Pengaruh Pemberian Ekstrak Daun Kelor (Moringa oleifera) Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Hasil Tanaman Pakcoy (Brassica rapa L.) di Tanah Podsolik Merah Kuning

Abstract

Seledri (Apium graveolens L. subsp. chinensis) is a highly nutritious vegetable crop with significant economic value, yet its productivity remains constrained by marginal soil conditions, particularly on Podzolic Red-Yellow soils widespread in tropical Indonesia. These soils are characterized by high acidity (pH < 5.5), low cation exchange capacity, high exchangeable aluminum, and nutrient deficiency. Moringa leaf extract (Moringa oleifera) has emerged as a promising natural biostimulant containing phytohormones (cytokinins, auxins), vitamins, and minerals that enhance vegetative growth. This study evaluated the effect of moringa leaf extract on seledri growth and yield on Podzolic Red-Yellow soil. The research was conducted in Nanga Tepuai Village, Hulu Gurung District, Kapuas Hulu Regency, from April to July 2024, using a Randomized Complete Block Design with six dosage levels: M0 (control), M1 (35 mL/L), M2 (40 mL/L), M3 (45 mL/L), M4 (50 mL/L), and M5 (55 mL/L), each replicated four times. Results showed highly significant effects (p < 0.01) on leaf number, but non-significant effects on plant height, fresh weight, and root volume. Treatment M5 (55 mL/L) produced the highest leaf number (15.25 leaves), M4 (50 mL/L) the tallest plants (26.75 cm), while M2 (40 mL/L) yielded the highest fresh weight (98.75 g) and root volume (7.25 mL). These findings suggest moringa leaf extract at 40–55 mL/L effectively stimulates leaf development in seledri on acidic, nutrient-poor soils.