Universal Journal of Agricultural Research Vol. 12(1), pp. 188 - 194
DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2024.120118
Reprint (PDF) (449Kb)

Improvement of Soil Chemical Properties in Mature Oil Palm Plantations by Pruning and Immersing of Weeds as Cover Crops

Yenni Asbur ^*, Yayuk Purwaningrum
Department of Agrotechnology, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Islam Sumatera Utara, Indonesia

ABSTRACT

The use of Asystasia gangetica weed as a cover crop in oil palm plantations can produce changes in soil's chemical properties, which allows for the sustainable development of oil palm plantations. The aim of this research is to evaluate how pruning and immersing A. gangetica as a cover crop (CC) can improve soil chemical properties in mature oil palm plantations. The experimental design used was a non-factorial randomized block design with four replications. The treatment was structured in five levels of pruning and immersing of the A. gangetica cover crop. Planting A. gangetica without pruning and immersing only increases the total P content of the soil. However, pruning and immersing CC A. gangetica was able to reduce pH and increase organic C, total P and available K content of the soil. Pruning CC A. gangetica at 60 days after planting (DAP) and immersed increased pH, organic C, total P, and soil available K. These results indicate that pruning A. gangetica at 60 HST and then immersed can improve the chemical properties of the soil in mature oil palm plantations.

KEYWORDS
Asystasia gangetica, Increasing, Organic C, Planting

Cite This Paper in IEEE or APA Citation Styles
(a). IEEE Format:
[1] Yenni Asbur , Yayuk Purwaningrum , "Improvement of Soil Chemical Properties in Mature Oil Palm Plantations by Pruning and Immersing of Weeds as Cover Crops," Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, Vol. 12, No. 1, pp. 188 - 194, 2024. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2024.120118.

(b). APA Format:
Yenni Asbur , Yayuk Purwaningrum (2024). Improvement of Soil Chemical Properties in Mature Oil Palm Plantations by Pruning and Immersing of Weeds as Cover Crops. Universal Journal of Agricultural Research, 12(1), 188 - 194. DOI: 10.13189/ujar.2024.120118.