Land preparation by Trichoderma and mulch application to increase potato yield.

Good land preparation can be in the form of a combination of Trichoderma sp. and mulch. This study aimed to determine the effect of Trichoderma sp. and the application of mulch on potato yields. This research was conducted from October to December 2021 in Sindang Jaya village, Cipanas subdistrict, Cianjur Regency, West Java. The study used a randomized block design with two factorial treatments and four replications. The first factor was the application of local and commercial Trichoderma products in the planting holes and the beds. The second factor was mulch and no mulch. Mulch application was divided into two treatments, planting immediately after mulch installation and two weeks after. The parameters were analyzed by F-test followed by an orthogonal contrast test at a 95% confidence level. The results showed no interaction effect between Trichoderma sp. and mulch on potato growth and yield parameters. The use of mulch either immediately planted or after two weeks of installation increased the yield per hectare. Direct planting could increase the total tubers and the number of medium tubers compared to planting two weeks later. Treatment without Trichoderma had a higher yield than the treatment with Trichoderma, but it also had a high percentage of rot. Spraying Trichoderma onto the beds had a higher weight per tuber than planting holes. Local Trichoderma products had a higher number of small and total tubers than commercial Trichoderma products. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]