Abstract
A study was conducted to determine the impact of applying different sources of Mg, namely kieserite, ground magnesium limestone (GML) and Mg-rich synthetic gypsum (MRSG) on an acid tropical soil, oil palm growth and production. Besides high amount of Mg and Ca, MRSG contains S. Exchangeable Ca in the untreated soil of the plantation was 0.64 cmolc kg-1, but its critical level to sustain oil palm growth was 0.9 cmolc kg-1. MRSG was applied in the plantation as Mg-fertilizer; however, since Ca is also a limiting nutrient, oil palm growth was correlated (r = 0.69) with Ca supplied by the MRSG. Mg needed to sustain oil palm production is normally supplied by kieserite. Its requirement can be met at a lower cost compared to that of the kieserite by using MRSG. Due to MRSG treatment, exchangeable Ca in the soil increased steadily to satisfy the requirement of oil palm for fruit bunches production. From the glasshouse and field study, it was observed that MRSG applied at 1.5 times the recommended rate gave results comparable to that of the kieserite. MRSG treatment resulted in the increase of soil pH to >5 that precipitated Al3+ as inert Al-hydroxides, which eventually enhanced oil palm seedlings growth. Thus, MRSG can also replace GML to increase soil pH and satisfy the Ca and Mg requirement of oil palm. It can be concluded that MRSG has the potential to be used as a source of Mg as well as Ca for oil palm grown on acidic soil.
Highlights
In Malaysia and Indonesia, more than 5 and 10 million ha of their land area, respectively, are cropped to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
The Mg-rich synthetic gypsum (MRSG) used in the study was studied under Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) and the elements present in it were identified using Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX) attached to the FESEM
The average chemical composition of the MRSG at any particular spot in the FESEM micrograph can be determined using EDX attached to the FESEM
Summary
In Malaysia and Indonesia, more than 5 and 10 million ha of their land area, respectively, are cropped to oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). The soils used for growing oil palm in these countries which are highly weathered Ultisols and Oxisols have insufficient nutrients for oil palm growth requirement. Fertilizer application is crucial to sustaining yield production. One of the most important nutrients required by oil palm is Mg. One of the most important nutrients required by oil palm is Mg It is a standard practice among oil palm plantations in the country to apply kieserite (MgSO4.H2O) as a source of Mg to sustain oil palm growth and production. Applying kieserite would add S into the soil system; Mg is required for oil production in the fruitlets.
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