EFFECTS OF PEAT PLANTING MEDIA AMELIORATION ON VEGETATIVE GROWTH OF OIL PALM SEEDLINGS IN THE MAIN NURSERY

Abstract

In this study, the effect of the application of ameliorant materials including mineral soils, dolomite, and rock phosphate on peat growing media on vegetative growth of oil palm seedlings in the nursery main phase was examined. The study was conducted for one year, from May 2015 to April 2016. The study used a single factor/nonfactorial randomized block design consisting of three treatments, each treatment had three different doses, including: dolomite (A1 = 0.45 kg polybag-1; A2 = 0.90 kg polybag-1; A3 = 1.35 kg polybag-1), rock phosphate (A4 = 0.45 kg polybag-1; A5 = 0.90 kg polybag-1; A6 = 1.35 kg polybag-1), and mineral soil (A7 = 0.45 kg polybag-1; A8 = 0.90 kg polybag-1; A9 = 1.35 kg polybag-1). The treatment of ameliorant materials, both dolomite, rock phosphate and mineral soil at doses of 0.45 kg polybag-1 (A1, A4, A7) and doses of 0.90 kg polybag-1 (A2, A5, A8) showed a significant influence on increasing seedling height 5-16 months after planting (MAP). Response to increasing diameter of plants aged 5-16 MAP (for one year), the pattern is almost the same as observing the increase in seedling height, tends to be positively correlated, the dose of 0.45 kg polybag-1 (A1, A4, A7) and the dose of 0.90 kg polybag-1 (A2, A5, A8) showed a significant influence on the diameter of the oil palm seedlings, the largest being 8.87 cm (dolomite/A2), 8.88 cm (A5) and 8.97 cm (A8). There is a correlation that is directly proportional between the type and dose of ameliorant material which is getting higher until the dose of 0.90 kg polybag-1 (A2, A5, A8) and the dose level of 0.45 kg polybag-1 (A1, A4, A7) showed a significant effect on the number of leaves variable.

Keywords

• amelioration, peatland, vegetative growth, oil palm (elaeis guineensis jacq.)