Improving the Growth Performance of Oil Palm Seedlings by Mixtures of Organic and Chemical Fertilisers

The application of biofertilisers can be the best alternative to reduce the dependency on chemicals in oil palm nurseries. The impact of oil palm-based compost with a microbial-based organic fertiliser in reducing chemical use on young oil palm seedlings was investigated at the nursery stage. A total of six treatments and five controls were used in a completely randomised design (CRD). The objective of this study was to evaluate the growth of young seedlings using mixtures of chemicals with microbial-based organic fertiliser. Treatment T6 (a consortium of microbes 2 + 30% chemical) recorded the highest mean of meristem diameter (5.38 cm), and palm height (149.28 cm), and was significantly different compared to control on 10 months old seedlings. The combination of consortium microbe with 30% chemical fertiliser was optimal for the oil palm seedling growth as seen in the vegetative measurement and its nutrient contents higher compared to control. The application of biofertiliser assisted in the increase of essential nutrient content; nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K) and carbon (C). Our studies showed that biofertilisers performed better when chemical nutrients were added to the microbial consortium, providing a significant increase in growth performance and nutrient content. (author)