Tropic soil properties and productivity of Shallot Lembah Palu variety

Abstract

This study aims to utilize data from soil analysis as a basis for plant nutrient management to increase the productivity of shallots of the palu valley variety. The first phase of the research was carried out using the survey method at 7 main locations of shallot development of the palu valley variety. The second phase of the study is a field experiment using a 2-factor factorial experiment. The first factor is the dose of chicken manure 10 tons ha−1 (O1) and 15 tons ha−1 (O2) while the second factor is 48 kg S ha−1 (H1), 72 kg S ha−1(H2), 100 kg KCl ha−1 (H3), and 200 kg KCl ha−1 (H4). The results showed that the dominant soil properties affecting low productivity were soil texture dominated by sand and dust fractions at all sites ranging from 64-89%, soil clay content ranging from 11-36%. Soil C-organic content is very low to low (0.67-1.79%), N-total soil is very low to low (0.04-0.16%). Available K2O (Morgan) levels are generally low (4.29-10.12 ppm) except for Tanamodindi and Poboya. The results of field experiments showed that the application of organic matter equivalent to 15 tons of ha−1 resulted in a fresh tuber weight of 10.94 tons ha−1 (O2), markedly higher than that of giving 10 tons of ha−1 which results in a fresh tuber weight of 9.67 tons ha−1 (O1). The use of KCl fertilizer at a dose of 200 kg ha−1 resulted in a fresh tuber weight of 12.35 tons ha−1 (H4), markedly higher than 100 kg KCl ha−1 (H3). 72 kg S ha−1 (H2) and 48 kg KCl ha−1 (H1).