Optimizing Glutinous Corn Productivity through Demonstration Plots with the Application of Combined Organic Ameliorants

Abstract

Sandy soil in Muncuk Karya, Ampenan, has low water retention and nutrient content, making it difficult for sticky rice farmers to meet their plants' water and nutrient needs. To overcome this challenge, research entitled "Optimizing Glutinous Corn Productivity through Demonstration Plots with the Application of Combined Organic Ameliorants" was carried out using an experimental methodology using a randomized block design involving five treatments and four replications, so that there were a total of 20 treatment plots. The treatments applied consisted of: A1 (50% cow manure + 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer), A2 (50% compost + 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer), A3 (50% fertile organic fertilizer + 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer), A4 (50% rice husk charcoal + 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer), and A5 (50% mixture of cow manure, compost, fertile organic fertilizer, and rice husk charcoal with a volume ratio of 1:1:1:1 + 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer). The research results showed that the application of ameliorant, a combination of 50% cow manure and 50% mycorrhizal biofertilizer, was proven to be effective in increasing growth, plant productivity, soil nutrient concentration, plant nutrient uptake, and mycorrhizal development in the soil. To increase the productivity of sticky corn plants, soil fertility, plant nutrient uptake, and mycorrhiza development, it is recommended to use this combination ameliorant application.