RESPONSE OF CORN (Zea mays L.) PLANTS DUE TO COMBINATIONS OF VARIOUS DOSES OF N, P, K FERTILIZERS, AND POPULATIONS

Abstract

One effort to increase production is the use of hybrid seeds, specifically the Pertiwi-3 variety. To optimize, it is combined with fertilization and planting population management. This research aims to achieve optimal growth and yield by combining the effects of N, P, and K fertilizers and seed population. The study was conducted from February to June 2025 at Ciparanje, Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University. Randomized Block Design was used with 10 treatments and 3 replications, including: 50% fertilizer dose (N, P, K) + 1 seed; 75% dose of N, P, K + 1 seed; 100% dose of N, P, K + 1 seed; 125% dose of N, P, K + 1 seed; 150% dose of N, P, K + 1 seed; 50% of the N, P, K dose + 2 seeds; 75% of the N, P, K dose + 2 seeds; 100% of the N, P, K dose + 2 seeds; 125% of the N, P, K dose + 2 seeds; and 150% of the N, P, K dose + 2 seeds. The materials used were Pertiwi-3 hybrid seeds, urea, SP-36, and KCl. The research results showed that a combination of N, P, and K fertilizers and planting density affected plant height, leaf area index, cob length, number of kernels per row, dried kernel weight per plot, and dried kernel weight per hectare. The combination of a 75% fertilizer dose and two plant populations yielded the best results (2.70 kg/plot and 12.87 t/hectare).