Total Phenolic and Flavonoid Content of Elaeis guineensis Leaves Treated with Different Amount of Nitrogen-Potassium Fertilizer

Abstract

The amount of fertilizer used as source of nutrients play an important role for successful growth of oil palm. In this study, the effect of different amount of nitrogen (N) and potassium (K) fertilizer on the biochemical properties of oil palm were studied. The fertilizer consist of constant amount of Bayovar rock phosphate (BRP), Kieserite (KS), and Foliar Boron (F’Bor), as well as different levels of muriate of potash (MOP) and ammonium sulphate (AS). The treatments were labeled as T1, T2 and T3. Six planting materials indicated as A, B, C, D, E and F were tested. The total phenolic content (TPC) and total flavonoid content (TFC) in the leaves of the oil palm trees were analyzed using folin-ciocalteu method and aluminium chloride method, respectively. Results showed that the leaves of planting material A and F showed significant responses towards fertilizer levels where the TPC ad TFC contents reduced at the highest fertilizer level. Planting material C and D responded quite similar in terms of TPC content with planting material A and F, respectively. Overall, different planting materials showed different pattern of responses specifically for TPC and TFC towards fertilizer level.