Combination of Mucuna bracteata Mulch and NPK-Biofertilizer for Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) Vegetative Growth

Isna Rahma Dini, Hapsoh Hapsoh, Kezia Eunika Manurung

Abstract

Taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) is a tuber crop with high economic value and potential as an alternative food source, yet its productivity remains low due to declining soil fertility and low organic matter content. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of Mucuna bracteata organic mulch combined with reduced NPK fertilizer dosage and biofertilizer application on the vegetative growth of taro. The experiment was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of Agriculture, University of Riau, from May to August 2025 using a non‑factorial Completely Randomized Design with five treatments and four replications. Observed parameters included leaf stalk length, number of leaves, leaf area, leaf area index, stem diameter, chlorophyll content, soil temperature, and soil moisture. The results indicated that 75% and 50% NPK fertilizer combined with biofertilizer and M. bracteata mulch produced vegetative growth comparable to that of 100% NPK fertilizer across most parameters. The use of M. bracteata mulch and biofertilizer reduced inorganic NPK fertilizer requirements by 25–50% without decreasing vegetative growth.

Keywords

biofertilizer; fertilizer efficiency; organic mulch; taro; vegetative growth

Full Text:

PDF

References

Aji, RN, & Kusdiana, D. (2022). Production patterns and leaf area index in rubber plants infected with Pestalotiopsis. Perkaretan News, 40(2),107–116. http://journalbalitbangdalampung.org

Ali, M.H., Khan, M.I., Amjad, F., Khan, N., & Seleiman, M.F. (2024). Improved chickpea growth, physiology, nutrient assimilation, and rhizoremediation of hydrocarbons by bacterial consortia. BMC Plant Biology, 24(1), 984. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12870-024- 05709-x

Anna, K. (2021). Soil Fertility and Fertilization: A Practical Guide. Poltek LPP Press.

Chatterjee, A., Acharya, S., & Singh, U. (2022). Organic mulching enhances soil pH, microbial activity, and nutrient cycling in tropical cropping systems. Agriculture, Ecosystems & Environment, 330, 107895. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agee.2022.107895

Chaudhary, P., Singh, S., Chaudhary, A., Sharma, A., & Kumar, G. (2022). Overview of biofertilizers in crop production and stress management for sustainable agriculture. Frontiers in Plant Science, 13,930340. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2022.930340

Chen, J., Liu, X., Wang, Y., Wang, H., & Li, Z. (2024). Integrating organic and inorganic fertilizers improves soil fertility and nutrient use efficiency: A comprehensive assessment. Journal of the Science of Food and Agriculture. https://doi.org/10.1002/jsfa.13362

Pekanbaru City Agriculture and Fisheries Service. (2025). Riau Agricultural Production Data 2023– 2024. https://sipuanpenari.pekanbaru.go.id

Estianti, W., Amkariadi, AW, & Zahra, AA (2024). Utilization of taro flour as an alternative low- calorie food ingredient. Multidisciplinary Scientific Journal, 2(2),5–8. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.11099104

Fagbola, O., Odebode, A.C., & Thomas, R. (2019). Soil biological response to leguminous mulch application in tropical agroecosystems. Journal of Soil Science and Plant Nutrition, 19(4), 897–906. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42729-019-00089-4

Fatonah, S., Malinda, S., Herman, & Isda, MN (2015). Organic mulch of Imperata cylindrica (L.), Mucuna bracteata DC., and oil palm frond compost on inhibiting the germination and growth of the weed Mikania micrantha. Journal of Agricultural Dynamics, 30(3), 191–198. https://journal.uir.ac.id/index.php/dynamicapertanian/article/view/792

Figiel, S., Rusek, P., Ryszko, U., & Brodowska, M. S. (2025). Microbially enhanced biofertilizers: Technologies, mechanisms of action, and agricultural applications. Agronomy, 15(5), 1191. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15051191

Gallart, M., Adrover, M., & Jaume, J. (2021). Influence of nitrogen source and PGPR on plant growth and physiological traits: agronomy, 11(2), 237.

https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11020237

Habibah, N., & Astika, IW (2020). Analysis of the taro (Colocasia esculenta L.) cultivation system in Bubulak Village. Journal of Community Information Center, 2(5),771–781. https://journal.ipb.ac.id/pim/article/view/31726/2 0146

Hapsoh, Dini, IR, & Rahman, A. (2020). Testing of liquid biofertilizer formulation with the addition of Bacillus cereus on the growth of sweet corn plants. Agrotekma, 5(1),31–41. https://doi.org/10.31289/agr.v5i1.4181

Hapsoh, Dini, IR, & Febrianti, B. (2023a). A combination of N, P, and K fertilizers with the frequency of biofertilizer application on mung bean plants. Journal Agrium,20(1), 26-34. DOI:10.29103/agrium.v20i1.10623

Hapsoh, Wawan, Dini, IR, & Siregar, JA (2018). Compatibility tests of potential cellulolytic bacteria and growth optimization. International Journal of Science and Applied Technology, 2(2), 26–32. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1302/1/012028

Hapsoh, Wawan, Dini, IR, Rifa’i, M., & Khoiruddin, F. (2023b). A combination of inorganic and bio- organic fertilizer on paddy rice. IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science, 1241(1),1–7. https://doi.org/10.1088/1755-1315/1241/1/012036

Herdiyanto, D., & Setiawan, A. (2015). Efforts to improve soil quality through biofertilizers and organic fertilizers. Journal of Science and Technology Applications for Society, 4(1), 47–53. https://doi.org/10.24198/dharmakarya.v4i1.90 39

Hussain, A., Arshad, M., Zahir, Z.A., & Asghar, M. (2015). Prospects of zinc-solubilizing bacteria for enhancing maize growth. Pakistan Journal of Agricultural Sciences, 52(4). https://www.researchgate.net/publication/287958534_Prospects_of_zinc_solubilizing_bacteria forenhancing_growth_of_maize

Jannah, M., Jannah, R., & Fahrunsyah. (2022). Use of PGPR to enhance plant growth. Journal of Humid Tropical Agrotechnology, 5(1), 41–49.

