Effect of Mycorrhizae and Liquid Organic Fertilizer on the Leaf Growth of Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Sw
Summary
People popularly cultivate Cymbidium ensifolium (L.) Sw as an ornamental plant because it is a terrestrial orchid. The high desirability of the C. ensifolium orchid leads to its exploitation in nature, raising concerns about its potential endangerment. Therefore, to address this issue, ex situ conservation methods are necessary, such as cultivating the orchid. One supporting factor for orchid cultivation is the application of fertilizer, especially using natural fertilizers that can be used as an alternative to inorganic fertilizers that have a negative impact on the environment. Natural fertilizers that are commonly used are liquid organic fertilizers (LOF) prepared from coconut water and washed rice water. In addition, there are also other natural fertilizers that are eco-friendly, namely, mycorrhizal biofertilizers. The aim of this study is to determine the effect of LOF and mycorrhizal biofertilizer on the development of C. ensifolium orchids. The research was conducted for 3 months in the experimental garden with two treatment factors. The first factor is LOF with levels of 0%, 15%, and 30%. The second factor is mycorrhizal biofertilizer with levels of 0, 5, 10, and 15 g·plant-1. The results showed that the application of 15% LOF and 15 g·plant-1 mycorrhizal biofertilizer was the optimum treatment in increasing the leaf growth of Cymbidium ensifolium orchid in the parameters of the number of shoots, shoot length, number of leaves, leaf length and width and leaf area.
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