The effect of fertilization and variety on maize productivity in two tillage systems in North Sumatra

Abstract

Maize is the second crucial food crop commodity that has great potential to develop in North Sumatra. The study's objective is to determine maize production is influenced by fertilization and varieties under two tillage systems. The experiment is conducted in Batu Mamak Village, Juhar Sub-District, Karo District period March-August 2019. The three factorial experiments are tillage systems (non-tillage and conventional), fertilization (soil test kid (STK), site-specific nutrient management (PuJS), and farmers practice (FFP), and variety (Bima 2, Bima 20, JH-27, Nasa-29, NK-22, P23). Each treatment is replicated four times using a randomized complete block design with a plot size is 25 m2. The result showed that a non-tillage system with the PuJS increased grain yield by 1.1% and 21.3% compared to PuJS and FFP on the tillage system, respectively. The existing variety was still dominant compared to the newly introduced types supported by total dry matter, harvest index, and 100 grains. Bulk density was inversely related to all components was inversely associated with Ksat (infiltration). The application of organic fertilizers with a non-tillage system can increase Ksat and grain yield and provide benefits to farmers of IDR22,778,591 with a B/C ratio of 1.36.