Effect of Charcoal and Fertilizers on the Growth and Yield of Baby Corn (Zea mays L.) Growing on Sandy Soil

Abstract

Poor characteristics of sandy soil should be resolved for cultivation purpose. The objectives of this experiment is to investigate the effect of charcoal and various kinds of fertilizers on the growth and yield of baby corn (Zea mays L.) that grown in sandy soil. Baby corns were grown in planting bags, one plant per bag. Complete Randomized Design with 8 treatments of soil improvement was used for this experiment, all treatments as follow; no charcoal and no fertilizer, chemical fertilizer, chicken manure, chemical fertilizer+chicken manure, charcoal+no fertilizer, charcoal+chemical fertilizer, charcoal+chicken manure, and charcoal+chemical fertilizer+chicken manure. The results showed that utilization of charcoal alone did not increase the growth of baby corn, consequently it did not produce ears. However, it obviously improved the efficiency of chemical fertilizer (p<0.01). The highest growth of baby corn showed in the chicken manure treatment. Using chemical fertilizer together with chicken manure gave the highest yield and yield component. Incorporation of chicken manure and/or charcoal to sandy soil could increase soil pH, electrical conductivity, and organic matter. (p<0.01). It was suggested that growing baby corn in sandy soil should be improved the soil by adding manure or organic fertilizer together with chemical fertilizer, and charcoal can support efficiency of chemical fertilizer. However, field trial should be further investigated.