The Effect of Nutrient Concentrations of Cultivating Media and Leaf Manure Concentration on Growth and Nutrient Absorption Rice and Corn Crops

Abstract

Nutrients are critical components in farming because the level of availability of nutrients for plants greatly determines growth and the quantity and quality of crop production. This study aims to determine the planting medium's nutrient content and foliar fertiliser concentration on rice and maise plants' growth and nutrient uptake. This research will be carried out in the greenhouse of the University of Mataram and lasts for 45 days (vegetative growth) from August to September 2021. The experimental design used was a Completely Randomised Design (CRD), with the first treatment being the provision of essential nutrients through a planting medium with two levels, namely (50 and 100% of optimal needs. These percentages represent the conditions of growing media that are nutrient-deficient/sub-optimal (50%) and optimal (100%). The second treatment is the concentration of fertiliser applied through the leaves, namely 1, 2, and 3%. The dose (amount of nutrients per pot) given through new leaves can be calculated after the experiment, such as the total fertiliser through the leaves the plant receives. The two factors mentioned above are arranged factorial. Each of these treatments was repeated three times so that each experimental set/type of plant consisted of 2 x 3 x 3 = 18 experimental pots. The results showed that increasing the concentration of nutrients in the planting medium (from 50% to 100% standard nutrient solution) decreased growth. (biomass) of rice and corn plants due to poisoning. There is an interaction effect of the two factors, which is significant on the biomass of rice and corn plants, and this effect is antagonistic. The nutrient content of the planting medium, the concentration of the sprayed foliar fertilisers, and their interactions significantly affected rice plant height but did not considerably impact corn plant height. The higher concentration of nutrients in the planting medium and foliar fertiliser increases the total absorption of all essential nutrients. However, the amount of nutrients absorbed through the leaves and stems of plants is relatively small compared to the total nutrient uptake (needs) of plants.