BIOCHAR AND ECO‑ENZYME EFFECTS ON GROWTH, YIELD, AND TUBER QUALITY OF SWEET POTATO (Ipomoea batatas L.)

Abstract

As one of the important crops in Indonesia, the production of sweet potato remains below optimal
levels across many fields, which can be attributed to insufficient soil fertility. Soil properties can
be improved through biochar and eco-enzyme derived from organic waste, supporting crop
growth and yield. The study aimed to evaluate the effects of rice husk biochar and eco-enzyme on
the growth and yield components of sweet potato. The experiment was conducted from December
2023 to March 2024 at the Experimental Garden in the Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas
Malikussaleh, using a randomized block design with 2 factors: biochar (0, 5, and 10 tons ha-1)
and eco-enzyme (0, 22.5, and 30 ml) with 3 replications. The parameters measured included tuber length, tuber number and diameter, primary branch number, chlorophyll content, tuber fresh
weight (per plant and per tuber), and organoleptic attributes (e.g., taste, color, texture). Biochar
application at 5-10 tons ha-1 significantly increased tuber number and fresh weight per tuber
compared with the control. Eco-enzyme at 22.5-30 ml mainly improved primary branch number
and increased tuber fresh weight and organoleptic scores. Many parameters were not
significantly affected, suggesting that under the relatively low amendment rates and
single‑season application used, biochar and eco‑enzyme provide only moderate improvements in sweet potato performance.