Effects of Root Pruning on Organic Carbon Stock Levels in Oil Palm Plantation

Abstract

Palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a crop that can transfer carbon dioxide into carbon storage within the soil. Root pruning also plays a role in enhancing carbon stocks in the plant. This research aims to evaluate the effects of root pruning on oil palm carbon reserves and their association with nutrient absorption. The study was conducted over six months using four-year-old oil palm plants. A nested experimental design with two factors was employed. The primary factor, serving as the main plot, involved three root cutting depths (0, 10, and 20 cm), while the secondary factor consisted of four root cutting intensities (0%, 25%, 50%, and 75%). The findings indicated that root pruning increased the plant’s carbon stock, though it remained lower compared to the control. The highest CO2 emission was recorded in the afternoon, specifically in the 20 cm root cutting treatment at 75% intensity, measuring 4.3 μmol m-2 sec-1. The greatest carbon reserve, 16.98 tons C ha-1 year-1, was observed at a 20 cm depth and 75% intensity, with a positive correlation.

Keywords

• co2 emissions
• emissions
• cg-measurement co2 ch4
• root respiration