PENGARUH PEMBERIAN PUPUK VERMIKOMPOS TERHADAP LAJU PERTUMBUHAN DAN KUALITAS RUMPUT LAUT Gracilaria verrucosa

Abstract

Gracillaria verrucosa is one of high economical seaweed.  The problem that often occurs in Gracilaria verrucosa cultivators is slow growth which is thought to be due to excessive and continuous use of chemical fertilizers, causing a decrease in pond productivity.  This research aims to determine the effect of applying vermicompost fertilizer on the growth rate of Gracilaria verrucosa seaweed and the quality of Gracilaria verrucosa seaweed.  This research was carried out from July to June 2023 at Mini Hatchry, Faculty of Marine and Fisheries Sciences.  This research is classified as experimental research with a Completely Randomized Design method with 4 treatments and 3 replications.  The results showed that the highest specific growth was obtained in treatment D (475 mg/L) with a yield of 1.68% and the lowest specific growth was obtained in treatment A (Control) with a value of 0.66%.  Then, the highest yield value was obtained in treatment A (Control) with a value of 15.85% and the lowest yield value was obtained in treatment D (475 mg/L) with a value of 13.30%.  And the highest agar gel strength value was obtained in treatment D (475 mg/L) with a value of 38.0947 gr/cm2 and the lowest agar gel strength value was obtained in treatment A (Control) with a value of 6.4424 gr/cm².  Providing vermicompost fertilizer influenced the growth and gel strength of the Gracillaria verrucosa but did not influence the yield value.