The Effect of Liquid Nutrient Doses (Leili 2000) on the Vegetative Growth of Glutinous Corn (Zea Mays Var. Ceratina) on Vertisol Soil

Abstract

Corn (Zea mays L.) is a strategic food commodity that plays an important role in maintaining national food security. Increasing corn productivity requires proper nutrient management, including the effective utilization of macronutrients that play a crucial role in plant physiological processes. This study aims to analyze the effect of various macronutrient concentrations on the vegetative growth of corn plants using a completely randomized design (CRD) combined with a mixed-method approach. This approach offers advantages because it combines quantitative and qualitative data synergistically, allowing the study's results to not only show statistical relationships numerically but also provide a deeper understanding of field conditions. The treatments used were 5 ml, 10 ml, and 15 ml macronutrient concentrations, with one control tested with 10 replications for each treatment. The parameters observed included plant height, number of leaves, leaf length, leaf width, and stem diameter. The results of the analysis showed that treatment with a concentration of 10 ml had a highly significant effect on plant height, number of leaves, and leaf length (p < 0.001), while leaf width and stem diameter did not yield substantial results. Overall, the use of a mixed-methods approach yielded a more comprehensive understanding, demonstrating that macronutrients have the potential to enhance the vegetative growth of corn in a sustainable manner.