Respons Pertumbuhan Bibit Kelapa Sawit terhadap Aplikasi Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) di Nursery PT PP London Sumatra

Abstract

Subsoil yang diperkaya POME dijadikan sebagai media tanam alternatif pada fase main nursery kelapa sawit. Penelitian ini bertujuan mengevaluasi pengaruh berbagai dosis POME terhadap pertumbuhan bibit kelapa sawit dan sifat kimia tanah. Penelitian dilaksanakan di Nursery Mentari Kulim Estate, PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk. menggunakan rancangan kelompok lengkap teracak (RKLT) satu faktor dengan enam taraf dosis POME, yaitu 0, 1, 1,5, 2, 2,5, dan 3 kg/polybag, masing-masing lima ulangan sehingga diperoleh 30 satuan percobaan. Aplikasi POME meningkatkan pH tanah, C-organik, N-total, dan P-total dibandingkan media tanam awal. Analisis ragam menunjukkan bahwa POME tidak berpengaruh nyata terhadap tinggi bibit, luas daun, jumlah daun, dan kehijauan daun, tetapi berpengaruh nyata terhadap diameter batang. Analisis regresi mengindikasikan titik respons optimum pada dosis sekitar 2 kg/polybag. Secara keseluruhan, aplikasi POME lebih efektif memperbaiki sifat kimia media tanam daripada meningkatkan pertumbuhan vegetatif selama periode pengamatan, sehingga berpotensi dimanfaatkan sebagai amelioran pada pembibitan kelapa sawit.

Subsoil amended with palm oil mill effluent (POME) was evaluated as an alternative growing medium for oil palm main nurseries. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of different POME application rates on the growth of oil palm seedlings and the chemical properties of the soil. The experiment was conducted at the Mentari Kulim Estate Nursery, PT PP London Sumatra Indonesia Tbk. using a single-factor randomized complete block design (RCBD) with six POME application rates of 0, 1, 1.5, 2, 2.5, and 3 kg per polybag. Each treatment was replicated five times, resulting in 30 experimental units. POME application increased soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and total phosphorus compared with the initial planting medium. Analysis of variance showed that POME had no significant effects on seedling height, leaf area, leaf number, or leaf greenness, but significantly increased stem diameter. Regression analysis indicated an optimum response at approximately 2 kg per polybag. Overall, POME was more effective in improving the chemical properties of the planting medium than in promoting vegetative growth during the experimental period, indicating its potential as a soil amendment for oil palm nurseries.