Morphological Characteristics Of Rice Panicles Of Mentik Susu Under Different Proportions Of Vermicompost Raw Materials In The Growing Medium

Abstract

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a strategic food commodity in Indonesia, making sustainable  productivity increases important. One approach is the use of organic fertilizers in an organic farming system, including of vermicompost. This study examines the morphological characteristics of Mentik Susu rice panicles at various proportions of vermicompost raw materials in the planting medium. The study was conducted from September–December 2025 in the Subak Tangsub rice fields, Gianyar, Bali, with vermicompost production carried out at the Soka Campus Laboratory of Mahasaraswati University, Denpasar. The experiment used a one-factor randomized block design with seven treatments of vermicompost raw material proportions, namely baglog, rice straw, coffee husk, a combination of the two materials, and a control, each replicated five times. Observed variables included panicle length and number of primary and secondary panicle branches. Data were analyzed and the Duncan test was applied at the 5% level. The results showed that no differences in the proportion of vermicompost raw materials affected the morphological characteristics of Mentik Susu rice panicles. These results indicate that rice yield is influenced by the variety and the differences in the proportion of vermicompost raw materials through their role in nutrient availability for the plant. This study emphasizes the importance of selecting the right varieties and the right vermicompost raw materials to support the sustainable increase in organic rice production.