Cob and seed characteristics of maize due to nutrient omission techniques

Abstract

A deficient supply of both macro- and micro-nutrients (minus one test) will respond negatively to the generative characteristics (cobs and seeds) of the maize plant. The aims of this study were (1) to determine the impact of nutrient omission techniques fertilization on the cob and seed developments of maize plants, and (2) to investigate the relationship between the characteristics of maize cob and seed. This study was conducted in a farmers’ field, Medan Selayang, North Sumatra, Indonesia from May to September 2023. A single-factor Randomized Block Design was selected with three replications, namely the elimination of both macro (N, P, K, Ca, Mg, S) and micro (Mn, Zn, Fe, Cu) nutrients. Data were analyzed by ANOVA and followed by DMRT at P<0.05 as well as Pearson correlation. The results indicated that among the nutrient omission techniques fertilization, the absence of nitrogen significantly inhibited the highest seed development was 12.61 to 30.48% followed by not fertilizing manganese ranging from 8.45 to 28.72%. Cob and woody ring diameters were positively correlated and significantly increased embryo length, crown width, and seed length of the maize.