<![CDATA[This study aimed to determine the effect of rice husk biochar application on the growth and yield of sweet corn (Zea mays saccharata) and to identify the optimal application rate. The study was motivated by declining sweet corn productivity caused by soil fertility degradation in Ombolata Ulu Village, Gunungsitoli District, an area with acidic soil (pH 4.5) that is prone to erosion, so that soil amendment with rice husk biochar was considered necessary to increase cation exchange capacity, organic carbon content, and nutrient availability. This study was a quantitative field experiment using a non-factorial Randomized Group Design (RGD) consisting of four treatment levels (P0, P1, P2, P3) with application rates of 0; 0.75; 1.5; and 2.25 kg/plot. The observed parameters included plant height, leaf length, flowering time, cob weight per sample, and cob weight per plot, which were analyzed using analysis of variance (ANOVA) and further tested with Duncan's Multiple Range Test (DMRT). The results showed that rice husk biochar application had a significant to highly significant effect on all observed parameters. Treatment P3 (2.25 kg/plot) produced the best results, with a plant height of 157.00 cm and a leaf length of 83.50 cm at 42 days after planting, the earliest flowering time of 44.42 days after planting, and the highest fresh weight of 271.83 g per sample and 1,338.83 g per plot. It is concluded that a rice husk biochar application rate of 2.25 kg/plot produced the best growth and yield response among the rates tested in this study.]]>
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