wjpls, 2019, Vol.

5, Issue 11, 23-30 Research Article ISSN 2454-2229

Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life

World Journal Sciencesand Life Sciences
of Pharmaceutical
WJPLS
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EFFECTS OF RICE HUSK ASH AND POTASSIUM (KCL) FERTILIZER ON THE

GROWTH AND PRODUCTION OF SHALLOTS (ALLIUM ASCOLANICUM L.)
Saur Ernawati Manik1, Yenni Asbur1*, Yayuk Purwaningrum1, Rahmi Dwi Handayani Rambe1, Orleans
Ginting2, Syamsafitri1, Arif Anwar1, Indra Gunawan1, Murni Sari Rahayu1, Mindalisma1, Mahyuddin1, Dedi
Kusbiantoro3, Khairunnisyah3, Dian Hendrawan3, Surya Dharma3, Miranti4, Mahyu Danil4, M. Nuh4 and Wan
Bahroni Jiwar Barus4
1
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Jalan Karya Wisata
Gedung Johor, Medan 20144, Indonesia.
2
Department of Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Pembangunan Panca Budi, Jalan Jend. Gatot
Subroto Km. 4.5 Sei Sikambing, Medan 20122, Indonesia.
3
Department of Agribusiness, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Jalan Karya Wisata Gedung
Johor, Medan 20144, Indonesia.
4
Department of Agricultural Product Technology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Jalan
Karya Wisata Gedung Johor, Medan 20144, Indonesia.

*Corresponding Author: Yenni Asbur

Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Jalan Karya Wisata Gedung Johor, Medan 20144,
Indonesia.

Article Received on 02/09/2019 Article Revised on 23/09/2019 Article Accepted on 13/10/2019

ABSTRACT
The extreme changes in weather which resulted in disruption of shallots growth so that the impact of declining
quality and productivity of the land in shallot planting. The study aimed to determine the effect of rice husk ash
and potassium fertilizer (KCl) on the growth and production of shallots. The research design used was Split Plot
Design in a factorial Randomized Block Design consisting of two factors, namely the factor of rice husk ash (A) as
the main plot consisting of 3 levels: 5 t/ha (A1), 10 t/ha (A2 ), 15 t/ha (A3) and potassium fertilizer factor (K) as
subplots consisting of 4 levels: 0 kg/ha (K0), 100 kg/ha (K1), 200 kg/ha (K2), 300 kg/ha (K3). The results showed
that the best dose of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer to the growth and production maximum of shallots were
15 t/ha and 300 kg/ha, respectively. Doses of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer have not shown the optimum
dose for to the growth and production maximum of shallots.

KEYWORDS: Extreme weather, diameter of bulbs, weight of bulbs.

INTRODUCTION Rice husk ash is porous, so that drainage and soil

aeration change for the better. Rice husk ash contains
The existence of global warming has resulted in erratic
oxygen and nitrogen, which can increase surface area
climate change in recent years is a threat faced in the
and thus greatly affect plant growth.[1]
development of shallot cultivation. The prolonged dry
season has led to drought in many agricultural lands
Rice husk ash can provide nutrient content in the soil and
which led to crop failure due to lack of water. Likewise,
is able to meet the needs of plant nutrients. This is
extreme weather changes result in disturbed plant
thought to be due to the presence of N elements in the
growth, which results in a decrease in land quality and
content of rice husk ash which can contribute N needed
productivity.
by plants.[2] Rice husk ash is also used as biofilter filler
because it can increase porosity.[3] The results of
The occurrence of water limitations can be caused by
Febrinugroho.[4] showed that the addition of rice husk
low rainfall, especially at the beginning of the dry season
ash to a land can reduce the weight of land contents,
and the end of the rainy season. Drought stress in dry
increase in total pore space, fast pore drainage space, and
land is caused by low soil moisture content. Therefore,
decrease in slow drainage pore space.
research needs to be done to overcome the condition of
the land due to the dry environment, because the shallot
Potassium fertilizer (KCl) is a source of potassium (K)
centers are dry areas such as North Sumatra.
for plants. Its main function of helping in plants is the
formation of proteins and carbohydrates, whereas for
clay soils, K that is sown is bound by soil components so

