Effect of Reduced Dosage of NPK Fertilizer and Application of Keratin Hydrolyzate Peptide on Yield Components and Yield of Rice Plants (Oryza sativa L.).

Rice (Oryza sativa L.) is a strategic commodity in Indonesia that produces rice and is consumed by the community, so rice production needs to be increased. This study aims to determine the effect of reducing the dose of NPK fertilizer and the application of Keratin Hydrolyzate Peptide (peptide) on the yield and yield components of rice plants. The study used a split plot Randomized Group Design (RAK) with 2 factors and 6 replications. The first factor as the main plot was a reduction in the dose of NPK fertilizer (P) consisting of 3 treatment levels, namely P0 (fertilization according to the recommended dose or the farmer's method), P2 (recommended dose reduced by 20%), and P4 (recommended dose reduced by 40%). The second factor as a subplot is the application of Keratin Hydrolyzate Peptide (K) consisting of 2 levels, namely Kt (no peptide) and Kd (peptide). This research was conducted from January to June 2024. The results showed that the interaction between the reduced dose of NPK fertilizer and the provision of peptides had a very significant effect on the variables of grain yield of hectare Reduction of NPK dosage up to 20% (P2) gave weight per 1.000 grain (23.59 g), panicle length (26.48 cm), plant height (115.38 cm), and leaf color (4.40 BWD units). Peptide application can provide the number of filled panicles (20.99 pieces), leaf color (4.41 BWD units), total tillers (29.21 stems), number of productive tillers (24.45 stems), and weight per 1.000 rice (14.68 g). Reducing the dosage of NPK fertilizer by 20% and applying peptides can be the latest solution for farmers to increase the productivity of rice plants.