Effects of granular organic and inorganic fertilizer combinations on N, P, K uptake and sweet corn yield

Sweet corn is a high-value crop with rich nutritional content. Optimizing crop yield requires proper nutrient management, particularly in the absorption of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). This study evaluates the effects of a combination of granular organic fertilizer (GOF) and inorganic NPK fertilizer on nutrient absorption and sweet corn yield grown on Inceptisol soil. The research was conducted from February to May 2024 at the Experimental Field of Universitas Padjadjaran, using a randomized block design with six treatments, including different combinations of GOF and NPK at varying doses (Control, 1 NPK, ¾ NPK + ½ GOF, ¾ NPK + 1 GOF, ¾ NPK + 1 ½ GOF, 1 NPK + 1 GOF). The results indicated that the combination of GOF and NPK enhanced the absorption of N, P, and K compared to the application of NPK alone. The best treatment was ¾ NPK + 1 ½ GOF, which showed a significant increase in nutrient absorption (52.31 mg plant⁻¹ N, 6.30 mg plant⁻¹ P, and 55.63 mg plant⁻¹ K) as well as the highest yield (23,040 kg ha⁻¹ fresh cob weight).