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

that only 1/4 to 1/3 of the dose can be absorbed by Table 1: Average plant height (cm) of shallots in the
plants. In sandy soils where the pores of the soil are large treatment of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer
enough, potassium fertilizer is easily washed and carried doses.
by the flow of water. KCl fertilizer has a volatile nature
Rice husk ash (t/ha)
so its application must be done when the soil is still Treatments Average[1]
moist and not when the soil drains water because of the 5 10 15
results of the research the evaporation rate is 30% / Kfertilizer
day.[5] (kg/ha)
0 17.15 18.79 25.00 20.31d
According to Setiawan,[6] in general, potassium fertilizer 100 19.93 25.13 34.74 26.60c
(KCl) has the advantage of forming and transporting 200 25.68 30.11 36.81 30.86b
carbohydrates, strengthening plant upright, activating 300 30.28 34.43 38.59 34.43a
enzymes both directly and indirectly, plant seeds can Average[1] 23.26c 27.11b 33.79a
become fuller and denser, and strengthen plant roots. Note: The average value of treatment without being
KCl is very suitable for plantation and horticultural crops followed by letters in the same column and row shows
and contains up to 60% of K2O nutrients. no significant difference based on Duncan's multiple
range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same
Based on this, this study aims to determine the effect of column and row show significantly different based on
rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer (KCl) on the Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.
growth and production of shallot plants.
Table 1 shows that different treatments of rice husk ash
MATERIALS AND METHODS dose significantly affect the plant height of shallots at the
age of 31 HST, where the highest to lowest plants were
The study was conducted in the dry land of farmers in found in the treatment of rice husk ash 15 t/ha, 10 t/ha,
Namorambe, Deli Serdang, which is located at a height and 5 t/ha , namely 33.79 cm, 27.11 cm and 23.26 cm,
of ± 25 m above sea level with flat topography, from respectively. Higher shallot with the provision of rice
February to May 2017. husk ash as much as 15 t/ha due to the dose of rice husk
ash is able to meet the needs of plant nutrients, because
The study used a separate plot design in a factorial the element N contained in rice husk ash can contribute
randomized block design consisting of two factors, N needed for plants growth and development[2]. In
namely: Rice husk ash factor (A) as the main plot addition, husk ash has high silicate content so that it can
consisting of 3 levels: 5 t/ha (A1), 10 t/ha (A2), 15 t/ha provide nutrient requirements for onion plants.
(A3) and potassium fertilizer factor (K) as subplots According to Sumarni and Hidayat,[7] shallot is one type
consisting of 4 levels: 0 kg/ha (K0), 100 kg/ha (K1), 200 of plant that requires a lot of silica.
kg/ha (K2), 300 kg/ha (K3).
Based on the regression analysis shows that the form of
The observed variables were plant height, number of the relationship between the dose of rice husk ash with
leaves, number of tillers, number of tubers, tuber the height of the onion plant is linear in the form of the
diameter, tuber weight per plant, tuber weight/ha. equation y = 1.053x + 17.523 (R2 = 0.9765) (Figure 1).
This means that the greater the dose of rice husk ash, the
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION higher the onion plant will increase. The determinant
Statistical analysis showed that the application of rice coefficient (R2) value of 0.9765 means that 97.65% of
husk ash and potassium fertilizer had a significant effect, rice husk ash influences the shallot plant height.
while the combination between the two treatments had
no significant effect on the plant height of shallots at the
age of 31 days after the plant (HST) (Table 1).

40
35
30
Plant Height (cm)

25
20 y = 1.053x + 17.523
15 R² = 0.9765

10
5
0
0 5 10 15 20
Rice Husk Ash Dose (t/ha)

Figure 1: The form of the relationship between the dose of rice husk ash with plant height of shallot.

