IMPACT OF ARBUSCULAR MYCORRHIZAL FUNGI AND COW MANURE FERTILIZER ON THE GROWTH OF GLUTINOUS CORN PLANTS (Zea mays L. var. Ceratina Kulesh)
This study aimed to examine the effect of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi and cow manure on the growth of glutinous corn plants. This study was conducted at the Field Laboratory of the Faculty of Agriculture, Halu Oleo University, Kendari, Southeast Sulawesi Province, from May to July 2025. The study used a factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD) consisting of two factors. The first factor was arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, consisting of four levels: without AMF (M0), 10 g AMF/planting hole (M1), 20 g AMF/planting hole (M2), and 30 g AMF/planting hole (M3). The second factor was cow manure, which consisted of four levels: without cow manure (P0), 4.59 kg of cow manure/plot equivalent to 10 tons ha-1 (P1), 9.18 kg of cow manure/plot equivalent to 20 tons ha-1 (P2), and 13.77 kg of cow manure/plot equivalent to 30 tons ha-1 (P3). The observed variables were plant height, number of leaves, stem diameter, and leaf area. The results showed that the combination of 30 g of arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi/planting hole and 13.77 kg of cow manure/plot (M3P1) had a better effect on the growth of glutinous corn plants.
Keywords: Arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi, cow manure, glutinous corn, organic farming
