Role of phosphate fertilizer on growth and yield of hybrid maize (Zea mays L.)

Maize (Zea mays L.) is a strategic commodity because its high productivity and diverse uses. This study aims to obtain a dose of phosphate fertilizer which increases growth and yield of hybrid maize. The research was conducted on the acid dry land, Faculty of Agriculture, UNS, Jumantono in June-September 2019. The research method used was an experimental method with a Randomized Completed Block Design one factor with four dose and was repeated six times. The dose is 0; 100; 150; 200 kg. ha−1 P fertilizer. The observed variables namely plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, leaf area index, fresh stover weight, dry stover weight, weight of cobs with husks, weight of cobs without husks, average of cobs per plant, number of seeds per plant, weight of seeds per plant, weight of seeds per hectar, and weight of 100 seeds. Application of 150 kg.ha−1 of phosphate fertilizer SP-36 increases growth variable on the leaf area index (LAI). The application of 150 kg.ha−1of phosphate fertilizer SP-36 increases yield variable on the weight of 100 seeds. But seen from the average dose of 100 kg.ha−1 has a higher yield than the control because it increases yield per hectare (5.91%) to 2.15 tons.ha-1.