Pengaruh Pupuk Kandang Kerbau terhadap Pertumbuhan Bibit Alpukat (Persea americana Mill) di Pangururan Samosir

Abstract

Pangururan District, Samosir Regency, has marginal soil characteristics dominated by lithosol, podsolic, and regosol soil types with limited depth, thus restricting the availability of essential nutrients for plant growth. Sustainable agriculture in this region faces challenges due to declining soil productivity triggered by intensive land use without adequate nutrient supplementation. This study focuses on the utilization of buffalo manure, an abundant organic material source in the area, as a strategy to enhance nutrient availability and improve soil conditions. Avocado (Persea americana), a Multi-Purpose Tree Species (MPTS) with high economic value and adaptability to local environmental conditions, is the subject of this research. The aim of this study is to analyze the appropriate dose of buffalo manure on the growth of avocado (P. americana) in Pangururan District, Samosir. The research was conducted from September 2024 to December 2024. This research used a non-factorial randomized block design consisting of 5 treatment levels and 5 replications. A0 (control/no fertilizer applied), A1 (150 g/seedling of buffalo manure), A2 (300 g/seedling of buffalo manure), A3 (450 g/seedling of buffalo manure), and A4 (600 g/seedling of buffalo manure). Observations and data collection were carried out every two weeks for four months. The observed variables were seedling height increase, seedling diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. The results showed that the most influential treatment on height increase and leaf area was treatment A4 (600 g/seedling of buffalo manure). The most influential treatment on diameter was A2 (300 g/seedling of buffalo manure). The most influential treatment on the number of leaves was A3 (450 g/seedling of buffalo manure).