Julia Indah Anggreini

Plantation Crop Production Technology Study Program, Politeknik Lamandau, Trans-Kalimantan Road, Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan Indonesia

Ihda Andrey Yanuar Setiawan

Plantation Crop Production Technology Study Program, Politeknik Lamandau, Trans-Kalimantan Road, Lamandau Regency, Central Kalimantan Indonesia

DOI: https://doi.org/10.19184/bst.v14i3.60046

ABSTRACT 

Ultisols are characterized by low fertility and limited nutrient availability, requiring appropriate organic amendments to support vegetable production. Decanter solid, a by-product of the palm oil industry, has the potential to improve plant growth through the addition of organic matter and essential nutrients. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of decanter solid application on the growth of green amaranth (Amaranthus viridis L.) grown on Ultisol. A randomized complete block design (RCBD) was used with four decanter solid application rates: 0, 30, 40, and 50 g/polybag, equivalent to 0, 15, 20, and 25 tons/ha, respectively. Plant height, leaf number, chlorophyll content, leaf area, shoot fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root fresh weight, root dry weight, and root length were measured. Decanter solid significantly increased plant height, leaf chlorophyll content, and leaf area (P < 0.05), whereas leaf number, shoot biomass, root biomass, and root length were not significantly affected. The application of 40 g/polybag produced the largest leaf area, while 50 g/polybag resulted in the highest plant height and chlorophyll content, although both treatments were statistically similar. These results indicate that decanter solid has the potential to improve the early vegetative growth of green amaranth grown on Ultisol and may serve as an alternative organic amendment for sustainable crop cultivation.

Keywords: Decanter solid; green amaranth; organic fertilizer; sustainable agriculture; Ultisol.