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

Potassium fertilizer dosage treatment also significantly Table 2: Average leaves number of shallots in the
affected the shallot plant height (Table 1), where the treatment of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer
highest to lowest plants were treated with potassium doses.
fertilizer 300 kg/ha, 200 kg/ha, 100 kg/ha, and 0 kg/ha,
Rice Husk Ash (t/ha)
i.e. respectively 34.43 cm, 30.86 cm, 26.60 cm and 20.31 Treatments Average[1]
cm. This is because potassium (K) is a macro nutrient 5 10 15
that is important for plant growth and development. K KFertilizer
has a role as an activator of several enzymes in plant (kg/ha)
metabolism. Potassium plays a role in protein and 0 11.27 9.33 11.00 10.53
carbohydrate synthesis, and increases photosynthate 100 11.00 9.80 10.73 10.51
translocation to all parts of the plant.[8] 200 12.33 9.67 10.27 10.76
300 10.73 10.27 11.67 10.89
Based on the regression analysis shows that the form of Average1) 11.33 9.77 10.92
the relationship between the dose of rice husk ash with
the height of the shallot plant is quadratic with the Note: The average value of treatment without being
equation y = -7E-05x2 + 0.067x + 20,377 (R² = 0.9992) followed by letters in the same column and row shows
(Figure 2). This means that the greater the dose of no significant difference based on Duncan's multiple
potassium fertilizer that is given up to the optimum dose range test at the 5%. [1] Different letters in the same
will increase the height of the shallot plant, but if the column and row show significantly different based on
dose of potassium fertilizer is increased beyond the Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.
optimum dose it will reduce the height of the shallot
plant. Figure 2 shows that the optimum dose of The results of the statistical analysis showed that the
potassium fertilizer has not yet been seen because the application of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer and
curve still shows the beginning of a decrease in plant the combination between the two treatments did not
height. The value of the determinant coefficient (R2) of significantly affect the leaves number of shallot (Table
0.9992 means that potassium fertilizer greatly influences 2). This is due to the general number of leaves affected
the height of the shallot plant, which is 99.99%. by genetic factors of the plant itself, so that even if given
certain treatments will not affect the number of leaves.

40 Based on the results of statistical analysis showed that

35 the administration of rice husk ash significantly affected
the number of tillers per shallot plant, while the dose of
30 potassium fertilizer and the combination between the two
Plant Height (cm)

treatments had no significant effect on the number of

25
y = -7E-05x2 + 0.067x + 20.377 tillers per shallot plant (Table 3).
20 R² = 0.9992
Table 3: Average number of tillers per shallot plant
15
(tillers) in the treatment of rice husk ash and
10 potassium fertilizer doses.
5 Rice Husk Ash (t/ha)
Treatments Average1)
5 10 15
0
KFertilizer
0 100 200 300
(kg/ha)
Potassium Fertilizer Dose (kg/ha) 0 11.13 8.53 9.27 9.64
100 11.40 11.93 8.00 10.44
Figure 2: The form of the relationship between the 200 10.13 9.73 6.87 8.91
dose of potassium fertilizer with plant height of 300 8.40 8.13 6.93 7.82
shallot. Average1) 10.27a 9.58b 7.77c
Note: The average value of treatment without being
Table 1 also shows that the combination between the two followed by letters in the same column and row shows
treatments had no significant effect on the shallot plant no significant difference based on Duncan's multiple
height. This shows that in a single factor, rice husk ash range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same
and potassium fertilizer are able to influence the plant column and row show significantly different based on
height of shallots, but together they have not been able to Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.
influence the plant height of shallots.
Table 3 shows that the higher the dose of rice husk ash,
the number of tillers per shallot plants will decrease, ie
10.27 tillers with a dose of rice husk ash 15 t/ha, 9.58
tillers with a dose of rice husk ash 10 t/ha, and 7.77

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

tillers with a dose of rice husk ash 5 t/ha. This shows that Note: The average value of treatment without being
the number of tillers per shallot plant will decrease if the followed by letters in the same column and row shows
rice husk ash dose increases. In line with the results of no significant difference based on Duncan's multiple
the study of Tarigan et al.[9] which shows that the range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same
increasing dose of rice husk ash given will reduce the column and row show significantly different based on
number of tillers per shallot plant. Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.

The number of tillers per plant that is not a guarantee that The effect of rice husk ash on the number of bulbs per
the shallot bulb production will be even greater. This is shallot plant is the same as the effect of rice husk ash on
due to the increasing number of tillers per plant can the number of tillers per shallot plant, ie the higher the
cause competition between tillers in absorbing water, dose of rice husk ash, the lower the number of bulbs per
nutrients and sunlight needed in the photosynthesis shallot plant, ie 6.98 g with a dose rice husk ash 5 t/ha,
process which can cause a decrease in the rate of 5.77 g with a dose of rice husk ash 10 t/ha, and 4.67 g
photosynthesis, so that the photosynthate produced for with a dose of rice husk ash 15 t/ha. This is due to rice
bulb formation will also be reduced. This can be seen husk ash containing only N by 1%, K by 2% but
from the relationship between the number of shallots containing 87%-97% silica[10]. According to Septiani,[11]
with bulb weights per plant which shows a negative the content of rice husk ash is SiO2 (52%), C (31%), K
linear form with the equation y = -1.7599x + 30.106 (R2 (0.3%), N (0.18%), F (0.08%), and calcium (0.14%). It
= 0.9923) (Figure 3). This means that the greater number also contains other elements such as Fe2O3, K2O, MgO,
of shallots plants will further reduce the weight of bulbs CaO, MnO and Cu in small amounts and several types of
per shallot plant, whereas if the number of tillers plants organic matter.
will reduce the weight of bulbs per plant.
Silica is a nutrient that is not essential for plant growth
20
and development in general because its physiological
function is unknown. According to Tisdale et al.[12], an
W eight of Bu lbs per plant (g)

