KOMBINASI BIOCHAR DURIAN DAN PUPUK KOMPOS TERHADAP VEGETATIF BAWANG MERAH DAN PERBAIKAN FISIK TANAH

Shallot (Allium cepa) is an important horticultural commodity in Indonesia; however, its production has not yet met the national consumption demand. Shallot productivity is strongly influenced by soil physical conditions, particularly bulk density, particle density, and porosity. Improving soil conditions can be achieved through the application of biochar and compost combinations as soil amendments and nutrient sources. Biochar plays an important role in enhancing soil structure, porosity, and aggregation, thereby improving nutrient distribution and availability. The utilization of durian peel as a raw material for biochar also provides an alternative approach for managing agricultural waste in Lampung Province. This study aimed to determine the optimum formulation of durian peel biochar and compost combinations for improving soil physical properties and enhancing the vegetative growth of shallot. The experiment was arranged using a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with compost application rates of 10, 20, and 30 ton ha⁻¹ and durian peel biochar rates of 5%, 10%, and 15%. The observed parameters included the number of leaves, plant height, vegetative growth rate, bulk density, and soil porosity. The optimum formulation was obtained from the combination of 30 ton ha⁻¹ compost and durian peel biochar, which significantly improved shallot vegetative growth and soil bulk density.