Application Of Urea Fertilizer And Goat Manure To Increase N-total In The Soil Inceptisol Kwala Bekala And Its Relation To The Growth Of Corn Plants (Zea Mays L.)

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Application of Urea Fertilizer and Goat Manure to Increase N-Total in the Soil Inceptisol Kwala Bekala and its Relation to the Growth of Corn Plants (Zea mays L.)

Introduction

Soil fertility is a crucial factor in determining the productivity of crops, and nitrogen (N) is one of the essential nutrients required by plants for growth and development. Inceptisol soil, which is a type of soil found in tropical regions, often has low N content, making it challenging to grow crops that require high N levels, such as corn (Zea mays L.). In this study, researchers examined the effect of applying urea fertilizer and goat manure on increasing the total nitrogen content (N-Total) in the soil inceptisol in Kwala Bekala and its relationship with the growth of corn plants.

Methodology

The study was conducted in a greenhouse and chemical laboratory at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra. The research design used a random block method consisting of two factors with three replications. The first factor was urea fertilizer, which consisted of four levels: 1) U0 (0), 2) U1 (0.25), 3) U2 (0.50), and 4) U3 (0.75). The second factor was goat manure, which also consisted of four levels: 1) K0 (0), 2) K1 (25), 3) K2 (50), and 4) K3 (75).

Results

The results showed that the application of urea fertilizer provided a significant increase in soil pH, nitrogen absorption by plants, plant height, plant dry weight, and root dry weight. In addition, the application of goat manure also had a positive effect by increasing soil pH, soil organic carbon content, N-total soil, nitrogen absorption by plants, plant height, dry weight, and dry weight of plant roots. The interaction between the application of urea fertilizer and goat manure significantly increased the dry weight of plant roots.

Discussion

Fertilizer is one of the important factors in agriculture that can affect soil fertility and plant growth. Nitrogen-rich urea fertilizer plays a role in protein synthesis, which is vital for plant growth, including corn. Increased nitrogen in the soil can increase plant vegetative growth, which is seen from the height of the plant and dry weight.

Goat manure has the advantage as a source of organic nutrition. This fertilizer not only provides nitrogen but also improves the quality of the soil by increasing the content of organic matter and microorganisms that support soil fertility. With the increase in soil pH, the soil becomes more friendly for various biochemical processes that help the absorption of nutrients by plant roots.

The combination of urea fertilizer and goat manure in this study showed encouraging results. The interaction between the two fertilizers contributes to increasing overall agricultural output, especially for corn plants that require sufficient nutrition for growth. This indicates the importance of choosing the right type of fertilizer and the right dose in order to provide optimal benefits in plant cultivation.

Conclusion

Through this research, farmers are expected to be able to apply fertilization techniques that are appropriate to increase the productivity of corn plants in areas that have inceptisol soil characteristics, such as in Kwala Bekala. This knowledge is very valuable to increase agricultural sustainability and meet food needs in the community.

Recommendations

Based on the results of this study, the following recommendations are made:

  1. Use of urea fertilizer: Urea fertilizer can be used to increase the N content in the soil, which can lead to increased plant growth and productivity.
  2. Use of goat manure: Goat manure can be used as a source of organic nutrition, which can improve soil fertility and increase plant growth.
  3. Combination of urea fertilizer and goat manure: The combination of urea fertilizer and goat manure can be used to increase overall agricultural output, especially for corn plants that require sufficient nutrition for growth.
  4. Optimization of fertilizer dose: The right dose of fertilizer should be used to provide optimal benefits in plant cultivation.

Future Research Directions

Future research should focus on the following areas:

  1. Long-term effects of fertilizer application: The long-term effects of fertilizer application on soil fertility and plant growth should be studied.
  2. Comparison of different types of fertilizers: The comparison of different types of fertilizers, such as organic and inorganic fertilizers, should be conducted to determine their effects on soil fertility and plant growth.
  3. Development of sustainable agricultural practices: The development of sustainable agricultural practices that minimize the use of chemical fertilizers and promote the use of organic fertilizers should be encouraged.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations, including:

  1. Limited sample size: The sample size of this study was limited, which may affect the generalizability of the results.
  2. Short duration of the study: The study was conducted for a short duration, which may not reflect the long-term effects of fertilizer application on soil fertility and plant growth.
  3. Limited scope of the study: The study focused on the effects of urea fertilizer and goat manure on soil fertility and plant growth, but did not consider other factors that may affect agricultural productivity.
    Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Application of Urea Fertilizer and Goat Manure to Increase N-Total in the Soil Inceptisol Kwala Bekala and its Relation to the Growth of Corn Plants (Zea mays L.)

Q: What is the purpose of this study? A: The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of applying urea fertilizer and goat manure on increasing the total nitrogen content (N-Total) in the soil inceptisol in Kwala Bekala and its relationship with the growth of corn plants.

Q: What are the benefits of using urea fertilizer? A: Urea fertilizer can increase the N content in the soil, which can lead to increased plant growth and productivity. It also plays a role in protein synthesis, which is vital for plant growth.

Q: What are the benefits of using goat manure? A: Goat manure can be used as a source of organic nutrition, which can improve soil fertility and increase plant growth. It also increases the content of organic matter and microorganisms that support soil fertility.

Q: Can I use both urea fertilizer and goat manure together? A: Yes, the combination of urea fertilizer and goat manure can be used to increase overall agricultural output, especially for corn plants that require sufficient nutrition for growth.

Q: How do I determine the right dose of fertilizer to use? A: The right dose of fertilizer should be used to provide optimal benefits in plant cultivation. This may involve conducting soil tests to determine the N content in the soil and adjusting the fertilizer dose accordingly.

Q: What are the long-term effects of fertilizer application on soil fertility and plant growth? A: The long-term effects of fertilizer application on soil fertility and plant growth should be studied further to determine the sustainability of agricultural practices.

Q: Can I use other types of fertilizers instead of urea fertilizer and goat manure? A: Yes, other types of fertilizers, such as organic and inorganic fertilizers, can be used instead of urea fertilizer and goat manure. However, their effects on soil fertility and plant growth should be studied to determine their suitability.

Q: How can I promote sustainable agricultural practices in my community? A: You can promote sustainable agricultural practices in your community by encouraging the use of organic fertilizers, reducing the use of chemical fertilizers, and implementing conservation tillage practices.

Q: What are the limitations of this study? A: This study has several limitations, including a limited sample size, short duration of the study, and limited scope of the study.

Q: What are the future research directions for this study? A: Future research should focus on the long-term effects of fertilizer application on soil fertility and plant growth, comparison of different types of fertilizers, and development of sustainable agricultural practices.

Q: How can I apply the results of this study to my own agricultural practices? A: You can apply the results of this study to your own agricultural practices by using urea fertilizer and goat manure to increase the N content in the soil and promoting sustainable agricultural practices in your community.

Q: What are the implications of this study for agricultural sustainability? A: This study has implications for agricultural sustainability, as it highlights the importance of using organic fertilizers and promoting sustainable agricultural practices to increase agricultural productivity and reduce the environmental impact of agricultural practices.