18
16
element can be said to be essential for plant growth and
14
development if (1) the element is involved or functioning
12 y = -1.7599x + 30.106
in plant metabolism; and (2) plants cannot complete their
10 R² = 0.9923 life cycle without these elements. However, the benefits
8 of the Si element in graminea plants, especially rice and
6 sugar cane, are quite important and have been known for
4 a long time.[13] This causes an increase in the dose of rice
2 husk ash given to each onion plant, the number of tillers
0 per shallot plant will decrease because silica is only
0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 needed by the shallot plants. In line with the results of
Number of Tillers (tillers) the study by Pardede et al.[14] which showed that the
application of rice husk ash by 20 t/ha further reduced
Figure 3: The relationship between the number of the number of tillers and bulbs per shallot plant.
tillers and weights of bulbs per plant. According to Septiani,[11] high silica content can be
beneficial for plants because it becomes more resistant to
Table 4 shows that based on statistical analysis of rice pests and diseases due to hardening of the tissue.
husk ash and potassium fertilizer significantly affected
the number of bulbs per plant shallot, while the
combination between the two treatments had no 18
Weight od Bulbs per Plant (g)

significant effect on the number of bulbs per plant 16

shallot. 14
12
Table 4: Average number of bulbs per plant shallot 10
(bulbs) in the treatment of rice husk ash and 8 y = -1.9377x + 25.155
potassium fertilizer doses. R² = 0.9633
6
Rice Husk Ash (t/ha) 1) 4
Treatments Average
5 10 15 2
K Fertilizer 0
(kg/ha) 0 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8
0 6.80 5.33 5.13 5.76b Number of Bulbs per Plant (bulbs)
100 8.93 7.40 5.53 7.29a
200 7.67 5.73 4.27 5.89b Figure 4: The relationship between the number of
300 4.53 4.60 3.73 4.29b bulbs per plant and weights of bulbs per plant.
Average [1] 6.98a 5.77b 4.67c

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

The number of bulbs per plant shallot that is also greater meet the needs of the plant, the application of the
does not guarantee that the weight of the bulbs per plant fertilizer will not affect the growth and yield of the plant.
produced will also be even greater. Based on the
regression analysis shows that the form of the Table 5: Average bulb weights per plant of shallot (g)
relationship between the number of bulbs per shallot in the treatment of rice husk ash and potassium
plant and the bulb weight per plant of shallots is negative fertilizer doses.
linearly shaped with the equation y = -1.9377x + 25.155
Rice Husk Ash (t/ha)
(R2 = 0.9633) (Figure 4). Treatments Average1)
5 10 15
Figure 4 shows that the relationship between the number K Fertilizer
of bulbs per plant and the weight of bulbs per plant of (kg/ha)
shallot is negative linear, ie the more number of bulbs 0 9.27 11.40 11.40 10.69b
per plant, the less bulb weight per plant shallot will 100 10.73 10.07 11.27 10.69b
decrease. This is closely related to the competition that 200 11.73 14.47 15.67 13.96b
occurs in each shallot clump, where the more number of 300 15.73 17.93 27.13 20.27a
1)
plants per clump will cause higher competition in Average 11.87 13.47 16.37
fighting over the need for water, nutrients and sunlight Note: The average value of treatment without being
which will affect the process of plant physiology, followed by letters in the same column and row shows
especially in the process of photosynthesis, water no significant difference based on Duncan's multiple
absorption and nutrient absorption. Finally it will affect range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same
the results of photosynthesis which will be used for tuber column and row show significantly different based on
formation and enlargement. Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.

