Abstract

Shallot cultivation in Rubaru is carried out during the dry season after farmers harvest corn. Corn husk waste is utilized as organic mulch, and its effectiveness is compared to the use of bamboo leaves. Trichoderma is applied to accelerate decomposition. The resulting organic matter aims to improve soil texture, permeability, temperature, and pH. The objective of this study is to determine the extent to which organic mulch and Trichoderma influence the physical properties of the soil and the productivity of Rubaru shallots, as well as to identify farmers' responses. The research was conducted in Mandala Village using a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) and analyzed through ANOVA. The results of this study indicate that Trichoderma application reduced the clay percentage, thereby increasing the silt percentage, reaching 80% in treatment P4. Soil temperature showed a significant difference between treatments, with plot P4 recording 28 °C. Permeability rate was categorized as slow in plot P3 (1.54 cm/hour), although it was not significantly different among treatments. Soil pH differed significantly, with P1 recording the highest pH at 8.19. Productivity also showed a significant difference, with the highest yield recorded in treatment P4 (18.67 tons/ha). Most farmers were unaware of the use of organic mulch and showed no interest in applying it. However, 75% of farmers were aware of the benefits of Trichoderma, and all expressed willingness to use it.