Volume 3, Number 5, March 2022 e-ISSN: 2797-6068 and p-ISSN: 2777-0915
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KEYWORDS Analysis of oil palm vegetative growth in
Pre-nursery and Main nursery ARTICLE
INFO Accepted: February, 25 th 2022 Revised: March, 13th 2022 Approved: March, 14th
2022 |
ABSTRACT Oil palm (Elaeis Guineensis Jagc.) is an oil
palm plant belonging to the palm group which is an annual plant, oil palm is
also a source of non-oil and gas foreign exchange for Indonesia. This
research activity was carried out at PT. Socfindo Kebun seunagan, Nagan Raya,
West Sumatra from 18 November 2021 to 16 December 2021. Research activities
are specifically at learning and improving technical and managerial skills.
The data obtained are primary data (direct) and secondary data (indirect).
Primary data is data that the author directly observed during his internship
at PT. Socfindo, in the form of plant height, stem diameter, and number of
leaves. Direct observations to determine technical activities in the field
and compared to standards, as well as direct discussions with workers and
staff about oil palm nurseries. Secondary data obtained from daily reports,
monthly reports and plant archives, secondary data includes climate,
fertilization, organizational structure and matters related to labor.
Observations on the vegetative growth of oil palm seedlings are expected to
achieve appropriate growth. The purpose of this observation activity is to
improve understanding, and technical skills, as well as to analyze oil palm
nursery activities at the Pre-nursery and Main nursery stages at PT. Socfindo
Seunagan Gardens. |
INTRODUCTION
Oil palm (El aeis Guineensis Jagc.)
is an annual oil palm plant that belongs to the palm family; it is also a
source of non-oil and gas foreign exchange for Indonesia. Palm oil's major products
are palm fruit bunches, which generate palm oil in the pulp (mesocarp), also
known as Crude Palm Oil (CPO), and palm kernel oil, also known as Palm Kernel
Oil (PKO) (De Petris,
Boccardo, & Borgogno-Mondino, 2019; SARAGIH, Hanum, & Hanafiah, 2016).
The Indonesian government has
decided to promote oil palm plantation lands due to the potential of palm oil
in the global vegetable oil trade. In 2007, the area of oil palm plantations in
Indonesia was 6.766.836 ha, with a production of 17,664,725 tons and a
productivity of 2.6 tons ha-1. Moreover, it is expected to grow rapidly to
12.307.677 ha in 2017, with a palm oil production of 35.359.384 tons and a
productivity of 2.9 tons ha-1 (Oil palm plantation data, 2006).
Seeding is the process of
cultivating and maturing seeds so that they are ready to plant. A seedling
process is required for most crops, including oil palm, because it is
considerably more profitable than planting directly in the field. Seedling can
be accomplished in one or two stages. Two-stage nurseries, including the Pre-nursery
and the main nursery, are seen to be more appropriate (Afrillah, 2015;
Laksono &
Nugroho, 2020).
Palm oil has many carotenoids in it.
Carotenoids are pigments that give foods a reddish hue. Furthermore, there is a
key component, palmitic saturated fatty acid, which gives the oil a
thick-semi-solid feel and leads it to solidify into solid fat in temperate
regions. Palm oil is a key ingredient in a variety of traditional West African
recipes. Palm fruit was introduced from Africa to America from the 14th to the
17th centuries. It has spread to eastern North America. Palm oil is a
significant source of vegetable oil for the country's economy. Oil palm
agriculture is most commonly practiced in nations with tropical temperatures
and high rainfall (minimum 1,600 mm per year). The palm oil industry's growth
in tropical countries has been fueled by its high productivity potential. This
is because, when compared to other crops, oil palm can provide the largest oil
production per unit area. Furthermore, the palm oil harvests yields two types
of oil: palm oil and palm kernel oil, both of which are in high demand on the
global market (Gashgari, R.,
Alharbi, K., Mughrbil, K., Jan, A., & Glolam, 2018; Kusuma, 2015; Lubis
& Agus Widanarko, 2011; Saeyang & Nissapa, 2021).
Oil palm farms can assist domestic
companies based on palm oil commodity products from an economic standpoint (McCarthy,
Gillespie, & Zen, 2012; Purnomo et al., 2020). In the food and non-food industries, palm oil
and palm kernel oil are commonly utilized. Palm oil or palm kernel oil is also
used to manufacture cooking oil in the food industry such as food fat,
margarine, and other types of fat (cacao butter substitute). Fractionation,
refining, and hydrogenation are the most common processes used to make these
foods (Dian et al.,
2017).
The purpose of this observation
activity is to improve understanding, and technical skills, as well as to
analyze oil palm nursery activities at the Pre-nursery and Main nursery stages
at PT. Socfindo Kebun Seunagan.
