A Novel Ameliorant Biochar of Areca Nuts Skin and Sago Bark Waste for Increasing Soil Chemical Fertility

Abstract

The waste of areca nuts skin and sago bark are alternatives of ameliorant material that can be used to support soil quality improvement. This research aims to study the potential of areca nuts and sago bark to be produced as biochar and to identify the chemical components they contain. The study employed a Completely Randomized Designed involving six treatments repeated three times. The observation parameters of soil chemical analysis, including the measurement of pH H2O (pH meter); Total-N (Kjeldahl); Available-P (Bray I); Exchangeable Cations (NH4OAC pH 7.0); and exchangeable-Al (KCl 1N). Data obtained from observation were statistically analyzed through the ANOVA method, and if they had a significant effect, the analysis was continued with Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at the level of α=5%. Findings showed that the administration of biochar can improve soil quality. Based on the analysis, biochar from sago bark waste brings a significant effect on increases of pH (5.26), available-P (12.99 cmol+kg-), Exchangeable-K (2.16 cmol+kg-), Exchangeable-Na (0.21 cmol+kg-), Exchangeable-Ca (4.83 cmol+kg-), Exchangeable-Mg (3.80 cmol+kg-), and the reduction of soil Exchangeable-Al (6.65 cmol+kg-). In comparison, biochar from betel nut peel waste has a significant effect on Total-N (0.15%), C-organic (1.66%), and CEC (23.38 cmol+kg-). The results of this study will be the basis for further research in utilizing agricultural waste so that the right combination of fertilizers is obtained to increase soil fertility and will indirectly increase crop production, especially in West Papua.