Change of heterotrophic respiration and biomass in oil palm planted on tropical peat soil by application of nitrogen fertilizer
Joko Tandiono
, Thamrin, Hapsoh, Trisla Warningsih
Abstract: Management of nitrogen nutrients through fertilization in oil palm plantations on peatland is essential to minimize the impact of CO₂ emissions and ensure the growth and development of the palms. The objective of this study is to understand the relationship between N fertilizer dosage and heterotrophic respiration, vegetative growth, and physiology in oil palm planted on tropical peatland. The study was conducted by using a randomized complete block design with four replications of nitrogen fertilizer treatment dosages of 0.5 kg N/palm/year, 1 kg N/palm/year, 1.5 kg N/palm/year, and a control with 0 kg N/palm/year. Observation variables include heterotrophic respiration, environmental parameters (soil temperature and ground water level, vegetative growth (height, length of fronds, girth of trunk, leaf area and dry biomass), and physiological responses (leaf greenness level and N nutrient content in palms). The research results show that the application of nitrogen fertilizer has an effect on cumulative CO₂ emissions with a positive linear relationship. Environmental factors such as soil temperature and ground water level have a role in influencing CO₂ emissions, heterotrophic respiration reaches its peak at temperature 31.0°C and ground water depth 59.3 cm. The application of nitrogen fertilizer also has an influence on palm height, frond length, palm dry biomass, and leaf greenness, but has no effect on trunk diameter, leaf area and nitrogen nutrient content in leaf tissue, where the fertilizer dose is 1.5 kg N/palm/year had a significant response.
Keywords: CO2 Flux; Nitrogen Fertilizer; Oil Palm; Peat soil
Citation: Tandiono, J., Thamrin, Hapsoh & Warningsih, T. (2025). Change of heterotrophic respiration and biomass in oil palm planted on tropical peat soil by application of nitrogen fertilizer. Bulg. J. Agric. Sci., 31(2), 313–322.
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| Date published: 2025-04-28
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