Direct application of reactive phosphate rock on improving maize yield in tidal swampland

Abstract

Tidal swampland soil is characterized by low soil acidity and P availability, and high Al, Fe, S, and Na concentrations. Due to its productivity, tidal swampland needs an improved specific location technology. Reactive phosphate rock (RPR) which is characterized by its high reactivity and residual effect, and slow release is an option to overcome the P problem. The objective of this research was to study the effect of direct application of reactive phosphate rock in increasing maize yield in tidal swampland. The experiment was conducted at farmer's field in Banyu Urip Village, Banyuasin District, South Sumatera. The research was arranged using randomized block design with four treatments and four replicates. The treatments consisted of farmers' practice (P1), recommended single fertilizer (P2), recommended compound fertilizer (P3), and recommended RPR package (P4). The results showed that P4 treatment was able to improve plant growth and maize yield up to 25% compared to farmers' practice. RPR package consists of RPR, dolomite, manure, Urea, and KCl of 1, 1, 2, 0.4, and 0.4 t ha-1, respectively, in tidal swamp land achieved maize production up to 8.25 t ha-1. This RPR package could be an applicable option in improving maize yield in tidal swamp land.