Comparison of Rice (Oryza Sativa L. Var. INPARI 30 Ciherang Sub 1) Growth and Biomass Production using Recirculated Irrigation System on Soil and Biochar with Sand and Biochar as Growing Media

• Main Author: Rahmah Fachrudin - Nim: 11413015 , Auliya
• Format: Final Project
• Language: Indonesia
• Online Access: https://digilib.itb.ac.id/gdl/view/25936
• Institution: Institut Teknologi Bandung

<p align="justify">Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is the main food crop for Indonesian citizen. Rice are commonly grown on the soil. An alternative growing medium is needed due to the limited amount of productive land in Indonesia. Sand was chosen as an alternative growing media ingredient because it contains silica that could augment the accumulation of silica in rice plant. Silica is known as an essential factor in rice grain formation process. Biochar addition on growing media was chosen because it contains silica that could bind high mineral salt particles contained in beach sand. Recirculated irrigation system was used in a bid to reduce the consumption of clean water in rice cultivation process. The aims of this research are to determine the effect of sand in growing media composition on rice growth and biomass production, to determine the nitrogen and silica content, and to determine the productivity of rice (Oryza sativa L.). This research was conducted experimentally using 4 treatments with 6 plants for each treatment. The first treatment (P1) used growing media comprised of soil: biochar: compost with 2: 1: 2 ratio with 1,765 mL/pot/day watering, P2 used soil: biochar: compost with 1: 2: 2 ratio and 1,255 mL/pot/day watering, P3 used sand: biochar: compost with 2: 1: 2 ratio and 1,579 mL/pot/day watering, and P4 used sand: biochar: compost with 1: 2: 2 ratio with 1,199 mL/pot/day watering. The average productivity estimation for P1 is 7.1 ton/ha/harvest, while the estimated average productivity for P2, P3 and P4 are 2.3 ton/ha/harvest. Sand usage in growing media composition can be done by choosing a composition where the amount of sand is less than the amount of compost and biochar used in the composition. The growing medium also needs to be supplied with nutrients contained in soil but not available in beach sand. On the other hand, selection of rice variety that is suitable with the environment of growing media is also needed. Moreover, maintenance can also be done routinely by adding biopesticides to eliminate pests that can inhibit pithy grains formation process and decrease productivity. <p align="justify"> <br /> <br />