Contribution biochar residue to the role of compost and urea in improving crop yields, soil chemistry properties, and the diversity of soil surface insects in the maize (Zea mays L.) crop land

Abstract

The objectives of experiments were to study the contribution of biochar residue, compost and urea fertilization on crop yields, soil chemical properties, and the diversity of soil surface insects in the maize crop land. The research was conducted at the University Farm Ie Seum Research Station, Aceh Besar District, Aceh Province, Indonesia. There were three treatments: biochar residue (no biochar residue and biochar residue 30-ton ha⁻¹ or 15 kg plot⁻¹), compost (no compost and compost 30-ton ha⁻¹ or 15 kg plot⁻¹), and urea fertilizer (no urea and urea 200 kg ha⁻¹ or 100 g plot⁻¹). The plant yield parameters were corn weight with cornhusk and no cornhusk and corn production with cornhusk and no cornhusk. The soil chemical properties included pH (H₂O), total N, available P, organic C, and cation exchange capacity. Soil surface insects were identified using experimental methods, and insects were collected using a pit fall trap (trap barber). The results showed that the combination of biochar residue and compost resulted in the highest corn yields. The combination of biochar residue, compost, and urea fertilizer increased available P, but not pH (H₂O), total N, organic C, and cation exchange capacity. Surface insects on the maize plant land consisting of nine genera were classified into five orders: Blatoidea, Coleoptera, Hemiptera, Hymenoptera, and Orthoptera. Genus Aphaenogaster and Camponotus dominated soil surface insects.