer on shallot production in peat soil

Abstract

High acidity level and low nutrient availability are the most challenging factors of shallot production in peat soils. The purpose of this study was to find out the best lime material and the level of NPK fertilizer on shallot production in peat soil in Central Borneo, Indonesia. The experiment used was a Split Plot Design with three replications. The main plot was three types of lime material: 3 t ha−1 dolomite, 3 t ha−1 agriculture limestone and 1.5 t ha−1 calcium hydroxide. The subplots were ten combinations of NPK fertilizers. The results showed that lime materials and doses of NPK fertilizer had a significant effect on shallot growth and yield. Hydrated lime doses 1.5 t ha−1 and NPK fertilizer dose 100 kg N ha−1, 100 kg P2O5 ha−1 and 100 kg K2O ha−1 gave the highest bulb yield (7 t ha−1) compared to other trials. However, this bulb yield was lower compared to different adaptive cultivars from previous studies. Further experiments using higher levels of lime and adapted varieties are necessary to get the optimum bulb yield.