CULTIVATION OF RED ONION

BAB 1
INTRODUCTION
A. Research Background
Red onion is one of the leading vegetable commodities
It has been cultivated intensively by farmers for a long time. commodity
vegetables
belongs to the group of non-substituted spices which function as
food seasoning and traditional medicine. Demand for shallots
continues to increase in line with the increase in population (Data Center and
Agricultural Information System Ministry of Agriculture, 2015). Shallot (Allium
ascalonicum L.) is one of the staples, but needs

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Shallots cannot be avoided by household consumers as
a complement to everyday cooking spices (Fimansyah and Sumarni, 2013).
Onion
red (Allium ascalonicum L.) one of the vegetable commodities that has become
national seed besides red chili and potatoes. Shallots are
a strategic commodity because it is needed by the majority of Indonesian
people
in everyday life, thereby affecting the macroeconomic and level inflation
(Handayani 2014).
2.1 Shallot Plants (Allium ascalonicum L.)
2.1.1 Botany and Morphology
Onion plants are classified as follows, Kingdom:
Plantae; Division: Spermatophyta, Class; Monocotyledoneae, Order: Liliales;
Family:
Liliaceae; Genus: Allium; Species: Allium ascalonicum L. Onion
including short-lived and clump-shaped annual plant species. Tall
Plants range from 15-50 cm, pseudo-upright stems, short fibrous roots
growing around the soil surface, and shallow roots (Ningsih,
2012).
Shallots are annual plants in the form of grass,
short-stemmed and fibrous roots, can reach 15-20 cm high
form clumps. The roots are in the form of fibrous roots that are not long. Form
the leaves of the shallot plant are like pipes, which are small round elongated
between 50-
70 cm, perforated, tapered ends, light green to green
old and the location of the leaves attached to the stem which is relatively short
in size. Base
the leaves can change functions such as tubers (Hapsoh and Yaya
Hasana, 2011).

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Red onion is an annual plant with a tuber shape
layered, the base of the leaves unite to form a pseudo stem that is in the
ground
and roots change shape and function to tubers. When split
longitudinally, the shallot bulb consists of leaf scales, buds which produce plant
growing points, corms which are stem diameters, and
adventitious roots as fibrous roots that are below (Suwandi, 2014).
Onion plants have fibrous roots with a shallow root system
and scattered branches, at a depth of between 15-20 cm in the soil. Amount
Onion plant roots can reach 20-200 roots. Diameter 5
varies between 5-2 mm. Branch roots grow and form between 3-5 roots
(Dewi, 2012).
Onion plants have true stems or can also be called "discus"
disc-shaped, thin and short, as a place to attach roots
and the eye of the bud (growing point), above the disc there is an arranged
pseudostem
from leaf sheaths and pseudo stems that are in the ground change
shape and function of tubers. Chives are small and cylindrical in shape
elongated between 50-70 cm, number of leaves 14-50 like a pipe (small round
elongated), perforated, tapered ends, dark green color, and location
the leaves are attached to relatively short stalks (Hidayat, et al., 2014).

B. Growth Requirements
Red onion plants are suitable for cultivation in the lowlands
and highlands (0-1,000 m asl), but will grow optimally at
altitude 0-450 masl. Onion farming can be done on land
rice fields or dry land. But it should be done on dry land or moor.
Soil pH needed by shallot plants to grow optimally
is 5.6 to 6.5. Onion plants need light intensity
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the maximum, it takes 70%, and is not protected by the plants that are on
surrounding. The optimal air temperature needed is 25–32°C.
Onion plant
Red requires a crumbly, medium to loamy, well-aerated soil
and contain enough organic matter. The type of soil that is suitable is the land
alluvial or its combination with humus or latosol glei soil (Sugiartini, et al.,
2016). According to Abadi, et al., (2014), the best temperature for cultivation
shallots is between 25-32 °C. If the onion plants are planted on
temperature of 22°C, it will be difficult for the plants to form bulbs or even
unable to form tubers.

