The Effect of Combination Liquid Organic Fertilizer and NPK Fertilizer on the Growth and Yield of Bawang Dayak (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr.)

Abstract

This study evaluated combinations of liquid organic fertiliser (LOF) and NPK 16:16:16 fertiliser for improving the growth and yield of bawang dayak (Eleutherine palmifolia (L.) Merr.) under lowland conditions in Bengkulu, Indonesia. The experiment was conducted from October 2025 to January 2026 using a completely randomised design with seven fertiliser treatments and four replicates, resulting in 28 experimental units. The treatments comprised 2.50 g NPK per plant; 2.50 g NPK per plant combined with either 1% or 2% LOF; 1.25 g NPK per plant combined with either 1% or 2% LOF; and 1% or 2% LOF applied alone. Plant height, number of leaves, and number of tillers were recorded during growth, while bulb and root characteristics were measured at harvest. Analysis of variance showed that the fertiliser treatments significantly affected only the number of tillers. Treatment P4, consisting of 1.25 g NPK per plant and 2% LOF, produced the lowest number of tillers and differed significantly from the other treatments. No significant treatment effects were detected for plant height, number of leaves, fresh bulb weight, fresh bulb weight per clump, number of bulbs per clump, bulb diameter, fresh root weight per clump, or root length. Treatment P3, comprising 1.25 g NPK per plant and 1% LOF, appeared relatively efficient in supporting growth and yield, although it did not significantly improve the measured yield variables.