Application of Chicken Feather Compost with Nano Biochar and Cocopeat Additives on Corn (Zea mays L.)

Abstract

Additives are one of the ingredients to speed up the composting process. If chicken feathers are composted, the N is easily lost. In the composting process, additives need to be added. The study aims to determine the best percentage of cocopeat and nano biochar (CNB)-enriched chicken feather compost (CFC) and urea in replacing urea fertilizer in corn growth and yield. This research was carried out using an experimental method with a single factor treatment design arranged in a Completely Randomized Environmental Design. The research was carried out using 3 treatments of combination CNB-CFC and Urea, as followed 75% Urea + 25% CNB-CFC (B), 50% Urea + 50% CNB-CFC (C), and 25% Urea + 75% CNB-CFC (D). These three treatments were compared with two treatments of controls, namely 100% Urea (A) and 100% CNB-CFC (E). The research showed that a combination of urea fertilizer and CNB-CFC could replace 25-100% of N Urea and increase the growth and yield of corn. Of all treatments tested, the best growth and yield of corn was recorded from the application of 100% CNB-CFC. This finding emphasized the potential of CNB-CFC as an eco-friendly substitute for Urea that can be used for corn cultivation.