Description:
ABSTRACT
Several experiments have been carried out to elucidate the reduction in greenhouse gas emissions
as effect of replacement of chemical fertilizer by biofertilizers on alluvial soils in Indonesia.
Biofertilizers “Biotara” and “Biosure” were applied along with NPK fertilizer on alluvial soil
cultivated with rice. Emissions of nitrous oxide (N2O), methane (CH4) and carbon dioxide (CO2)
were monitored in biweekly basis up to the maximum vegetative growth of the rice plant. Oil
palm empty fruit bunch (OP EFB) as well as grasses were composted with Bacillus brevis and
Bacillus megaterium as activator. The composts were incorporated into alluvial soils cultivated to
oil palm and the emissions of N2O, CH4 and CO2 were monitored in biweekly basis. The results
showed that biofertilizer “Biotara” or “Biosure” combined with NPK fertilizer (¾
recommendation dose) could increase paddy growth with no significant effect on N2O, CH4 and
CO2 emissions. The emissions of N2O, CH4 and CO2 exhibited seasonal changes as affected by
inclusion of either OP EFB and weed compost along with NPK fertilizer. Global warming
potentials of each treatment for NPK, OP EFB compost and weed compost were 5.6, -5.2 and -
4.9 ton CO2 equ m-2
year-1
, respectively. It could be concluded that the replacements of
synthetic fertilizer with biofertilizer or compost did not have negative impact on the environment
which could be promoted.
Keywords: Agricultural waste, Compost, Greenhouse gases, Oil palm