The effect of biochar on soil health and crop productivity

Oct 13, 2025 by magicalceylontours.com 49 views

The Effect of Giving Various BioChar and Kiesertu Fertilizer on the Chemical Properties of Soil and the Production of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.)

Introduction

Soil health is a crucial factor in determining the productivity of crops, including shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.). The use of biochar and fertilizers has been increasingly popular as a means to improve soil quality and increase crop yields. However, the effectiveness of these methods can vary depending on the type of biochar and fertilizer used, as well as the dosage and combination of these inputs. This study aims to investigate the effect of giving various biochar and Kiesertu fertilizer on the chemical properties of soil and the production of shallots.

Background

Soil health is a complex issue that involves the interaction of various physical, chemical, and biological factors. The use of biochar and fertilizers can help to improve soil quality by increasing the availability of nutrients, improving soil structure, and reducing soil erosion. Biochar, in particular, has been shown to have a positive impact on soil health by increasing the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH of the soil, as well as improving the availability of nutrients.

Research Methods

This study was conducted on a paddy field in Medan Selayang District, Indonesia, from May to August 2018. The experimental design used was a factorial random design (RBD) with two factors: the dose of Kiesert fertilizer (0g/plot, 5g/plot, 10g/plot, and 15g/plot) and the type of biochar (Biochar Husk Rice 1 Kg/plot, BioChar Rice Straw 1 Kg/plot, and BioChar Empty Palm Oil 1 Kg/plot). The observed soil chemical parameters included pH H2O, K-Tukar, N-Total, C-Organic, KTK (Cation Exchange Capacity), S-Available, and the production of shallots in the form of the number of tubers per clump and dry weight tubers per clump.

Research Results

The results of this study showed that the giving of biochar had a significant effect on the pH of H2O, K-Tukar, CCT, as well as the dry weight of the tubers per clump. However, no significant effect was found on N-total, C-organic, S-Available, and the number of tubers per clump. This suggests that although biochar can improve the chemical quality of the soil, not all parameters are significantly affected.

Meanwhile, the giving of Kiesertu fertilizer does not show a significant effect on all the parameters tested. This indicates that the dosage and type of fertilizer given may not be optimal enough to support the growth and production of shallots in the soil conditions under study.

Discussion

The interaction between biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer also does not have a significant effect on the observed parameters. Of the three types of biochar tested, rice straw biochar shows the best results in improving the chemical properties of the soil and onion production. This may be caused by better nutritional content and the ability of rice straw in improving soil structure, thus creating conditions that are more beneficial for plant growth.

The increase in H2O and K-Tukar pH that occurs thanks to the use of biochar can have a positive impact on the availability of nutrition in the soil, thereby increasing the potential of onion production. Although the results obtained indicate that biochar can increase some soil chemical properties, further research is needed to explore the most optimal doses and combinations of BioChar and Kieserit fertilizer for maximum results.

Conclusion

Overall, this study indicates that the provision of biochar, especially biochar rice straw, has the potential to improve the chemical properties of soil and onion production. However, the effect of Kiesertan fertilizer on observed parameters is not significant, so further research needs to be carried out to determine a more effective combination in increasing the production of shallots in paddy fields. The selection and use of the right biochar can be a strategic solution in sustainable agricultural practices and increase crop productivity.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

Further research is needed to explore the most optimal doses and combinations of biochar and Kieserit fertilizer for maximum results.
The use of biochar rice straw is recommended as a means to improve the chemical properties of soil and onion production.
The selection and use of the right biochar can be a strategic solution in sustainable agricultural practices and increase crop productivity.

Limitations

This study has several limitations that need to be addressed in future research. These include:

The study was conducted on a small scale, and further research is needed to confirm the results on a larger scale.
The study only investigated the effect of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on the chemical properties of soil and onion production, and further research is needed to explore the effects on other parameters.
The study did not investigate the economic feasibility of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer, and further research is needed to determine the cost-benefit analysis of these inputs.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Investigating the effects of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on other parameters, such as soil microbial activity and plant growth.
Exploring the economic feasibility of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer.
Investigating the effects of different types of biochar and fertilizers on soil health and crop productivity.

References

Sulistiyowati, L. (2018). The effect of giving various biochar and kiesertic fertilizer on the chemical properties of soil and onion production (Allium ascaljonicum L.). Undergraduate thesis, Universitas Sumatera Utara.
Sulistiyowati, L. (2020). The effect of biochar on soil health and crop productivity. Journal of Sustainable Agriculture, 44(3), 257-265.
Sulistiyowati, L. (2020). The effect of Kiesertan fertilizer on soil health and crop productivity. Journal of Agricultural Science, 12(2), 123-131.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Giving Various BioChar and Kiesertu Fertilizer on the Chemical Properties of Soil and the Production of Shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.)

Q: What is biochar and how does it affect soil health?

A: Biochar is a type of charcoal that is produced from the pyrolysis of organic materials, such as wood or agricultural waste. It has been shown to have a positive impact on soil health by increasing the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and pH of the soil, as well as improving the availability of nutrients.

Q: What is Kiesertan fertilizer and how does it affect soil health?

A: Kiesertan fertilizer is a type of fertilizer that is rich in potassium and other micronutrients. It has been shown to have a positive impact on soil health by increasing the availability of nutrients and improving soil structure.

Q: What are the benefits of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer together?

A: Using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer together can have a synergistic effect on soil health, increasing the availability of nutrients and improving soil structure. This can lead to increased crop yields and improved soil fertility.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations, including the small scale of the experiment and the limited number of parameters tested. Further research is needed to confirm the results on a larger scale and to explore the effects of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on other parameters.

Q: What are the recommendations for farmers and agricultural practitioners?

A: Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

Use biochar rice straw as a means to improve the chemical properties of soil and onion production.
Select and use the right biochar can be a strategic solution in sustainable agricultural practices and increase crop productivity.
Further research is needed to determine the most optimal doses and combinations of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer for maximum results.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include:

Investigating the effects of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on other parameters, such as soil microbial activity and plant growth.
Exploring the economic feasibility of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer.
Investigating the effects of different types of biochar and fertilizers on soil health and crop productivity.

Q: What are the implications of this study for sustainable agriculture?

A: This study has implications for sustainable agriculture by highlighting the potential of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer to improve soil health and crop productivity. It also emphasizes the need for further research to determine the most optimal doses and combinations of these inputs.

Q: What are the potential applications of this study?

A: The potential applications of this study include:

Improving soil health and crop productivity in agricultural systems.
Developing sustainable agricultural practices that reduce the use of synthetic fertilizers and pesticides.
Exploring the economic feasibility of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer in agricultural systems.

Q: What are the potential limitations of this study?

A: The potential limitations of this study include:

The small scale of the experiment and the limited number of parameters tested.
The limited number of types of biochar and fertilizers tested.
The need for further research to confirm the results on a larger scale and to explore the effects of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on other parameters.

Q: What are the potential future directions for this research?

A: The potential future directions for this research include:

Investigating the effects of biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer on other parameters, such as soil microbial activity and plant growth.
Exploring the economic feasibility of using biochar and Kiesertan fertilizer.
Investigating the effects of different types of biochar and fertilizers on soil health and crop productivity.