OIL PALM SEEDLING RESPONSES TO VARIOUS DOSAGES OF FERTILIZER INPUT

Abstract

Oil palm has a high potential for nutrient use efficiency, meaning it can produce high yields with relatively low nutrient inputs compared to other crops. Nutrient use efficiency is significant for nutrient balance and supply, like Nitrogen (N) and Potassium (K), which are vital for oil palm growth and fruit production. Research includes breeding for traits that enhance nutrient uptake and utilization and developing new fertilizer formulations and application techniques. This research aimed to investigate the response of some oil palm genetic backgrounds to the application of fertilizer level. The study was organized using a split-plot design with two factors: fertilizer dosage [0% (P0), 100% (P1), 75% (P2), and 50% (P3) of the recommended dosage], and plant material [populations 1-3 (V1-V3)], repeated six times. The treatment of providing fertilizer doses at 50% of the recommendation (P3) shows the most efficient and positive effect in the oil palm seedling growth. Population V2, given the treatment of fertilizer doses at 50% of the recommendation (P3), shows the most efficient and positive responses in the oil palm seedling growth.