Effect of cow manure and dolomite on nutrient uptake and growth of corn (Zea mays L.)

V. Triyas, D.W. Afinda, Suryono, Suntoro Suntoro, N. R. Dimasyuri, Jauhari Syamsiyah, Heri Widijanto

Abstract: The goal of this research is to discover the effect of cow manure and dolomite on the availability of nutrients N, Ca, and Mg, the growth of corn plants (Zea mays L.), and the uptake of nutrients by the plants. The field trial was carried out on Oxic Dystrudept soil, using a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with a two-way factorial arrangement. The first factor was manure with a dosage of 0, 5, 10, and 20 t Ha-1. The second factor was dolomite with 4 levels, namely 0, 100, 200, and 300 kg Ha-1. The results of the research showed that there was an interaction between cow manure and dolomite on plant growth, indicated by the plant biomass, the chlorophyll B content in the leaves, the uptake of nutrients N, P, Ca, and Mg, and the availability of P in the soil. The use of cow manure with a dosage of 20 t Ha-1 and dolomite at a level of 300 kg Ha-1 produced the highest plant biomass weight, namely 236.73 g plant-1, or an increase of 438 percent compared with the control. The application of manure clearly influenced plant height, leaf area index, root weight, shoot weight, and N-total in the soil. The application of dolomite did not affect nutrient availability, nutrient uptake, or plant growth.

Keywords: corn; cow manure; dolomite; nutrient uptake

Date published: 2018-12-28