Potassium and magnesium uptake and fertiliser use efficiency by oil palm at contrasting sites in Sumatra, Indonesia

Abstract

The accuracy of fertiliser recommendations can be improved by knowledge of use efficiency of applied nutrients. The aim of this work was to determine the efficiency with which mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) recovers and uses fertiliser K and Mg under different environmental conditions in Sumatra, Indonesia. The work was carried out in seven factorial fertiliser trials (NPKMg) at sites with contrasting soils, slope and rainfall (1500–3500 mm annual average). We recorded the palms’ fresh fruit bunch yield (weekly), vegetative growth and nutrient content (annually), and soil properties (once during the study) over three years. Nutrient content of the above-ground palm components was calculated by multiplying concentration by biomass. Palm responses to K and Mg application were analysed at non-limiting values of the other nutrients. Fresh fruit bunch yield was significantly increased by application of K in five of the seven sites (by 4.8–11.9 t ha−1) and by Mg in two of the seven sites (by 7.2–12.3 t ha−1). Application of these fertilisers also significantly increased growth and nutrient content in most situations. Nutrient use efficiency declined with increasing yield and nutrient uptake. In the five sites with most positive yield responses to K, agronomic efficiency of K and Mg differed between sites due to differences in recovery efficiency. Recovery efficiency was correlated positively to soil K, Mg and silt content and rainfall, and negatively to slope and soil moisture deficit. In contrast, physiological efficiency of K and Mg use was similar across sites, despite differences in palm age and planting density. It thus appeared that physiological efficiency was determined by genotype and that variation in agronomic efficiency was mostly a result of differences in recovery efficiency.