PHYSIOLOGICAL RESPONSE OF PALM PLANTS (Arenga pinnata (Wurmb.) Merr.) AT VARIOUS ALTITUDES AND BIOCHAR APPLICATION

Rosi Widarawati; Prita Sari Dewi; Prasmadji Sulistyantom; Eni Sumarni; Muhammad Yudhistira Atsalits

Rosi Widarawati Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
Prita Sari Dewi Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
Prasmadji Sulistyantom Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
Eni Sumarni Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia
Muhammad Yudhistira Atsalits Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University Jenderal Soedirman, Purwokerto, Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

This research aims to determine the influence of height factors and the provision of biochar on the yield of sugar palm sap. The research was carried out in areas where sugar palm plants grow which include river basins and hills in Semaya Hamlet, Sunyalangu Village, Karanglewas District, Banyumas Regency and the Food Technology Laboratory, Jenderal Soedirman University with a split plot experimental design with 2 factors each. 3 levels each. The first factor, altitude, is 250 < x ≤ 450 m above sea level (K0), 450 < x≤ 650 (K1), and > 650 m above sea level (K2). The second factor is the administration of various doses of biochar consisting of 0 g biochar (B0), 750 g biochar (B1), and 1,500 g biochar (B2). The variables observed are the volume of sap per day, sugar content in Brix degrees, pH of the sap, sugar sucrose, and reducing sugar. The experimental data obtained were analysed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) at the 5% level and continued with the DMRT test (Duncan Multiple Range Test). The research results obtained were that the altitude factor had a significant effect on the volume of sap per day, sugar content in degrees Brix, and viscosity of the sap. Meanwhile, administering various doses of biochar affected the variable volume of sap per day. There was no interaction between the altitude factor and the provision of biochar on all observation variables.