Corn production in Indonesia decreased from 16.53 million tons in 2022 to 14.77 million tons in 2023, highlighting the need to improve cultivation practices. This study aimed to investigate the effects of vermicompost and Russian liquid organic fertilizer, as well as their interactions, on the growth and yield of corn (Zea mays L.). The experiment used a Randomized Block Design with a factorial arrangement. The first factor was the dose of vermicompost fertilizer (K) at three levels: 0, 5, and 10 tons/ha. The second factor was the dose of Russian liquid organic fertilizer (R) at three levels: 0, 5, and 10 ml/L. The treatments were combined to form nine combinations, each replicated three times, totaling 27 experimental units. Each unit consisted of four rows with 25 plants per row, totaling 100 plants. Results showed that the interaction between vermicompost and Russian liquid fertilizer significantly affected corn yield, with the highest yield of 13.75 tons/ha observed at 10 tons/ha vermicompost combined with 10 ml/L Russian liquid fertilizer. The best growth was also achieved at 10 tons/ha vermicompost, producing a stem diameter of 23.30 mm, plant height of 212.89 cm, 13.22 leaves, and a leaf width of 6.22 cm. Similarly, 10 ml/L Russian liquid fertilizer produced a stem diameter of 22.40 mm, plant height of 204.78 cm, 13.22 leaves, and a leaf width of 6.16 cm. Although some differences were not statistically significant based on the 5% LSD test, both fertilizers demonstrated positive effects on vegetative growth and productivity. These findings indicate that the combined application of vermicompost and Russian liquid organic fertilizer can effectively enhance the growth and yield of corn, offering a sustainable approach to increasing corn production in Indonesia.
Mardika et al. (Thu,) studied this question.