The Use of Bicomat and Tithonia Compost on Chemical Properties of Post-Mining Group-C Soil After Bok Choy Cultivation

Lidwina Mita Sari; Amnawadi; Choky Afrizal Maulana; Filipus Rendi; Yoseph Frinadetz Ragan Kedang; Retno Wilujeng; Hidayati Karamina; I Made Indra Agastya

doi:10.20527/actasolum.v4i2.3398

Authors

Lidwina Mita Sari Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia
Amnawadi Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia
Choky Afrizal Maulana Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia
Filipus Rendi Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia
Yoseph Frinadetz Ragan Kedang Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia
Retno Wilujeng Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-2494-2774
Hidayati Karamina Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0006-0653-4777
I Made Indra Agastya Agrotechnology Study Program, Agriculture Faculty, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Telaga Warna St., Tlogomas, Malang 65144, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0009-0009-8681-4542

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.20527/actasolum.v4i2.3398

Keywords:

Biochar coated humate, Post-mining C soil, Soil chemical Properties, Tithonia compost

Abstract

In mining areas, improper soil management frequently leads to soil degradation and the depletion or loss of N, P, and K nutrients. Bicomat is known as an effective amendment for improving physical properties in the short term, whereas its effects on chemical properties generally become evident only in the long term. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of combining Bicomat and Tithonia compost on the chemical properties of Group-C post-mining soil after planting mustard greens. This study was conducted from October to December 2024 at the Science Technopark of Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Malang City, at an altitude of approximately 450 meters above sea level. The study employed a non-factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 8 treatments and 3 replications. The tested treatments consisted of: KT1 (Non-Mining Soil Control), KT2 (Group-C Mining Soil Control), T1P1B1 (Soil 1, 200 g fertilizer, 10 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat), T1P1B2 (Soil 1, 200 g fertilizer, 20 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat), T1P2B2 (Soil 1, 300 g fertilizer, 20 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat), T2P1B1 (Soil 2, 200 g fertilizer, 10 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat), T2P1B2 (Soil 2, 200 g fertilizer, 20 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat), and T2P2B2 (Soil 2, 300 g fertilizer, 20 t ha⁻¹ Bicomat). The results showed that the combination of Bicomat and compost had a significant effect on improving the chemical properties of the Group-C post-mining soil. The best results for nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium were obtained from treatment T1P2B2, while treatments T1P1B1 and T2P1B1 yielded the best results for organic C.

References

Ali, A., Jabeen, N., Chachar, Z., Chachar, S., Ahmed, S., Ahmed, N., Yang, Z. 2025. The role of biochar in enhancing soil health & interactions with rhizosphere properties and enzyme activities in organic fertilizer substitution. Frontiers in Plant Science 16, 1595208. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpls.2025.1595208

Alkharabsheh, H.M., Seleiman, M.F., Battaglia, M.L., Shami, A., Jalal, R.S., Alhammad, B.A., Al-Saif, A.M. 2021. Biochar and its broad impacts in soil quality and fertility, nutrient leaching and crop productivity: A review. Agronomy 11(5), 993. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy11050993

Amalia, M.P., Kumolontang, W.J., Zetly, E. 2021. Identification of nutrient content in talawaan village mining land. COCOS 3(3), 1-10. (in Indonesia)

An, N., Zhang, L., Liu, Y., Shen, S., Li, N., Wu, Z., Han, X. 2022. Biochar application with reduced chemical fertilizers improves soil pore structure and rice productivity. Chemosphere 298, 134304. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2022.134304

An, D.H., Chang, D.C., Kim, K.S., Lee, J.E., Cha, Y.L., Jeong, J.H., Kim, S.Y. 2023. Miscanthus-derived biochar enhanced soil fertility and soybean growth in upland soil. Agriculture 13(9), 1738. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13091738

Bashir, O., Ali, T., Baba, Z.A., Rather, G.H., Bangroo, S.A., Mukhtar, S.D., Bhat, R.A. 2021. Soil organic matter and its impact on soil properties and nutrient status. Microbiota and biofertilizers. In: Dar, G.H., bhat, R.A., Mehmood, M.A., Hakeem, K.R. (Eds.), Microbiota and Biolfertilizer, Vol 2: Ecofriendly tools for reclamation of degraded soil environs. Springer Cham, pp. 129-159. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-61010-4_7

