Improving quality of nickel post-mining soil using mycorrhiza and biochar made from oil palm empty fruit bunch

Abstract

The physics and chemistry properties of post-mining soil needs to be improved.  It is not suitable for agriculture, so alternative technology is required such us using biochar made from oil palm empty fruit bunch and mycorrhiza. This study aims to examine the effect of biochar made from oil palm empty fruit bunch and mycorrhiza to improve the nickel post-mining soil quality. This study randomized group design with 4 levels; B0 (0 t/ha), B1 (10 t/ha), B2 (20 t/ha), and B3 (30 t/ha) with 4 levels; M0 (0 t/ha), M1 (0.8 t/ha), M2 (1.6 t/ha), each treatment was repeated 3 treatments so that the total experiment was 36 units. The results showed that the use of bio-ameliorant waste from oil palm empty fruit bunch with dosage of 30 t/ha, significantly improved the chemical properties of nickel post-mining soil regarding the parameter of C-organic, pH, available phosphorus, cation exchange capacity, exchangeable aluminium, Ca-dd and Mg -dd. The treatment of mycorrhiza 4 g significantly affected the soil properties regarding improvement of soil chemical properties in available phosphorus to plants and exchangeable aluminium parameters. The treatment of biochar with dosage of 30t/ha of soil and mycorrhiza 1.6 t/ha (B3M2) of soil is the best interaction of mycorrhiza and biochar made from oil palm empty fruit bunch as amelioration material of post-mining soil which is characterized by the decrease of exchangeable aluminium. The application of biochar made from oil palm empty fruit bunch and mycorrhiza can improve the nickel post-mining soil quality.