Agronomic effectiveness, dry-matter, grain yield, nutrient uptake, and fertilizer use-efficiency of liquid organic fertilizer combined with NPK to sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt)

Abstract

The decline in agricultural land productivity due to climate change and excessive use of inorganic fertilizers requires us to implement an environmentally friendly cultivation system, by reducing the application rate of inorganic fertilizers and combining them with organic fertilizers. Liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) is one type of fertilizer that is expected to increase plant growth and yield and reduce the dose of inorganic fertilizers. The objective of this study was to examine the effect of LOF on growth, the yield of sweet corn, nutrient uptake, and the fertilizer use-efficiency of inorganic fertilizers. This Research has conducted at Inceptisol Galuga Bogor, with a randomized block design as an experimental design. The treatments consisted of a control, five doses of LOF and 2 doses of NPK fertilizer. The results showed LOF fertilizer at a dose of 0.75 - 3.0 l ha-1 combined with 100% NPK and 75% NPK increased the yield of fresh cobs by 15% - 19% compared to NPK without LOF. The weight of fresh cobs fertilized with LOF with 100% NPK was (14.63 - 16.68 t ha-1) with RAE= 130 - 205%, which is higher than without LOF (13.73 t ha-1). The combination of LOF with 75% NPK gave the weight of fresh cobs (11.88-15.12 t ha-1) with RAE = 115-507 %, which is higher than without LOF (11.75 t ha-1). LOF can contribute to NPK fertilizer efficiency by 25% of the dose. Nutrient use-efficiency for N is well-managed but lower for P and K.