The Growth of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Seedlings at Various Media and Containers in Double Stage Nursery

Abstract

The main issues arise in the present and in the future to develop oil palm plantations is the top soil removal. There are a few substances that can be used as an alternatives to be a growing media, such as compost, vermicompost, rice husk, and cow manure. maintenance activities in oil palm plantation produce wastes which are organic and inorganic waste. The organic and inorganic waste could become an alternative containers for growing media, replacing the small polybag and tray. The objectives of the research was found alternative growing media and containers that suitable for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings in double stage nursery (pre nursery and main nursery). The experiment was conducted at IPB Experimental Station, Cikabayan, Darmaga Bogor, from October 2013 to October 2014. The research was consist of two experimental. The first research held in pre nursery and then to continued on main nursery. The treatment in pre nursery was arranged in a factorial randomized complete design and consist of two factor with three replications. The first factor was the type of growing media consist of  top soil, sub soil, vermicompost, rice husk, cow manure, and compost. The second factor was the type of containers consist of baby polybag, tray, bamboo strips, mineral glass and midrib. The treatment in main nursery was arranged in a factorial randomized block desgin. The treatment was growing media treatment consist of standar of growing media in nursery, top soil, sub soil, vermicompost, rice husk, cow manure, and compost. The results of first experiment in pre nursery showed that application of various growing media and containers significantly affected to morphological growth (plant height, leaf number, stem diameter) and physiological growth (chlorophyll content and stomata conductance). The interaction of these two factors significantly affect on plant height and number of leaves 1 month after planting (MAP), stem diameter 3 MAP, chlorophyll content and stomata conductance. Based on morphological growth, the best combination treatment was compost and bamboo strips however it is not significantly different with compost and minerall glass. The result of second experiment in main nursery showed that application of various growing media significantly affected to morphological growth (plant height, leaf number, stem diameter) and physiological growth (crown and root dry weight). Based on morfological treatment, the best treatment was compost however it is not significantly different with vermicompost treatment. Compost have a nutrient grade of N, P, K was 1.32%, 0.49%, 0.06%, while vermicompost have N 1.05%, P 0.58%, and K 0.03%. The growth media alternative  for substitute top soil in oil palm seedlings that  suggested was compost and vermicompost. Both of growing media have been showed best morphological and physiological growth and have high nutrient.

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