Effect of Natural Zeolite (Clinoptilolite) and Urea on the Growth of Amaranthus gangeticus, Clinachantus nutans and Capsicum annuum

Innovative actions are needed to improve fertilizer efficiency due to the problem of the leaching of nutrients associated with conventional fertilizer. Thus, a study was carried out to compare the effect of urea fertilizer combined with zeolite (clinoptilolite) on Amaranthus gangeticus, Clinachantus nutans and Capsicum annuum by comparison with the commercial fertilizer composite (IMO-Plus). IMO-Plus is a mixed fertilizer containing organic compounds, zeolites, Effective Microorganisms (EM) and N, P and K nutrients. Zeolite was found to be an important holder to retain a nitrogen (N) source in urea for the fertilization process. Without zeolite, the utilization of nitrogen (N) in urea fertilizers by A. gangeticus, C. nutans and C. annuum are poor. The combination of zeolite and urea fertilizers enhanced growth of these three plants in a similar fashion to IMO-Plus, since they increased the plant height, dry weight of plants, total number of leaves, width, and length of leaf significantly compared to urea without zeolite. Therefore, it is important to add zeolite as one of the major elements in the fertilizer composite as a holder for the nutrients.