The growth rate of Paraserianthes moluccana is effected by the planting medium quality. Biochar is a soil-improving agent that could improve soil quality. This study aimed to determine the effect of biochar made from meranti wood (Shorea spp.) by pyrolysis temperature at 400°C and 600°C and dose at 0 ton/ha, 25 ton/ha and 50 ton/ha factors through the growth rate of P. moluccana. The P. moluccana was planted within 2x2 m in the field. The size of planting holes was 100 x 60 cm, the biochar was placed at a depth of 100 cm to 20 cm, then it was covered with soil so that the root did not interact directly to the biochar. This research used 6 months old P. moluccana seedling, and was planted in field demplot for 8 months. The research used the Split Plot experimental design with 5 treatments and 7 repetitions. Data analysis used Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and Least Significance Different (LSD). The effect of biochar could be seen since the 4th month of plantation. The results showed that biochar with a dose of 25 ton/ha and pyrolysis temperature of 600°C had a very significant effect on the increment of height and significant on diameter steam increment of P. moluccana; increased the rate of stem height 22.6% and stem diameter 23.6% faster than the control. Further research related to the dynamics of P. moluccana growth with a longer time is needed because the physical properties of biochar change over time.
Phosphorus (P) is a limiting nutrient mined from non-renewable sources. P is needed to stimulate trees growth in a forest plantation. P-fertilizer addition in the tropical forest field causes P-leaching flux to watershed and induces eutrophication. The high C contained in meranti (Shorea sp.) biochar can avoid the P-leaching process in the soil with a strategic application method. However, the biochar application method is poorly examined. This research aimed to develop a biochar application method to sequestrate P from the environment and examine its effect on the growth of sengon (Falcataria moluccana). Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 400 °C and 600 °C were added at a dosage of 0 t ha−1, 25 t ha−1, and 50 t ha−1 for six months in the field. The biochar was placed 20 cm under topsoil without soil mixing. This application method significantly increased total P in the soil without any P-fertilizer addition. The results showed that biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C and a dosage of 25 t ha−1 increased the total P in the soil and CEC by 192.2 mg kg−1 and 25.98 me 100 g−1, respectively. Biochar with a higher pyrolysis temperature increased higher soil pH. In contrast, the higher dosage increased organic-C higher than the lower dosage application. The most significant P-uptake, height, and diameter increments on F.moluccana were achieved using Shorea sp. biochar pyrolyzed at 600 °C with a dosage of 25 t ha−1 by 0.42 mg kg−1, 222 cm, and 2.75 cm, respectively. The total P in the soil positively correlated with the P-uptake of F. moluccana. Furthermore, using the biochar application method P could be absorbed to the biochar layer and desorbed to the topsoil. Consequently, the biochar application method together with P-fertilizer addition could increase the availability of P in the soil and decrease P-leaching to the environment.
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