The ulitization of durian wood (Durio zibethinus) and corn cob (Zea mays) biochar on corn yields in acid sulphate soil

Abstract

Biochar addition can be used to overcome the problem of acid sulphate soil. This study was aimed to analyze the effect of biochar dose on plant height and corn yield in acid sulphate soils. Durian wood waste and corn cob biochar used in this study was pyrolyzed for 2 hours at 550 oC temperature and grinded until around 0.4-1.0 mm. The experiment was conducted in a screen house at the Indonesian Swampland Agriculture Research Institute. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomized Design consisting of six doses of biochar treatment of with 3 replications. The total of 18 experimental pots was obtained with the following details: B1 0 t/ha, B2 4 t/ha, B3 8 t/ha, B4 12 t/ha, B5 16 t/ha and B6 20 t ha. Biochar treatment significantly affect plant height age of 2nd, 4th, 6th, 8th, 10th and 12th weeks. The longer the age, the higher the corn plant height. The corn cob length, corn cob diameter, dry weight of seed, and the dry water content significantly different in all treatments. The biochar dose significantly affected the corn yields. The best treatment of biochar in acid sulphate soil was obtained in 12 t ha-1