PHYTHOTOXICITY ASSESSMENT OF VARIOUS COMPOST IN GERMINATION OF CORN (Zea mays L.)
Niken Rani Wandansari(1), Soemarno (2), Retno Suntari (3), Syahrul Kurniawan (4)

(1) Postgraduate Program;
(2), (3) dan (4) Faculty of Agriculture, Brawijaya University, Jl. Veteran, Malang, East Java

Abstract

This study aimed to determine level of maturity and stability of various types of compost using phytotoxicity assessment based on seed germination, root elongation and germination index of Zea mays L. Compost made from by-products from a sugar mill (filter cake and bagasse), market organic-waste, and water hyacinth. The water extract concentration of each compost used in this assessment was 10%. Results showed that every compost used was mature and stable with a GI value range at 134 to 201%. Furthermore, compost indicates very low toxicity because it had the SG and RE index > 0. The treatment of water extract of compost affected significantly on the seed germination rate, primary root elongation and growth speed of corn seeds. The highest of seed germination rate and seed growth speed were obtained at the market waste compost extract, which was consecutively 100% and 17.0% / etmal. While the length of the primary root was obtained at the filter cake compost extract which reached 4.18 cm. It is suggested that compost can be applied to agricultural lands and has positive effects on the initial growth of plants.

Keywords: organic waste, germination index, toxicity index

Topic: WASTE AND ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT