Toward Greener Harvests: Unveiling the Synergistic Effects of Biochar and Biosaka on Sweet Corn (Zea mays saccharata) Growth, Yield, and Physiology

¹ Study Program of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Graduate School, Hasanuddin University. Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km 10, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
² Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University. Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km 10, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia
³ Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Hasanuddin University. Jl. Perintis Kemerdekaan Km 10, Makassar 90245, South Sulawesi, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: ifulwahabansal@gmail.com

Abstract

Numerous studies highlight the benefits of rice husk biochar in improving the physical and chemical properties of soil. However, the synergistic effects of biochar combined with biosaka as a plant defense elicitor remain understudied. This research investigates the joint impact of rice husk biochar and biosaka on soil water retention, nitrogen, and phosphorus levels to enhance plant nutrition and defense mechanisms. Conducted at Hasanuddin University’s Experimental Garden in Makassar, the study employed a split-plot design with biochar doses (0 and 10 tons ha⁻¹) as main plots and biosaka concentrations (0, 1.25, 2.50, and 3.75 mL L⁻¹) as subplots. Analysis of variance was used for data interpretation. Results showed that combining 10 tons ha⁻¹ of biochar with 2.50 mL L⁻¹ of biosaka optimized cob weight per ear (512.24 g), cob weight per plot (7.63 kg), and cob productivity per hectare (30.27 tons ha⁻¹). Additionally, 10 tons ha⁻¹ of biochar significantly increased plant height (262.22 cm) and stomatal aperture area (133.58 μm²), while biosaka at 2.50 mL L⁻¹ led to the highest plant height (271.83 cm). These findings underscore how biochar-biosaka combinations can improve soil quality and enhance sweet corn productivity through fortified plant defense systems.