The Effectiveness of Soil Ameliorant to Increase Growth and Yield of

Sugarcane Planted in Ultisols at Bone Sugarcane Plantation in South

Sulawesi, Indonesia

Salapu Pagiu

, Yosep S. Patádungan

, Abd. Syakur

, Adewidar M. Patádungan

and Ramal Yusuf

Agricultural Faculty of Tadulako University,

Agricultural Faculty of Torajan Christian University

Keywords: Soil Ameliorant, Sugarcane, Bone Sugarcane Plantation

Abstract: This research aims to know the effectiveness of soil ameliorant (compost, boiler-ash, and dolomite) and

inorganic fertilizer (urea, superphosphates-36, and potassium chloride) on the growth and yield of sugarcane.

Treatments designed by combinations of six factors were compost (t ha

-1

) – boiler-ash (t ha

-1

) – dolomite (t

-1

) – urea (kg ha

-1

) – superphospate36 (kg ha

-1

) – potassium chloride (kg ha

-1

). The six treatments described

from the order of the factors in this combinations were (t1) 0– 0 – 0 – 300 – 200 – 100, (t2) 0– 40 – 0 – 300

– 200 – 100, (t3) 0– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 –100, (t4) 0– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 0, (t5) 6– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 –

100, and (t6) 6– 0 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 100. The result of this study showed that by the presence of inorganic

fertilizer, comparing between t5 vs t1, soil ameliorant result from the highest of all growth and yield

component of sugarcane; the number of tillers (numbers per meter of row) increase from 11.20 to 15.93, stem

weight (kg per stem of a plant) increase from 2.33 to 2.78, redeem increase from 6.44 % to 8.31%, and sugar

production increase from 5.97 t ha

-1

to 13.89 t ha

-1

1 INTRODUCTION

The problem faced by the sugar industry in Indonesia

is that land productivity is still low, so that sugar

production has not been able to meet national needs

(Amin, et al., 2014). One of the things that cause low

sugar production are because most of the sugarcane is

grown on unsuitable land. In addition, planting

keprasan sugarcane that exceeded the

recommendation caused the planting to be dominated

by old varieties so that the quality of sugarcane

produced was relatively low (Mardianto, et al., 2005).

Sugarcane production in Ultisols is lower than in

volcanic and calcareous soils (Amin, et al., 2014).

Based on 2015 statistical data, the average sugarcane

production in Java is 68.50 tonnes ha-1, generally

dominated by volcanic and calcareous soils, while

Sulawesi (Bone, Camming and Takalar) is dominated

by Ultisol land is only able to provide production of

32.45 tonnes. ha-1.

The low sugarcane production in Ultisol is due to

the thin topsoil layer, low organic matter content, and

high soil acidity. High acidity is caused by high

concentrations of H

and Al

3 +

in the soil solution.

These conditions can cause root damage, Al

3 +

and

2 +

poisoning, micronutrient deficiency, and low

availability of phosphorus, nitrogen, sulfur and

potassium. In ultisol land, there is also soil

compaction in the topsoil layer so that the roots

experience obstacles to penetrate the subsoil. The

provision of repairers and fertilizers into the soil can

improve the problems that exist in Ultisol.

Commonly used soil ameliorants are lime, organic

matter, natural phosphate, zeolite and biochar

(biological charcoal). Kettle ash is used to replace

biochar because it has characteristics similar to

biochar (Glasser, Zech, 2002). Biochar is natural

charcoal from incomplete combustion, leaving

nutrients that can fertilize the soil. If combustion takes

place completely, biochar turns into ash and releases

carbon (Gana, 2008). Kettle ash is produced by sugar

factories in large quantities and is still the best

material as solid waste. Several studies have used ash

from the combustion of solid materials as waste in a

factory.

Applying 4.5 t ha-1 of rice husk ash gave the

highest yields on cowpeas on sandy Regosol soil;

applying palm oil ashes to peatlands increases P and

Pagiu, S., Patádungan, Y., Syakur, A., Patádungan, A. and Yusuf, R.

The Effectiveness of Soil Ameliorant to Increase Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Planted in Ultisols at Bone Sugarcane Plantation.

DOI: 10.5220/0010794300003317

In Proceedings of the 2nd International Conference on Science, Technology, and Environment (ICoSTE 2020) - Green Technology and Science to Face a New Century, pages 68-72

ISBN: 978-989-758-545-6

K uptake significantly; Wood ash has a liming effect

between 8% -90% so that it can increase plant growth

by up to 45% compared to conventional limestone

(Purwono, et al., 2011). Alfalfa stem ash is a potential

liming material and a source of potassium (Mozaffari,

et al., 2000). Applying ash of 0.6-14.6 g kg-1 of soil

to maize can increase soil pH, exchange K, Ca, Mg

and P in the soil, and reduce Fe, Mn, Ni and Zn.

Understanding the problems in Ultisol soil, the use of

soil ameliorant and inorganic fertilizers is expected to

improve the soil's physical, chemical, and biological

properties to increase the growth and production of

sugarcane. This study aims to assess the effectiveness

of soil ameliorants (compost, kettle ash, dolomite)

and inorganic fertilizers in improving sugarcane

growth and production.

