PENGARUH SERBUK CANGKANG TELUR DAN PUPUK ORGANIK CAIR TERHADAP PERTUMBUHAN DAN PRODUKSI CABAI RAWIT YANG DITANAM DI TANAH SULFAT MASAM

Effects of Eggshell Powder and Liquid Organic Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Chili Pepper Grown on Acid Sulfate Soil

Abstrak

Acid sulfate soils are one of the major constraints in cultivating bird’s eye chili due to their highly acidic nature, high solubility of Al and Fe, and low availability of phosphorus (P). These conditions hinder both vegetative and generative growth by disrupting root development and nutrient uptake. This study aimed to determine the optimum dosage of eggshell powder as a natural source of CaCO₃ and the most effective concentration of rice-washing water liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) to enhance the growth and yield of bird’s eye chili grown in acid sulfate soils. The experiment was arranged using a two-factor Randomized Block Design (RBD), consisting of eggshell powder doses of 0 g, 20 g, and 25 g combined with LOF concentrations of 200 mL and 300 mL. Observed parameters included soil pH, available P, plant height increment, number of flowers, number of fruits, and fresh fruit weight. The results showed that the treatment combinations had significant effects on all parameters. The application of eggshell powder consistently increased soil pH through the neutralization of H⁺ ions, thereby reducing Al toxicity and improving root zone conditions. The rice-washing water LOF enhanced microbial activity and supplied additional nutrients, particularly easily mineralized organic P. The best performance was observed in the C1P2 treatment (20 g eggshell powder + 300 mL LOF), which produced optimal soil pH, the highest increase in available P, and superior plant growth and yield. Conversely, excessively high eggshell doses (C2P2) increased soil pH beyond the optimal range, resulting in phosphorus precipitation into Ca-P forms, reducing P availability, and limiting yield improvement. Overall, this study confirms that integrating natural CaCO₃ ameliorants and liquid organic fertilizers can serve as a low-cost, effective, and practical strategy to improve chili productivity in acid sulfate soils.