The Role of Zeolite and NPK Fertilizer on Maize (Zea mays L.) Growth in Inceptisol, Southern Solok District

Abstract

The research objective was to determine the role of zeolite in increasing the efficiency of NPK fertilizer on the growth and yield of maize in Inceptisol Southern Solok. This research was conducted in July - November 2022, in Sangir District, Southern Solok Regency, West Sumatra with an elevation of 998 m above sea level, the soil type is Inceptisol, with a soil pH of 5.76, belonging to the slightly acidic. The experiment was arranged in a randomized block design with a factorial arrangement of treatments in 2 treatment factors. The 1st factor was the dose of zeolite from 0, 100 and 200 kg ha-1, the 2nd factor was NPK fertilizer (15-15-15) with a dose of; 100, 200, and 300 kg ha-1, arranged in 3 blocks. The data obtained was analyzed using the F test with a significance level of 5%, and then using the DNMRT follow-up test with a significance level of 5%. The parameters; soil pH, plant height, leaf area index, weight of 100 maize kernels, moisture content of 14%; and yield per hectare. The data obtained were presented in the form of tables and figures, establishing the interaction relationship between the two treatments in the form of graphs. The resulted was giving 100 kg ha-1 NPK was able to provide optimal NPK nutrient uptake, plant height and LAI at 54 DAP. The combination of 100 kg ha-1 zeolite and 200 kg ha-1 NPK provided optimal yields of dry shelled maize reaching 5.44 tonnes ha-1.