Laju Dekomposisi Serasah Daun Kakao (Theobroma cacao), Mahoni (Swietenia mahagoni), Gamal (Gliricidia sepium) Di Perkebunan Kakao PT. London Sumatra, Bah Lias, Kabupaten Simalungun

Abstract

Research has been conducted to know the rates of leaf litter decomposition of cocoa (Theobroma cacao), mahogany (Swietenia mahagoni) and gamal (Gliricidia sepium) in planting cocoa plantation age 5, 10 and 15 years. The result of study showed leaf litter decomposition of cocoa was 19.22 grams (10.68%/months), mahogany was 21.12 grams (11.73%/months) and gamal was 30 grams (20%/months) in planting cocoa plantation age 5 years. Leaf litter decomposition of cocoa was 19.26 grams (10.7%/months), mahogany was 23.12 grams (12.84%/months) and gamal was 30 grams (25%/months) in planting cocoa plantation age 10 years. Leaf litter decomposition of cocoa was 22.16 grams (12.31%/months), mahogany was 23.38 grams (12.99%/months) and gamal was 30 grams (25%/months) in planting cocoa plantation age 15 years. The rates of leaf litter decomposition of cocoa were insignificantly different (5%) than mahogany. The rates of leaf litter decomposition of gamal were significantly different (1%) than cacao and mahogany.

Penelitian dilaksanakan untuk mengetahui laju dekomposisi serasah kakao (Theobroma cacao), mahoni (Swietenia mahagoni) dan gamal (Gliricidia sepium) di perkebunan kakao umur tanam 5, 10 dan 15 tahun. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa di lokasi kakao umur tanam 5 tahun dekomposisi serasah kakao 19,22 gram (10,68%/bulan), daun mahoni 21,12 gram (11,73%/bulan) dan daun gamal 30 gram (20%/bulan). Pada lokasi kebun kakao umur tanam 10 tahun dekomposisi serasah daun kakao 19,26 gram (10,7%/bulan), daun mahoni 23,12 gram (12,84%/bulan) dan daun gamal 30 gram (25%/bulan). Kebun kakao umur tanam 15 tahun dekomposisi serasah daun kakao 22,16 gram (12,31%/bulan), daun mahoni 23,38 gram (12,99%/bulan) dan daun gamal 30 gram (25%/bulan). Analisis data laju dekomposisi serasah daun kakao dengan mahoni berbeda tidak nyata (5%) . Laju dekomposisi serasah daun gamal dengan kakao dan mahoni berbeda sangat nyata (1%). Kelembaban udara sangat mempengaruhi proses dekomposisi dimana didapatkan nilai korelasi sebesar 0,93.