Response of corn growth to ZeomicAgro, a zeolite-based soil ameliorant

Abstract

Abstract Apart from being able to improve soil quality, including soil physical, chemical and biological properties, soil ameliorant can also increase agricultural yields. The soil ameliorant studied is ZeomicAgro, an inorganic ameliorant consisting of zeolite enriched with humic substances. The aim of the research was to determine the effect of ZeomicAgro on the growth of corn plants (Zea mays). The experiment was conducted at the Cikabayan IPB Education Field, Bogor, West Java. It used a one-factor randomized block design, namely the ameliorant dose. There were three doses of ZeomicAgro compared to control and a standard fertilization. The three ZeomicAgro treatments were 100, 200, 300 kg/ha, each combined with 300 kg NPK/ha. ZeomicAgro has met the minimum technical requirements for inorganic ameliorants with an exchange capacity value of 77.78%. The experiment was carried out with four replications so that there were 20 experimental units. Each experimental unit was a plot of 25 m2. The results show that doses of 200 kg ZeomicAgro ha−1 + 300 kg NPK ha−1 tent to provide the highest corn growth as indicated by plant height, number of leave and chlorophyll content and significantly produced the highest cob weight, length and diameter and also gave RAE value of 156.