C. Effect of Planting Media Composition on Plant Growth Red onion

Growing media has a function to support plants, provide
nutrients and provide a place for plant roots to grow and
develop. Through the growing medium the plants get most of it
nutrition. For cultivating plants in pots or polybags, planting media
made as a substitute for land. Therefore, it must be able to replace the
function
soil for plants.
A good planting medium must have physical, chemical and biological
properties
according to the needs of the plant. In general, a good growing medium
must have the following conditions:
Able to provide growing space for plant roots, as well as
able to support plants. That is, the planting medium must be loose
so that plant roots can grow well and perfectly, but still
solid enough to hold the roots and support the stems so they don't collapse.
If the media is too loose, root growth will be free
the plant will be uprooted too easily. On the other hand, if it is too dense,
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roots will find it difficult to grow.
It has good porosity, meaning it can store water at the same time
Has drainage (ability to drain water) and aeration
(ability to carry oxygen) is good. The planting medium must be able to
retain soil moisture but must be able to dispose
Too much water. Porous planting media has an empty cavity between
the material. But on the other hand these cavities must be able to absorb
water (hygroscopic) to store as a reserve and maintain
humidity.
Provide sufficient nutrients both macro and micro. Element
Nutrients are very important for plant growth. These nutrients can
provided by fertilizers or the activity of microorganisms present in
growing media.
Does not contain disease germs, planting media must be clean from pests
and illness. Pests and diseases contained in the planting medium
can attack plants and cause plant death.
(Andayani, 2019).
Chaff charcoal is rice husk that has been burned by burning
not perfect. How to make it can be done by roasting or
burning (Supriati and Herliana, 2011). The husk charcoal contains 0.32% N, P
15%, K 31%, Ca 0.95%, Fe 180 ppm, Mn ppm and Zn 14.1 ppm (Fahmi, 2016).
Rice husk charcoal is light, not dirty, porous and has the ability to
absorb water and good porosity. The properties of rice husk charcoal
able to provide benefits if used as a planting medium because
support the improvement of soil structure (Septiani, 2012).

Husk charcoal media

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is a planting medium that is practically used because it is not necessary
sterilized. This is because the pathogenic microbes have died during the
process
burning. The addition of husk charcoal as a mixture of planting media or when
cultivating agricultural land also has a major contribution to plants (Kartika
2016).
In addition to this, husk charcoal also has a high water holding capacity,
crumbly textured, air cycle and high CEC, and can absorb light
sun effectively (Soemeinaboedhy and Tejowulan, 2007).
Manure as a raw material for humus is needed for
improve soil conditions, so that the soil structure becomes better, easier
treated , creating conditions of good aeration and oxygen content in the soil
be increasing. Add manure to the soil as well
increase the absorption capacity of the soil for water, so that nutrients in the
soil
will be dissolved and more easily absorbed by plant roots. On the other hand
fertilizer
The cage contains many microorganisms that can help
forming humus in the soil and synthesizing certain compounds
which is beneficial to plants.
Husk charcoal media
is a planting medium that is practically used because it is not necessary
sterilized. This is because the pathogenic microbes have died during the
process
burning. The addition of husk charcoal as a mixture of planting media or when
cultivating agricultural land also has a major contribution to plants (Kartika
2016).
In addition to this, husk charcoal also has a high water holding capacity,
crumbly textured, air cycle and high CEC, and can absorb light
sun effectively (Soemeinaboedhy and Tejowulan, 2007).
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Manure as a raw material for humus is needed for
improve soil conditions, so that the soil structure becomes better, easier
treated , creating conditions of good aeration and oxygen content in the soil
be increasing. Add manure to the soil as well
increase the absorption capacity of the soil for water, so that nutrients in the
soil
will be dissolved and more easily absorbed by plant roots. On the other hand
fertilizer
The cage contains many microorganisms that can help forming humus in the
soil and synthesizing certain compounds which is beneficial to plants.
Adding organic matter (chicken manure) to the soil can
increase the content of organic matter and nutrients, this is because the more
the more doses of manure given, the N contained in
more and more manure is accepted by the soil. Rosliani's research results,
et al., (2014) media of husk charcoal, compost (cow dung) and soil (1:1:1)
is the most ideal media composition for producing onion bulbs
red, namely with a fresh tuber weight of 3-4 g per tuber.
2.3 Utilization of Effective Microorganism 4 (EM4) Biofertilizer in
Cultivation of Onion Plants.
The composition of Effective Microorganisms (EM4) is listed in Table 1,
while the nutrient content is listed in Table 2 (PT Songgolangit
Persada, 2011):
Table 1. Composition of Effective Microorganism 4 (EM4)

type of bacteria Amount (cell/ml)

