Growth and Accumulation Of Pb In Native Hymenachne (Hymenachne acutigluma) In Tailings Area As Affected By Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer

Abstract

Tin mining in the Islands of Bangka and Belitung left behind a vast area with low fertility. The tailings area of extin mining is different from common soil both in terms of mineral and chemical compositions, with characteristics such as the unstable geochemical aspect, extreme pH value, cationexchange capacity, low organic matter, and heavy metals pollution. Native hymenachne (Hymenachnesp) is an invasive type of grass. Invasive vegetation could dominate the layers of soil and change the structure, composition, and the ecosystem’s ecological function. Invasive grass can compete in the terms of utilization of water, nutrients, and light. Native hymenachne (Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud)) is a type of perennial grass that has been used for long time by the local people in America, Australia, and Asia since it has good economic value as highnutrient feed. The existence of this plant in the tailings areas have not been vigorously studied yet. Thus this study was aimed to determine the growth rate and accumulation of Pb in native hymenachne as affected by organic or inorganic fertilizer. The results showed that the hymenachne grew better after treatment with natural fertilizer and nitrogen. The accumulation of Pb at the tip of the leaves before and after treatment with organic and inorganic fertilizers was beyond the safe limit for feed. At the early utilization stage of tailings area after tin mining, native hymenachne (Hymenachne acutigluma (Steud)) has the potentials as pioneer vegetation and as phytoaccumulation of Pb. However, the utilization of hymenachne as animal feed has to consider the level of Pb in it if they come from tailings area, where the safe level of Pb in vegetables and its products based on SNI 2009 should not be