Effect of Co-application of Vetiver Grass Biochar and NPK Fertilizer on the Growth of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Seedlings and Soil Chemical Properties

Hemam Aleiadeh, . and Juferi Idris, . and Hasmah Mohidin, . and Latifah Omar, . and Sulaiman Man, . and Siraj Munir, . and Jong, Vivien (2024) Effect of Co-application of Vetiver Grass Biochar and NPK Fertilizer on the Growth of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Seedlings and Soil Chemical Properties. Malaysian Journal of Soil Science (MJSS) (Malaysia), 28. pp. 26-37. ISSN 1394-7990

Sufficient supply of nutrients is essential for optimum oil palm seedlings growth especially at poor fertile soils Improving nutrient use efficiency is very important to reduce the reliance on excessive use of chemical fertilizers and overcome the harmful impacts to the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the soil chemical properties and oil palm seedlings growth following the application of vetiver grass biochar (VGB) in combination with NPK fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located at the Farm Unit, UiTM Sarawak Branch, from June 2022 until July 2023. Oil palm seedlings were planted in polybags filled with top soil and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 5 replicates, each replicate consists of 8 plants, making a total of 200 experimental units. Treatments evaluated were: T0) absolute control; T1) 100% NPK; T2) 100% VGB; T3) 50% VGB + 50% NPK; and T4) 75% VGB + 25% NPK. Soil samples were collected before and after the treatments applied. Plant growth and soil analyses were carried out using standard plant and soil laboratory procedure. Plant growth and soil statistical data were analyzed using ANOVA at p < 0.05 followed by DMRT using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 9.3). Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil organic carbon increased significantly (p < 0.05) in treatments with T2, T3, and T4, while the highest value was observed in T2. Soil available N, available P, and available K were higher in the treatments with T1, T3, and T4, while the highest value was recorded in T4. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) for plant growth indicate significant difference at p < 0.05. Among all treatments, the highest value of plant height, bole diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and plant dry biomass was recorded in T4 (75% VGB + 25% NPK), suggested that the treatment is able to improve the growth performance of oil palm seedlings and enhanced soil chemical properties, hence, allowing reduction of fertilizer application rate in oil palm cultivation.

Full text available from: Official URL: https://www.msss.com.my/mjss/Full%20Text/vol28/V28...

Abstract

Sufficient supply of nutrients is essential for optimum oil palm seedlings growth especially at poor fertile soils Improving nutrient use efficiency is very important to reduce the reliance on excessive use of chemical fertilizers and overcome the harmful impacts to the environment. The objective of this study was to determine the soil chemical properties and oil palm seedlings growth following the application of vetiver grass biochar (VGB) in combination with NPK fertilizer. The experiment was conducted in a greenhouse located at the Farm Unit, UiTM Sarawak Branch, from June 2022 until July 2023. Oil palm seedlings were planted in polybags filled with top soil and arranged in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with 5 treatments and 5 replicates, each replicate consists of 8 plants, making a total of 200 experimental units. Treatments evaluated were: T0) absolute control; T1) 100% NPK; T2) 100% VGB; T3) 50% VGB + 50% NPK; and T4) 75% VGB + 25% NPK. Soil samples were collected before and after the treatments applied. Plant growth and soil analyses were carried out using standard plant and soil laboratory procedure. Plant growth and soil statistical data were analyzed using ANOVA at p < 0.05 followed by DMRT using the Statistical Analysis System (SAS, version 9.3). Soil pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), and soil organic carbon increased significantly (p < 0.05) in treatments with T2, T3, and T4, while the highest value was observed in T2. Soil available N, available P, and available K were higher in the treatments with T1, T3, and T4, while the highest value was recorded in T4. The results of analysis of variance (ANOVA) for plant growth indicate significant difference at p < 0.05. Among all treatments, the highest value of plant height, bole diameter, leaf number, chlorophyll content, and plant dry biomass was recorded in T4 (75% VGB + 25% NPK), suggested that the treatment is able to improve the growth performance of oil palm seedlings and enhanced soil chemical properties, hence, allowing reduction of fertilizer application rate in oil palm cultivation.

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Item Type:	Article
AGROVOC Term:	Elaeis guineensis
AGROVOC Term:	soil fertility
AGROVOC Term:	Biochar
AGROVOC Term:	fertilizer application
AGROVOC Term:	Vetiveria zizanioides
AGROVOC Term:	soil pH
AGROVOC Term:	cation exchange capacity
AGROVOC Term:	plant growth
Geographical Term:	Malaysia
Depositing User:	Mr. Khoirul Asrimi Md Nor
Date Deposited:	20 May 2025 03:12
Last Modified:	20 May 2025 03:12
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/2805

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