Total plate Count 2,8 x10 6
Phosphate Solubilizing Bacteria 3,4 x 10 5
Lactobasillus 3,0 x 10 5
Yeast 1,95 x 10 3
Actinomycetes 0
Photosynthetic Bacteria 0
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 E. Coli 0
Salmonella 0
Tabel 2. Kandungan Zat Hara Effective Microorganisme (EM4)
Kandungan Zat Hara Jumlah
C-Organik 1,88 % w/w
Nitrogen 0,68 % w/w
P2O5 136,78 ppm
K2O 8403,70 ppm
Alumunium, Al < 0,01 ppm
Kalsium, Ca 3062,29 ppm
Tembaga, Cu 1,14 ppm
Besi, Fe 129,38 ppm
Magnesium, Mg 401,58 ppm
Mangan, Mn 4,00 ppm
Natrium, Na 145,68 ppm
Nikel, Ni < 0,05 ppm
Zinc, Zn 1,39 ppm
Boron, B < 0,0002 ppm
Klorida, Cl 2429,54 ppm
pH 3,73
Effective Microorganism 4 or better known as EM4 is a liquid
which contains a mixture of several beneficial and useful living microorganisms
for the decomposition process and the supply of soil nutrients. Effective
solution
Microorganism was first discovered by Prof. Dr. Teruo Higa from the University
Rykyus Japan. The solution contains about 80 fermenting microorganisms
genus. Most of the microorganisms contained in EM4 are bacteria
photosynthetic (Rhodopseudomonas sp.), lactic acid bacteria (Lactobacillus
sp.), yeast and
Actinomycetes sp. (Indriani, 2011).
Effective Microorganism (EM4) is a mixed culture of
beneficial microorganisms for plant growth
used as an inoculant to increase diversity and population
microorganisms (Rahmah, et al., 2014).

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The content of the main microorganisms in EM-4, namely (Muhamad and Rizal,
2015):
1. Photosynthetic Bacteria (Rhodopseudomonas sp.)
These bacteria are independent and
self-sufficient, forming useful compounds (among others, amino acids,
nucleic acids, bioactive substances and sugars that all function
accelerating growth) from the secretion of plant roots, organic matter
and harmful gases with sunlight and geothermal as
energy sources. The results of this metabolism can be directly absorbed by
plants and
serves as a substrate for other microorganisms so that the number
keep growing
2. Lactic acid bacteria ( Lactobacillus sp.)
Can cause infertility
( sterilizer) harmful microorganisms, therefore these bacteria
can suppress growth; increase the speed of overhaul
organic matter; destroy organic materials such as lignin and cellulose
and ferment it without causing toxic compounds
arising from the decomposition of organic matter These bacteria can suppress
growth of fusarium, i.e. harmful microorganisms which
cause disease in land/plants that are continuously cultivated.
3. Yeast (Saccharomyces sp) Through a fermentation process, yeast
produce beneficial compounds for plant growth from acids
amino acids and sugars secreted by photosynthetic bacteria or materials
organic matter and plant roots. Yeast also produces bioactive substances
such as 19 hormones and enzymes to increase the number of active cells and
root development. Yeast Secretion is a good substrate for acidic bacteria
lactate and Actinomycetes.

