Respons Pertumbuhan Bibit Talas (Colocasia Esculenta L.) terhadap Berbagai Komposisi Media Tanam dan Dosis Pupuk NPK : Response of growth of taro tuber (Colocasia esculenta L.) on various planting media composition and dose of NPK fertilizer

Taro tuber is one of the few commodities tubers that can be used as an alternative source of food other besides rice that is both healthy and safety. The aim af this research to find suitable media composition and dose of NPK Fertilizer for best growing of tao tuber.. This research was conducted in Jalan Klambir Lima Kecamatan Sunggal, Medan, with altitude ± 25 meters above sea surface began from April to Juli 2016. This research used factorial randomized block design with two factors. The first factor was growing media composition (top soil (control)); top soil : sand (1:1)); top soil : sand : empty bunches of palm oil compost (1 : 1: 1)); top soil : sand : empty bunches of palm oil compost (2: 1 : 1)); top soil : sand : empty bunches of palm oil compost (3: 1: 1)) and the second factor is doses of NPK fertilizer (0; 2; 4; 6 g/polibag). Parameter observed was plant height, total leaf area, plant fresh weight, shoot dry weight, and root dry weight.The result of this research showed that growing media composition were significantly effect to plant height parameter 2 week after planting, total leaf area, plant fresh weight, shoot dry weight, root dry weight, and ratio of shoot and root. doses of NPK fertilizer composition were significantly effect to total leaf area parameter, plant fresh weight, and shoot dry weight. Interaction of growing media composition and dose of NPK fertilizer were significantly effect to plant height 2-9 week after planting and plant fresh weight. Keywords   Umbi talas adalah satu diantara beberapa komoditas umbi-umbian yang dapat dijadikan sebagai sumber bahan pangan alternatif selain beras yang bersifat sehat dan aman. Penelitian ini bertujuan untuk mendapatkan komposisi media yang sesuai dan dosis pupuk yang terbaik bagi pertumbuhan umbi Talas. Penelitian ini dilaksanakan di Jalan Klambir Lima Kecamatan Sunggal, Medan, pada ketinggian ± 25 meter di atas permukaan laut pada bulan April 2016 sampai dengan Juli 2016 menggunakan Rancangan Acak Kelompok dengan 2 faktor. Faktor pertama yaitu komposisi media tanam (top soil (kontrol)); top soil : pasir (1:1)); top soil : pasir : kompos TKKS (1 : 1: 1)); top soil : pasir : kompos TKKS (2: 1 : 1)); top soil : pasir : kompos TKKS (3: 1: 1)) dan faktor kedua yaitu dosis pupuk NPK (0 ; 2; 4; 6 g / polibeg). Parameter yang diamati adalah tinggi tanaman, total luas daun, bobot segar tanaman, bobot kering tajuk,dan bobot kering akar. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa perlakuan komposisi media tanam berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman 2 minggu setelah tanam, total luas daun, bobot segar tanaman, bobot kering tajuk, bobot kering akar, dan rasio tajuk : akar. Dosis pupuk NPK berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter total luas daun, bobot segar tanaman, dan bobot kering tajuk. Interaksi antara keduanya berpengaruh nyata terhadap parameter tinggi tanaman 2 – 9 MST, dan bobot segar tanaman