The Effect of Different Fertilization Frequency on Some Nutrient Content of Palm Plant Grown in Peat Swamp

Abstract

The lack of suitable land (S1) for oil palm plantations is the reason for the current use of marginal land (S3) in oil palm plantations, both for companies and smallholders. Peat swampland has good potential if the care and fertilization of plants is carried out according to the standards according to the conditions of the land. Peat swampland has high acidity, and land conditions are often flooded. Application of fertilizer in a timely manner and the right dose is one of the keys to the success of oil palm plantations. This study aimed to determine the effect of the frequency of fertilizer application on the nutrient content of oil palm leaves. There were three fertilization treatments, namely 1) 0.6 kg/tree was applied once a month, 2) 1.8 kg/tree was applied once per three months, and 3.6 kg/tree was applied once per six months. Data were analyzed using a completely randomized design. The results showed that the frequency of fertilization significantly affected the nutritional content of oil palm leaves. The average nutrient content of fertilization with a frequency of six months has the lowest nutrition compared to other frequencies. The best frequency of fertilization is 0.6 kg/tree, which is applied every month. Fertilization on peatlands that is carried out regularly and in a balanced dose is more important than the application of high doses of fertilizer with a long frequency of fertilization. This is related to palm oil feeding root distribution, which is limited to a swamp depth of 0-60 cm.