Utilization of Shrimp Shells Waste and Golden Snails to Increase the Yield of Shallots

Abstract

Shallots are high economic value commodities. The chemical fertilizers alone in onion cultivation can treat to agricultural sustainability. Environmentally friendly alternative fertilizers are urgently needed. One of them is Local Microorganism (LMO) which is developed from waste/natural materials, such as shrimp shells and golden snails which are available in nature. Shrimp shell contains nutrients N, P, K, C, Mg, and Fe. Golden snail is dangerous pest for rice plants, but it can be used as organic fertilizer. This study aims to determine effect of giving LMO of shrimp shells and golden snail for shallots growth and yield. The experiment used randomized block design with eight treatments, four replications, namely without LMO, 1.2 g plant-1 NPK fertilizer; 250 mL, 300 mL, and 350 mL shrimp shell LMO; LMO golden snail 250 mL, 300 mL, and 350 mL. The results showed that the provision of local microorganisms of shrimp shells and golden snails was able to increase shallot growth and yield, which was indicated by an increase in plant height, number of leaves, fresh weight, and dry weight of tubers per plant. The increase in tuber dry weight ranged from 130 % to 239 % (2.3 times to 3.4 times higher than control).