M.S.M. Nur, T. Islami, E. Handayanto, W.H. Nugroho, W.H. Utomo
Field experiment was carried out to study the effect of compost fortified with biochar on the growth and yield of maize (Zea mays L.), and phosphorus absorption. The experiment was done on calcareous soil of East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia with the treatment of 8 organic amendment application: (1) Farm Yard Manure (FYM) compost. (2) FYM compost + biochar, (3) biochar fortified FYM compost 3/1, (4) Biochar fortified FYM compost 1/1, (5) Siam weed (Chromolaenaodorata L.) compost, (6) biochar fortified Siam weed compost 3/1, (7) biochar fortifiedSiam weed compost, and (8) without compost as the control. These 8 treatments were arranged in a Randomize Block Design with 3 replications. The experiment was done in Januari - April 2013 for rainy season/first maize) and in April - June 2013 (for dry season/second maize). The first maize used was BISI-hybrid cv, and the second maize was Genjah Madura (a short mature local variety from Madura Island, Indonesia). The results showed that application of biochar fortified compost increased the yield of both the rainy and dry season maize on calcareous soil. The use of biochar fortified compost improved the positive impact of both compost and biochar. It did not increase pH of calcareous soil, can maintain the value of compost as plant nutrient resources and the recalcitrant of organic carbon possessed by biochar. Application of fortified biochar decreased un-available phosphate, increased available phosphate, and hence increased the absorption of phosphate. © 2014 AENSI PUBLISHER All rights reserved.
Nusa Cendana University, Kupang, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia; Department of Agronomy, University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia; InternationalResearch Centre for the Managementof Degraded and Mining Lands, University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia; University of Brawijaya, Malang 65145, Indonesia
