Vegetative Growth Response of Rice in Heavy Metal Contaminated Soil Due to NPK Fertilizer Based Ameliorant Application

Abstract

Heavy metal pollution in paddy fields has been recognized as a global environmental problem that must be addressed. Exposure to heavy metals causes stunted growth of rice plants. A safe and environmentally friendly approach is done through the use of a combination of ameliorants and inorganic fertilizers. NPK Co-Ameliorant fertilizer is an innovation in bio-agent multifunctional fertilizer production technology that is expected to be an alternative solution to the widespread pollution of rice fields by industrial waste. This study aims to examine the effect of NPK Co-Ameliorant fertilizer on vegetative growth of rice plants on industrial waste polluted soil. The research was conducted in a greenhouse with soil media from Jelegong village, Rancaekek which was polluted with heavy metals. The research period was from September 2023 to February 2024. The experimental design used a Randomized Group Design with eight treatments, four replications and two units consisting of: 0 (control); NPK Phonska 225 kg ha-1; and various doses of NPK Bio-Organomineral fertilizer 150; 250; 350; 450; 550; 650 kg ha-1. The results showed that the application of NPK Co-Ameliorant fertilizer effectively increased rice plant height, number of tillers, chlorophyll content and plant biomass weight. The dose of NPK Co-Ameliorant fertilizer 350 kg ha-1 was the best dose in increasing the height of rice plants reaching 95,63 at 70 DAP, increasing the chlorophyll content of plants by 24.20 CCI and increasing the dry weight of plants reaching 33,98 g.