2 RESEARCH METHODS

2.1 Study Area

The research was carried out in the sugarcane

plantation area at Arasoe Sugar Factory, Bone

Indonesia. The Ultisol soil has a dusty clay texture,

and the lumpy soil structure is angled, relatively firm.

There is a layer of the pan (watertight) at an average

depth of 20-30 cm. The study lasted 12 months.

2.2 Research Tools

Tillage using a tractor for plough, comb and water.

The coordinates of the locations are recorded using the

Gamin brand global positioning system. The diameter

of the root is measured using a calliper. Sugarcane

samples were oven-dried in the laboratory. The root

length is measured using graph paper. The materials

used are sugarcane cuttings, compost, kettle ash,

dolomite lime, urea, superphosphate36, potassium

chloride.

2.3 Research Protocol

The study was designed using a randomized block

design (RBD) consisting of 6 treatments and 3

replications. The combination of treatments studied

were compost (t ha-1) - kettle ash (t ha-1) - dolomite (t

ha-1) - Urea (kg ha-1) - SP36 (kg ha-1) - KCl (kg ha)

-1). According to the order above, there are six forms

of treatment combinations tested, namely (t1) 0 - 0 - 0

- 300 - 200 - 100, (t2) 0 - 40 - 0 - 300 - 200 - 100, (t3)

0 - 40 - 1 - 300 - 200 - 100, (t4) 0 - 40 - 1 - 300 - 200 -

0, (t5) 6 - 40 - 1 - 300 - 200 - 100, and (t6) 6 - 0 - 1 -

300 - 200 - 100. Each treatment combination was

repeated three times so that there were 18 treatment

plots.

2.4 Research Implementation

The experimental plot was made with a size of 20 m

x 30 m. Plowing is carried out to a plow depth of 30-

35 cm. Soil processing is carried out in three stages,

namely plowing, harrowing, and furrowing. Tillage is

carried out in cross or in opposite directions using a

three-eye plow pulled by a tractor with a plow

capacity of 0.30-0.33 ha hour-1.

The local varieties of sugarcane seeds PSBM901

and CM47 were planted in the water 125 cm apart.

Three buds were selected for sugarcane seeds to

obtain uniform germination. Sugarcane seeds that

have been planted in water are immediately covered

with soil as thick as 5- 10 cm.

Soil ameliorants were used one time at planting,

and inorganic fertilizers were used two times at

planting and eight weeks after planting. At the first

application, fertilizers were used along the row and

below seedlings. Dosages used were 200 kg ha-1 of

urea and 200 kg ha-1 of superphosphate-36. At the

second application, used between rows by fertilizer

applicator (Anderson, Hendrick, 1983), fertilizers

were 100 kg ha-1 urea and 100 kg ha-1 KCl.

3 RESULTS AND DISCUSSION

3.1 The Effectiveness of the Soil

Ameliorant

The elemental content in each of the soil ameliorant

materials used can be seen in Table 1. In contrast, the

nutrient input based on the content and dosage of

inorganic fertilizers, compost, kettle ash and dolomite

can be seen in Table 2.

Table 1. Elemental content in each material used

The best input of nutrients from soil ameliorant

with inorganic fertilizers is a combination of compost

dosage of 6 tons ha-1, kettle ash 40 tons ha-1 and

dolomite 1 ton ha-1, where the addition of organic

matter into the soil is 3,022 kg ha-1, N 283 kg ha-1, P

2,580 kg ha-1 and K 2,165 kg ha-1 (Table 2).

The Effectiveness of Soil Ameliorant to Increase Growth and Yield of Sugarcane Planted in Ultisols at Bone Sugarcane Plantation

Table 2. Nutrient input based on combination dosages of

ameliorant and inorganic fertilizers

Dosages of ameliorants (t ha

-1

) and inorganic fertilizers (kg

-1

)

The sequence of treatment combination (t):

compost – boiler ash – dolomite – Urea –

superphospates36

potassium chloride

T1 0– 0 – 0 – 300 – 200 – 100

T2 0– 40 – 0 – 300 – 200 – 100

T3 0– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 100

T4 0– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 0

T5 6– 40 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 100

T6 6– 0 – 1 – 300 – 200 – 100

Nutrient Input (kg ha

-1

)

c-org N P K S Ca Mg

0 138 72 60 0 0 0

2528 262 2200 1912 14664 4552 5124

2528 262 2200 1852 14664 4552 5124

3022 283 2580 2165 16364 6074 6535

494 159 452 313 1700 1822 1591

3.2 Effect of Soil Enhancers on the

Growth and Yield of Sugarcane

Statistical analysis used HSD showed that

combinations of soil ameliorant and inorganic

fertilizers have a significant effect on components of

plant growth (Table 3). A complete combination of

soil ameliorants and inorganic fertilizers (T5) results

in the highest plant height and is significantly

different compared to the other combinations.

Table 3. The effect of the combination of soil ameliorant

and inorganic fertilizers on the growth of sugarcane.

