Use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer

Oct 13, 2025 by talynt.org 95 views

The Effect of SP-36 Fertilizer, KCI, Kieserit, and Cow Dung on the Number of Microorganisms in Andisol Tongkoh Karo Regency

Introduction

Soil microorganisms play a crucial role in maintaining soil health and fertility. They are responsible for decomposing organic matter, fixing nitrogen, and solubilizing minerals, making them available to plants. The use of organic and inorganic fertilizers can affect the number and diversity of microorganisms in the soil. This study aims to investigate the effect of giving cow dung and fertilizer on the number of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, in Andisol Tongkoh soil, Karo Regency.

Methodology

The study used a random factorial group experimental design with two factors and three replications. The first factor was the application of cow dung, which was divided into two treatments: without cow dung (C0) and the application of 20 tons of cow dung per hectare (C1). The second factor was the application of fertilizer, which consisted of four treatments: without fertilizer (M0), 85 kg of SP-36 fertilizer per hectare (m1), 1316 kg KCl per hectare (m2), and 875 kg of kieserit per hectare (m3), as well as double variations (M2) and three times (m3) from the M1 dose.

Cow dung was given at the beginning of the experiment, followed by the application of fertilizer after one week. Four weeks after treatment, the number of bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi was calculated to determine its effect on soil microorganisms.

Results

The results showed that the highest number of bacteria, namely 24.3 x 10^6 CFU/g of the soil, was achieved in the treatment of cow dung with the application of fertilizer three times the M1 dose. Meanwhile, the highest number of actinomycetes, which is 11.0 x 10^5 CFU/g of the soil, was obtained in the treatment with cow dung and the application of M1 fertilizer. In this study, no fungus was found in treatment without cow dung, except in the treatment of cow dung with the application of M1 fertilizer.

Discussion

The provision of cow dung and fertilizer plays an important role in increasing the amount of microorganisms in the soil. Cow dung as an organic fertilizer not only supplies nutrients for plants but also increases the activity of microorganisms. This activity results in an increase in bacterial population and actinomycetes, which contribute to the decomposition process of organic matter and humus formation.

SP-36, KCl, and kieserit fertilizers also function as an important source of nutrients for plants, so that when applied simultaneously with cow dung, can create an optimal environment for the growth of microorganisms. From the results of the study, it can be seen that the combination of cow dung and fertilizer can significantly increase the number of bacteria and actinomycetes, which are indicators of soil health.

Mushrooms that are not detected in treatment without cow dung indicate that the presence of organic matter greatly affects the diversity of microbes in the soil. In addition, the results obtained in the treatment of cow dung with the right dose of fertilizer can encourage fungal growth, which is important for the symbiotic process with plant roots and increase nutritional absorption.

Conclusion

By paying attention to the results of this study, farmers and agricultural practitioners in Karo Regency are recommended to consider the use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer, along with the right chemical fertilizer, in order to improve soil quality and plant productivity. Good fertilizer management can optimize the balance of soil microorganisms and support agricultural sustainability in the area.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

Use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer: Cow dung can be used as a source of organic fertilizer to improve soil quality and plant productivity.
Application of SP-36 fertilizer: SP-36 fertilizer can be applied to increase the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil.
Application of KCl and kieserit fertilizers: KCl and kieserit fertilizers can be applied to increase the number of fungi in the soil.
Optimization of fertilizer management: Good fertilizer management can optimize the balance of soil microorganisms and support agricultural sustainability in the area.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Investigation of the effect of different types of organic fertilizers on soil microorganisms: Different types of organic fertilizers, such as compost and manure, can be investigated to determine their effect on soil microorganisms.
Investigation of the effect of different types of inorganic fertilizers on soil microorganisms: Different types of inorganic fertilizers, such as nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium fertilizers, can be investigated to determine their effect on soil microorganisms.
Investigation of the effect of different soil types on soil microorganisms: Different soil types, such as clay, silt, and sand soils, can be investigated to determine their effect on soil microorganisms.

