The effect of organic fertilizer and urea fertilizer on growth, yield and quality of sweet corn and soil health
Darwin Habinsaran Pangaribuan*, Kus Hendarto, Sheilla R. Elzhivago, Ade Yulistiani
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Lampung, Jl Sumantri Brojonegoro 1, Bandar Lampung 35145, Indonesia
Abstract
This study aims to determine the effect of organic fertilizer and urea fertilizer on growth, yield, and quality of sweet corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) and soil health. The research was conducted in Bandar Lampung, Indonesia in December 2016 until March 2017. This research was designed using a randomized factorial block design 2 x 4 with three replications. The arrangement of treatments are as follows: The first treatment was organic fertilizer (poultry manure that has been composted and combined with Biomax-Grow biofertilizer) consisting of 2 levels that are, 0 and 15 ton ha-1. The second treatment was the dosage of urea fertilizer consisted of 0, 150, 300 and 450 kg ha-1. The results showed that application of integrated use of organic fertilizer and urea fertilizer would decrease the use of urea and be recommended for sweet corn cultivation. Organic fertilizer gives a better postharvest quality of sweet corn and a better soil health with respect to soil respiration as well as fungi and bacterial population.
