Anti -sore, this farmer has a smart trick of corn fertilizer using used bottles

Photo: Facebook/Anth.

Brilio.net – Who is here a corn fan? The golden yellow grains, the sweet taste, and the crispy texture makes it one of the favorite food plants in various parts of the world. Not only processed into porridge, grilled, or stew, corn is also an important basic material for the animal feed industry to bioenergy.

In Indonesia, corn plays a crucial role as an alternative carbohydrate source after rice, as well as a strategic commodity that sustains national food security. The existence of corn at your dinner table or even as animal feed on farms, certainly cannot be separated from the intensive care given by farmers. One of the main keys to the success of the abundant and quality corn harvest is fertilization.

Provision of fertilizer to corn plants is a crucial stage that determines how optimal nutrients are absorbed by plants. Fertilizer functions as an additional nutritional intake that supports the growth of roots, stems, leaves, to the formation of corn cobs that are full. Without proper fertilization, corn tends to grow dwarf, easily attacked by pests, and the harvest is not optimal

Well, this fertilization process often requires extra accuracy and energy, especially if corn is very broad. Farmers often have to bow or squat repeatedly in each corn stem, a tiring and time -consuming job.

Farmer Genius Solution: Used bottles to become automatic corn fertilizers!

However, do not underestimate the creativity of the farmers. In the midst of physical draining challenges, there are always brilliant ideas that appear to make it easier. Recently, a video circulating that attracted the attention of many people, showing a simple but very effective innovation in the world of agriculture.

The video uploaded by Anha.unyuyuar’s Facebook account. The secret? A handmade tool that uses used goods, which is a jumbo -sized drinking water bottle.

Used bottles that you usually throw away after the contents run out, in the hands of farmers are transformed into innovative corn fertilizer. Curious how to make the tools?

First Step: Cutting the Drinking Water Bottle Section

The farmer uses three jumbo -sized drinking water bottles whose bottom has been cut neatly. These three bottles are arranged upside down and piled up, forming a kind of long funnel. The lowest part of the neck of the bottle becomes the fertilizer expenditure hole, while the top of the mouth of the bottle functions as an input funnel.

Simple agricultural tools
Photo: Facebook/Anth.

Step two: Making a holding tool

To facilitate use, on one side of the pile of bottles a wooden handle is attached to about 1 meter less. This wooden handle functions as a handle, making the farmer easily hold the pile of jumbo bottles while standing tall.

Third step: how to work

This is how it works very intelligent: grain fertilizer is put into the top bottle funnel. With a standing position, the farmer only needs to bring the tip of this tool to the base of the stem of the corn plant that is about to be fostered. The fertilizer will then slide down through a pile of bottles and exit right around the root of the corn.

This simple innovation allows farmers to foster corn efficiently, save a lot of energy, and reduce the risk of back pain due to having to squat or bend continuously.

With this creative idea, inspires us that bottle waste does not have to always end in garbage disposal. We can still use it for other uses, in this case in agriculture. You can copy this way at home, you know.

FAQ About Corn Plant Fertilization

1. Why does corn fertilizer often look white?

The most common white fertilizer used for corn is urea. The white color in the urea shows a high nitrogen content, very important for corn vegetative growth, such as the formation of strong leaves and stems.

2. Can all types of fertilizers be used with this used bottle tool?

This tool is most effective for solid fertilizer in the form of granules or powder. For liquid fertilizer, you may need other modifications or different application methods.

3. How often do corn must be fertilized?

The frequency of corn fertilization varies depending on the type of soil, corn variety, and growth phase. Generally, fertilization is carried out in the initial phase of growth (about 7-14 days after planting) and the vegetative phase is active (around 30-45 days after planting).

4. Does the use of fertilizer must be right at the base of the corn stem?

Yes, fertilizer should be given around the base of the corn stem so that the roots of the plant easily absorb it. Avoid sowing fertilizer too far from plants or too close until it hit the leaves, because it can cause burnt leaves.

5. How to make sure this used bottle is strong and not easily broken when used?

Use bottles with thick enough plastic materials and make sure the connection between bottles and the installation of wooden handles is done with a strong adhesive or fastening so that the device is durable.

FAQ Planting corn

1. What are the signs of corn lack of nutrition?

Corn which lacks nutrition usually shows symptoms of the leaves, such as yellowing, slow growth, or discoloration on the tip of the leaf. Every specific nutritional deficiency (eg nitrogen, phosphorus, or potassium) has distinctive signs.

2. How do you choose the right location to grow corn?

Corn requires full sunlight (at least 6-8 hours a day) and fertile soil, good drainage, with a pH between 6.0 to 7.0. Avoid locations that are too shady or prone to standing water.

3. Can corn be planted in a large pot or container?

Yes, corn can be planted in a large pot or container, as long as the size is large enough to accommodate the roots and adequate nutrition is provided. Corn varieties that are smaller in size (sweet corn mini varieties) are more suitable for planting in containers.

4. How to deal with common pests in corn plants naturally?

Some general corn pests are grayak caterpillars and stem borers. Overcoming pests naturally can be by spraying soap solutions, planting pest repellent plants around corn (for example marigold), or manually remove visible pests.

5. How long does the corn need from planting to harvest?

Corn harvest time varies greatly depending on the variety. Sweet corn can usually be harvested in 60-90 days after planting, while pipil corn (for feed or raw material) takes about 90-120 days.

(Brl/tin)