VALUATION OF EISENIA FOETIDA EARTHWORMS AND MULCH APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH AND THE QUALITY OF SORGHUM BICOLOR PLANT IN DRAMAGA LATOSOL SOIL

Abstrak

The aim of this study was to evaluate the application of E. foetida earthworms and mulch on the growing
media on the growth and the quality of the Sorghum bicolor plant. The study was conducted in the greenhouse
of the Agrostology Laboratory, Faculty of Animal Science IPB University in 2017. The experimental design
used was a completely randomized design, factorial pattern with two factors. First factor was E. foetida
earthworm factor (0 and 60 earthworm pot
-1
3
), and the second factor was mulch (without mulch, organic
mulch, inorganic mulch). All treatments were repeated 3 times. The soil used was Dramaga latosol soil
that has been dried and sifted with a 5 mm sieve. The amount of soil used was 5 kg BKU (air dry weight)
per pot. Sorghum bicolor plant was harvested 60 days after planting. The application of earthworms very
significant increased the dry weight of roots, leaves and canopy (upper part) of plants. Mulch application
did not give a significant difference for all plant variables. There was an interaction between earthworms
and mulch on the accumulation of N plants. Application of organic mulch gives a significant increase in
the number of earthworms compared to inorganic mulch. The application of earthworms gave the benefits
of Sorghum bicolor plant productivity, the benefits will be greater if combined with organic mulch.
Keywords: Eisenia foetida, Sorghum bicolor, latosol, mulsa