Pengaruh Pemberian Berbagai Jenis Biochar Terhadap Sifat Fisika Tanah dan Produksi Tanaman Sawi Hijau (Brassica juncea L.)

Abstract

Mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.) have good commercial prospects, but their production in Indonesia remains suboptimal due to declining soil fertility, caused by intensive land use and excessive application of inorganic fertilizers that damage the soil. Therefore, the implementation of organic farming with soil amelioration, one of which is using biochar, is crucial. Biochar (biomass charcoal) application holds great potential for supporting sustainable agriculture, as it functions as a soil amendment and ameliorant, improving soil quality and productivity. This study aims to investigate the effect of applying different types of biochar on soil physical properties and the growth of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.). The research was conducted in Pangambatan Village, Merek District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra Province, at an altitude of ±1506 meters above sea level, from July 2023 to March 2024, using a Non-Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with several treatments, including Control, Chemical Fertilizer, Rice Husk Biochar, Empty Palm Oil Fruit Bunch (EPOFB) Biochar, Chicken Manure Biochar, Cow Manure Biochar, Rice Husk Biochar (90%) + Chicken Manure Biochar (10%), Rice Husk Biochar (90%) + Cow Manure Biochar (10%), EPOFB Biochar (90%) + Chicken Manure Biochar (10%), and EPOFB Biochar (90%) + Cow Manure Biochar (10%). Conclusion : The results showed that the application of various biochars significantly increased the growth of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.), including plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, biomass weight, and fresh marketable weight, and improved soil physical properties by reducing soil Particle Density, Permeability, and Bulk Density; increasing Total Pore Space, Water Content, Porosity, and soil pH; decreasing soil structure; maintaining soil color; and changing soil texture from sandy loam to loamy sand. Chicken Manure Biochar was found to be the most effective biochar in significantly enhancing the growth of mustard greens (Brassica juncea L.) compared to other treatments.