A Preliminary Study on Reducing the Dosage of Chemical Fertiliser by using Empty Fruit Bunch as Soil Amendment on the Growth of Choy Sum

Abstract

Palm oil production results in many valuable products, but it also generates agricultural wastes such as empty fruit bunch (EFB). EFB composting usually produces nutrient-enriched bio-fertilisers and thus, able to help in reducing the chemical fertilisers applied. Most conventional vegetable farmers in Malaysia solely depend on chemical fertilisers in crop production. However, the intensive use of chemical fertilisers has led to various side effects. Thus, this study was to determine the effect on the growth of choy sum by reducing the dosage of chemical fertiliser with EFB compost as soil amendments. Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) methods were used in this study. The fresh weight, dry weight and plant height of the choy sum were found to be not significantly different among all the treatments (T1 – T4) and positive control. This study found that T4 with 30% lesser chemical fertiliser applied showed no significant growth difference with the rest of the treatments indicating that EFB may have the ability to help in reducing chemical fertiliser usage in the growth of choy sum. Further study is recommended as this will help in better EFB waste management and lowering the cost of production for local vegetables.

Keywords

• chemical fertilizer reduction
• empty fruit bunches
• soil amendments
• vegetables