Effect of Different Mixed Media (Merapi Volcanic Ash, Cow Manure and Mineral Soil) on Chemical Properties of Soil and Growth of Maize (Zea mays L.)

The volcanic ash can not be used as crop growth media directly due to lack of physical characteristics and low rate of plant’s nutrient. With addition of other components (elements) such as organic matter and mineral soil, this mixed media expected to empower the volcanic ash used as growth media for crops. To realize this idea, a research was done with maize as a crop indicator. This study was conducted to find out the combination effects of Merapi volcanic ash, cow manure and mineral soil on organic carbon, total N, organic matter and growth of maize ( Zea mays L . ). During April to July 2011, in the pot under the glass house at Faculty of Agricultural Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor-West Java at about 740 m above sea level. The experiment used a randomized block design which arranged in one factor, nine treatments and three replications. The nine treatments consisted of: 0% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (I), 40% volcanic ash + 10% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (II), 30% volcanic ash + 20% cow manure + 50 mineral soil (III), 20% volcanic ash + 30% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (IV), 10% volcanic ash + 40% cow manure + 50% mineral soil (V), 40% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 10% mineral soil (VI), 30% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 20% mineral soil (VII), 20% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 30% mineral soil (VIII), and 10% volcanic ash + 50% cow manure + 40% mineral soil (IX). The data were analyzed by using Anova Test and Duncan's Multiple Range Test. The result showed that there were significant effects of mixed media (volcanic ash, cow manure and mineral soil) on organic carbon, total N, organic matter and plant growth of maize. The highest organic carbon (4.6%) and organic matter (8.08%) was found in combination (treatment VII): 30% volcanic ash, 50% cow manure and 20% mineral soils. Combination in treatment IX: combination of 10% ash volcano, 40% cow manure and 50% mineral soil gave a significant scored on total N.