Blume, H.P., Brümmer, G.W., Fleige, H., Horn, R., Kandeler, E., Kögel-Knabner, I., Wilke, B.M. 2016. Soil Organisms and Their Habitat. In: Scheffer/Schachtschabel Soil Science. Springer, Berlin, Heidelberg, pp. 87-122. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-642-30942-7_4

Chen, J., Jiskani, I.M., Li, G. 2023. Ecological restoration of coalmine-degraded lands: Influence of plant species and revegetation on soil development. Sustainability 15(18), 13772. https://doi.org/10.3390/su151813772

Dea, C., Handayanto, E., Wilujeng, R. 2025. Effect of rice husk biochar and goat manure on selected chemical properties of type C post-mining soil. Thesis. Faculty of Agriculture, Tribhuwana Tunggadewi University, Malang, Indonesia.

Debicka, M., Morshedizad, M., Leinweber, P. 2023. The effects of dissolved organic matter derived from agricultural waste materials on phosphorus sorption in sandy soils. Agriculture 13(11), 2164. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture13112164

Delgado, A., Gomez, J.A. 2017. The soil. Physical, chemical and biological properties. In: Principles of agronomy for sustainable agriculture. Springer International Publishing, pp. 15-26. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-46116-8_2

Dong, H., Zhang, S., Lin, J., Zhu, B. 2021. Responses of soil microbial biomass carbon and dissolved organic carbon to drying-rewetting cycles: A meta-analysis. Catena 207, 105610. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.catena.2021.105610

Gao, S., Harrison, B.P., Thao, T., Gonzales, M.L., An, D., Ghezzehei, T.A., Ryals, R.A. 2023. Biochar co‐compost improves nitrogen retention and reduces carbon emissions in a winter wheat cropping system. GCB Bioenergy 15(4), 462-477. https://doi.org/10.1111/gcbb.13028

Ge, Z., An, T., Bol, R., Li, S., Zhu, P., Peng, C., Wang, J. 2021. Distributions of straw-derived carbon in Mollisol’s aggregates under different fertilization practices. Scientific Reports 11(1), 17899. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41598-021-97546-3

Gerke, J. 2022. The central role of soil organic matter in soil fertility and carbon storage. Soil Systems 6(2), 33. https://doi.org/10.3390/soilsystems6020033

Goossens, E.P., De Schrijver, A., Schelfhout, S., Vanhellemont, M., Verheyen, K., Mertens, J. 2022. Phosphorus puts a mortgage on restoration of species‐rich grasslands on former agricultural land. Restoration Ecology 30(4), e13523. https://doi.org/10.1111/rec.13523

Government of the Republic of Indonesia. 1960. Government Regulation in Lieu of Law Number 37 of 1960 concerning Mining. State Gazette of the Republic of Indonesia 1960 Number 119, Supplement to the State Gazette Number 2055. Retrieved from https://peraturan.bpk.go.id/Details/53563/perpu-no-37-tahun-1960

Guan, S., An, N., Liu, J., Zong, N., He, Y., Shi, P., He, N. 2018. Warming impacts on carbon, nitrogen and phosphorus distribution in soil water-stable aggregates. Plant, Soil & Environment 64(2), 64-69. https://doi.org/10.17221/715/2017-PSE

Guéablé, Y.K.D., Bezrhoud, Y., Aké, H.J.A., Moulay, H., An-Nori, A., Soulaimani, A., El Mejahed, K. 2022. New approach for mining site reclamation using alternative substrate based on phosphate industry by-product and sludge (part 2): Metals transfer to plant and soil microbial density. Sustainability 14(18), 11359. https://doi.org/10.3390/su141811359

Guo, L., Liu, S., Zhang, P., Hakeem, A., Song, H., Yu, M., Wang, F. 2024. Effects of different mulching practices on soil environment and fruit quality in peach orchards. Plants 13(6), 827. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13060827

Hamzah, A., Priyadarshini, R., Astutik, A. 2021. Use of Biochar Coated Humate (Bicomat) for Improving Polluted Soil and Plant Growth. In: Proceedings of the 44th Anniversary Series of the Indonesian Agronomic Association Virtual Seminar Unpad Press, pp. 236-243. (in Indonesia)

