Kharis Maulana Izar, Miftachul Chusnah

The Effect of Adding Cassava Peel to Liquid Organic Fertilizer on Kale

Introduction

The effect of adding cassava peel to liquid organic fertilizer on kale . Discover how adding cassava peels to liquid organic fertilizer boosts water spinach growth. This study shows LOF enriched with cassava peels improves plant height, leaf length, and soil pH for sustainable agriculture.

Abstract

The utilization of organic waste as a raw material for liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) is an environmentally friendly alternative to support sustainable agriculture. Cassava peels contain simple carbohydrates and nutrients that can improve the quality of LOF and promote plant growth. This study aimed to determine the effect of adding cassava peels to vegetable waste-based LOF on the growth of water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica). The experiment was conducted using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) with four treatments: P0 (control), P1 (LOF + 10% cassava peels), P2 (LOF + 20% cassava peels), and P3 (LOF + 30% cassava peels), each replicated three times. Parameters observed included plant height, leaf number, leaf length, root length, fresh weight, and soil pH. Data were analyzed using ANOVA, followed by LSD test at a 5% significance level. Results showed that adding cassava peels improved plant growth, with P3 giving the best numerical results for most parameters, such as plant height (31.8 cm), leaf length (6.78 cm), and soil pH (8.20). Although not all parameters were significantly different, the overall trend indicated that LOF enriched with cassava peels could improve fertilizer quality and support the vegetative growth of water spinach.   Keywords: liquid organic fertilizer; cassava peels; experiment; water spinach; plant growth.  

Review

This study presents an investigation into the use of cassava peels as an enriching amendment for liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) derived from vegetable waste, with the aim of promoting plant growth. The authors' premise of valorizing organic waste for sustainable agricultural practices is highly relevant and timely. Employing a Completely Randomized Design (CRD), the experiment evaluated four concentrations of cassava peels added to LOF. The abstract reports that the addition of cassava peels positively influenced various plant growth parameters, with the highest concentration (30%) yielding the best numerical results for metrics such as plant height and leaf length, along with an increase in soil pH. However, a critical discrepancy must be addressed immediately: the title explicitly states "Kale," while the abstract consistently refers to "water spinach (Ipomoea aquatica)." This fundamental inconsistency is a major concern and needs to be rectified without delay, as it significantly impacts the clarity and reliability of the study's stated focus. Beyond this, while the reported trends for plant growth are positive, the abstract notes that "not all parameters were significantly different." This suggests that some of the observed improvements may not be statistically robust, which should be thoroughly discussed and interpreted in the full manuscript. The reported increase in soil pH to 8.20 also warrants further contextualization; while a higher number, it's crucial to discuss whether this pH is optimal or even beneficial for the growth of water spinach. Despite these significant points for clarification and revision, the study's core concept of integrating organic waste into agricultural inputs is commendable. The methodology appears sound, with appropriate experimental design and statistical analysis mentioned. To elevate the manuscript's quality, the authors must first correct the species misidentification. Furthermore, a more detailed discussion on the statistical significance of all parameters, the implications of the soil pH changes for the chosen crop, and a deeper exploration into the specific mechanisms by which cassava peels enhance LOF quality would greatly strengthen the paper's scientific contribution and its impact on the field.

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