Nano Organic Fertilizer Boosts Corn Yields in East Kalimantan Field Trial
A field study conducted by Alvera Prihatini Dewi Nazari, Eliyani, and David Christian Balan from Mulawarman University, Indonesia, has found that a nanotechnology-based liquid organic fertilizer can significantly improve corn growth and productivity in tropical soils. Published in 2026 in the Jurnal Multidisiplin Madani (MUDIMA), the research demonstrates that an optimized dose of nano-enhanced fertilizer increased maize yields while improving nutrient-use efficiency, offering a promising strategy for sustainable agriculture in marginal lands.
The findings are particularly relevant for regions where acidic soils and low fertility limit crop production. By improving nutrient delivery and reducing fertilizer losses, nanotechnology-based fertilizers may help farmers produce more food while reducing environmental impacts associated with conventional fertilization.
Why the Research Matters
Corn (Zea mays L.) is one of the world's most important food and feed crops. In Indonesia, demand for corn continues to rise due to its role in food processing, livestock production, and industrial applications. However, many agricultural areas, including parts of East Kalimantan, face challenges such as acidic soils, low organic matter, and poor nutrient availability.
Traditional fertilizers often lose nutrients through leaching, runoff, and volatilization before crops can fully absorb them. As a result, farmers may apply larger quantities of fertilizer, increasing production costs and environmental risks.
Nanotechnology has emerged as a potential solution to this challenge. Nano-fertilizers are designed to release nutrients gradually and improve their absorption by plant roots and leaves. Researchers worldwide have been exploring whether these advanced formulations can increase crop productivity while supporting sustainable farming systems.
The Mulawarman University study provides field-based evidence that nano-enhanced liquid organic fertilizers can perform effectively under tropical agricultural conditions.
How the Study Was Conducted
The experiment took place between January and November 2023 in Bangun Rejo Village, Tenggarong Seberang District, Kutai Kartanegara Regency, East Kalimantan, Indonesia.
Researchers used hybrid Bisi 321 corn and tested five concentrations of Pornas nanotechnology liquid organic fertilizer:
- 0.0 mL/L (control)
- 0.5 mL/L
- 1.0 mL/L
- 1.5 mL/L
- 2.0 mL/L
The fertilizer was applied six times during the crop's growth period through foliar spraying. The field trial used a Randomized Complete Block Design with five replications to ensure reliable comparisons among treatments.
Researchers measured multiple indicators of plant growth and yield, including plant height, stem diameter, cob size, kernel characteristics, and overall grain production per hectare.
Key Findings
The results showed that the nanotechnology liquid organic fertilizer significantly improved most growth and yield characteristics of corn.
Stronger Plant Growth
Compared with untreated plants, corn receiving higher fertilizer concentrations showed:
- Greater plant height
- Larger stem diameter
- Improved overall vegetative growth
At 45 days after planting, the highest fertilizer concentration increased plant height by more than 34 percent compared with the control treatment.
The only growth parameter that did not show significant differences among treatments was the number of leaves, suggesting that leaf production is more strongly influenced by plant genetics than fertilizer application.
Improved Yield Components
The fertilizer also enhanced several important yield traits:
- Longer corn cobs
- Larger cob diameter
- More kernel rows per cob
- Higher numbers of kernels per row
- Greater kernel weight
The 2.0 mL/L treatment produced the largest cobs, reaching 13.00 cm in length and 42.65 mm in diameter.
Researchers reported that these improvements likely resulted from more efficient nutrient availability during reproductive development, particularly phosphorus, which plays a critical role in flowering and grain formation.
Higher Grain Production
One of the most significant findings involved total yield.
Corn grown without the fertilizer produced approximately 3.91 metric tons per hectare. Yield increased steadily as fertilizer concentration rose.
The highest yield reached 5.15 metric tons per hectare under the 2.0 mL/L treatment.
However, the researchers observed that the 1.5 mL/L concentration produced 5.07 metric tons per hectare, a result that was statistically similar to the highest dose.
Because the lower concentration achieved nearly identical productivity while requiring less fertilizer, the authors identified 1.5 mL/L as the optimal application rate.
Expert Insight from the Researchers
According to the research team from Mulawarman University, the results indicate that nanotechnology-based liquid organic fertilizers improve nutrient uptake efficiency and support both vegetative growth and grain production.
The authors reported that the 1.5 mL/L treatment provided the best balance between fertilizer input and crop response, producing high yields without the diminishing returns observed at higher application rates.
The study also suggests that nano-sized nutrient carriers may help reduce nutrient losses commonly experienced in acidic tropical soils, allowing plants to access nutrients for a longer period during critical growth stages.
Implications for Sustainable Agriculture
The findings have practical implications for farmers, agricultural extension agencies, fertilizer manufacturers, and policymakers.
Potential benefits include:
- Increased corn productivity in marginal soils
- Improved nutrient-use efficiency
- Reduced dependence on excessive chemical fertilizer inputs
- Lower environmental nutrient losses
- Better economic returns through optimized fertilizer application
For Indonesia and other tropical countries facing soil fertility challenges, nano-enhanced organic fertilizers could become an important component of climate-smart and sustainable farming strategies.
The researchers also noted that yields remained below the full genetic potential of the Bisi 321 hybrid. Future studies may investigate combining nano-liquid organic fertilizers with conventional NPK fertilizers and organic soil amendments to achieve even greater productivity.
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