In the success of the University Work Program period 3 contained in the 2013-2036 UTS RPJP related to increasing the innovation of the academic community, the Faculty of Life Sciences and Technology (FLST) also makes a real contribution by developing superior innovation products created by lecturers and students. On this occasion, the FSLT academic community in collaboration with Sumbawa Technopark and Start-up Archi Biotech has developed one of its superior innovation products, namely Marisol Biofertilizer (Marine Solution) which is made from seaweed waste from the Sumbawa coast. This innovation was initiated to be a solution to the problems of farmers, especially in Sumbawa, namely the scarcity and high price of fertilizer in the market.
The raw material for Marisol Biofertilizer is Sargassum sp. which is one type of seaweed that is abundantly available in Sumbawa waters. This is an added value of this product, because FSLT lecturers and students are also campaigning for a movement to care for the environment. Sargassum sp. obtained from the waters of Tanjung Pengamas, Labuhan Badas District. Furthermore, the seaweed is dried and chopped with a special seaweed chopper machine. Sargassum sp. that has been chopped mixed with fertile soil with a certain dose and stored in an airtight closed container for the fermentation process.
Marisol Biofertilizer has previously been through a series of studies related to its effectiveness. Tests on ornamental plants, obtained better growth compared to bokashi and chemical fertilizers. Ornamental plants fed Marisol Biofertilizer have larger flowers and faster growth. Tests on maize (a food crop) showed the use of Marisol Biofertilizer accelerated root growth and leaf count. Based on the results of research that has been done, this fertilizer is suitable for ornamental plants and food crops. Marisol Biofertilizer has a functional microbe of 1.05 x 106CFU/g. This indicates that the microbial diversity in Marisol Biofertilizer is very high. Marisol fertilizer quality tests in accordance with Ministry of Agriculture Regulation No. 261 of 2019 are still being carried out at the Testing, Calibration and Certification Services Laboratory of IPB. The tests carried out were C-Organic, C/N ratio, water content, heavy metals (As, Hg, Pb, Cd, Cr, Ni), pH, macro nutrients (N, P2O5, K2O), micro nutrients (Fe Total , Mn, Zn). Marisol Biofertilizer is packaged in 10 kg and 5 kg packages, with prices of Rp. 28.000,00 and Rp. 15.000,00. The UTS Road To MXGP Expo activity is the first launching of Marisol Biofertilizer which is the result of innovation from FSLT lecturers and students. With this activity, Marisol Biofertilizer became heard among the UTS academic community and the Sumbawa community. It would be better if in the future, Marisol Biofertilizer was included in product exhibitions related to agriculture or ornamental plants in order to directly attract the target market.
