Effects of biochar-based compound fertilizer (BCF)-urea on growth, yield, N-uptake and protein content of corn (Zea mays L.) in Madura Alfisol

Department of Agroecotechnology, Agricultural Faculty, Universitas Trunodjoyo Madura, Indonesia

^* Corresponding author: slametsupriyadi@trunojoyo.ac.id

Published online: 22 December 2025

Abstract

The low Nitrogen (N) and organic Carbon (C-organic) content typical of Alfisol in Madura presents a significant agricultural challenge. To address this, a study was conducted into the effects of Biochar-Based Compound Fertilizer (BCF)-Urea on the growth, yield, N uptake efficiency, and protein content of corn ( Zea mays L.) grown in Madura Alfisol. The study, arranged in a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) at the Experimental Field of the East Java Horticultural Field Garden in Bangkalan, Madura, included five treatments: P0 (control, no fertilizer), P1 (rice husk biochar coating), P2 (corn cob biochar coating), P3 (biochar compost coating), and P4 (urea only, no coating). The application of BCF-Urea significantly affected all parameters observed. BCF-Urea increased N absorption efficiency from 37.84% to 45.49%, and the yield potential tended to be higher (5.71 - 5.99 ton/ha) compared to the urea-only treatment (5.14 ton/ha). Furthermore, corn treated with BCF-Urea demonstrated a significantly higher protein content (56.86% to 82.84% increase) than corn fertilized with urea only (P4). These results suggest that BCF-Urea is an efficient fertilization strategy for improving both crop yield and quality in dryland Alfisol soil in Madura.