The effect of fertilizers on the growth and the yield of ramie (Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud)

Ramie plant ((Boehmeria nivea L. Gaud) bears a volumeous biomass harvested every 60 days. Much biomass is harvested and much nutriens are absorbed and removed from the soil make the nutrient scarse. To maintain the productivity of soil and to supply the requrement of plant to the level of enough nutrition, an experiment was conducted in Tanjungsari subdistrict of Sumedang regency in the month of July to Oktober 2009. The experiment design used was randomized block design with four treatments of fertilization formula (dosages) i.e. 1)A 10 ton Sheep Dung (25 kg N + 25 kg K); 2) B 10 ton Sheep Dung (45 kg N + 45 kg K); 3) C 20 ton Sheep Dung (25 kg N + 25 kg K); D 20 ton Sheep Dung (45 kg N + 45 kg K). Sheep dung was applied only once in the planting time and nitrogen and potassium ferilizer were applied after every harvest. Each treatment was replicated 6 times. Variables of growth and yield which were measured were: number of stalks; length of stalk; diameter of stalk; biomass weight; fresh stalk weight; china grass weight, and; degummed fiber weight. Result showed that responses of ramie plant were significant, better growth and more yields. Potassium fertilizer gave a good effect on quality of fiber. The dosages applied to the ramie plant did not reach the maximum rate. Ramie plant requires much nutrition to support the rapid growth and the big volumeous biomass removed from soil. Ramie plant is consider as a robust plant. -- 60 days ; potassium ; biomass ; robust