Endomycorrhizae and Soil Ameliorant Applications on Growth Performance of Red Jabon (Anthocephalus macrophyllus) in Lime Stone Post Mining Land of PT. Holcim Indonesia Tbk

Abstract

Limestone post-mining lands often exhibit low fertility levels due to limited macro and micronutrient availability, hindering the proper growth of red Jabon plants (Anthocephalus macrophyllus). Suppressive soil is rich in microbes can be created by inoculating endomycorrhizae (arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, AMF) and applying soil ameliorants to promote healthier growth in these conditions. This study aimed to analyze the growth performance of red Jabon in limestone post-mining lands following the application of endomycorrhizal and ameliorants. Factorial with a completely randomized design was employed, comprising three factors: endomycorrhizal treatment (M0, M1, and M2), phosphate treatment (P0 and P1), and residual cement leaching waste (CLW) treatment (L0 and L1). With 12 treatment combinations and each treatment repeated 20 times, 240 test plants were examined. Results indicated that AMF and soil ameliorant treatments effectively improved A. macrophyllus growth. Single-factor treatments of AMF and phosphate significantly impacted plant height increase and chlorophyll content in leaves while exerting no significant effect on plant diameter increase and AMF colonization. The single-factor CLW treatment did not significantly affect any measured growth parameters. Interaction effects among treatments revealed a highly significant difference in chlorophyll content in leaves but no significant differences in plant height increase, diameter increase, or AMF colonization. Additionally, AMF, phosphate, and CLW treatments influenced the formation of wood anatomical tissue proportions (xylem, phloem, cambium, and pith). A. macrophyllus plants grown in limestone post-mining lands exhibited an average root anchor index (IJA) value (0.45-1.00) in the medium category, while the root grip index (ICA) value (0.79-0.87) was classified as low.