THE EFFECT OF COMPOST APPLICATION DOSAGE OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES AND Bacillus subtilis ON THE GROWTH OF OIL PALM SEEDLINGS

Abstract

The continuous usage of chemical fertilizers for an extended period harms the environment. This can be minimized by using oil palm empty fruit bunch plantation waste (OPEFB) in organic fertilizer or compost enriched by Bacillus subtilis bacteria classified as Plant Growth Promoting Rhizobacteria (PGPR). Both OPEFB and B. subtilis can increase plant growth. This study aimed to determine the effect of OPEFB compost and B. subtilis with different doses on the growth of oil palm seedlings at nine months of age. This research was conducted at the Ciparanje Experimental Garden, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, Jatinangor, from December 2022 until March 2023. This experiment used a randomized block design consisting of six treatments repeated four times. The treatments were: NPK fertilizer total 105 g/polybag; OPEFB compost 750 g/polybag; OPEFB compost 1000 g/polybag; B. subtilis bacteria 35 mL/polybag; OPEFB compost 500 g/polybag and B. subtilis 25 mL/polybag; OPEFB compost 500 g/polybag and B. subtilis 35 mL/polybag. The results showed that the application of OPEFB compost of 500 g/polybag and 35 mL/polybag B. subtilis affected the increase in oil palm seedling growth such as plant height by 11,25%, circumstance stems by 7,10%, number of leaves by 4,85%, and leaf area by 11,03%.