Growth and Production of Glutinous Corn Plants (Zea mays ceratina L.) Hybrid Kumala Variety on Planting Media Combination Compost of Cashew Shell and Cow Manure

Abstract

Glutinous corn has the potential as a source of food diversification and industrial materials so that its productivity needs to be increased. This study aims to determine the differences in growth and production of glutinous corn plants from each treatment and to obtain a dose that has a better effect on the growth and production of glutinous corn plants. This study was conducted on May-September 2021 in Jati Bali Village, Ranomeeto Barat District, South Konawe Regency. The design used was a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with treatment a combination compost of cashew nut shell  and cow manure consisting of five levels, namely without compost (K0), 5 t ha^-1 (K1), 10 t ha^-1 (K2), 15 t ha^-1 (K3) and 20 t ha^-1 (K4). Each treatment was repeated three times.  The variables observed were plant height, number of leaves, leaf area, stem diameter, cob weight per plant, cob length, cob diameter, dry seed weight per plant, weight of 100 seeds, and production. The results showed that the treatment had a very significant effect to all variables of growth and production of glutinous corn plants. The combination dose of cashew shell and cow dung that gave a better effect on the growth and production of hybrid glutinous corn of the Kumala variety was 20 t ha^-1.