Cultivation Economic Studies on Various Types of Mulch (Straw, Transparent Plastic, and Black-Silver Plastic)

Abstract

Cucumber is a vegetable plant that has many benefits for the human body and has a high economic value, so it is necessary to further develop the cultivation of cucumber plants in order to be able to meet both domestic and foreign demand. One of the aspects of cultivation that can be used to increase production is providing mulch. Mulch is any material that can be used above the soil surface to reduce excessive water loss and suppress weed growth. The purpose of this study was to determine the production, profit, and efficiency of cucumber cultivation farming on various kinds of mulch. The types of mulch used are straw, transparent plastic, and black silver plastic. To achieve the above objectives, we tested farming efficiency with R/C ratio analysis and a randomized block design (RAK). The results of this study showed that the production of cucumbers using silver black mulch was the highest compared to the use of other mulch treatments, namely 34,014 kg/ha. While the treatment of using silver black mulch yields the highest profit from cucumber cultivation (Rp. 90,582,000 per ha). The use of black silver mulch (R/C = 4.2) is recommended for the most efficient cucumber cultivation farming.

Keywords: Mulch, Straw, Transparent Plastic, Silver Black Plastic, Cucumber, Profit, Efficiency.