Corn yield using zigzag planting system in dry land area of East Lampung Regency

Corn is the primary commodity to meet the needs of animal feed and industry. The requirement for corn for the feed industry in Lampung is not less than 3.6 million tons per year. Corn cultivation in productive agricultural land is increasingly reducing. Dry land can be utilized as an alternative in developing corn planting areas. The zigzag planting system is the latest technological innovation to increase corn productivity. This study aimed to determine the yield of several corn varieties planted on dry land using a zigzag system. The study was conducted in Bandar Agung Village, Bandar Sribhawono District, East Lampung Regency, from June to October 2021 (planting season III). The corns planted were NK-Sumo and JH-37 varieties. The technological innovations implemented were superior corn varieties, planting systems, organic fertilizers, seed treatment, and dolomite. Data observed were the growth and production of corn which were analyzed by t-test and descriptive statistics. The zigzag system gave an average corn production of 8,006 kg/ha dry harvest. NK-Sumo variety grown in a zigzag pattern produced a 9,368 kg/ha dried weight harvest, higher than JH-37, which was a 6,645 kg/ha dried weight harvest. It is necessary to replicate the application of technological innovations for high-yield corn cultivation to improve corn production. Therefore, the development of the zigzag planting system in corn cultivation needs to be disseminated widely to farmers. The increase in corn productivity due to the use of the zigzag system has an impact on increasing farmers’ income and adding value to corn farming.