Oil Palm Seedling Performance and Soil Chemical Characteristics as Influenced by Organic Fertilization Rate

Abstract

Fertilizer application is a key component in the production of high-quality oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) seedlings. Inorganic fertilizers are used to supplement the native nutrient concentrations in the soil; however, their continuous application leads to soil acidification and depletion of soil organic matter. Organic fertilizers promote the growth of crops and improve soil fertility, but their effects on oil palm seedling production still remain elusive. Therefore, a two-year nursery experiment was conducted at Oil Palm Research Institute, Kusi, in the Eastern region of Ghana to determine the effects of organic fertilization rates on oil palm seedling performance and soil chemical characteristics. The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. The treatments included: 25 g (T1), 50 g (T2), 75 g (T3), 100 g (T4) of organic fertilizer/seedling/month, and compared with farmers’ practice: 30 g NPK combined with Mg/seedling/month (Control, T5). Results from the study revealed that organic fertilization significantly stimulated oil palm seedling growth and improved the soil chemical properties. Compared to the control, treatment T2 increased crop growth rate by 38.18% (2022) and 27.84% (2023), total plant biomass by 18.07% (2022) and 11.90% (2023), soil total nitrogen by 44.19% (2023) and soil organic matter by 87.33% (2023). Treatment T2 can be used to replace the inorganic fertilization rate (control) to stimulate oil palm seedling growth and improve soil chemical characteristics. The application of 50 g/seedling/month of the organic fertilizer is the best application rate for producing high-quality seedlings and ensuring sustainable oil palm nursery production.