Hamzah, A., Priyadarshini, R. 2022. The potential use of humic acid-coated biochar for reducing Pb and Cu in the soil to improve plant growth. Journal of Degraded & Mining Lands Management 10(1), 4001-4009. https://doi.org/10.15243/jdmlm.2022.101.4001

Hamzah, A., Priyadarshini, R., Astuti. 2023. The Use of Humic Acid-Coated Biochar (Bicomat) and Plant Spacing on Paddy Plant Production and the Reduction of Heavy Metal Content. In: Proceedings of the 3rd International Conference on Agriculture (ICA 2022) Springer Nature 33, 29. https://doi.org/10.2991/978-94-6463-168-5_5

Hartati, W., Sudarmadji, T. 2016. Relationship between soil texture and soil organic matter content on mined-out lands in Berau, East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Nusantara Bioscience 8(1), 83–88. https://doi.org/10.13057/nusbiosci/n080115

Huang, R., Li, B., Chen, Y., Tao, Q., Xu, Q., Wen, D., Wang, C. 2022. Biochar application increases labile carbon and inorganic nitrogen supply in a continuous monocropping soil. Land 11(4), 473. https://doi.org/10.3390/land11040473

Khalil, H.A., Hossain, M.S., Rosamah, E., Azli, N.A., Saddon, N., Davoudpoura, Y., Dungani, R. 2015. The role of soil properties and it’s interaction towards quality plant fiber: A review. Renewable and Sustainable Energy Reviews 43, 1006-1015. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rser.2014.11.099

Jien, S.H., Chen, W.C., Ok, Y.S., Awad, Y.M., Liao, C.S. 2018. Short-term biochar application induced variations in C and N mineralization in a compost-amended tropical soil. Environmental Science and Pollution Research 25(26), 25715-25725. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-017-9234-8

Kuo, Y.L., Lee, C.H., Jien, S.H. 2020. Reduction of nutrient leaching potential in coarse-textured soil by using biochar. Water 12(7), 2012. https://doi.org/10.3390/w12072012

Li, X., Zhang, X., Wang, J., Liu, Z., Song, H., An, J. 2024. Biochar organic fertilizer combined with indigenous microorganisms enhances the growth of landscape grass cultivated in a substrate mixed with iron tailings and mining topsoil. Plants 13(21), 3042. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants13213042

Li, Y., Zhang, Y., He, Q., Liu, S., Ren, F., Lu, A. 2025. Effects of root exudates on ecological function and nitrogen utilization strategy of orchard multi-planting system. Agronomy 15(9), 2173. https://doi.org/10.3390/agronomy15092173

Liu, X., An, Q., Song, X., Hussain, Q., Cui, L., Wang, C., Cui, D. 2022. Urease and β-glucosidase activity enhanced the transformation of functional groups of humin amended by straw and straw-derived biochar. Chemical and Biological Technologies in Agriculture 9(1), 87. https://doi.org/10.1186/s40538-022-00351-x

Liu, Z., Xu, N., Cao, T., An, Z., Yang, X., He, T., Meng, J. 2023. Maize straw is more effective than maize straw biochar at improving soil N availability and gross N transformation rate. European Journal of Soil Science 74(4), e13403. https://doi.org/10.1111/ejss.13403

Liu, B., Gao, R., Ndzana, G.M., An, H., Huang, J., Liu, R., Xue, B. 2023. Nutrient addition affects stability of soil organic matter and aggregate by altering chemical composition and exchangeable cations in desert steppe in northern China. Land Degradation & Development 34(5), 1430-1446. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.4544

Patel, M.R., Panwar, N.L. 2023. Biochar from agricultural crop residues: Environmental, production, and life cycle assessment overview. Resources, Conservation & Recycling Advances 19, 200173. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.rcradv.2023.200173

Peñaranda B.M.Á., Alarcón M.V., Gómez L.I., Navarro-Pedreño, J. 2023. Restoration techniques applied in open mining area to improve agricultural soil fertility. AgriEngineering 5(3), 1599-1613. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriengineering5030099

Risch, A.C., Zimmermann, S., Ochoa-Hueso, R., Schütz, M., Frey, B., Firn, J.L., Moser, B. 2019. Soil net nitrogen mineralisation across global grasslands. Nature Communications 10(1), 4981. https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-019-12948-2

