THE EFFECT OF CULTIVING MEDIA AND UREA FERTILIZER APPLICATION ON THE GROWTH OF OIL PALM (Elaeis gueneensis Jacq.) SEEDS IN PRE-NURSERY

Abstract

• Introduction: This study aims to determine the growth response of Pre Nursery oil palm seedlings to the application of N fertilizer, manure and to the application of N fertilizer and manure. • Materials and Methods: This research was carried out in Prestasi District, Langkat Regency, North Sumatra from March 2022 to July 2022. The method used in this study was a Factorial Randomized Block Design (RBD). It consists of two factors, namely: The first factor which consists of two treatments namely, M1: Top Soil, and Manure (1: 1), M2: Top Soil, and Sand (1: 1 ). The Second Factor consists of 3 factors namely, F=0 CONTROL (without treatment), F1=1 gram/liter of water, F2=1.5 grams/liter of water. Variables observed were Plant Height, Stem Diameter, Number of Leaves, Leaf Area. • Results : growing media had no significant effect on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. The treatment of nitrogen fertilizer application had no significant effect on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. The interaction of growing media and application of nitrogen fertilizer had no significant effect on plant height, stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area. In general, the M2N1 interaction treatment (Top Soil: Sand and 1.5 grams) produced the highest values for stem diameter, number of leaves, and leaf area.