Response of N uptake, N-total and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata Sturt) due to fertilization with granulated solid organic fertilizer and NPK in Inceptisol soil

Sweet corn productivity is greatly influenced by proper cultivation techniques, of which fertilization is one of the main factors. Effective fertilization not only supports plant growth but also affects nutrient uptake and yield. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of granulated solid organic fertilizer and NPK fertilizer on nitrogen (N) uptake, soil N-total content, and sweet corn yield in Inceptisol soil. The research was conducted from February to June 2024 at the Experimental Field, Faculty of Agriculture, Padjadjaran University with treatments including control, NPK fertilizer, and various combinations of granular organic fertilizer and NPK. The results showed that the combination of granule organic fertilizer and NPK significantly increased nitrogen uptake and N-total content in the soil compared to the single NPK application. In addition, sweet corn yield, as measured by cob weight per plant, per plot, and per hectare, also increased significantly with the fertilizer combination treatment. This study supports the use of fertilization strategies that integrate organic and inorganic fertilizers as an effective way to increase sweet corn productivity on soils with limited fertility, such as Inceptisol. The application of a combination of 1 NPK + 1 granulated organic fertilizer was the best combination in increasing N uptake, N-total and sweet corn yield.