The effect of liquid nutrient doses (Leili 2000) on the vegetative growth of glutinous corn (Zea mays var. ceratina) on vertisol soil

¹ Forest Management Study Program, Department of Forestry, Kupang State Polytechnic of Agriculture, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, 85361
² Forest Resource Management Study Program, Department of Forestry, Kupang State Polytechnic of Agriculture, East Nusa Tenggara, Indonesia, 85361

^* Corresponding author: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.

Abstract

Vertisol soils are common in semi-arid regions and are characterized by high clay content, unstable structure, and fluctuating moisture, which reduce nutrient availability and limit early crop growth. Improving nutrient use efficiency through liquid fertilization is therefore considered a practical approach to support maize cultivation under such conditions. However, information on the response of glutinous corn to liquid nutrient application during the vegetative stage remains limited. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of different doses of Leili 2000 liquid nutrient on the vegetative growth of glutinous corn (Zea mays var. ceratina) grown on Vertisol soil. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse using four treatments (0, 5, 10, and 15 mL plant⁻¹) with ten replications. Growth parameters, including stem diameter, plant height, leaf length, leaf width, and leaf number, were measured weekly for four weeks. Data were analyzed using a Linear Mixed Model to account for repeated measurements and variability among replicates. The results showed that time significantly influenced all growth variables, particularly during the third and fourth weeks, while nutrient doses had no consistent or significant effects. These findings indicate that early vegetative growth is primarily driven by plant developmental factors.