Kajian Penggunaan Berbagai Mulsa Organik dan Teknik Aplikasi Pupuk Terhadap Pertumbuhan dan Produksi Tanaman Jagung Manis (Zea mays Saccharata Sturt)

Abstract

The purpose of this research is to examine the interaction effect of the use of mulch and fertilizer application techniques on the growth and production of sweet corn plants; it is also to find out the best outcomes from both treatments. This research was conducted in Hulawa Village, Telaga Sub-district, Gorontalo Regency of Gorontalo Province from April to June 2018. It used a factorial randomized group design which consisted of two factors. The first factor was three level-mulch namely control, 5 tons/ha of rice straw mulch, and 5 tons/ha of reeds mulch. The second factor was the fertilization technique which consisted of two levels namely 200 kg/ha of tugal and 200 kg/ha of larikan. Tugal and larikan are planting the seeds by using dibbers between rows. Each treatment was repeatedthree times. Parameters observed were plant height, leaf number, flowering percentage, the weight of the cob weighted, the length of the cob twisted. The data were analyzed by using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and further testing with BNT (Smallest Significant Difference) at the test level of 5%. The results of this study indicate that there is a treatment interaction between reeds organic mulch and fertilizer application techniques in the percentage of flowering parameters. An organic mulch of rice straw affects plants height 4 and 6 MST, some leaves 4 and 6 MST, length of cob twisted, and weight of cob weighted. Meanwhile, the fertilizer application technique does not affect the growth and production of sweet corn plants.