Potassium fertilizer also has a significant effect on the Potassium fertilizer significantly affected the bulb
number of bulbs per shallot plant (Table 4). The highest weights per plant of shallot (Table 5). The bulb weights
number of bulbs per shallot was found in the treatment of per plant of shallot increases with increasing dosage of
potassium fertilizer 100 kg/ha, which is as much as 7.29 potassium fertilizer given, ie 10.69 g with potassium
bulbs, followed by the treatment of potassium fertilizer fertilizer 0 kg/ha, 10 69 g with potassium fertilizer dose
200 kg/ha, which is 5.89 bulbs, the treatment of of 100 kg/ha, 13.96 g with dose of potassium fertilizer
potassium fertilizer 0 kg/ha, which is 5.76 bulbs, and the 200 kg/ha and 20.27 g with a dose of potassium fertilizer
treatment potassium fertilizer 300 kg/ha, which is 4.29 300 kg/ha. In contrast to the results of research Sumarni
bulbs. et al.[17] which shows reduction in shallot bulb weights
with increasing doses of potassium fertilizer exceeding
In line with the results of Ernawati's study[15] which 120 kg/ha. Likewise the results of research by Islam et
showed that increasing the dose of potassium fertilizer al.[18]; El-al et al.[5] Napitupulu and Winarto[19] showed
given from 100 kg/ha to 300 kg/ha would reduce the that the optimum dose of potassium fertilizer for the
number of bulbs per shallot plant. This is due to the dose maximum weight of bulb per plant of shallot was 120-
of potassium fertilizer between 200-300 kg/ha has 200 kg/ha, 144 kg/ha, and 100 kg/ha. This is thought to
exceeded the needs of K shallot plants. According to[16] be caused by the status of K soil at the study site is low,
that the optimum dose of K fertilizer for growth and so it requires additional elements of K through the
optimum yield of shallots was 175 kg/ha. application of potassium fertilizer with sufficient doses.
According to Sumarni et al.[17] K-soil status factor (soil
The application of rice husk ash and the combination type) had more influence on the yield of shallot bulbs
between the two treatments had no significant effect on compared to the dose of K fertilizer applied.
the bulb weight per plant of shallot, while potassium
fertilizer significantly affected the bulb weight per plant Table 6 shows that the application of rice husk ash and
of shallot (Table 5). potassium fertilizer significantly affected the bulb
weights per hectare of shallot, while the combination
Rice husk ash has no significant effect on bulb weight between the two treatments had no significant effect on
per plant of shallot due to the content of element K in the bulb weights per hectare of shallot.
rice husk ash is very small, which is 2%[10] and 0.3%.[11]
According to Sumarni et al.[17] the availability of K in the Increasing the dose of rice husk ash and potassium
soil is insufficient to support important metabolic fertilizer applied also increased the bulb weights per
processes in plants such as translocation of sugar from hectare of shallot. Rice husk ash dose of 15 t/ha was able
leaves to tubers, enzyme activity, protein synthesis, and to produce the highest shallot bulb weights of 1078.88
cell enlargement, which in turn determines the yield and kg/ha, followed by a dose of rice husk ash 10 t/ha with
quality of yield of a plant, so to meet the needs of K bulb weights 974.45 kg/ha, and the lowest by giving rice
plants need additional K through fertilizer applications. husk ash as much as 5 t/ha ha with a bulb weight of
However, if the addition of K given is not sufficient to 814.44 kg/ha. In line with the results of Kiswondo [20]
which shows an increase in yield of tomatoes with

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

increasing doses of husk ash given. This is due to husk important nutrients for plants such as K, P, Ca, Mg, so as
ash is a solid residual combustion of organic material to increase crop yields.[21]
that does not evaporate, can increase soil pH, provide

Table 6: Average bulb weights per hectare of shallot (kg) in the treatment of rice husk ash and potassium
fertilizer doses.
Rice Husk Ash (t/ha)
Treatments Average[1]
5 10 15
K Fertilizer (kg/ha)
0 714.09 942.22 877.02 844.44b
100 795.55 856.31 968.89 873.58b
200 814.80 1002.98 1019.24 945.67b
300 933.33 1096.31 1450.35 1160.00a
Average1) 814.44c 974.45b 1078.88a
Note: The average value of treatment without being followed by letters in the same column and row shows no
significant difference based on Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same column and row
show significantly different based on Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.

