| dc.description.abstract | This study aimed to analyze the microstructure, surface area
functional groups, and microbial activity of compost and biochar derived
from solid palm oil waste. The research was conducted at the Soil Chemistry
and Biology Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sumatera
Utara; the Metal and Non-Metal Materials Engineering Laboratory, Faculty
of Engineering, Universitas Sumatera Utara; and the National Research and
Innovation Agency (BRIN) Laboratory, Serpong, South Tangerang, from
January to June 2025. The experiment employed a non-factorial Completely
Randomized Design (CRD) with biomass type as the treatment factor and
three replications. The treatments consisted of (K0) compost without EM4,
(B0) biochar without EM4, (K1) compost with EM4, and (B1) biochar with
EM4. The observed parameters included pH, morphology of compost and
biochar (SEM), nutrient content (EDX), surface area (BET), functional
groups (FTIR), and total microbial population (CFU/mL). The results showed
that biochar derived from solid palm oil waste exhibited higher pH, denser
surface morphology, greater nutrient content, and larger surface area
compared to compost, while compost exhibited more diverse functional
groups and a higher total microbial population. | en_US |
