Effect of Vermicompost and Liquid Organic Fertilizer on Growth and Yield of Shallot (Allium ascalonicum L.) from True Shallot Seed

Abstract

This study evaluated the effects of vermicompost and liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) on the growth and yield of shallots (Allium ascalonicum L.) cultivated from true shallot seeds (TSS). The experiment was conducted from October 2023 to February 2024 at the Teaching Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University, Makassar, Indonesia. A factorial experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design was conducted using different vermicompost and LOF levels in the substrate. The first factor was vermicompost dosage (0.0, 7.5, and 15.0 t ha⁻¹), and the second was LOF concentration (0, 2.5, 5, and 7.5 mL L⁻¹). The results showed that both vermicompost and LOF significantly improved plant growth and yield parameters (p < 0.05). Increasing the vermicompost dosage enhanced biomass accumulation and bulb development, whereas higher LOF concentrations promoted plant growth and improved the yield performance. However, no significant interaction was observed between vermicompost and LOF (p > 0.05), indicating that each factor acted independently of the other. In conclusion, vermicompost and LOF are effective organic inputs for improving the productivity of shallots. This study highlights the potential of these treatments as sustainable nutrient management strategies to support efficient and environmentally friendly cultivation of shallots in the future.