Effect of potassium fertilizer dose and compost dose of empty palm oil bunches (EFB) on the growth of lemongrass (Cymbopogon nardus L.)

Abstract

This study aims to determine the effect of potassium fertilizer and compost of Empty Palm Oil Bunches (EFB) on the growth of citronella (Cymbopogon nardus L.). The research was started in February-June 2022 at BPTP Banten, and the Laboratory of the Department of Agroecotechnology, Sultan Ageng Tirtayasa University. This study used a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) method which consisted of two factors. The first of potassium fertilizer dose has 4 levels, 0 kg/ha potassium (K0), 15 kg/ha (K1), 30 kg/ha (K2) and 45 kg/ha (K3). The second factor of EFB compost has 4 levels, 0 tons/ha (T0), 20 tons/ha (T1), 30 tons/ha (T2) and 40 tons/ha (T3). The results showed the dose of potassium fertilizer 30 kg/ha gave the best results on plant height parameters at the age of 3, 4, 5, 6 weeks after planting (WAP). Dosage of 40 tons/ha of EFB compost gave the best results on the number of leaves aged 5 and 6 WAP. There was no interaction between the dose of potassium fertilizer and the dose of EFB compost on all.