The vast utilization of wetland and dry land in the lowlands of West Sumatra Province for the development of shallots as a potential commodity in an effort to increase farmer income. Shallot is one of the leading vegetables coomodities since it has been cultivated by the people of West Sumatra in the highlands area. The availability of superior varieties of shallots produced by the Agency of Agricultural Research and Development provides many choices in shallot farming, it is necessary to test the adaptation of these superior varieties in the lowlands area. The study aimed to determine the level of adaptation of several shallot varieties in the lowlands area in Pesisir Selatan Districts, West Sumatra. The study was conducted on farmer group land in the Surantih area, Sutera sub District, Pesisir Selatan Districts from April until July 2016. The study used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with the treatment of four superior shallot varieties namely: Katumi, Bima Brebes, Pikatan and Mentes, with 6 (six) replications. The data obtained were analyzed using variance and continued with the Duncan Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results of research showed that: (1) the Katumi variety showed a higher harvest weight (14.00 tons/hectare) followed by the Bima Brebes, Pikatan and Mentes varieties, (2) For the Pesisir lowland dry land area, the most adaptive shallot variety was Katumi.

Red chili plants are one of the important vegetable commodities and have high economic value in Indonesia, most of them are used for household and industrial purposes. The demand for red chili plants is increasing every year so that efforts are needed to increase the productivity of red chili plants. The objectives of study to determine (1) the effect of the interaction between the application of organic fertilizers and inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of red chili plants, (2) the effect of the type of organic fertilizer and the correct dosage of inorganic fertilizers on the growth and yield of red chili plants. The research was conducted from January to May 2019 in Sumani village, X Koto Singkarak sub District, Solok District with a height of ± 400 meters above sea level. The design was used a factorial design in a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors. The first factor is the use of organic fertilizers derived from cow manure (A1) and straw compost (A2). The second factor is the use of SP-36 fertilizer as a source of phosphate at a dose of 10 g/plant (B1), a dose of 30 g/plant (B2), and a dose of 50 g/plant (B3), each treatment consisting of four sample plants. Data from the observations were carried out by analysis of variance, if the obtained F count was greater than F table 5% followed by a further test of Duncan New Multiple Range Test (DNMRT) at the 5% real level. Parameters were observed: plant height, stem diameter, number of fruits, fruit length, fruit weight per plant, and yield of chili per hectare. The results showed that: (1) The results showed that the application of organic fertilizers was better for the growth and yield of Lotanbar chili plants. (2) The provision of cow manure can increase the growth of plant height, fruit length, fruit weight per plant and plant yield per hectare (3) There is no interaction between types of organic fertilizers and the dosage of phosphate fertilizers.

Usaha tani cabai merah yang ada pada kelompok tani Gonjong Merah yang berada di Nagari Jopang manganti Kecamatan Mungka merupakan kelompok tani cabe merah keriting semenjak tahun 2012. Permasalahan yang ada pada kelompok tani mira adalah 1. Kurangnya sosialisasi dan pelatihan dan edukasi yang didapat dari instansi terkait tentang sistem budidaya cabai merah. 2. Petani cabai merah tidak pernah mengukur pH dari tanah saat penanaman. Setiap petani terus menanan cabai merah di lahan secara berulang-ulang tanpa mempertimbangkan kondisi tingkat keasaman dari tanah. 3. Tidak pernah menerapakan teknologi mulsa plastik. 4. Petani mitra ini tidak tahu bagaimana teknik dan cara pemupukan yang baik pada tanaman cabai. 5. Permasalahan lain yang dirasakan oleh mitra ini adalah sulitnya mendapatkan bibit cabai merah yang baik dan unggul. Metode kegiatan adalah dalam bentuk pelatihan dan pembinaan yang dilakukan selama delapan bulan. Hasil dari kegiatan adalah menyediakan bibit unggul cabe merah keriting varitas kencana, obat-obatan, fungisida, desinfektam, perbaikan pemupukan, mulsa plastik dan pH meter.

Strawberry can be planted in polybags, but the right mix and volume of the media are unknown. The study aims to determine the effect of media mix and volume on the growth and yield of strawberries [Fragaria sp.]. The right mixture of media will provide optimum growth and plant yield. Media volume is important to provide adequate root growth space. Minimum media volume is required but can provide maximum growth and yield. The study was conducted in Solok Regency, West Sumatra, using a factorial randomized block design consisting of two factors. The first factor is the media mixture consisting of three levels, namely: A1 [soil + charcoal husk], A2 [soil + cow manure + husk charcoal], A3 [soil+ chicken manure + husk charcoal]. The second factor is the volume of media consisting of three levels, namely: B1 [3 liters], B2 [5 liters] and B3 [7 liters]. The observations showed that the interaction between soil mixture, chicken manure, rice husk charcoal or soil mixture, cow manure, rice husk charcoal with a media volume of 7 liters showed the best results at root length. The highest number and weight of fruit were produced at a single factor A3 [soil+ chicken manure + husk charcoal], and media volume of 7 liters, but not significantly different from other treatments.