Efek Inokulasi Bakteri Pemfiksasi N dalam Carrier Organik terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Padi Gogo pada Inceptisol

Abstrak

National rice production in Indonesia is supported by two main rice-growing types—lowland 
(paddy) and upland (dryland) rice. Lowland rice contributes a larger share to national rice production
than upland rice. However, several constraints in lowland rice cultivation may hinder efforts to further
increase its productivity. One alternative approach to address these constraints is the development of
upland rice cultivation. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of urea fertilizer
dosage and nitrogen-fixing bacteria (NFB) applied with different carrier materials (compost, a
mixture of compost and rice bran, and Azolla) on the growth and yield of upland rice grown on
Inceptisols in Jatinangor. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with two
factors: urea fertilizer dosage (100% and 50% of the recommended rate) and the application of
nitrogen-fixing bacteria using various carrier materials (compost, rice bran, and Azolla meal) as well
as a liquid culture without a carrier. The results demonstrated that the effect of urea dosage was
independent of the nitrogen-fixing bacteria applied using carrier materials. Individually, the
treatments were not significantly affected the population of Azotobacter spp. and Azospirillum spp.,
plant height, number of panicles, or 1,000-grain weight of upland rice. However, the nitrogen-fixing
bacteria inoculation with a mixed carrier (compost, rice bran, and Azolla) significantly increased filled
grain weight, resulting in the highest average filled grain yield of 37.30 g per plant.