Evaluasi Sifat-sifat Kimia Tanah untuk Meningkatkan Produktivitas Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

Produktivitas tanaman kelapa sawit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) ditentukan oleh beberapa faktor, termasuk sifat-sifat kimia tanah. Oleh karena itu, untuk meningkatkan produktivitas kelapa sawit pada perkebunan dengan produktivitas rendah, perlu dilakukan evaluasi terhadap sifat-sifat kimia tanah. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi sifat-sifat kimia tanah pada perkebunan kelapa sawit yang memiliki produktivitas rendah. Penelitian dilakukan di PT. Perkebunan Nusantara XIII, sebuah badan usaha milik negara yang bergerak di bidang perkebunan kelapa sawit, pada blok-blok dengan produksi Tandan Buah Segar (TBS) rendah yaitu <20 ton/ha/tahun. Tahapan penelitian meliputi pemilihan lima blok dengan produktivitas rendah, pengambilan sampel tanah secara komposit, analisis sifat-sifat kimia di laboratorium, serta pengolahan data menggunakan software Microsoft Excel. Analisis Laboratorium yang dilakukan berupa pH, Al-dd, C-organik, N-total, P-tersedia, KTK, KB dan B. Pengamatan juga dilakukan terhadap gejala kekurangan unsur hara pada tanaman kelapa sawit. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pH tanah tergolong masam, kejenuhan Al sangat rendah hingga tinggi, dan kadar C-Organik rendah hingga sedang. Kandungan hara makro N sangat rendah, P rendah hingga sangat tinggi, dan K, Ca, serta Mg sangat rendah. Kandungan hara mikro B berada dalam kondisi optimum. Berdasarkan pengamatan visual, tanaman kelapa sawit menunjukkan gejala kekurangan N, K, dan P yang dilihat dari perubahan warna daunnya. Berdasarkan hasil tersebut disarankan untuk menambah dolomit dan pupuk NPK pada kebun kelapa sawit tersebut

Productivity of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is determined by several factors, including soil chemical properties. Therefore, to increase oil palm productivity in low productivity plantations, it is necessary to evaluate soil chemical properties. This study aims to evaluate soil chemical properties in oil palm plantations that have low productivity. The research was conducted at PT. Perkebunan Nusantara XIII, a state-owned enterprise engaged in oil palm plantations, on blocks with low Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production of <20 tons/ha/year. The research stages include the selection of five blocks with low productivity, composite soil sampling, analysis of chemical properties in the laboratory, and data processing using Microsoft Excel software. Laboratory analysis was carried out in the form of pH, exchange-Al, organic-C, total-N, P-available, CEC, base saturation and B. Observations were also made of nutrient deficiency symptoms in oil palm plants. The results showed that soil pH was classified as acidic, Al saturation was very low to high, and organic-C content was low to high. The macro-nutrient content of N was very low, P was low to very high, and K, Ca, and Mg were very low. The micro-nutrient content of B in optimum condition. Based on visual observations, the oil palm plants showed symptoms of N, K, and P deficiencies as seen from changes in leaf color. Based on these results, it is recommended to add dolomite and NPK fertilizer to the oil palm plantation