Abstract
The use of composted oil palm wastes in the oil palm nursery as an organic component of growing medium for oil palm seedlings seems promising in sustainable oil palm seedling production. This study was conducted to investigate the effects of six oil palm waste compost rates (0, 20, 40, 60, 80, and 100%) on the growth performance of oil palm seedling and nutrient uptake in the prenursery stage (0–3 months). The addition of oil palm compost reduced the soil bulk density (1.32 to 0.53 g cm−3) and increased soil pH (4.7 to 5.1) of growth media. Oil palm waste compost treatment produced positive growth performance up to 70%. A regression analysis indicated in 72% of compost and topsoil mixture as a polybag growth medium was optimum in producing best growth performance of oil palm seedling in the prenursery stage. Foliar analysis implied highest nutrients uptake (N, P, K, Mg, Ca, Fe, Zn, and Cu) for seedlings grown in 60 to 100% compost media.
Highlights
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) was first introduced to Malaysia in 1870 as an ornamental plant
The aims of this study were to investigate the effects of oil palm waste compost which consisted of pressed oil palm fruit mesocarp and palm oil mill effluent (POME) as a component of polybag medium on growth performance of oil palm seedlings and nutrients uptake during the prenursery stage (0–3 months) in the double stage nursery system
Oil palm waste of pressed oil palm fruit mesocarp and POME were obtained from Golden Hope Plantation Berhad and composted in Universiti Putra Malaysia
Summary
Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) was first introduced to Malaysia in 1870 as an ornamental plant. Malaysia is the second largest palm oil producer (39%) and exporter (44%) in the world [2]. This industry is a significant contributor toward economic growth but it contributes toward environmental pollution due to the large amount of by-product produced during the oil extraction process. It is estimated that 53 million tonnes of oil palm waste residue was generated every year with a 5% increment annually [3]. These oil palm wastes are rich in nutrients and present potential agronomic values. The oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) is applied in raw or unprocessed form to newly transplanted palms as mulch and nutrient source
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
