The Usage of Compost from Leucaena Leucocephala Leaves and Moringa Oleifera Leaves for the Growth of Kappaphycus Alvarezii Seedling

Seaweed is one of the leading export commodities from Indonesia’s fisheries sector. One of them is cottoni (Kappaphycus alvarezii). High quality of the carrageenan produced can be obtained by using seedlings from generative propagation. In contrast to vegetative propagation, generative propagation requires a comparatively slower growth period and seedlings that perish more quickly. On the other hand, there is compost, natural fertilizer, which is commonly used to promote plant growth. The similarity of properties between plant and seaweed led to this research being carried out with the aim to looking for methods that can accelerate seaweed seedling growth but remains environmentally friendly. The treatment were A. plantlets soaked in compost made from fermented lamtoro (Leucaena leucochepala) leaves solution, B. plantlets soaked in compost made from fermented moringa (Moringa oleifera) leaves solution, and C. control without soaked in compost solution. The soaking process done in 15 min, 1 time a week, for 5 weeks maintenance in the sea. The result showed that compost able to promote the growth of cottoni seedlings, as evidenced by an increase in weight, the emergence of the new shoots, and darker thallus color during observation, compared to the control.