METHOD
RESEARCH�������������������������������
From November 18, 2021 to December
16, 2021, this study activity was carried out in PT. Socfindo, Seunagan Nagan
Raya Plantation, Aceh. This research effort employed a direct and indirect
research strategy to collect primary and secondary data. Direct work experience
in the sector is obtained by actively participating in the implementation of
company activities, such as becoming a freelance daily employee (KHL). In
addition to conducting observations and taking indirect approaches, data on
plantations is collected in the form of daily, monthly, and annual reports, as
well as various garden archives. Rainfall data must also be monitored for the
vegetative growth of oil palms with enough water content. Primary data was obtained
by making direct observations in the field of all activities carried out on the
plantation. Activities that take place every day are written in a daily journal
as a freelance daily employee (KHL). Field observation data is focused on
nursery management, namely the pre-nursery and the main nursery. There are
several observations that the authors collect as primary data, such as:
1.
Observation of the amount of rainfall.
This information is used to calculate the quantity of rain that
falls each day in order to meet the daily water need per seedling, which is
then adjusted for the time it takes to reach the average seedling capacity in
each polybag.
2.
Observation of plant vegetative growth, namely stem diameter, plant
height, and number of leaves in the Pre-Nursery and the main nursery
The information will be used to determine the vegetative growth of
oil palm seedlings of various kinds. In the Pre Nursery, up to 20 seedlings
were observed, and in the main nursery, up to 20 plants were observed. Each oil
palm seed that was observed was given a number to distinguish which seeds were
still being examined and which seeds would be jumbled up in the following
week's observation.
Oil palm seedlings were measured for
stem diameter, plant height, and number of leaves after 1 month of age in Pre
Nursery, and after 3 months of seedlings in the main nursery. The diameter of
the stem was measured with a caliper around 1 cm from the soil surface at the
stem's base, the value of the measurement with a caliper. From the base of the
stem to the tip of the highest leaf, the plant's height was measured and
straightened with a ruler. Only those leaf midribs, which have fully bloomed
and are green in color, are tallied.
Data collected on plantations, such
as daily, monthly, and annual reports, is used to generate secondary data.
Garden maps, rainfall, land and crop conditions, plantation production and
productivity, organizational structure, and other data are needed for general
conditions and operations in plantations.
Meanwhile, secondary data such as
the state of the nursery land, the condition of the seeds, the age of the plant
seeds in each block of the nursery area, the results of the work, and other
data or information are required for those connected to unique elements of
nursery management.��������
RESULT AND DISCUSSION
Nursery conditions
Seedling can be accomplished in one
or two stages. Oil palm sprouts are planted directly in huge polybags or in the
main nursery in a one-stage nursery. The single stage nursery method, also
known as single stage nursery, is a method of seeding that involves planting
seeds directly in large polybags without first planting them in smaller
polybags, with a large polybag size of 40 cm x 50 cm and a thickness of 0.2 mm
in the field.
Sprouts are planted in the
pre-nursery first, using small polybags and shade/beds. Then relocated to the
main nursery using larger polybags when they are 2.5 - 3 months old. Pre
Nursery for 2.5 months to 3 months and Main Nursery for 9 to 12 months is the
seedling approach. Sprouts are planted in 14 cm x 23 cm baby bags with a
thickness of 0.1 mm in the modified beds during the Pre Nursery period. Because
of the long removal procedure and the high amount of oil palm seeds,
PT.socfindo seunagan gardens are often ready for planting at 2.5 months. This
is to avoid delays in planting.
The nursery system at PT Socfindo
uses a Double stage system or a two-stage system, namely pre nursery and the
main nursery system. The use of soil that is filled into polybags should use
Top Soil, starting from the pre nursery and the main nursery, ensure that the
soil is free from garbage and free from ganoderma fungus (no fruiting body)
A week or two before planting oil
palm seedlings/sprouts, the polybags have been filled with soil. Then the
polybags are arranged into beds with a bed width of 1.2 m, can be filled with
12 baby bags, the length of the beds is adjusted depending on the needs and the
distance between the beds is 0.6 m, used for planting, fertilizing, selection,
and control purposes.
In the main nursery, the 2.5 month
old seedlings in the pre nursery are ready for planting, transferred to a
larger polybag and then placed far apart with a distance of 90x90x90 cm, the
purpose of providing distance is for planting, care, fertilization purposes. ,
selection, and control, as well as expanding midrib strands.
Seed maintenance includes watering,
fertilizing, controlling pests and diseases. Watering is carried out every day
for 6 hours a day, in the morning at 00.07-10.00 am and in the afternoon from
16.30-17.30, adjusted to the water needs of the nursery area, the required
water capacity per day is 10mm per polybag, weeding Weeds are carried out in
polybags and around polybags, weeding is done manually by spraying using a
knapsack or by hand. Fertilization in the initial nursery was carried out at
the age of 3 WAP and the main nursery at the age of 12 WAP, then the next
fertilizer application was given at an interval of 1 week. The type of
fertilizer used is NPK and Urea, by dissolving it and then flushing it using
gembor (in early nurseries). The type of fertilizer used in the main nursery is
NPK and Urea, the application is spread in polybags.
