Ameliorant of rice husk charcoal supports rice cultivation in dry land

Abstract

Dry land with low fertility causes low productivity. Ameliorant of rice husk charcoal (RHC) has potential to improve soil properties and increasing rice productivity. This study investigates the RHC effect on soil properties, rice growth and yield in the dry land. The experimental research was held in Gunungkidul, with randomized complete block design consists of 6 treatments and 3 replications. The treatment was dose of RHC, consisting of without RHC (Control), RHC at dose of 1 ton ha-1 (RHC1), 2 ton ha-1 (RHC2), 3 ton ha-1 (RHC3), 4 ton ha-1 (RHC4), and 5 ton ha-1 (RHC5). The results showed that giving RHC increased soil pH to 6.43 and decreased soil Eh to 54 mV. RHC at a dose of 3 ton ha-1 (RHC3) was chosen as alternative, producing dry grain by 4.94 ton ha-1, dry straw by 6.31 ton ha-1, carbon absorption in grain by 2.65 ton ha-1 and straw by 2.92 ton ha-1, and reduces the percentage of empty grain up to 5.38%. Ameliorant of RHC improves soil properties, better growth, increasing rice productivity, better grain quality, and maintains environmental quality through carbon absorption.