The Use of Seaweeds Sargassum Sp and Gracilaria Verrucosa as Soil Conditioneer to Enhance The Growth of Vigna Radiata in Sandy and Clay Soil

Abstract

Seaweeds have been known to have some beneficial impact in enhancing the growth of agricultural plant. We investigate the use of Sargassum sp. and Gracilaria verrucosa in enhancing the growth of Vigna radiata. The seaweeds were collected from Awur bay and shrimp pond in Jepara and Kendal, Central Java. The seaweeds was dried and soaked to reduce salinity, then dried again under the sun. The dried seaweeds were then finely powdered, and applied into sandy and clay soil at the proportion of soil conditioner: soil medium was 1:4. After 4 weeks composting, the mixed medium were used to plant the Vigna radiate seed. The growth of Vigna radiate was monitored by the height of the plant weekly. The collected data was analyzed using t test to compare before and after the use of seaweeds soil conditioner in certain type of soil. Results indicated that in sandy soil, Gracilaria was capable in increasing the growth of Vigna radiate by 23.86% (p=0.005). Whereas Sargassum sp increase the growth of Vigna radiate by 37% (p=0.002).