The Impact of Compost Dose and SP36 Fertilizer Application on Soil Chemical Properties and Growth of Corn Plants (Zea mays L.) in Ultisol Soils

Abstract

Ultisol soil has complex problems that result in low nutrient availability, especially P. This research aim was to determine the effect of the application of a mixture of compost and SP 36 fertilizer to increase the growth of corn plants on Ultisol soil. The research was conducted from October 17, 2017, to March 13, 2018. This research was conducted in the village of Aek Goti, Silangkit District, Labuhan Batu Selatan Regency, Sumatera Utara Province. The experimental method used was factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) with 2 factors and 3 replications. The first factor was a dose of compost in the form of Tithonia diversifolia and chicken manure with 4 levels of treatments (B₀ : 0 ton/ha, B₁: 10 tons/ha, B₂: 20 tons/ha, B₃: 30 tons/ha). Factor II was the dose of SP36 fertilizer with 3 treatments levels (P₀: Control, P₁: 100 kg SP36/ha, P₂: 200 kg SP36/ha). The parameters observed were pH H₂O, P Potential, Soil CEC, root dry weight (g), canopy dry weight (g) of corn (Zea mays L.). The results showed that the application of a mixture of compost Tithonia diversifolia and chicken manure at the rate of 30 tons/ha significantly increased pH H₂O, P Potential, CEC, canopy dry weight, and root dry weight.