The Effect of Mulch and Fertilizer on Soil Temperature of a Potato Growth

Abstract

The aim of this research is to investigate the effect of the temperature decrease by using mulch and fertilizer on the soil to potato. The study was conducted in November 2008 until June 2009 which was designed in a separate split plot design. The treatments consists of two factors and three replications, namely Factor I: The main plot consist of four treatments of mulch without mulch (Mo), Cover crops Arachis pintoi (Ma), rice straw mulch (Mj) and Black silver plastic mulch (Mp). Factor II: The sub-plot consists of three treatments: without fertilizer (P0), NPK 300 kg /ha (P1) and a combination of organic fertilizer 20 tons / ha nonorganic fertilizer (NPK), of 300 kg/ha (P2). The parameter was the surface erosion rate, the growth and production of potatoes, that were observed, that is environment components: 1) the measurement of soil temperature at night.and the plant component (the number of tubers). The study showed that all types of mulch effectively decrease soil temperature. The rice straw mulch ttreatment with a combination of organic and anorganic fertilizer produced the lowest soil temperature of 17.82 0C. It is capable of recording the soil temperature up to 6.43 0C. The treatment of types of mulch in combination with organic and anorganic fertilizer produced the highest number of tuber compared to other types of treatments. However, treatment types of mulch are given a combination of organic and anorganic fertilizer resulted in the highest number of tubers. Future work should focus on the use of mulch and fertilizer in getting the optimum growth of potato.