Sprout varieties
PT.socfindo issued 3 types of
superior varieties, namely:
1.
DxP UNGGUL SOCFINDO LaMe
�The main advantage of DxP LaMe is that it is
more tolerant of environmental stresses so that it is able to produce a large
number of bunches per tree (25-33 bunches per year at the age of 3-5 years).
Slow growth in height (40-50cm/year) makes the cycle of this variety longer (up
to 30 years). Some DxP LaMes also have resistance to Fusarium disease.
2.
DxP UNGGUL SOCFINDO Yangambi
The dominant characteristic of this
variety is being able to produce a high early harvest (quick starter). With a
large number of bunches and heavy. This variety is very suitable for planting
in areas with an even distribution of rainfall throughout the year with good
drainage.
3.
DxP UNGGUL SOCFINDO MT Gano
The DxP Socfindo MT Gano variety as
a new variety released in 2013 was proven to be tolerant of Ganoderma disease
with high production capacity. Due to its tolerant nature, Ganoderma makes tree
density can be maintained so that the productive life becomes longer than
ordinary varieties. Or often called "Sustainable Oil Palm Planting
Material".
Vegetative Growth
�While the authors conducted research at PT. Socfindo
Seunagan Garden, observations during the pre-nursery period were carried out
from the age of 1 month (4 MST), and observations at the main nursery period
were carried out from 3 months (12 MST). Observing the diversity of seeds by
means of vegetative measurements is a simple way to determine the quality of
the seeds planted. Vegetative growth observed from November 18, 2021 to
December 16, 2021, can be seen in the following table.
Table
1. Vegetative growth
|
Vegetative
growth |
MST |
Pre-nursery |
MST |
|
Plant height
(cm) |
4 |
12.5 |
12 |
|
6 |
16.2 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
18.4 |
16 |
|
|
Number of
leaves |
4 |
2 |
12 |
|
6 |
3 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
4 |
16 |
|
|
Rod
diameter(mm) |
4 |
4.25 |
12 |
|
6 |
5.6 |
14 |
|
|
8 |
7.8 |
16 |
Vegetative plant growth is the most
frequently observed measure of plant growth, both as an indicator of growth and
as a variable used to measure environmental influences. Plants are said to be
good if the growth of plant height is good and neither stunted nor too fast.
Plant height shows the vegetative growth of a plant. Plant growth measurements
were carried out starting from stem diameter, number of leaves, and plant
height. Performed three times with an interval of 2 weeks once per 20 plants.
Observations made were then analyzed using regression analysis.
The results of observations can be
seen in table 1 above that plant height, stem diameter, and number of leaves
increase every week from the beginning of the observation, this shows that the
amount of nutrient and water needs at each planting is very sufficient, of
course accompanied by regular fertilizer application every one week. Once, the
increase in stem diameter, plant height, and number of leaves did not only
occur in the pre-nursery but also in the main nursery. According to Autixier et al. (2014), water sources in tidal lands aside from
rainwater are also from surrounding rivers, water sources both from rain and
river flows that enter the garden area must be managed as well as possible
during the rainy season and dry season, of course so that the level of Water in
the garden can be maintained so that the needs of plants for water are
fulfilled and not excess.
The ideal rainfall for oil palm
growth is 2000-2500 mm/year because the effective water requirement for oil
palm is 1300-1500 mm/year (Ferwerda, 1977). Conditions of high rainfall affect the
formation and development of female flowers into fruit that fail to form. On
the other hand, low rainfall results in a lack of water supply in the long
term. Maryani, Anis Tatik.("The effect of water supply volume on the
growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery (Fauzi,
Widyastuti, Satyawibawa, & Paeru, 2012).
It can be seen in table 2 that the
average rainfall at PT.socfindo in the last 2 months can meet the needs of oil
palm seeds in each polybag, where each polybag requires a water capacity of 10
mm per day, watering is done by checking the water capacity provided. by
rainfall, then adjust the watering time using sprinkles in the seedling area.
Table
2. Daily rainfall data at PT. Socfindo Kebun Subagan
In
general, it can be seen that the seedling height, stem diameter, and number of
leaves of the Socfindo variety dominated by a few percent and had higher growth
rates than ordinary seedlings in general, at
the age of 12 WAP the socfin variety was superior (22.1 cm) and which is
generally (20.0 cm). Socfindo variety has a higher number of leaves than the
general variety. This is an advantage for the Socfindo variety because at the
age of 2.5 months, Socfindo's DxP variety seeds already have 3-4 leaves and can
be directly transferred to the next planting stage, namely the main nursery.
CONCLUSION
The
results of the analysis of vegetative growth data showed that planting and
maintaining plants in the pre-nursery and main nursery according to procedures
had a significant effect on the growth of oil palm seedlings. This is indicated
by the very good seedling growth data compared to the general growth data at
the same seedling age.
.
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Copyright holders:
Hari Purnama,
Muhammad Afrillah (2022)
First publication right:
Devotion -
Journal of Community Service
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