The Seedlings Growth Performance of Areca Nut Palm (Areca catechu L.) under Different Types of Organic Mulching

Abstract

Seedlings is the initial part of seed plant’s growth and development including areca nut palm which germination is an essential part of it. Organic mulching is one of the utmost sustainable practices, therefore, it has been employed to enhance areca nut seedlings growth. The study aims to evaluate the effect of several types of organic mulch on areca nut seedlings shoot-root growth. The 3-month long experiment was conducted according to completely randomized design, with four treatments, namely no mulching (control) (M0), gliricidia (<em>Gliricidia sepium</em>) mulching (M1), imperata (<em>Imperata cylindrica</em>) mulching (M2) and <em>lamtoro</em> (<em>Leucaena leucocephala</em>) mulching (M3). The treatments were repeated 5 times with 20 experimental units. The findings revealed that no significant differences (p < 0.05) were found on the application of different organic mulching among all of the parameters. The treatment covered by imperata mulch tended to score the highest compared to other mulches on germination time, seedling height and shoot fresh weight while the minimum yield was recorded in M1 where gliricidia mulch was used. Application of organic mulch displayed better results for most of the parameters than that of the control resulting from an optimal growing environment for areca nut seedlings growth.

Drought potential index using Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) method based on Geographical Information System (GIS) in Slogohimo, Wonogiri Indonesia

“…One of the efforts that can be made to reduce the negative impact of drought and the potential for lack is by adding organic material, which is applied as mulch. Mulching is a technique that covers or coats soil surfaces using organic or synthetic mulch to create humid and favorable conditions [21]. Organic materials applied as organic mulch can benefit the soil by stimulating microbial activity to produce binding agents which can improve soil aggregation and make it more stable [19].…”

Evaluation of Soil Retention Capabilities Using RETC Application in Various Paddy Field Management Systems in Purwantoro District, Indonesia

“…Organic matter can improve soil texture and become a water barrier because organic matter can bind water. The research results by Syaranamual et al [46] show that organic matter plays an important role in the soil, helping retain water and maintaining water availability. The soil water content on organic land is greater than on semiorganic and conventional land.…”

Agricultural Land Dryness Distribution Using the Normalized Difference Drought Index (NDDI) Algorithm on Landsat 8 Imagery in Eromoko, Indonesia

“…The application of organic mulch gave better results than the control to create an optimal growing environment for the growth of areca nut seedlings because it provides water content to support the growth after germination (Syaranamual et al, 2022). Using cow dung and compost as organic fertilizer can hold water in the soil and be used by plants, thereby increasing plant growth and water use efficiency (Vengadaramana and Jashothan, 2012).…”