Sae-Tun, O., Maftukhah, R., Susanto, S., Ngadisih, N., Murtiningrum, M., Hood-Nowotny, R., Keiblinger, K.M. 2024. Organic carbon-based amendments effectively reclaim post-tin mining site via modified soil organic carbon characteristics. Plant and Soil 508, 891-907. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11104-024-06833-1

Sánchez, Ó.J., Ospina, D.A., Montoya, S. 2017. Compost supplementation with nutrients and microorganisms in composting process. Waste Management 69, 136-153. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.wasman.2017.08.012

Seleiman, M.F., Almutairi, K.F., Alotaibi, M., Shami, A., Alhammad, B.A., Battaglia, M.L. 2020. Nano-fertilization as an emerging fertilization technique: Why can modern agriculture benefit from its use? Plants 10(1), 2. https://doi.org/10.3390/plants10010002

Tian, X.M., Fan, H., Zhang, F.H., Wang, K.Y., Ippolito, J.A., Li, J.H., An, M.J. 2018. Soil carbon and nitrogen transformations under soybean as influenced by organic farming. Agronomy Journal 110(5), 1883-1892. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.12.0687

Turmudi, E., Setyowati, N., Hutabarat, R.S. 2019. Effect of tithonia compost (Tithonia diversifolia) and phosphorus on the growth and yield of peanuts. Akta Agrosia 22(2), 70-76. (in Indonesia)

Wang, Z., Deng, G., Hu, C., Hou, X., Zhang, X., Fan, Z., Peng, M. 2025. Microbial diversity and community assembly in heavy metal-contaminated soils: Insights from selenium-impacted mining areas. Frontiers in Microbiology 16, 1561678. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2025.1561678

Wang, H.W., Ma, C.Y., Xu, F.J., Lu, F., Zhang, W., Dai, C.C. 2021. Root endophyte-enhanced peanut-rhizobia interaction is associated with regulation of root exudates. Microbiological Research 250, 126765. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.micres.2021.126765

Wang, S., Liu, R., Bi, D., Shi, Y., Wang, X., Zhang, K., Shen, Z. 2025. Synergistic effects of biochar and humic acid on properties of soils containing high salts and pak choi growth under brackish water irrigation. Journal of Soils and Sediments 25(12), 3746-3761. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11368-025-04175-8

Xu, S., Geng, W., Sayer, E.J., Zhou, G., Zhou, P., Liu, C. 2020. Soil microbial biomass and community responses to experimental precipitation change: A meta-analysis. Soil Ecology Letters 2(2), 93-103. https://doi.org/10.1007/s42832-020-0033-7

Yang, Y., Cheng, H., Gao, H., An, S. 2020. Response and driving factors of soil microbial diversity related to global nitrogen addition. Land Degradation & Development, 31(2), 190-204. https://doi.org/10.1002/ldr.3439

Yang, F., Sui, L., Tang, C., Li, J., Cheng, K., Xue, Q. 2021. Sustainable advances on phosphorus utilization in soil via addition of biochar and humic substances. Science of the Total Environment 768, 145106. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2021.145106

Yunanda, F., Soemeinaboedhy, I.N., Silawibawa, I.P. 2022. The effect of various organic fertilizers on soil physical properties, soil chemistry, and peanut (Arachis hypogaea L.) production in Kediri Regency. Jurnal Ilmiah Mahasiswa Agrokomplek 1(3), 294-303.

Yu, Z., Yao, X., Yang, M., Hu, S., An, X., Li, C. 2024. Co-application of sheep manure and commercial organic fertilizer enhances plant productivity and soil quality in alpine mining areas. Frontiers in Microbiology 15, 1488121. https://doi.org/10.3389/fmicb.2024.1488121

Zheng, Y., Zhang, Z., Chen, Y., An, S., Zhang, L., Chen, F., Cai, W. 2022. Adsorption and desorption of Cd in reclaimed soil under the influence of humic acid: Characteristics and mechanisms. International Journal of Coal Science & Technology 9(1), 7. https://doi.org/10.1007/s40789-022-00480-6

Zhou, L., Monreal, C.M., Xu, S., McLaughlin, N.B., Zhang, H., Hao, G., Liu, J. 2019. Effect of bentonite-humic acid application on the improvement of soil structure and maize yield in a sandy soil of a semi-arid region. Geoderma 338, 269-280. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.geoderma.2018.12.014