Utilization of Phosphate and Mycorrhizal Solvent Mushrooms to Increase the Availability of P and the Growth of Oil Palm Seedlings in Ultisol Soils

Oct 13, 2025 by wbrum.org 23 views

Utilization of Phosphate and Mycorrhizal Solvent Mushrooms to Increase the Availability of P and the Growth of Oil Palm Seedlings in Ultisol Soils

Introduction

Ultisol soil is known for its high acidity, which significantly affects the availability of phosphorus (P) in the soil. This limitation can hinder the growth of oil palm seedlings, making it essential to explore alternative solutions to overcome this problem. One such solution is the use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms. These microorganisms have the ability to convert phosphate from unavailable forms into forms that can be absorbed by plants, thereby increasing the availability of P in the soil.

The Problem of Phosphorus Deficiency in Ultisol Soils

Phosphorus is an essential nutrient for plant growth, and its deficiency can lead to stunted growth, reduced yields, and decreased plant productivity. In ultisol soils, the high acidity levels make it challenging for plants to absorb phosphorus, resulting in low availability of this critical nutrient. The use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms can be an effective solution to overcome this problem, as these microorganisms can convert phosphate into forms that can be absorbed by plants.

The Role of Phosphate Solvent Mushrooms

Phosphate solvent mushrooms have the ability to convert phosphate from unavailable forms into forms that can be absorbed by plants. These microorganisms can break down organic matter and release phosphorus, making it available to plants. Through research conducted on the experimental land of the Faculty of Agriculture, Laboratory of Soil Biology, University of North Sumatra, it was found that the application of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms could contribute significantly to increasing the growth of oil palm seedlings.

The Research Methodology

This study used a random design method for group with two factors and three replications. The first factor was the type of phosphate solvent fungus used, namely without the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms, Talaromyces pinophillus, and Aspergillus aline. The second factor was the application of mycoriza with a variation of doses of 0g/polybag, 10g/polybag, and 20g/polybag.

The Results of the Study

The results of the study showed that the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms can increase plant height, where the treatment with Aspergillus aline recorded an average plant height of 33.29 cm. Meanwhile, the treatment of the combination of Talaromyces Pinophillus and Aspergillus Amaori succeeded in increasing the absorption of P to 119.52 ppm, and the total P reached 1271.03 ppm in treatment without the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms.

In terms of the application of mycorrhiza, the treatment with a dose of 20G produces an average plant height of 33.38 cm. In addition, the up absorption reached 15.66 mg per plant in 10G mycorrhizal treatment, and the degree of root infection reached 77.93% in 20G mycorrhizhy treatment. This shows that mycorrhiza not only increases plant height but also contributes to increasing P and the health of palm oil roots.

Conclusion

From the analysis of the results obtained, it can be concluded that the application of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms has a positive impact in increasing the growth of oil palm seeds, with an increase in an average plant height of 3.16 cm in the interaction treatment between phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent fungi. This study shows the great potential of the use of microorganisms in agriculture, especially in soils that have high acidity such as ultisol.

The Future of Sustainable Agriculture

With the application of sustainable agricultural technology like this, it is expected to increase plant productivity and the availability of important nutrients in the soil, thus supporting the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia. The use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of phosphorus deficiency in ultisol soils, making it an essential tool for sustainable agriculture.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations can be made:

The use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of phosphorus deficiency in ultisol soils.
The application of mycorrhiza with a dose of 20G can increase plant height and contribute to increasing P and the health of palm oil roots.
Further research is needed to explore the potential of using microorganisms in agriculture, especially in soils that have high acidity such as ultisol.

Limitations of the Study

This study has some limitations, including:

The study was conducted on a small scale, and further research is needed to confirm the results on a larger scale.
The study only focused on the use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms, and further research is needed to explore the potential of using other microorganisms in agriculture.

Future Research Directions

Future research directions include:

Exploring the potential of using other microorganisms in agriculture, especially in soils that have high acidity such as ultisol.
Conducting further research on the use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms to confirm the results on a larger scale.
Investigating the potential of using microorganisms in combination with other sustainable agricultural practices to increase plant productivity and the availability of important nutrients in the soil.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about Utilization of Phosphate and Mycorrhizal Solvent Mushrooms to Increase the Availability of P and the Growth of Oil Palm Seedlings in Ultisol Soils

Q: What is the main problem with ultisol soils?

A: Ultisol soils are known for their high acidity, which makes it challenging for plants to absorb phosphorus, resulting in low availability of this critical nutrient.

Q: How can phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms help overcome this problem?

A: Phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms have the ability to convert phosphate from unavailable forms into forms that can be absorbed by plants, thereby increasing the availability of P in the soil.

Q: What are the benefits of using phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms in agriculture?

A: The use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms can increase plant height, contribute to increasing P and the health of palm oil roots, and support the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia.

Q: What are the different types of phosphate solvent fungi used in this study?

A: The study used three types of phosphate solvent fungi: without the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms, Talaromyces pinophillus, and Aspergillus aline.

Q: What are the different doses of mycorrhiza used in this study?

A: The study used three different doses of mycorrhiza: 0g/polybag, 10g/polybag, and 20g/polybag.

Q: What were the results of the study in terms of plant height?

A: The results showed that the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms can increase plant height, where the treatment with Aspergillus aline recorded an average plant height of 33.29 cm.

Q: What were the results of the study in terms of P absorption?

A: The results showed that the treatment of the combination of Talaromyces Pinophillus and Aspergillus Amaori succeeded in increasing the absorption of P to 119.52 ppm, and the total P reached 1271.03 ppm in treatment without the application of phosphate solvent mushrooms.

Q: What were the results of the study in terms of root infection?

A: The results showed that the degree of root infection reached 77.93% in 20G mycorrhizhy treatment.

Q: What are the implications of this study for sustainable agriculture?

A: The study shows the great potential of the use of microorganisms in agriculture, especially in soils that have high acidity such as ultisol. The use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms can be an effective solution to overcome the problem of phosphorus deficiency in ultisol soils, making it an essential tool for sustainable agriculture.

Q: What are the limitations of this study?

A: The study has some limitations, including the small scale of the study and the focus on the use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms.

Q: What are the future research directions?

A: Future research directions include exploring the potential of using other microorganisms in agriculture, conducting further research on the use of phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms, and investigating the potential of using microorganisms in combination with other sustainable agricultural practices.

Q: How can this study be applied in real-world agricultural settings?

A: The study's findings can be applied in real-world agricultural settings by using phosphate and mycorrhizal solvent mushrooms to increase the availability of P and the growth of oil palm seedlings in ultisol soils. This can be done by incorporating these microorganisms into agricultural practices, such as using them as a fertilizer or soil amendment.

Q: What are the potential benefits of using this technology in agriculture?

A: The potential benefits of using this technology in agriculture include increased plant productivity, increased availability of important nutrients in the soil, and support for the sustainability of the palm oil industry in Indonesia.