Responses of Corn (Zea mays L.) to Zeolite and Urea Fertilizer in Karo Highlands

Abstract

The research aims to determine the effects of Zeolites and Urea fertilizer on the production of maize. It was expected that the results of this study could reduce the use of urea fertilizer in producing corn, so that in the buildup to being more efficient and effective, it could also maintain productive soil conditions. The study was conducted from June-December 2017 in Gurusinga Village, Berastagi District, Karo Regency, North Sumatra, Indonesia, in the elevation of 1,250 meters above sea level, flat topography, andosol soil type (pH of 5.7). The experimental design was a factorial randomized block design. The first factor was the dose of Zeolite (Z) consisting of Z0 = 0 g / plot (control), Z1 = 105 g / plot, Z2 = 210 g / plot, Z3 = 315 g / plot, Z4 = 420 g / plot. The second factor was Urea fertilizer (U) consisting of U0 = 0 g / plant (control), U1 = 2.1 g / plant, U2 = 4.2 g / plant, U3 = 6.3 g / plant, U4 = 8, 4 g / plant with 3 replications. The results showed that the Zeolite and Urea fertilizer had a significant effect on the growth of corn plants (p <0.05) on plant height (cm), stem diameter (mm), and leaf wide (cm2), while the number of leaves (strands) had no significant effect (p> 0.05). Zeolite and Urea fertilizer have a significant effect on the diameter of corncobs, length of corncobs, weight (gross and clean) per (sample and plot) and weight of 100 pieces (p <0.05), while the number of rows/cob has no significant effect (p> 0.05).