Kezia, S. (2020). Green mustard growth response due to the combination of PGPR and NPK fertilizer. Journal Bios Logos, 10(2), 12–27. https://doi.org/10.35799/jbl.11.2.2020.29017

Kinhal, V. (2020). The importance of leaf area index (LAI). CID Bio-Science. https://www.cid-inc.com Kumar, R., Swapnil, P., Meena, M., Selpair, S., & Yadav, B. G. (2022). PGPR to alleviate abiotic stress. Sustainability,14(23), 15514. https://doi.org/10.3390/su142315514

Kusumawati, A. (2021). Soil fertility and fertilization.Poltek LPP Press.

Li, R., Hou, X., Jia, Z., Han, Q., & Ren, X. (2021). Effects of organic mulch on soil moisture, temperature, and yield: A meta-analysis. Field Crops Research, 271,108233. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.fcr.2021.108233

Lubbers, I.M., Poeplau, C., & Six, J. (2021). Organic amendments increase nitrogen mineralization. Soil Biology & Biochemistry, 159, 108307. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soilbio.2021.108307

Marthin, K., Hindersah, R., Ngabalin, IA, & Jamlean, M. (2020). Utilization of biofertilizer and organic materials on sweet corn. Agricultura, 32(2), 129– 138.

Mazid, M., & Khan, T. A. (2014). Future of biofertilizers in Indian agriculture. International Journal of Agricultural and Food Research, 3(3), 10–23. https://doi.org/10.24102/ijafr.v3i3.132

Nurhadiah. (2020). Application of Mucuna LCC to the growth of green mustard. PIPER Journal, 16(20), 140–145. https://doi.org/10.51826/piper.v16i31.464

Pou, A., Mairata, A., Rodrigo, E., Labarga, D., García- Escudero, E., & Martínez-Vidaurre, J.M. (2021). Effects of organic mulches on soil microclimate: agronomy, 11(6), 1152. https://doi.org/10.19080/IJESNR.2021.29.556265

Purba, T., Situmeang, R., Mahyati, HFR, Arsi, Firgiyanto, R., Saadah, ASJTT, Herawati, JJ, & Suhastyo, AA (2021). Fertilizers and fertilization technology. Kita Menulis Foundation.

Purwasih, W., Lubis, KBE, & Sartini. (2019). Root morphology of F1 corn in peat soil. Journal of Agroecotechnology, 7(2), 297–302. https://jurnal.usu.ac.id/agroekoteknologi

Adhikary, R., Choudhury, S. J., & Shankar, T. (2024). Real-time monitoring of soil NPK using sensors: Enhancing Precision Agriculture. International Journal of Experimental Research and Reviews, 45:197-202. https://doi.org/10.52756/ijerr.2024.v45spl.01

Ramdani, D., Nasrudin, N., & Saleh, I. (2024). The relationship between chlorophyll, leaf area, and upland rice yield. Triton Journal, 15(2), 388–399. https://doi.org/10.47687/jt.v15i2.780

Safitri, R., & Hapsoh. (2017). Application of Mucuna bracteata green fodder and compost on green mustard. Journal of Tropical Agriculture, 4(1), 2– 10.

https://jom.unri.ac.id/index.php/JOMFAPERTA/article/view/16768

Sembiring, IS, Wawan, W., & Khoiri, MA Chemical Properties of Dystrudepts Soil and Root Growth of Oil Palm Plants (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) Applied with Organic Mulch Mucuna bracteata (Doctoral dissertation, Riau University).

Serly, S. (2015). Sweet potato growth response to paclobutrazol and Growmore. [Thesis, Hasanuddin University].

Situngkir, NC, Sudana, IM, & Singgara, IDP (2021). The effect of PGPR bacteria on the resistance of local rice. Journal of Tropical Agroecotechnology, 2301, 651–665.https://ojs.unud.ac.id/index.php/jat/article/ view/75530

Somasundaram, J., et al. (2020). Mulching and organic inputs improve soil structure. Soil & Tillage Research, 198, 104561.https://doi.org/10.1016/j.still.2019.104561

Susanti, D., & Safrina, D. (2018). Specific leaf area index of gotu kola. Journal of Indonesian Medicinal Plants, 11(1), 11–17. https://doi.org/10.22435/toi.v11i1.8242.11-17

Toruan, OL, & Nurhidayah, T. (2017). The effect of water hyacinth compost and Mucuna bracteata mulch. JOM FAPERTA, 4(2), 1–15. https://jom.unri.ac.id/index.php/JOMFAPERTA/a rticle/view/17008

Toth, A., & Toth, Z. (2024). Effects of organic amendments on maize nutrient content. Agrokémia és Talajtan, 73(1), 4– 19. https://doi.org/10.1556/0088.2024.00166

Turan, M., Ekinci, M., & Katkat, A. V. (2024). Role of PGPR in nitrogen uptake. Frontiers in Microbiology, 15, 1367783. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1367783

Zakariyya, F. (2016). Leaf area index is an important variable in cocoa. Indonesian Coffee and Cocoa Research Center News, 28(3), 8–12.

Zhang, P., Zhang, Z., Xiao, M., Chao, J., Dai, Y., Liu, G., & Senge, M. (2023). Effects of organic mulching on soil moisture and temperature in tomato production. Food Science & Nutrition, 11(8), 4829–4842. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.3460

DOI: https://doi.org/10.37637/ab.v9i1.2585

Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.