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4. Actinomycetes produce antimicrobial substances from amino acids
produced by photosynthetic bacteria. These anti-microbial substances
suppress
growth of fungi and bacteria. Actinomycetes coexist
with photosynthetic bacteria together to improve environmental quality
soil by increasing the antimicrobial activity of the soil.
5. Fermented Mushrooms (Aspergillus and Penicillium) Fermented
Mushrooms
rapidly decomposes materials to produce alcohols, esters and substances
anti-microbial. The growth of this fungus helps remove odors and
preventing the invasion of harmful insects and caterpillars by means of
eliminating food supply. Each species of microorganism
Each has its own function but the most important is bacteria
photosynthetic which is the most important executor of EM activities. this
bacteria
besides supporting the activities of other microorganisms, it also
use substances produced by other microorganisms.
The use of EM4 will be more efficient if it is added first
organic matter in the form of organic fertilizer into the soil. EM4 will
accelerate the fermentation of organic matter so that the nutrients contained
absorbed and available to plants. In Rahmah's research, et al., (2013)
stated that giving EM4 significantly increased the wet weight of tubers per plot
and
tuber dry weight per plot, where the highest yield was obtained in the EM4
treatment
with a concentration of 7 cc/l water. Interaction of chicken manure and EM4
treatment
also significantly increased tuber wet weight per plot, tuber dry weight per plot
and the number of cloves per sample. Fresh weight of tubers per plot and
tuber dry weight

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the highest per plot obtained in the combination of fertilizer treatment
chicken coop dose of 120 g/plant with EM4 concentration of 7 cc/l water.

CHAPTER III
1 Place and Time of Research
This research was conducted at the Experimental Garden of the Faculty of
Agriculture
HKBP Nommensen University Medan in Simalingkar B Village, District
Lucky Field. The research area is located at an altitude of about 33 meters
above sea level (masl) with soil acidity (pH) of 5.5-6.5 and type
Ultisol soil, loamy sand soil texture (Lumbanraja and Harahap, 2015).
This research was conducted from August to October 2020.
2 Materials and Research Tools
The materials used in this study were shallot seeds
Samosir variety (plant description in Appendix Table 23), soil (top soil)
ultisol, chicken manure, EM4, Urea, SP-36, KCl, Dithane M-45 and
Curacron 500EC.
The tools used in the study were: polybags measuring 35 x 40,
buckets, hoes, machetes/knives, handsprayer, wooden stakes, fanfare,
banners, stationery, cardboard, calculators, tape measure and analytical scales.
D Research Methods
1 Experimental design
This study uses a completely randomized design factorial
consists of two treatment factors,
the first factor is the composition of the media (A) which consists of ,
M0 =soil (control).

M1 = soil + husk charcoal (1:1) + chicken manure 10 tonnes/ha (equivalent

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with 25g/poly bag).
M2 = soil + husk charcoal (1:1) + chicken manure 20 ton/ha (equivalent
with 50g/poly bag).
M3 = soil + husk charcoal (1:1) + chicken manure 30 tonnes/ha (equivalent
with 75g/poly bag).
Factor 2 is the concentration of EM4 (B) consisting of,
E0 = 0 ml/l (control).
E1 = 3.3 ml/liter. (Concentration Recommendations of PT Songgolangit
Persada, 2011)
E2 = 6.6 ml/liter.
The recommended concentration for applying EM4 biofertilizer to plants
vegetables is 10 ml/liter (based on what is stated on the fertilizer bottle
packaging
life EM4).
The recommended dose for chicken manure is 20 tons/ha
(Djafaruddin, 2015). The dosage per polybag is:

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 Thus, there are 12 treatment combinations, namely:
M0E0 M0E1 M1E0 M3E0 M0E1 M1E1 M2E1 M3E1 M0E2M1E2 M2E2 M3E2
With 3 repetitions, 36 experimental units were obtained. Which
used is a poly bag measuring 35cm x 40 cm. With every combination it consists
from 5 units of polybags, the total number of polybags is 180 units. Distance
between
replicate is 70 cm, rarely 50 cm between plots.
3.4.2 Making Planting Media
Topsoil is used as a plant medium
air-dried for 2 weeks.
Planting Media Mo
Mo planting medium is made from soil that has been air-dried, then
put in a poly bag until it is filled with 90% volume.

