THE EFFECT OF ZEOLITE APPLICATION ON CATION EXCHANGE CAPACITY (CEC) OF SOILS AND PRODUCTION OF TOMATOES

Suwardi and Dyah Tjahyandari S (1995)

ABSTRACT

Efforts to soil productivity by using amendment are getting more attention, but research to increase capacity (CEC) is still limited. Laboratory and green house were designed to evaluate the effect of zeolite content on CEC and the yield of tomato (Lycopersicon escultentum Mill). X-ray diffraction calculation showed that zeolite from Bayah contained 27% clinoptilolite and 15% mordenite while zeolite from Cikalong contained 52% mordenite and 23% clinoptilolite. Application of zeolite increased the CEC and exchangeable calcium of soils, and the dosage of 10 tons/ha zeolite gave the best effect on the tomato yield grown in Paleudult and Troposamment.

Keywords: Cation exchange capacity (CEC), clinoptilolite, mordenite, tomato, zeolite.