Application of Various Concentrations of Liquid Waste from Oil Palm Mill on the Growth of Oil Palm Plant (Elaeis guinensis, Jacq)

Abstract

Waste water from oil palm mill can be utilized for irrigation and fertilization on plantation land (land application) because it contains nutrients required by plant and its capability to decrease negative impact on environment. The waste water was sprayed on oil palm plant having 4 months, 8 months and 12 months old. This study was conducted within plastic house using Factorial Completely Randomized Design which consisted of liquid waste concentration with 6 levels as well as oil palm plant ages with three replications. The research objective was to determine the respond of oil palm plant at different ages to the addition of liquid waste concentrations from oil palm mill. The plants were planted within drum consisting of soil from tidal swamp land and liquid waste from private oil palm mill in Banyuasin District. Liquid waste characteristics of oil palm mill from anaerobe pond were as follows: BOD = 24,820.2 mg/l, N = 650.2 mg/l, P = 25 mg/l and K = 295.1 mg/l. Data was tested by using statistical method to determine treatments effect and followed by difference test amongst treatments. The results showed that plant age treatments had highly significant effect on plant height, numbers of stem and plant dry mater weight. Treatment of liquid waste doses had highly significant effect on plant height in 5 months after treatment and plant dry matter weight. Interaction between liquid waste doses and plant ages had no significant effect. Treatment of 12 months plant age and liquid waste of oil palm mill at dose of 2,500 mg/l was significantly different from other treatments. Keywords: Waste Water of Oil Palm Mill -Plant Age – Plant Growth