The Effect of Planting Space on Nutrient Composition of Indigofera zollingeriana in Coconut Plantation

Abstract

The purpose of this research was evaluate leaf and stem nutrient composition of Indigofera zollingeriana with three different planting space in coconut plantation and to determine the suitable planting space of indigofera that produced highest nutrient in the system. The experiment was done at the experimental station of Assessment Institute Agricultural Technology (AIAT) of North Sulawesi, located 12 km from Manado City, North Sulawesi Province. This experiment was conducted using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). The treatment consisted of three planting space, (1) 1.0x0.5m, (2) 1.0x1.0m, and (3) 1.0x1.5m, each treatment had six replications. Nutrient composition was observed. Data were analyzed using analysis of variance and HSD test. The variables measured were dry matter content, protein content and crude fiber content in leaf and stem. The results showed that different planting space were significant different (P<0.05) on leaf protein content, leaf crude fiber content and stem crude fiber conten but were no significant different (P>0.05) on leaf and stem dry matter content. HSD test showed that planting space 1.0m x 1.5m have highest leaf protein content (32.46%) and lowest leaf crude fiber content (10.04%). Based on this research it can be concluded that planting space 1.0m x 1.5m of Indigofera zollingeriana in coconut plantation have the highest nutrient composition.