Author : Kee Keow Chong

Summary : Application of liquid organic fertilizer was introduced in agricultural sector to increase the production of crops. Research on liquid organic fertilizer especially on acid soils in Malaysia still inadequate. An experiment was carried out to evaluate the response of mustard (Brassica rapa) to combined application of solid and liquid organic fertilizer on acid soils (Typic Paleudult) at Puchong Farm, Universiti Putra Malaysia. Seven treatments (Control, CM, CM + Humibox 3X, CM + Humibox 6X, CM + Mixed Fertilizer 6X, CM + H. Star 6X and CM + Bay 6X) were used in the experiment arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with four replications. The results of the study revealed that combined application of chicken manure and Humibox or H. Star (liquid organic fertilizer) which was applied at 6 intervals during the growing season, produced higher yield and uptake of certain nutrients (N, P and Mg) compared to the control but not as effective as combination of chicken manure and Bay or Mixed Fertilizer (inorganic fertilizer). Liquid organic fertilizer could be applied either through foliar or ground application and the increasing of application time would enhance the yield and nutrients uptake by mustard. The combined application of chicken manure and liquid organic fertilizer also increased the soil pH. uptake of N, P and Ca by mustard were the main plant nutrients which contributed to the dry weight of mustard (dry weight = 1.74 + 0.20N + 0.04K + 0.24Ca, R2 = 0.98, n=28, p<0.05).