INORGANIC FERTILIZERS COVERED BY ACTIVE RICE HUSK CHARCOAL PROMOTE GROWTH AND YIELD OF SHALLOT IN DRYLAND

Shallot is one of the seven strategic commodities in Indonesia. The demand for shallot continues to increase every year as the population increases, therefore the expansion of shallot planting areas in dryland is an alternative to increase production. This study aims to investigate the response of growth and yield of shallot (Batu Ijo variety) to various doses of inorganic fertilizers coated with activated charcoal in dryland. This research was conducted at the Sandubaya Experimental Station - West Nusa Tenggara Institute for Assessment of Agricultural Technology from March to June 2019. The research location is at the coordinates of -8o30'47, 116o39'14, 56.4ft at an altitude of 46.0 m above sea level. The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with 1 factor and 5 levels of treatment dose of inorganic fertilizer coated with activated charcoal. Treatment of inorganic fertilizer dosage, namely B1: farmer practices of inorganic fertilizer (100%), B2: inorganic fertilizer 25% + coated with activated charcoal, B3: inorganic fertilizer 50% + coated with activated charcoal, B4: 75% inorganic fertilizer + coated with activated charcoal and B5: 100% inorganic fertilizer + coated with activated charcoal. The results showed that there was a correlation between plant height, number of leaves, number of bulbs and yields. The application of inorganic fertilizer as much as 75% of the standard dose + activated charcoal coating can have the highest effect on plant height, number of leaves, number of bulbs, yield and weight of the shelf life of 30 to 60 days after harvesting.