Effect of compost, N and K fertilizers on yield and N and K uptake of sweet corn grown on Bekenu series

Mohd Yusuff, Mohd Taufik (2007) Effect of compost, N and K fertilizers on yield and N and K uptake of sweet corn grown on Bekenu series. [Project Paper] (Submitted)

Text lp FSPM 2007 36.pdf Download (3MB)

Abstract

A field study was carried with the following objectives: (i) To investigate the effect of compost, N, and K fertilizers on selected soil chemical properties, and (ii) To investigate the effect of compost, N and K fertilizers on N and K uptake and yield of Masmadu variety, cultivated on Bekenu series. Treatments evaluated were: (i) No fertilizers (control) (Tl), (ii) 100 % inorganic fertilizer application (T2), (iii) 80 % application ofN fertilizer+ 20 % ofN from compost (P and K content used as the amounts to supplement P and K chemical fertilizer) (T3), (iv) 60 % application of N fertilizer+ 40 % of N from compost (P and K content used as the amounts to supplement P and K chemical fertilizer) (T4), and (v) 100 % compost application (TS). The experiment was conducted at the share farm of Universiti Putra Malaysia Bintulu Campus, Sarawak, Malaysia. The experimental design was a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 4 replicates. Nitrogen and K were applied in the forms of urea (46 % N) and muriate of potash (60 % K20) in two split i.e., at 15 days after planting (DAP) and 36 DAP respectively. At 73 OAP, the Masmadu plant was harvested above the ground level into stem and the leaves to determine the total dry weight, N and K concentrations by using standard procedures. The fresh weight of cobs were recorded excluding guard rows. Soil sampling was done before and after fertilization stages. Soil total N was determined using the Kjeldahl method while exchangeable K, Ca, Na, and Mg were extracted using the double acid method and their concentrations determined using atomic absorption spectrophotometry. Dry ashing method was used for the determination of K, Ca, Na, and Mg concentrations in plant tissues while the Kjeldahl method was used to determine total N in these tissues. The concentrations multiplied by the oven dried weight of roots and stem represented N, K, Ca, Na, and Mg uptake in these plant parts. The N and K use efficiency were then calculated using the subtraction method. Inorganic fertilization (T2) or combinations of inorganic and organic fertilization (T3 and T4) or organic fertilization (TS) did not only affect soil bulk density, CEC, pH, total N, and exchangeable Ca but affected exchangeable K and Mg. Dry weight of Masmadu leaf was not affected by fertilization and so was N and K uptake. Inorganic fertilization (T2) was superior in terms of stem dry weight and cob production although the uptake of N and K in Masmadu stem for T2 was similar to T3, and T4. Three or five cropping cycles may be required to confirm the findings of this study. In addition, further isotopic studies to quantify the amount of N and K contributed by compost in relation N and K uptake and yield may help to conclusively explain why T2 was superior to T3 and T4 in particular.

Item Type:	Project Paper
Faculty:	Faculty of Agriculture and Food Sciences
Depositing User:	Mr. Azman Mohamad
Date Deposited:	17 Dec 2024 02:55
Last Modified:	17 Dec 2024 02:55
URI:	http://psaspb.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2287

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