N, P and K fertilization response on maize in Vertisols in Central Java, Indonesia

Abstract

One of the key factors for the success of maize production is nutrient adequacy through efficient fertilization. To determine the effectiveness of fertilization, a study was conducted to determine the response of maize to N, P, K fertilization on Vertisols. The research was conducted during 3 seasons (2014-2016) in Central Java. The study used omission plots with 5 replications. The fertilizers used for the study were N 200, P2O5 30 to 35, and K2O 75 to 100 kg ha−1. The observed data consisted of climate, soil and yield, and were analyzed descriptively. Vertisols soil in the research location has a heavy clay texture, alkaline pH, low soil organic C and N, high content of Ca, Mg and bases saturation, and cracked in the dry season. The results showed that the average yield from the plot -N (1.8), -P (8.5), -K (8.9), and +NPK (10.0) t ha−1. Based on the data, maize has the highest response to N fertilizer, followed by P and K. The response of maize to N, P, K fertilizers in Vertisols respectively N (8.1), P2O5 (1.5) and K2O (1.0) t ha−1. The agronomic efficiency of N and P fertilization was 41 and 44 kg kg−1, while K was 11 kg kg−1.