Utilization of Organic Fertilizer Made Out of Oil Palm Midrib in Oil Palm Nursery

Abstract

Few studies found the organic fertilizer made out of oil palm midrib despite the usage has been performed in many oil palm plantations. Dry and fallen dry oil palm midribs around oil palm are often used as mulch and left alone to be decomposed naturally. This research is aimed to find out the utilization of decomposed oil palm midrib that turned into organic fertilizer which then to is given to oil palm seedling as mix ingredient of organic fertilizer to reduce inorganic fertilizers’ usage. Moreover, this treatment is expected to enhance oil palm midrib value as oil palm plantation waste. This experiment was carried out in experimental farm Ciparanje, Faculty of Agriculture Padjadjaran University, Jatinangor, Sumedang District, West Java Province from January to April 2017. The materials are oil palm seedlings from Simalungun varieties from the breeding of Dura and Pisifera, Ultisols order topsoil, NPK 15-15-15 compound fertilizers, organic fertilizer made out of oil palm midribs. The research method was using field experiments with randomized group design with a factorial pattern that consists of two factors. Factor I: Oil Palm Midrib fertilizer dose (P) consists of three levels: p0 = 0 g/polybag, p1 = 800 g/polybag, p2 = 1600 g/polybag. Factor II: compound fertilizers dose consists of four levels: m0 = 0 g/polybag, m1 = 20 g/polybag, m2 = 40 g/polybag, m3 = 60 g/polybag. Organic fertilizer made out of oil palm midrib is causing a good effect on oil palm seedlings growth. The usage application together along with inorganic fertilizers is to add nutrient that needed by plants to reduce inorganic fertilizers. The main focus of this research is sustainable fertilization.