A quick assessment of patchouli nutrient stress on Inceptisols soil of Aceh, Indonesia

Abstract

Nutrient diagnosis can be a guide for optimizing growth through proper fertilization. This study aims to quickly evaluate the response of the patchouli plant to nutrient stress in Inceptisols. That was carried out through a greenhouse experiment consisting of 8 fertilizer nutrient treatments. Two treatments were used as control, namely without application of fertilizer (Co) and complete macronutrients (C). The other six treatments were the addition of complete macronutrients without N (C-N), -P (C-P), -K (C-K), -Ca (C-Ca), -Mg (C-Mg), and -S (C-S) respectively. The fertilizer dose used is half of the recommended dose (128.8 kg N; 25 kg P2O5; 84 kg K2O; 81 kg Mg; 117.4 kg Ca and 60 kg S ha-1). Experiment using a randomized block design with 3 replications. The patchouli seed tested was the local variety. Patchouli plant responses observed were plant height, number of main branches, leaf characteristics, and biomass. Fertilization treatment is not significant to the growth of patchouli. Treatment without fertilizer, complete without N, complete without K, and complete without P showed lower patchouli growth and production. Fertilizer treatment without N tends to show the lowest growth response on each parameter. Nitrogen is the main nutrient-limiting factor for patchouli plants in Inceptisols Aceh.