Role of Organic Fertilizer Types on Nutrient Absorption and Soybean Yield in Teak-based Agroforestry Systems

Abstract

Background: Indonesia’s soybean production is insufficient to meet the demand for domestic soybean consumption as 86.4% demand is met from imports. Climatic conditions strongly influence soybean production and its quality in Indonesia, so the agroforestry system are used to to boost soybean production. However, the weakness of the agroforestry system is the low light intensity resulting in lower production. This study examines the effect of various organic fertilizers on nutrient uptake and soybean yields in teak-based agroforestry systems. Methods: The study used a complete randomized block design with one factor, namely the type of fertilizer with seven levels, namely inorganic fertilizer (Urea 50 kg/ha, SP36 100 kg/ha and KCl 100 kg/ha), Indigofera tinctoria compost, corncob compost, peanut green manure, chicken manure, goat manure and cow manure (dose of 5 tons/ha) and repeated three times. Result: The type of fertilizer affects nitrogen and potassium uptake, root length and biomass, number of leaves, plant biomass and 1 ha soybean yield in a teak-based agroforestry system. Indigofera tinctoria compost produced the highest nitrogen and potassium uptake, 13.83g and 2.77g. Nitrogen uptake is positively correlated with root length and plant biomass. The highest soybean yield in the peanut green manure treatment was 1.6 tons. Organic fertilizers increased nutrient uptake and soybean yields under teak stands compared to inorganic fertilizers.