Performance of Odot Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) and Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) Cultivated as Mixed Cropping

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study was aimed to evaluate the effect of spacing of Odot elephant grass (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) and variety of sweet potato (Ipomoea batatas L.) on the growth and yield of these two plants in a mixed cropping system. A randomized block design in a 2 × 4 factorial pattern with 3 replications was used in the study. The first factor was spacing of Odot elephant grass consisted of J1: 60 × 90 cm and J2: 45 x 90 cm. The second factor was several varieties of sweet potato, namely V1: Pating-1, V2: Beta-2, V3: Kidal and V4: Papua Solossa. Parameters observed were plant height, dry matter production, crude protein and crude fiber content of Odot elephant grass, as well as production of tubers, dry matter of leaves, crude protein, crude fiber and brix content of sweet potato. The results showed that there was no significant effect of Odot elephant grass spacing on all parameters studied except plant height on the 5th week of observation. Meanwhile, there was a significant effect on all parameters observed due to the treatment of sweet potato varieties. It was concluded that Odot elephant grass may be mixed with various sweet potato varieties such as Pating-1, Beta-2, Kidal and Papua Solossa, especially if there were no pests attacking the Odot elephant grass at the beginning of its growth. Further research with a more varied spacing of Odot elephant grass spacing is highly recommended. Keywords: agricultural by-products; alternative feed; fiber; forage crops; protein   ABSTRAK Penelitian bertujuan untuk mengevaluasi pengaruh jarak tanam rumput gajah Odot (Pennisetum purpureum cv. Mott) dan varietas ubi jalar (Ipomoea batatas L.) terhadap pertumbuhan dan hasil kedua tanaman pada sistem tanam campuran. Rancangan acak kelompok pola faktorial 2 × 4 dengan 3 ulangan digunakan dalam penelitian. Faktor pertama adalah jarak tanam rumput gajah Odot terdiri dari J1:60 × 90 cm dan J2: 45 x 90 cm. Faktor kedua adalah beberapa varietas ubi jalar yaitu V1: Pating-1, V2: Beta-2, V3: Kidal dan V4: Papua Solossa. Parameter yang diamati adalah tinggi tanaman, produksi bahan kering, kandungan protein kasar dan serat kasar rumput gajah Odot, serta produksi umbi, bahan kering daun, protein kasar, serat kasar dan kadar brix ubi jalar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa tidak terdapat pengaruh nyata jarak tanam rumput gajah Odot terhadap semua parameter yang diteliti kecuali tinggi tanaman pada minggu ke-5 pengamatan. Terdapat pengaruh nyata pada semua parameter yang diamati akibat perlakuan varietas ubi jalar. Tidak ada pengaruh interaksi kedua perlakuan terhadap semua parameter yang diamati. Disimpulkan bahwa rumput gajah Odot dapat dicampur tanam dengan berbagai varietas ubi jalar seperti Pating-1, Beta-2, Kidal dan Papua Solossa, terutama jika tidak ada hama yang menyerang rumput gajah Odot pada awal pertumbuhannya. Penelitian lebih lanjut dengan jarak tanam rumput gajah Odot yang lebih bervariasi sangat disarankan. Kata kunci: hasil samping pertanian; pakan alternatif; protein; serat; tanaman pakan