The Effect of Candlenut Shell Ash and Biochar and NPK Fertilization on Corn (Zea mays L.) Growth and Production
Abstract
Corn (Zea mays L.) is a strategic food crop that requires an adequate supply of essential nutrients, particularly
nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, to support optimal growth and yield. The increasing accumulation of
candlenut shells, which are difficult to decompose due to their high lignin content, has contributed to
environmental pollution. Processing candlenut shells into ash or biochar can enhance their value. Both candlenut
shell ash and biochar can serve as soil ameliorants, improving soil fertility by increasing soil pH, organic carbon,
and cation exchange capacity (CEC), especially in ultisol soils characterized by low fertility. Ultisol soils are
typically acidic, have high aluminum saturation, and low CEC. Ash, an inorganic material rich in calcium, is
produced through complete combustion, whereas biochar is a carbon-rich material generated via pyrolysis. This
study aimed to evaluate the effects of candlenut shell ash and biochar on the availability of N, P, and K nutrients
in corn (Zea mays L.) cultivated in Samosir Regency. The research was conducted in Pangururan, Samosir Regency,
from June to November 2024. The results demonstrated that applying candlenut shell ash and biochar as
ameliorants enhanced corn growth. Candlenut shell ash was more effective than biochar at improving NPK
fertilizer efficiency. Specifically, the application of candlenut shell ash at 10 tons per hectare, combined with a
single NPK fertilizer dose (treatment A12), yielded the best corn growth. Based on these findings, the use of
candlenut shell ash is recommended for corn cultivation on ultisol soils, as it more effectively increases nutrient
availability and plant growth, thereby potentially enhancing corn productivity sustainably.
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