Optimum dosage and application of NPK fertilizer for corn in drylands of Dompu Indonesia
Zaenal Arifin, Lolita Endang Susilowati, Bambang Hari Kusumo, Sukartono, Ismail Yasin
University of Mataram
Abstract
Corn farmers on dry land tend to use inorganic fertilizers in excessive amounts to increase corn production without considering the right dosage and the application method. To obtain the right dosage and the better application method, a study has been conducted to investigate two packages of fertilizer doses and placement methods which were tested on dry land of Dompu, Indonesia. Research to test the three types of fertilizers (Nitrogen, Phosphorus and Potassium) in corn was tested in five sub-district locations in Dompu (1 ha in each location), namely Huu, Pajo, Woja, Kempo, and Manggalewa sub-districts. There were two fertilization packages tested in this study; (1) Urea 300 kg/ha and PONSKA 300 kg/ha given 2 times by row placement, and (2) Urea 300 kg/ha and PONSKA 400 kg/ha given 1 time by broadcasting. The results showed that the first package of treatment produced significantly higher dry weight of corn seeds (12.26 tons/ha) compared to the second package (7.98 tons/ha). In addition, the leaves of the corn plant in the first package treatment were still green at the time of harvest which can be a source of animal feed, compared to plants in the second fertilizing package that have dried and are brown in color.
Keywords: Corn, fertilizer, NPK, application, dryland, Indonesia
Topic: Environmental Engineering