Limitations of the Study

The study has several limitations, including:

Limited sample size: The study was conducted with a limited sample size, which may not be representative of the entire population.
Limited number of treatments: The study was conducted with a limited number of treatments, which may not be representative of the entire range of possible treatments.
Limited duration of the study: The study was conducted for a limited duration, which may not be representative of the long-term effects of the treatments.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the study found that the provision of cow dung and fertilizer plays an important role in increasing the amount of microorganisms in the soil. The combination of cow dung and fertilizer can significantly increase the number of bacteria and actinomycetes, which are indicators of soil health. The study recommends the use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer, along with the right chemical fertilizer, to improve soil quality and plant productivity. Good fertilizer management can optimize the balance of soil microorganisms and support agricultural sustainability in the area.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of SP-36 Fertilizer, KCI, Kieserit, and Cow Dung on the Number of Microorganisms in Andisol Tongkoh Karo Regency

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of giving cow dung and fertilizer on the number of microorganisms, including bacteria, actinomycetes, and fungi, in Andisol Tongkoh soil, Karo Regency.

Q: What are the factors that were studied in this research? A: The two factors that were studied in this research are the application of cow dung and the application of fertilizer. The cow dung was applied in two different treatments: without cow dung (C0) and the application of 20 tons of cow dung per hectare (C1). The fertilizer was applied in four different treatments: without fertilizer (M0), 85 kg of SP-36 fertilizer per hectare (m1), 1316 kg KCl per hectare (m2), and 875 kg of kieserit per hectare (m3), as well as double variations (M2) and three times (m3) from the M1 dose.

Q: What were the results of this study? A: The results of this study showed that the highest number of bacteria, namely 24.3 x 10^6 CFU/g of the soil, was achieved in the treatment of cow dung with the application of fertilizer three times the M1 dose. Meanwhile, the highest number of actinomycetes, which is 11.0 x 10^5 CFU/g of the soil, was obtained in the treatment with cow dung and the application of M1 fertilizer. In this study, no fungus was found in treatment without cow dung, except in the treatment of cow dung with the application of M1 fertilizer.

Q: What are the implications of this study? A: The implications of this study are that the provision of cow dung and fertilizer plays an important role in increasing the amount of microorganisms in the soil. The combination of cow dung and fertilizer can significantly increase the number of bacteria and actinomycetes, which are indicators of soil health. This study recommends the use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer, along with the right chemical fertilizer, to improve soil quality and plant productivity.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: The limitations of this study are that it was conducted with a limited sample size, which may not be representative of the entire population. Additionally, the study was conducted for a limited duration, which may not be representative of the long-term effects of the treatments.

Q: What are the future research directions? A: The future research directions include investigating the effect of different types of organic fertilizers on soil microorganisms, investigating the effect of different types of inorganic fertilizers on soil microorganisms, and investigating the effect of different soil types on soil microorganisms.

Q: What are the recommendations for farmers and agricultural practitioners? A: The recommendations for farmers and agricultural practitioners are to consider the use of cow dung as a source of organic fertilizer, along with the right chemical fertilizer, to improve soil quality and plant productivity. Good fertilizer management can optimize the balance of soil microorganisms and support agricultural sustainability in the area.

Q: What are the benefits of using cow dung as a fertilizer? A: The benefits of using cow dung as a fertilizer include increasing the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil, improving soil health, and increasing plant productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of using SP-36 fertilizer? A: The benefits of using SP-36 fertilizer include increasing the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil, improving soil health, and increasing plant productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of using KCl and kieserit fertilizers? A: The benefits of using KCl and kieserit fertilizers include increasing the number of fungi in the soil, improving soil health, and increasing plant productivity.

Q: What are the benefits of using a combination of cow dung and fertilizer? A: The benefits of using a combination of cow dung and fertilizer include increasing the number of bacteria and actinomycetes in the soil, improving soil health, and increasing plant productivity.