Oil palm seedlings require both macro and micronutrients for their growth and development processes. The following study aimed to determine the effect of compost manure made of empty fruit bunches and NPK compound fertilizer (16:16:16) and their interaction on the growth characters of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings. The study proceeded in a complete randomized design (CRD) with a factorial arrangement. The first factor was the compost manure of empty fruit bunches (EFB) of oil palm with 100 g (EFB1), 150 g (EFB2), and 200 g (EFB3) per plant. The second factor was the NPK compound fertilizer (P) (16:16:16) with three levels at 40 g (P1), 60 g (P2), and 80 g (P3) per plant. The study results revealed the best EFB compost at a dose of 200 g per plant can increase the oil palm seedlings’ growth in the parameters of stem base diameter, the number of leaves, leaf area, and dry weight of seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer was a dose of 60–80 g per plant, which can increase plant height, stem base diameter, the number of leaves, and dry weight of seedlings. The combination of 200 g EFB compost per plant and 60 g NPK fertilizer per plant can enhance the growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery.
Oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings, compost manure, NPK compound fertilizer, factors interaction, growth characters
Results showed the EFB compost (200 g plant-1) increased the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The best provision of the NPK fertilizer with a dose of 60–80 g per plant enhanced the growth of oil palm (E. guineensis) seedlings. The combination of EFB compost (200 g plant-1) and NPK fertilizer (60 g plant-1) considerably improved the oil palm seedlings’ growth.