Likewise, the application of potassium fertilizer, the in plants, increase plant resistance to disease and
more the dose of potassium fertilizer is given, the higher drought, and improve crop yield and quality. Besides that
the weight of the shallot bulbs produced. Potassium K can also affect the growth, yield and quality of shallot
fertilizer dosage as much as 300 kg/ha produces the bulbs[23]. Nutrient balance, especially K in the soil, plays
heaviest bulb weight, which is 1160.00 kg/ha, followed a role in the synthesis of carbohydrates and proteins so
by application of potassium fertilizer as much as 200 that it can enlarge the shallot bulbs.[24]
kg/ha with bulb weights 945.67 kg/ha, potassium
fertilizer as much as 100 kg/ha with bulb weights 873.58 Shallot bulb diameter is one of the analyzes that shows
kg/ha and lowest bulb weights without potassium the quality of shallots because the shallot bulbs that are
fertilizer (0 kg/ha) with bulb weights of 844.44 kg/ha. favored on the market are shallot bulbs with a larger
This is because K plays an important role as an activator diameter. Based on statistical analysis showed that rice
of several enzymes in plant metabolism such as protein husk ash and potassium fertilizer significantly affected
and carbohydrate synthesis, and increases photosynthate the shallot bulb diameter, while the combination between
translocation to all parts of the plant[8,22,16] states that K the two treatments had no significant effect on the shallot
can also maintain cell turgor pressure and water content bulb diameter (Table 7).

Table 7: Average bulb diameter of shallot (mm) in the treatment of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer doses.
Rice Husk Ash (t/ha)
Treatments Average [1]
5 10 15
K Fertilizer (kg/ha)
0 10.65 12.24 11.32 11.40b
100 11.02 10.31 12.27 11.20b
200 11.07 14.64 16.05 13.92b
300 14.86 18.04 19.35 17.42a
[1]
Average 11.90c 13.81b 14.75a
Note: The average value of treatment without being followed by letters in the same column and row shows no
significant difference based on Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.[1] Different letters in the same column and row
show significantly different based on Duncan's multiple range test at the 5%.

Increasing the dose of rice husk ash and potassium that the addition of rice husk ash can increase overall
fertilizer dosage further increases the diameter of the plant growth continuously and indirectly increase root
shallot bulbs. The diameter of the largest shallot bulbs growth at all depths of normal roots and even encourage
with the application of rice husk ash is 15 t/ha, followed better tuber formation.
by the application of rice husk ash 10 t/ha, and 5 t/ha, ie
respectively 14.75 mm, 13.81 mm, and 11.90 mm. This The higher the dose of potassium fertilizer applied, the
is because one of the important roles of rice husk ash is greater the diameter of the shallot bulbs produced (Table
to be able to improve soil structure, increase absorption 7). This is due to the shallot planting, K can provide
and water retention ability, so as to maintain soil better bulb yields, higher quality and shelf life of bulbss,
structure and humidity of the microenvironment around and the bulbs remain solid even though they are stored
plantations[25]. Goldsworthy and Fisher[26] further stated for a long time[27]. The low diameter of shallot bulbs

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Asbur et al. World Journal of Pharmaceutical and Life Sciences

obtained with the lower dosage of potassium fertilizer Hortikultura, Politeknik Negeri Lampung. Lampung,
given due to K nutrient deficiency will inhibit 2012.
translocation and storage of assimilates, thereby reducing 12. Tisdale SL, Nelson WL, Beaton JD. Soil Fertility
the size, number and yield of bulbsper plant[5]. and Fertilizers. Fourth Ed. New York (US):
Furthermore[28,16] states that the K requirement increases Macmillan Publ. Co., 1985; 754.
with increasing crop yields, because the K function is 13. Makarim, A.K., Suhartatik, E., Kartohardjono, A.
related to photosynthesis. Silikon: Hara Penting pada Sistem Produksi Padi.
Iptek Tanaman Pangan, 2007; 2(2): 195-204.
CONCLUSION 14. Pardede, E.S., Mariati, Sipayung, R. Pertumbuhan
dan produksi tiga varietas bawang merah (Allium
The best dose of rice husk ash and potassium fertilizer to
ascalonicum L.) pada pemberian beberapa jenis
produce maximum growth and production of shallot
pupuk organik di tanah terkena abu vulkanik
plants are 15 t/ha and 300 kg/ha, respectively.
sinabung. Jurnal Agroekoteknologi, 2015; 3(4):
1436-1446.
The optimum dose of rice husk ash and potassium
15. Ernawati, L. Pengaruh bobot bibit dan dosis pupuk
fertilizer has not yet been obtained for maximum growth
kalium terhadap serapan K, pertumbuhan dan hasil
and production of shallots because the relationship
tanaman bawang merah (Allium ascalonicum L.)
between the dose of rice husk ash and potassium
varietas bima. Agroswagati, 2015; 3(2): 331-343.
fertilizer with growth and production of shallots is still
16. Mozumder S.N., Moniruzzaman M., Halim G.M.A.
linear.
Effect of N, K and S on the yield and stability of
transplanted onion (Allium cepa L.) in the Hilly
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