Response of the Sweet Corn (Zea mays L. saccharata) to Different Types and Timing of the Organic Fertilizer Application

Objectives of this research are (1) establishing the appropriate timing of organic fertilizer application to increase production of the sweet corn production, (2) recognizing types of organic fertilizer that could increase growth and yield of the sweet corn. The research was conducted in Malang, East Java of Indonesia from May ? September 2013. By using Split Plots Design as the main plot by 4 (four) types of organic fertilizer (P) : P1 = cow’s compost; P2 = Tithonia diversifolia; P3 = cow’s compost + (EM-4); P4 = Tithonia diversifolia + (EM-4), and the son plot (SP) is the application timing (T) by 4 (four) levels : T1 = 0 week (during the initial planting); T2 = 1 week before planting; T3 = 2 weeks before planting; T4 = 3 weeks before planting, which comprise of 16 combinations of treatment by 3 replications. Result of the research, which was based on different types of organic fertilizer along with the appropriate timing of application, showed different results on variables of dry weight at 34 dap, percentage of the increasing for about 54.40% and 44.76%; the growth rate of the crop at 24 ? 34 dap have increased 50.70% and 58.18%, respectively; chlorophyll of the leaf at 24 dap; diameter of the ear without husk during harvest time.