RESPON PERTUMBUHAN VEGETATIF TANAMAN JAGUNG MANIS (Zea mays L) TERHADAP BERBAGAI JENIS MULSA UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN BAHAN AJAR PADA KONSEP PERTUMBUHAN

Sari

Research has been carried out in the Laboratory of Biology Teacher Training and
Education Faculty of University of Riau from April to August 2013. The goal of this
research is to determine the best type of mulch to trigger the vegetative growth of
sweet corn (Zea mays L. var. saccharata) and produce module on the concept of
development and growth concept for high school students. This research used
experimental methods with randomized block design (CRD) with 5 treatments and 3
replications so that there are 15 experimental units. Treatment are A 0 = without mulch,
A 1 = mulch reeds, A 2 = mulch palm empty fruit bunches, A 3 = mulch black plastic, A 4 =
white plastic bag. Biological parameters measured were plant height, stem diameter,
fresh weight and dry weight. Physic-chemical parameters are soil temperature, soil
moisture, and soil pH. The data were analyzed by ANOVA and tested further by
DMRT at 5% level. The results showed that the use of mulch influence on stem
diameter and dry weight of sweet corn plants, but not in the height and wet weight of
the plant. The use of oil palm empty fruit bunches mulch gave best result on the
parameter plant height (86,54 cm), stem diameter (1,80 cm), fresh weight (191,7 g)
and sweet corn plant dry weight (43,33 g ). The results of this research can be
developed into module on the concept of plant growth for high school students with
the title of “Pengaruh Beberapa Jenis Mulsa Terhadap Pertumbuhan Vegetatif
Tanaman Jagung”.

Keywords: Corn, Dry weight, Mulch, Module, Plant height, Stem diameter, Vegetative
growth, Wet weight