Synthesis of Potassium-Silica Nanofluid Fertilizer from Banana Peel and Rice Husk Waste for The Growth of Sweet Corn Plants

The increasing market demand for sweet corn has made it a widely cultivated crop among local farmers. One method of enhancing sweet corn productivity is combining potassium sulfate nanofertilizers from banana peel waste and nanosilica from rice husk waste. Nanosilica was synthesized using the sol–gel method; nanopotassium sulfate was synthesized by precipitating potassium using ammonium sulfate. Characterization results from FTIR (Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy), XRD (X-Ray Diffraction), FESEM-EDX (Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscopy with Energy Dispersive X-ray), and TEM (Transmission Electron Microscopy) showed that the potassium–silica nanofluid fertilizer had a particle size of 8.6 nm. A single application of nanosilica enhanced the vegetative growth of sweet corn. Applying nanopotassium sulfate significantly increased plant height, especially in the S3W1 treatment 28 DAS (days after sowing). The combination of application time and concentration of potassium–silica nanofluid fertilizer had a significant effect on plant height. Best results were obtained with a concentration of 5 mL applied 35 DAS.