Use of Trichoderma as an Effort to Increase Growth and Productivity of Maize Plants

Abstract

Climate change is one of the obstacles that must be faced in agricultural development because it impacts decreasing soil fertility and agricultural productivity. Therefore, efforts are needed to maintain and even increase productivity, one of which is utilizing microorganisms that function as biological fertilizers to keep the soil environment and support the expected results. This study aims to examine the potential of Trichoderma in increasing the growth and productivity of maize plants. This research was conducted using the Randomized Block Design method, nine treatments (A= Control, B= standard NPK, C=¼ NPK + 1 PT, D=½ NPK + 1 PT, E=¾ NPK +1 PT, F= 1 NPK + 1 PT, G=¾ NPK + PT, H=¾ NPK + PT, I=¾ NPK + PT) with three replications, so there were 27 experimental plots. The results showed that using Trichoderma accompanied by NPK fertilizer affected increasing plant growth (plant height, number of leaves, and stem diameter) and maize plants. The use of Trichoderma at various doses can increase the productivity of maize plants.