OPTIMAL PLANTING MEDIA AND ECOENZYME TREATMENT FOR IMPROVED SHALLOT PRODUCTION

Abstract

The production of shallots in North Sumatra is currently insufficient to meet the demand due to reliance on inorganic fertilizers which can reduce soil productivity. Organic matter is necessary to maintain and improve soil quality, and chicken manure compost is a medium that can improve soil fertility and quality while providing necessary nutrients for plant growth. Ecoenzymes produced through the decomposition process of vegetable and fruit waste in the presence of sugar and water using selective microorganisms contain bacteria that can decompose organic matter, stimulate plant growth, and control plant-disturbing organisms. The enzymes present in ecoenzyme, such as Trypsin, Lipase, and Amylase, can optimize plant growth and production. In this study, the effect of planting media and ecoenzyme treatment on shallot production was investigated through a factorial randomized block design with wet tuber weight per plot (g), dry bulb weight per plot (g), and tuber diameter (mm) as the observed parameters. The results showed that 75% topsoil + 25% compost was an effective planting medium for shallot production, while ecoenzyme treatment and its interaction with growing media had no significant effect on shallot production. The study contributes to the development of sustainable agricultural practices to increase shallot productivity in Indonesia through the use of effective planting media and organic fertilizers like chicken manure compost. Additionally, ecoenzyme treatment has shown promise in enhancing plant growth and production through organic matter decomposition