Influence of Organic Mulch and Mulch Application Time on the Growth of Oil Palm Seedlings
Year: 2025
Type: article
Abstract: This study evaluated the effectiveness of organic mulches oil palm empty bunch refuse (EFB) and sundried Mucuna bracteata cover crop applied at different times (mulching at planting, Mp, and mulching 3 months after planting, M3mp) on the growth of oil palm seedlings at the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR). The experiment was arranged in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. It was a 5 × 2 factorial design comprising five mulch treatments: zero mulch (M1), EFB (6 t/ha) (M2), Mucuna bracteata cover crop (6 t/ha) (M3), EFB + Mucuna bracteata (6 t/ha) (M4), and EFB + Mucuna bracteata (12 t/ha) (M5), along with two mulch application times: mulching at planting (T1) and mulching at 3 months after planting (T2). The growth variables measured included plant height (cm), collar girth (cm), number of leaves, leaf area (cm²), and soil temperature (oC). Results indicated that mulching generally enhanced vegetative growth and reduced soil temperature compared to the control. Among the treatments, EFB + Mucuna bracteata (6 t/ha) at planting (T1) produced the tallest seedlings (86.7 cm), while Mucuna bracteata (12 t/ha) applied 3 months after planting (M3mp) resulted in the shortest seedlings (17.0 cm). Seedlings mulched with EFB (6 t/ha) at planting exhibited significantly larger leaf area (1613.0 cm²) compared to the control and EFB + Mucuna bracteata (6 t/ha) treatments. Additionally, EFB (12 t/ha) applied 3 months after planting (M3mp) produced the highest number of leaves, although this was comparable to other mulch treatments. At 4 months after planting (MAP), seedlings mulched with EFB (6 t/ha) at planting (T1) had the lowest soil temperature (27°C) and were significantly lower than that of EFB (6 t/ha) applied 3 months after planting (31.67°C). Mucuna bracteata (12 t/ha) applied at 3 months after planting (M3mp) did not reduce soil temperature, and mulching with Mucuna (6 t/ha) at planting also resulted in the highest soil temperature (29.57°C). These findings highlight the importance of timely organic amendments in oil palm nurseries, particularly the use of EFB (6 t/ha) at planting to optimize seedling growth and soil conditions.
Authors: Nwawe, A. K., Law-Ogbomo, K. E., Imogie, A. E., Aondona, O., Ilori, E. G., Ovie, S., Omofonmwan, E. I., Richard, O.
Language: English
Subfield: Ecology
Field: Environmental Science
Domain: Physical Sciences
SDG: Zero hunger
Open Access status: bronze
OpenAlex ID: W6959361126
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