Efektifitas Kompos Cotayam (Cocopeat, Sedimen Tambak, dan Limbah Ayam) terhadap Produksi Melon

Summary

This research explores the use of organic fertilizers, derived from agricultural and livestock waste like coconut husks and chicken manure, to improve soil health and melon crop productivity. By inoculating the organic waste with beneficial bacteria and fermenting it into compost, the study found significant improvements in plant growth, fruit yield, and sweetness. The melon plants fertilized with these organic materials exhibited enhanced flower development, higher fruit weight, and a remarkable sweetness level of 15.5 Brix, surpassing typical levels. The findings highlight the potential of sustainable farming practices and were also integrated into an educational module on sustainable living.

Takeaways

• 😀 The agricultural industry is facing a decline in effectiveness due to excessive use of chemical fertilizers, which negatively impact soil health and productivity.
• 😀 There is growing awareness about the need to return to organic materials as fertilizers to restore soil balance, improve productivity, and reduce environmental harm.
• 😀 Organic waste materials such as coconut husk, shrimp sediment, and chicken manure are rich in nutrients (NPK) and are underutilized as compost ingredients.
• 😀 The research focuses on inoculating organic waste with Pumakal bacteria to facilitate fermentation and produce high-quality compost.
• 😀 Five different bacterial isolates were used in the research to inoculate organic waste, each contributing to the fermentation process in unique ways.
• 😀 Once inoculated and fermented, the organic material was converted into compost, which was then used to fertilize melon crops in the study.
• 😀 Significant improvement in melon plant growth was observed when organic compost, especially from chicken manure, was used as fertilizer.
• 😀 Growth parameters like leaf number, stem diameter, branch count, and plant height were measured at 4 weeks after planting to evaluate the effectiveness of the fertilizers.
• 😀 Organic fertilizers, particularly chicken manure, contributed to higher fruit yield and improved melon sweetness (Brix value), with values reaching 15.5, much higher than typical melons.
• 😀 The research findings were compiled into an educational module on sustainable lifestyles, which has been registered with the Ministry of Law and Human Rights as part of the national curriculum for agricultural education.

Q & A

What is the main issue facing modern agriculture as described in the script?

The main issue is the decline in agricultural effectiveness due to the overuse of inorganic fertilizers, which negatively impact soil health and productivity.

What is the proposed solution to the problem of overuse of inorganic fertilizers?

The proposed solution is to return to using organic materials, such as coconut husk, shrimp sediment, and chicken manure, as fertilizers to maintain soil balance, enhance productivity, and reduce environmental damage.

What types of organic waste were used in the study to create fertilizers?

The study used coconut husk, shrimp sediment, and chicken manure as sources of organic waste to create fertilizers.

How did the research utilize bacterial inoculants in the fertilizer process?

Bacterial inoculants, specifically Pumakal bacteria, were used to treat the organic waste materials. These bacteria helped to break down the waste and promote fermentation, eventually turning it into compost.

What were the key findings regarding the impact of organic fertilizers on melon growth?

The use of organic fertilizers, especially those treated with Pumakal bacteria, resulted in significant improvements in soil nutrients (NPK) and enhanced melon plant growth, including leaf count, stem diameter, branch count, and plant height.

How did the application of chicken manure-based organic fertilizer impact melon fruit quality?

Chicken manure-based organic fertilizer significantly improved melon fruit quality, with higher sweetness levels (measured at 15.5 Brix) compared to the average melon, which typically has a Brix value of 7-8.

What was the outcome in terms of melon flowering and fruit yield?

The application of organic fertilizers led to successful pollination and higher flower emergence, which contributed to a better fruit yield, including larger fruit sizes.

How did the research measure plant growth during the experiment?

Plant growth was measured using several parameters, including the number of leaves, stem diameter, number of branches, and plant height at four weeks after planting.

What educational impact does the research have?

The findings from this research have been compiled into a learning module for sustainable living, which is intended for integration into the agricultural curriculum in Indonesia. The module has also been registered for intellectual property protection.

Why is this research significant for sustainable agriculture?

This research offers a sustainable alternative to chemical fertilizers by demonstrating the effectiveness of organic fertilizers combined with bacterial inoculants in improving both soil health and crop yield, while also enhancing fruit quality and reducing environmental impact.