Treatmen

t combi

nations

Plant

height

(m)

Number of

tillers (in

one meter

of row)

Stem

diameter

(cm)

Root

length

(m)

T1 2,87

11,20

2,90

18,27

T2 2,91

13,87

2,93

27,89

T3 2,91

14,00

2,94

40,62

T4 2,89

12,73

2,91

23,77

T5 3,01

15,93

3,00

45,10

T6 2,92

14,13

2,94

27,89

Means followed by the same letter in the same

column are not significantly different at the 0.05

HSD level.

Soil ameliorant (compost, kettle ash, and

dolomite) applied with inorganic fertilizers (urea,

superphosphate36, and KCl) had a significant effect

on the number of sugarcane seedlings (Table 3).

However, when the treatment did not use KCl (T4

treatment), the number of tillers was not significantly

different from the T1 treatment using KCl. In its

application with inorganic fertilizers, single-use or a

combination of soil amendments did not provide a

significant difference in the number of tillers. A single

treatment or a combination of two types of soil

ameliorant and inorganic fertilizers has not improved

soil quality compared to treatments that use a

complete combination between soil ameliorant and

organic fertilizers. Better soil quality is reflected in

the improvement of the quality of the growing

components of sugarcane. The high yield in almost all

growth components in the T5 treatment indicates that

inorganic fertilisers need to be combined with soil

ameliorant. It is presumably because compost and

kettle ash decomposition in the soil contributed to

macro and micronutrients (Table 1 and Table 2)

(Gana, 2011), also states that the addition of biochar

similar to kettle ash into the soil, increases the

availability of phosphorus, nitrogen and cation

exchange capacity (CEC).

3.3 The Effect of Soil Ameliorants and

Inorganic Fertilizers on Sugar

Production

Stem diameter, number of tillers, and stem weight

positively correlated with sugar production; sugar

production positively correlated with sugar

concentration. Otherwise, stem diameter had a

negative correlation with sugar concentration

(Sangeetha, et al., 2011). Statistical analysis showed

that soil ameliorants had a significant effect on

increasing sugar production.

ICoSTE 2020 - the International Conference on Science, Technology, and Environment (ICoSTE)

Table 4. The effect of soil ameliorants and inorganic

fertilizers on sugar prodution

Treatment

combinations

ti: compost –

boiler ash–

dolomite–urea–

superphospates36

–

potassiumchloride

Stems

weight

(kg/5

stems o

sugarca

ne)

Stem

produ

ction

(tha

-1

)

Suga

rende

ment

(%)

Sugar

product

ion

(tha

-1

)

T1: 0 – 0 – 0

– 300 – 200 –

100

11,63

92,60

6,44

5,97

T2: 0 – 40 – 0

– 300 – 200 –

100

13,45

126,4

7,59

9,60a

T3: 0 – 40 – 1

– 300 – 200 –

100

13,61

138,6

8,55

11,86

T4: 0 – 40 – 1

– 300 – 200 –

13,92

107,5

7,60

8,17

T5: 6 – 40 – 1

– 300 – 200 –

100

12,55

167,0

8,31

13,89

T6: 6 – 0 – 1

– 300 – 200 –

100

11,67

139,3

8,35

11,64

Means followed by the same letter in the same

column are not significantly different at the 0.05

HSD level.

The lowest sugar production is obtained when

sugarcanes are fertilized only by inorganic fertilizers

(T1). However, when inorganic fertilizers are applied

together with kettle ash, sugar production increased

significantly by about 60% (T2 vs T1). Furthermore,

when inorganic fertilizers are applied together with all

soil ameliorants, compost – kettle ash – dolomite, the

sugarcane productions increased significantly from

99% (T3 vs T1) to 133% (T5 vs T1). The data can

explain that compost, kettle ash, and dolomite

synergize with inorganic fertilizers to increase

sugarcane productions.

The mineralization of compost and kettle ash may

cause a soil acidity effect, but this effect was

neutralized by dolomite. Compost and kettle ash,

therefore, improve soil quality by improving soil air

circulation and releasing minerals. The application of

biochar like kettle ash increased cation exchange

capacity and the availability of phosphorous and

nitrogen (Gana, 2009). Compost used in this research

contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P

), and

potassium (K

O)each of 0,35%, 6,33% and 4,32%.

Kettle ash contain nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P

and potassium (K

O)each of 0,32%, 5,32% and

4,63%.

The application of compost as much as 6 t ha

-1

produced the higher of sugar. This yield was the same

to (Purwono, et al., 2011), which reports that the

higher sugar yield can be obtained from using 5 t ha

-1

of compost also state that the applications of compost

continuously over three years can significantly

increase sugar yield (Calcino, et al., 2009).

4 CONCLUSIONS

1. Soil ameliorants significantly improved growth

components such as root length up to 45 m, plant

height up to 2,89 m, stem diameter around 3,0

cm, and some tillers about 13 stems in one meter

of row.

2. Soil ameliorants were improving not only the

growth component but also the yield component

of sugarcane. When all soil ameliorant,

compost–kettle ash–dolomite, are applied

together with inorganic fertilizers, urea–

superphospates3 6–potassium chloride, sugar

production increase up to 100%.

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