EFEKTIVITAS KONSENTRASI CUKA AREN (Arenga pinnata Merr.) SEBAGAI HERBISIDA ALAMI UNTUK PENGENDALIAN GULMA PADA TANAMAN TOMAT (Solanum lycopersicum L.)

Abstract

This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of sugar palm vinegar (from fermented sap of Arenga pinnata Merr.) as a natural herbicide for weed control in tomato (Solanum lycopersicum L. ‘Servo F1’) cultivation and to determine its side effects on crop growth and yield. The experiment was conducted in Rantekasimpo, Batupapan, Tana Toraja Regency, South Sulawesi, from December 2025 to May 2026, using a one-factor randomized complete block design with six treatments and three replications (18 plots, nine plants per plot): A0 (water control), A1 (10%), A2 (20%), A3 (30%), A4 (50%), and A5 (60%) sugar palm vinegar solution, sprayed directly onto weeds at 7, 14, 21, 28, and 35 days after planting. The observed variables included weed coverage of ten species at 7–35 days after application (DAA), plant height and stem diameter at 3, 5, and 7 weeks after planting (WAP), fruit diameter, fruit number per plant, fruit weight per plant, and fruit weight per plot. Data were analyzed using ANOVA and the LSD test at the 5% level. The results showed that repeated application of sugar palm vinegar suppressed weed coverage by 62.5–100%; Ageratum conyzoides and Portulaca oleracea were completely controlled (100%) at 35 DAA, whereas grasses (Eleusine indica) and legumes (Mimosa pudica, Calopogonium mucunoides) were relatively tolerant. Tomato vegetative growth was not significantly affected. Fruit diameter was highly significantly influenced: the 10% concentration produced the largest fruit (48.84 mm), whereas concentrations of 50% and 60% reduced fruit diameter (41.72 and 35.72 mm). Fruit weight per plant of the control (577.7 g) was significantly higher than all herbicide treatments (256.1–333.4 g). These findings indicate that sugar palm vinegar at low concentrations (10–20%) effectively controls broadleaf weeds with minimal impact on tomato, while concentrations of 50% or more are phytotoxic and not recommended.