Effect of Potassium (K) Source on Oil Palm Yield at Okomu Oil Palm Plc, Ovia North East L.G.A. of Edo State

Abstract

The study investigated effect of K sources on oil palm fresh fruit bunch (ffb) production at Okomu Oil Palm Plc, from 1999 to 2008. Two sources of K were evaluated at four rates. The sources of K evaluated were inorganic fertilizer Murate of Potash (MOP) at 1.0, 1.5, 2.0 and 2.5 kg/palm/year and local rock mineral that is Potassium Rock Mineral (PRM) at 1.67, 2.50, 3.33 and 4.16 kg/palm/year respectively. These were evaluated along the Control that is the zero application. The field layout was Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) in four replicates. Data were collected on oil palm fresh fruit bunch (ffb) production components (mean bunch number, mean bunch weight kg / bunch and ffb production ton / ha). Data collected were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) and their means were compared using New Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at 5% level of probability. Applied K source enhanced soil nutrient status thus making the soil nutrient available for optimum oil palm ffb production over the control. The applied K source significantly P ≠0.05% affected ffb production. Bunch number, bunch weight and ffb production were significantly higher in palm receiving K fertilizers than the control. As rates of K application increases the ffb production also increases until what seem to be optimum rates of 2.0 K / palm / year was reached beyond which there was no significant increases in ffb production. Generally palms treated with K fertilizers in- respective of source of K fertilizer were highly significant than the control.