UJI KOMPOSISI LEMBARAN BERBAHAN DASAR LIMBAH BAMBU (Bambusoideae) DAN ECENG GONDOK (Eichhornia crassipes) SEBAGAI MULSA ORGANIK

This study aims to test the formulation of sheet organic mulch composed of Bamboo (BB) and Water Hyacinth (EG) to determine the characteristics or physical-mechanical and chemical properties of sheet organic mulch made from Bamboo (BB) and Water Hyacinth (EG). Agriculture is a crucial sector for supporting food security and economic development, especially in countries that rely on agriculture, such as Indonesia. However, in recent years, the problems faced by the agricultural sector have become increasingly complex due to climate change, land degradation, and limited water resources. To address these challenges, effective soil and water conservation efforts are needed, one of which is through the use of mulch technology. The basic principle of making organic mulch refers to the paper-making process, using a research design of 7 treatment levels and 3 replications. The data analysis used in this study employs descriptive analysis techniques, namely by describing the characteristics of the data obtained for each variable after testing. The test results showed that mulch with a higher proportion of water hyacinth has better tensile strength, while tear resistance and grammage increase with an increasing bamboo composition. Chemically, the organic carbon content increases with a higher percentage of bamboo, whereas nitrogen and phosphorus contents are higher in mulch with a dominant water hyacinth composition. The carbon-to-nitrogen ratio (C/N) also increases with more bamboo, reflecting a material character with higher carbon content. Degradation tests of sheet organic mulch show that the mulch degradation rate is influenced by composition, with water hyacinth-dominant mulch decomposing faster. Overall, the sheet organic mulch composition in treatment 7 with 80% bamboo and 20% Water hyacinth shows good potential in terms of physical-mechanical testing, chemical stability testing, and biodegradation resistance. Both of these wastes also have potential as effective organic mulch materials for soil conservation, increasing moisture, and providing nutrients for plants sustainably.