Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 10(6), pp. 660 - 666
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2022.100607
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Application of Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK Fertilizer to Improve the Quality of Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS) as a Sweet Corn (Zea mays L) Cultivation Land in North Sumatra, Indonesia

Basyaruddin ^1,*, Khusrizal ^2
1 Faculty of Agriculture, Islamic University of North Sumatra, Medan 20217, North Sumatra, Indonesia
² Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Malikussaleh, Reuleut, Muara Batu, 24355 Aceh Utara, Aceh, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

A field trial has been carried out in order to study the use of Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK fertilizer to improve the quality of Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS) as a sweet corn (Zea mays L) cultivation land in North Sumatra. The experiment was a Factorial Randomized Block Design. Factors studied were Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK fertilizer. The EWM treatment was arranged in 4 doses consisting of: Control (0 kg EWM / plot), 0.4 kg EWM / plot; 0.8 kg EWM / plot; and 1.2 kg EWM/plot. NPK treatment was given in 4 doses consisting of: control (0 kg NPK / plot); 5 g NPK / plot; 10 g NPK / plot; and 15 g NPK / plot. The treatment of EWM material was applied by mixing EWM with topsoil of ASS at a depth of about 5 cm evenly in each trial plot when it was 1 week before sweet corn plant was planted. While NPK fertilizer treatment was given between the rows of plants when the plants are 2 weeks old. Each treatment was given in each trial plot with a size of 100 cm x 100 cm and was repeated 3 times. The plant spacing was set at 60 cm x 70 cm, the distance between replications was 50 cm, and the distance between treatment plots was 30 cm. Variables observed include some soil properties, growth and crop yields. Soil properties were measured consisting of: pH (H₂O), total N (Kjeldahl), P (Bray II), Exchangeable-K (K-ex) (NH₄OAc pH 7.0). Growth and yield of plants were also determined including: plant height, stem diameter, and crop yield. The results obtained showed that the application of EWM could improve the quality of ASS properties shown by the increase in the total N content, available P, exchangeable-K, and ASS pH and plant growth based on stem diameter growth. NPK application increases total N content, available P, and K-ex, but does not increase growth in height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and crop yields. Application of EWM increases pH, whereas NPK has no effect on ASS pH. The effects of EWM and NPK interact positively on total N content where the application of EWM increases the effect of NPK on total N content; the effect of EWM was better in improving the chemical properties (N, P, K, and pH) of ASS and plant stem diameter growth compared with NPK application. EWM can be used to improve the quality of chemical properties (N, P, K, and pH) and partially or completely substitute NPK sweet corn plants in ASS so as to save on the use of NPK fertilizer. Therefore, EWM has the potential as an alternative agrobiotechnology product that has the opportunity to be used to overcome the problem of ASS as agricultural land.

KEYWORDS
Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS), Earthworm Manure (EWM), NPK Fertilizer, pH, Sweet Corn, N Content, Available-P, Exchangeable-K

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Basyaruddin , Khusrizal , "Application of Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK Fertilizer to Improve the Quality of Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS) as a Sweet Corn (Zea mays L) Cultivation Land in North Sumatra, Indonesia," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 10, No. 6, pp. 660 - 666, 2022. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2022.100607.

(b). APA Format:
Basyaruddin , Khusrizal (2022). Application of Earthworm Manure (EWM) and NPK Fertilizer to Improve the Quality of Acid Sulphate Soil (ASS) as a Sweet Corn (Zea mays L) Cultivation Land in North Sumatra, Indonesia. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 10(6), 660 - 666. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2022.100607.