Vetiver grass waste feasibility as added values in sustainable agriculture management

Author

Dr. Senny Luckyardi, M.M.

Abstrak

This study aims to identify the feasibility of vetiver waste and its added value in supporting sustainable agriculture management. This study also identifies pH, humidity, light intensity, and temperature levels of organic fertilizers from vetiver waste. In addition, this study also aims to determine the effect of fertilizers on soil quality around vetiver and other plants. This study used observation and interview methods for primary data collection and is supported by literature reviews as a secondary data collection method. This study focuses on the quality of fertilizer from vetiver waste, by comparing soil quality before and after the application of fertilizer. The air condition was also measured to analyse the impact of the relationship between air and soil productivity. The results of this study indicated that before and after applying the fertilizer on the soil, the average pH value of the soil is 5.0 that categorized as Moderately Acid remain the same which is categorized as a reasonable level according to the Soil Quality Index and the Standar Nasional Indonesia. In addition, the fertilizer from vetiver waste that has pH of 5.5 and 6 meets the Standar Nasional Indonesia and suitable for use on plants. Another benefits of vetiver waste are this material do not pollute the environment which is indicated by relatively good air quality (PM 10 with 37 and 32; PM 2.5 with 27 and 25; PM 1.0 with 15 and 13). In conclusion, vetiver fertilizer is a feasible to be utilize in plant cultivation and reduces the volume of agricultural waste and has an economic value (IDR 5,580,000/month).