Buletin Peternakan
Vol 50, No 2 (2026): BULETIN PETERNAKAN VOL. 50 (2) May 2026

Productivity and Nutritional Quality of Four Elephant Grass (Pennisetum purpureum) Cultivars under Biochar and Organic Fertilizer Applications at the Third Harvest on Post-Nickel Mining Soil

Widhi Kurniawan (Doctoral student of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281 Department of Animal Husbandry, Faculty of Animal Husbandry, Universitas Halu Oleo, Kendari, 93118)
Chusnul Hanim (Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281)
Nafiatul Umami (Department of Animal Nutrition and Feed Science, Faculty of Animal Science, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Yogyakarta, 55281)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 May 2026

Abstract

Nickel mining activities degrade soil quality, necessitating improvement. Post-mining reclamation requires strategic efforts with soil amendments and adaptive plants. Superior grass not only serves as a forage source but also improves soil quality and supports ecosystem stability on degraded land. This study aims to evaluate the effect of biochar and organic fertilizer (OF) (soil amendment agent, SAA) on the productivity and forage quality of the third harvest of four elephant grass cultivars on nickel post-mining land. The study used a factorial design consisting of: Control [-] , Control [+], SAA1 = 5 tons/ha biochar + 20 tons/ha OF, and SAA2 = 10 tons/ha biochar + 20 tons/ha OF. Four elephant grass cultivars were utilized, namely: P. purpureum, P. purpureum cv. GU; P. purpureum cv. Mott, and P. purpureum cv. Thailand. The results showed that SAA2 treatment significantly increased dry matter (DM) production and forage digestibility compared to other treatments. P. purpureum cv. The GU produces the highest DM yield (8,885.07 kg/ha) with good nutritional quality and the highest digestibility—the combination of SAA2 × P. purpureum cv. The GU provides optimum DM productivity (12,094.80 kg/ha) and is recommended as a strategic alternative for providing forage while supporting post-nickel mining land reclamation.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

buletinpeternakan

Publisher

Subject

Veterinary Other

Description

Bulletin of Animal Science is published every four months. The Annual subscription rate is Rp. 150.000,-/year. Bulletin receives original papers in animal science and technology which are not published at any other ...