Growth and yield of sweet corn in response to the liquid organic fertilizer derived from Tithonia diversifolia and Ageratum conyzoides

Abstract

Sweet corn is a popular alternative vegetable among Indonesians. Because the majority of its growing area is alternated with other vegetable crops, a strategy for managing the source of fertilizer is required to ensure efficiency and sustainability. This research aims to determine an optimum dose of LOF derived from T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides for increasing sweet corn growth and yield. A completely randomized block design was used to set up five levels of fertilizer application: 750 mL LOF without T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides as fresh materials, 750 mL LOF, 1.500 mL LOF, 2.250 mL LOF, derived from T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides as fresh materials, and a standard dose of inorganic fertilizer. The findings revealed that LOF derived from T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides had a significant effect`on plant height, stem diameter, ear length, ear diameter, and ear weight, as well as on ear weight per plot. When compared to the LOF treatment without T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides, plants nutrients obtained from standard inorganic fertilizer or LOF of T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides of 2.250 mL had a higher average for all observed variables, including plant height, stem diameter, ear length, ear diameter, ear weight, and ear weight per plot. Based on the current research, adding liquid organic fertilizer made from T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides at a rate of 2.250 mL per plant led to the best growth and yield of sweet corn. The findings confirm the possibility of replacing inorganic fertilizer with LOF from local plants like T. diversifolia and A. conyzoides.