Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
as these are the waste from palm oil mill extraction processes. In some cases the
farmers may be able to purchase the EFB or EFB compost which is mixed with
POME, but in general they are competing against the demand of the plantations
owning the mills for organic fertilizers.
A study was conducted to evaluate combined dose of synthetic fertilizer, bio-fer-
tilizer in combination with compost for the yellow sarson (
Brassica campestries
cv.
B9) (Datta et al.
2009
). The treatment used T
1
for 40 % less N fertilizer, 25 % less P
fertilizer, and K fertilizer constant + 12 kg ha
−1
bio-fertilizer (Azophos) and organic
manure (compost) at 5 Mt ha
−1
, showed the maximum chlorophyll accumulation
fresh weight, highest seed, test weight of seeds and highest seed yield. A compari-
son between all the morphological, anatomical, physiological and biochemical pa-
rameters due to application of chemical fertilizer, bio-fertilizer and compost alone
and in combination and their impact on soil microorganism, flora and fauna will
throw sound environmental information. On the other hand AdeOluwa and Adeoye
(
2008
) assessed the effect of various forms of EFB compost on oil palm nursery.
Compost was applied at 4.8 g N plant
−1
in the soil. Results revealed that oil palm
EFB composting application blending with cow dung increased the oil palm seed-
lings performance. Therefore, oil palm seedlings could be treated with EFB com-
post as an environmental friendly substitute to mineral fertilizer.
Application of mineral fertilizers is the most common means of improving soil
fertility among farmers. However, the positive effects of mineral fertilizers on soil
for crop production last only for a short time. In the long run, mineral forms of N
fertilizers (urea and ammonium sulphate) can lead to decreasing base saturation,
acidification, and a drop in soil pH (Phicot et al.
1981
). A cationic imbalance in
the soil of the Okomu oil palm plantation, Benin, Nigeria has been linked this to
the problem of intensive application of mineral fertilizer (Ogendengbe
1991
). This
situation has triggered the problem of under fertilization on many farms. As a result,
crop performance has been reduced. Organic fertilizers have the potential to correct
almost all negative impacts of mineral fertilizers on soil. Efforts targeting increases
in agricultural production should be backed up with environmentally friendly fertil-
izer application practices that should guarantee safety and sustainability of the soil
natural resources.
Oil palm is a crop of national economic importance. Mineral fertilizers (urea
and N-P-K-Mg 12-12-17-2) are the conventional fertilizers in raising oil palm.
However, oil palm EFB and cow dung (from oil palm/livestock integration), usu-
ally available year-round, seem to be underutilized. These materials, if composted
and used as organic fertilizer in oil palm production, could increase yield and also
eliminate problems associated with intensive mineral fertilizer application. Thus,
this investigation focused on determining effective combinations of oil palm EFB
and cow dung in composting for raising oil palm in the nursery.
11.6.2
Bio-compost Handling and Storage
The compost has various physico-chemical properties that permit it to be applied in
diverse ways. Final product must be tested before they are handled for utilization
