Application of organic fertilizer and phosphate solubilizing bacteria to increase the growth and yield of potatoes in Andisol

Abstract

Andisol has low phosphate (P) nutrient content due to high P fixation by allophane minerals, which affects crop production. The application of organic fertilizers and phosphate solubilizing bacteria can increase the availability of P in the soil in order to increase the production of potato plants. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different types of organic fertilizer and phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) on potato production. The research was conducted from August to November 2020 in the installation of research and assessment of agricultural technology Berastagi, Karo Regency, with an altitude of ± 1,340 m above sea level and the soil order is Andisol. The experimental design used a factorial randomized completely block design with four replications. The first factor was a different type of organic fertilizer (liquid organic fertilizer and chicken manure) and the second factor was a different type of phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB) {without PSB (control), Bacillus cereus, Bacillus pseudomycoides, and Bacillus amyloliquefaciens}. Results showed that chicken manure was able to increase the growth and yield of potatoes per plot. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria B. pseudomycoides could increase potato yields. The interaction of chicken manure and B. pseudomycoides was able to increase potato yield by 33.79% -56.24% and the percentage of big tubers to 32.60% -70.23% and decrease the grade of small tubers to 43.61% -72.32% compared to without PSB. Phosphate solubilizing bacteria Bacillus pseudomycoides and chicken manure fertilization had the potential to be applied for increasing potato production in Andisol.