Effects of Meranti Biochar Addition on the Root Growth of Falcataria Moluccana Seedlings

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of biochar application in growing media on the development ofthe roots of Falcataria moluccanna seedlings. Biochar from the waste of meranti wood (Shorea sp.) was produced bya slow pyrolysis process using a traditional kiln at a temperature of 600°C. The study was arranged in a completelyrandomized design with three treatments and 15 replications. The treatments were 100% topsoil (control), 5% biocharand 10% biochar addition to the planting media. F. moluccana was grown from seeds germinated in sand media. Afterone month, F. moluccana was transferred to polybags filled with planting media according to the treatment. Theobservations were conducted for four months. The parameters observed were root length, root volume, and root biomass. The results showed that the addition of biochar indicated a very significant difference in root length, root volume, and root biomass compared to the control. However, the two dosages showed no significantly different effect on root growth. This study concluded that the addition of 5% biochar meranti in the planting media could increase theroot growth of F. moluccana. Keywords: Biochar, Falcataria moluccanna, root growth.