Effectiveness of OP-EFB and Rice Straw Compost to Improve the Growth and Yield of New Maize Hybrids in Coastal Land

Amelioration is a technique used to increase the suitability of coastal land for plant growth. Among various ameliorants, compost is widely used because of its ability to improve the physical, chemical, and biological properties of the soil.  An experiment arranged in a split plot design with three replications was implemented to evaluate the effect of compost amelioration on the growth and yield of several maize hybrids cultivated in coastal land. The main plot was the compost treatments including a control, rice straw compost at 15, or 30 tons/ha, and oil palm empty fruit bunches (OP-EFBs) compost at 15 tons/ha, or 30 tons/ha. The subplot was hybrid genotypes consisting of CT19, CT29, CT34, CT35, CT48, BISI18.  The results indicated that both rice straw compost and OP-EFBs compost at 15 tons/ha were sufficient to ameliorate the coastal land, which significantly enhanced plant growth and the number of grains per ear, although they did not increase the yield.  The OP-EFBs compost improved maize vegetative growth better than the rice straw compost did.  The maize hybrids exhibited varied responses to increasing compost rates. Specifically, hybrids CT19, CT34, and BISI18 demonstrated greater responsiveness to rice straw compost, while CT48 responded more favorably to OP-EFB compost.   Hybrids CT34 and CT35 were potential for coastal area but still need improvement to increase yields. Further optimization of compost types and rates is necessary to maximize the potential of these new maize hybrids for coastal land cultivation.