Assessment of regional substrates and fertilizers for oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings production

Abstract

The use of regional waste as a substrate to produce oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings represents a sustainable alternative in the pre-nursery stage, reducing dependence on commercial substrates. Objective: To evaluate the effect of different regional substrates and fertilizers on the growth and development of oil palm seedlings. Methodology: The study mainly involved replacing the commercial substrate, whose main component was peat moss. Seven substrates made from regional waste were evaluated: Control: Peat : Eucalyptus spp. bark (3:2); S1: Oil palm empty fruit bunches : peat moss: perlite : vermiculite (3:1:0.5:0.5); S2: Oil palm empty fruit bunches : Cedrela odorata sawdust : palm kernel shell charcoal : Theobroma cacao husk (3:1:0.5:0.5); S3: Cedrela odorata sawdust : peat moss : palm kernel shell charcoal : Theobroma cacao husk (3:1:0.5:0.5); S4: Theobroma cacao husk : Cedrela odorata sawdust : palm kernel shell charcoal (3:1.5:0.5); S5: Eucalyptus spp. bark : Theobroma cacao husk: Cedrela odorata sawdust (3:1:1); S6: Coconut coir : Theobroma cacao husk : Cedrela odorata sawdust (3:1:1). In addition, three different types of fertilizers were tested: controlled-release fertilizer, water-soluble fertilizer, and biofertilizer with mycorrhizae. Plant growth and development were evaluated based on height and stem diameter. Results: The Control, S4, and S6 substrates with controlled-release fertilizer showed the greatest growth in height, while the Control and S4 substrates had the highest increase in stem diameter. The regional substrates had lower production cost compared to the Control substrate. Implications: The regional substrates and fertilizers were evaluated only during the prenursery stage, using tubes for a period of three months. Conclusions: This study identified sustainable substrate alternatives for oil palm seedlings production.