The effect of organic fertilizer, biochar, and hormones on bulb splitting in the cultivation of true seed shallot

Abstract

Abstract The study aimed to analyze the effect of organic fertilizer, biochar and hormone to the bulb splitting in cultivation of true shallot seed. The research was conducted in Grobogan Regency, in March-June 2019. The applied experimental design was Split-Split Plot with three replications. The main plot treated with organic fertilizer (P) consisted of P1=5 t/ha, P2=10 t/ha, and P3=20 t/ha, the subsidiary plot treated Biochar (B) marked B1=without Biochar and B2=Biochar 12.5 t/ha, and the sub-subsidiary plot was treated with Hormone (H); H1=without hormone, H2=with hormone; altogether were 12 treatment combinations and 36 experimental plots. Parameters observed were plant height, number of leaves, number of plants/clump, number of bulbs/clump, number of bulbs splitting, bulbs diameter, and dry weight of bulb/clump. Data were analyzed statistically using ANOVA, and if there was a significant difference between treatments, it was tested with the Duncan Multiple Range Test at a 5% level. The results showed that the provision of biochar as many as 12.5 tons/ha positively affected the growth components and the yield components of true shallot seed (number of plants/clump, number of bulbs/clump, number of bulbs splitting, bulbs diameter, and dry weight of bulb/clump).