Utilization of Rice Husk Ash From Waste Brick Factory as Silicate Fertilizer Source in Improving Quality of Paddy (Rice) on Rainfed Land

Abstract

Si is very important element in cereal crops, especially rice. Si sources are found out in straw and rice husk ash as a waste brick factory which until recently was considered as waste that has not been utilized optimally. Rice is a staple food for the people of Indonesia, therefore, rice plays an important role in economic life and the situation of rice indirectly affect the situation of other materials consumption. The use of ash bricks waste are derived from rice husk is a source of nutrients Si that is needed by the rice plant, where it can form a strong plant tissues, so that the plants resistant to the disease which eventually also can improve the yield and quality of rice plants. Rainfed as sub-optimal land which has fundamental problems, fluctuations in soil moisture is very high which causes dryness of land becomes a major problem and the quality of the paddy (rice) became greatly decreased. This study aims to determine the effect of rice husk ash as a source of silicate in improving the quality of grain (rice) on rainfed. Husk ash as a brick factory waste derived from rice husk which contains silicates which have an excellent opportunity to improve the quality of grain (rice). The study focused on the planting of the rice crop in sub-optimal land, using rice husk ash brick factory waste as a source of silicate fertilizer. The results showed that application of waste from rice husk ash brick factory enriched with fertilizer N, P and K can increase production, quality and quantity of grain (rice) in rainfed Vertisol soil.

Keywords: rice husk ash, waste brick factory, the source of silicate fertilizer, grain quality (rice), rainfed