The Growth Performance of Micropropagated Talasbanana (Musa paradisiaca var. sapientum L) Seedlings Cultivated on Peatlands

ABSTRACT Talas banana ( Musa paradisiaca var. sapientum L.) has a high economic value. However, because of slowly breeding, a quick way of propagation: i.e. in vitro is required.Peatlands inSouth Kalimantan are quite large and has potential to be used for planting area of Talas banana. The acclimatization of seedlings planted on the peatsrequires more fertilizers, considering the low nutrient content of the peats. This study aims to determine the chicken manure and nitrogen-phosphor-potassium (NPK) fertilizer on the growth of Talasbanana acclimatized in peatlands. This study applied a randomized block design (RBD) factorial: (1) the amount of chicken manure (K), namely: k 1 = 5 t ha -1 ; k 2 = 10 t ha -1 ; k 3 = 15 t ha -1 ; k 4 = 20 t ha -1 , and (2) the amount of NPK fertilizers (P), namely: p 1 = 200 kg ha -1 ; p 2 = 250 kg ha -1 ; p 3 = 300 kg ha -1 . Therefore, 12 treatments. DITAMBAHKAN TERDAPAT 12 PERLAKUAN. All treatments have 3 replicates. The results of the experiment showed that there was no interaction between doses of chicken manure with NPK. The amount of chicken manure 5 t ha -1 resulted in the highest increment of plant height observed at 2 nd , 4 th , 6 th , 8 th , 10 th and 12 th week after planting, increment of stem diameter, addition of leaf number, width and length of leaves.The results of experiment also revealed that the best increment of plant height observed at 8 th week after planting and stem diameter observed at 4 th week after planting was obtained by 250 kg ha -1 of NPK fertilizer application. KOMBINASI TIDAK BERPENGARUH Key-word: propagation; in vitro; peatlands; chicken manure; Talas banana