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 Growing Media M1
The M1 planting medium was made from soil and husk charcoal in a volume
ratio
1:1, then add 25 g of chicken manure. Comparison
volume of planting media using a container or bucket by means of 1 bucket of
soil,
rice husk charcoal 1 bucket volume of 50 liters and chicken manure 25 g mixed
then put in until filled with 90% volume.
Growing Media M2 and M3
M2 and M3 planting media, made from the same material as M1. The
difference
is the dose of manure used. At M2, the dose of manure
used 50 g/polybag while M3 used 75 g/polybag.
3.4.3 EM4 Application
The EM4 application was carried out 3 (three) times, namely in one week
before planting, one week after planting (1 MST) and three weeks after
plant. Application of EM4 treatment was carried out by dissolving it first
EM4 into the water (3.3 ml/liter of water) and put into the gembor, then
applied by watering evenly over the soil surface in
trial poly bag.
3.4.4 Seed Preparation
The shallot seeds used are of the Samosir Onion variety.
Shallot seeds were obtained from shallot farmers in the village
Please. Tubers are cut 1/3 part and smeared with fungicide on the ends
to prevent pests and diseases and seeds left 2 (two) days before moving
plant. The purpose of cutting tubers is to stop the mass
dormancy in the tubers thereby accelerating the germination process.

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3.4.5 Basic Fertilizer Application
Basic fertilizer is given by spreading fertilizer on the surface
growing media in polybags. Basic fertilizer is given 1 (one) time for SP36 (125
kg/ha) and KCl (125 kg/ha) and 2 times for urea fertilizer (100 kg/ha)
(Latarang and Syakur, 2006). Fertilization I given 1 (one) day before planting
and the second fertilizer, specifically for urea, was given at the age of 21 days
after planting
(HST).
3.4.6 Planting
Before planting, the seeds are first doused with water and sprayed
with fungicide Dithane M-45 to prevent disease. Planting is done

by making a planting hole in the planting medium using

hammer made of wood. Tubers are inserted as much as 2/3 parts into
in the planting hole and closed again, so that 1/3 part appears on
ground level. The seeds planted are 1 (one) seed/polybag.
Planting the seeds is done in the afternoon so that the onion bulbs are planted
not dry immediately.
3.4.7 Maintenance
Routine maintenance activities carried out are: watering,
replanting, weeding and pest and disease control.
Watering is done in the morning and evening depending on weather
conditions. If
If it rains then watering is not done. Embroidery is done for
replace plants that do not grow or die, and embroidery is done
no later than 2 MST. Weeding is done to clean the planting medium
from weeds, done by removing weeds from the planting medium with

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using hands. Prevention of pests and diseases is done by means
mechanical i.e. picking pests from plants and removing the plant parts
diseased (damaged) by pests and diseases. Pest control is done by
spraying Curacron 500EC pesticide with a concentration of 1.2 ml/l of water at
the time
Plants attacked by pests carried out in the afternoon. For prevention
disease was carried out by spraying Dithane M-45 80WP fungicide with
dose of 2 g/l since 2 weeks after planting every 7 days.
3.4.8 Harvesting
Plants were harvested at the age of 65 days after the plants showed
60% neck signs of plant stems are soft, plants fall and leaves
yellow. Harvesting is done by removing the leaves of the plant
onions (Wibowo, 2001).
3.5 Research Parameters
3.5.1 Plant Height
Plant height was measured starting from the base of the leaf base
directly related to the tubers that are on the ground surface
with the highest leaves using a ruler. Plant height is measured from
from the age of 2 MST, 4 MST to 6 MST.
3.5.2 Number of Leaves
Calculation of the number of leaves is done by counting the number
shallot plant leaves that appear starting at the age of 2 MST, 4 MST and
6 P.S.
3.5.3 Number of tillers
This is done by counting the total number of offspring that appear
each clump when the plants are 2 MST, 4 MST and 6 MST.
3.5.4 Number of Tubers
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Tubers that have been harvested were counted per plant. Number of tubers
calculated at the time of harvest.
3.5.5 Weight of Fresh Roots
This observation was carried out after the plants were harvested. Tubers
cleaned of
adhering dirt, then the leaves are cut about 1 cm above the neck
tubers then tubers were weighed using a scale.

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