Effect of POME-Based Bioameliorants and Microbial Amendments on Oil Palm Seedling Growth in Different Soil Media

¹ Program of Agroecotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Sriwijaya, Indonesia University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agronomy, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia
² University of Sriwijaya, Faculty of Agriculture, Department of Agroecotechnology, Jl. Raya Palembang-Prabumulih Km 32 Indralaya, Ogan Ilir 30662, Indonesia

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Abstract

POME-based bioameliorants integrated with biochar and microorganisms were evaluated for improving oil palm seedling performance in marginal soils. This study evaluated the effects of POME-based bioameliorants combined with biochar and microbial amendments on seedling growth, root development, soil pH, and soil respiration in peat and mineral soils. A factorial randomized block design was used with two biochar types (rice husk and oil palm shell) and two microbial inoculants (mycorrhiza and Trichoderma sp.), all supplemented with POME. The results showed that soil pH increased to 5.07 in peat soil and 5.03 in mineral soil under the oil palm shell biochar treatment . Soil respiration increased from 2.76 to 22.85 μg CO₂-C g^- soil h^- in peat soil under A2M2 and from 0.44 to 34.17 μg CO₂-C g^- soil h^- in mineral soil. Mineral soil produced the greatest plant height (31.36 cm), whereas peat soil produced the highest fresh and dry shoot weights of 9.17 g and 4.77 g under A2M2. Overall, the combination of oil palm shell biochar + Trichoderma sp. + POME consistently produced the best biomass accumulation, root development, and seedling vigor in peat soil, demonstrating an environmentally sustainable strategy for improving oil palm nursery productivity.