Growth Response and Yield of Pak Choi (Brassica Rapa L. Chinensis) in Response to the Application of EM-4-Based Liquid Organic Fertilizer Derived from Tofu Waste in the Agroecosystem of Timor-Leste

Teofilo Amaral Sarmento; Fidelis Anggara Murdani Kolin

doi:10.59890/ijasse.v4i1.340

Authors

Teofilo Amaral Sarmento Departemento Do Ensino De Biologia, Fakuldade De Educação E Humanidades, Universidade Nacional Timor Lorosa’e ( UNTL )
Fidelis Anggara Murdani Kolin Universitas Kristen Satya Wacana, Salatiga

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijasse.v4i1.340

Keywords:

Growth Response, Yield of Pak Choi , Tofu Waste in the Agroecosystem of Timor-Leste

Abstract

The use of tofu industry wastewater as liquid organic fertilizer is one alternative for waste management and the sustainable supply of nutrients in tropical agricultural systems. This study aims to analyze the chemical quality of liquid organic fertilizer derived from tofu wastewater based on Effective Microorganisms-4 (EM-4), analyze the growth response and yield of pakcoy (Brassica rapa L. Chinensis) in response to its application, and determine the most effective fertilizer concentration for improving crop agronomic performance under the agroecosystem conditions of Timor-Leste. The study was designed as a completely randomized design with fertilizer concentration levels of 5%, 10%, 20%, 30%, and a 0% control. The results indicate that liquid organic fertilizer derived from the fermentation of tofu wastewater using EM-4 contains macronutrients that support plant growth and is suitable for application as an alternative nutrient source. Application of the fertilizer at various concentrations statistically showed significant effects on all growth parameters, but did not yield significant effects on all yield parameters. In general, increasing fertilizer concentration tended to increase plant height, leaf number, canopy width, fresh weight, dry weight, and chlorophyll content, although not all variables showed statistically significant differences. These findings indicate that EM-4-based liquid organic fertilizer derived from tofu wastewater has the potential to serve as an environmentally friendly alternative nutrient source to support pakcoy cultivation in the agroecosystem of Timor-Leste.

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