The Application of Compost Extract Enriched with Eggshell Flour on the Growth and Production of Sweet Corn Plants (Zea mays saccharata)

Abstract

The aim of this study was to investigate the application of compost extract enriched with eggshell flour on the growth and production yield of sweet corn plants. This research was conducted from July to September 2021 at the Academic Farm of the Faculty of Agriculture, Tadulako University, Central Sulawesi Province, Indonesia. This study used a randomized block design with a factorial pattern. The first factor was the time of eggshell flour addition consisting of 5 treatments, i.e., W1 = 1 week after planting (WAP); W2 = 2 WAP; W3 = 3 WAP; W4 = 4 WAP; W5 = 5 WAP. The second factor was corn compost extract application consisting of 2 treatments, i.e., A1 = application on the soil; A2 = application on the plants. Therefore, 10 treatment combinations were obtained, and each treatment combination was repeated 3 times to obtain 30 experimental units. The results showed that there was no interaction effect between the application of corn compost extract and the time of eggshell flour addition in all measured parameters. The treatment that resulted in better growth and yield of sweet corn was the combination treatment of 1 WAP and application through the soil on all measured parameters, The time of eggshell flour addition of 1 WAP gave a better effect on the growth and yield of sweet corn plants on the parameters of plant height at 28 days after planting (DAP), stem circumference at 49 DAP, length and diameter of the corncob with husks, and weight of the corncob without husks, and Application of corn compost extract treatment through the soil gave a better effect on the growth of sweet corn plants on the parameters of plant height at 28 DAP, stem circumference at 42 and 49 DAP and number of leaves at 14 DAP.