Abstract

Previous studies have not yet investigated the utilization of oil palm fronds, an agricultural byproduct, as a component of growing media for oil palm seedlings. This approach has the potential to enhance the value of agricultural waste and reduce the production costs of oil palm seedlings. The objective of this experiment was to examine the effects of different types of growing media on the growth of four- to six-month-old Golden Tenera oil palm seedlings. The study employed a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with eight treatments: (1) commercial planting soil, (2) commercial planting soil mixed with chopped coconut husk, (3) paddy field topsoil, (4) paddy field topsoil combined with coconut husk, ash, and manure, (5) paddy field topsoil with chopped dried oil palm fronds and manure, (6) Suwan Farm topsoil, (7) Suwan Farm topsoil enriched with coconut husk, ash, and manure, and (8) Suwan Farm topsoil incorporated with chopped dried oil palm fronds and manure. Growth parameters recorded included stem girth, leaf count, leaf chlorophyll content, and plant height. The results demonstrated that treatments (4) paddy field topsoil with coconut husk, ash, and manure, (5) paddy field topsoil with chopped dried oil palm fronds and manure, and (6) Suwan Farm topsoil significantly enhanced stem girth, plant height, and leaf count over the four- to six-month period, outperforming the other growing media.