Author : Timbul Halomoan Siagian

Summary : Field experiments to evaluate the effect of leucaena leaves applied as organic-N fertilizer at two rates (75 and 150 kg N/ha) and by three methods (surface broadcast, incorporation with soil, and furrow placement) on corn performance and on some soil properties were conducted in the dry and wet seasons at the Central Experiment Station, University of the Philippines at Los Baños. A residual-effect experiment was also conducted to study the response of corn to residual N from the previous application of leucaena leaves. The study also compared the effectiveness for corn production of leucaena leaves and urea. In both seasons, corn fertilized with leucaena leaves produced significantly higher 1,000 grain weight and grain yield at 150 kg N/ha than at 75 kg N/ha. Weight of 1,000 grains and grain yield were lowest when leucaena leaves were broadcast on the soil surface. Weight of 1,000 grains and grain yield of corn fertilized with leucaena leaves at 150 kg N/ha were comparable to those of corn fertilized with urea at 150 kg N/ha.