International Journal of Life Science and Agriculture Research

This study aimed to determine the effect of rice husk charcoal media dosage, NPK fertilizer dosage, and their interaction on the growth of oil palm seedlings in the main nursery stage. The research was conducted at the Educational and Research Plantation of Institut Pertanian STIPER located in Maguwoharjo Village, Depok District, Sleman Regency, Yogyakarta, Indonesia, at an altitude of 118 meters above sea level. The experiment was carried out from October 2025 to January 2026.

The study employed a Completely Randomized Design (CRD) consisting of two factors. The first factor was the dosage of rice husk charcoal growing media with three levels: 200 g/polybag, 250 g/polybag, and 300 g/polybag. The second factor was the dosage of NPK 16-16-16 fertilizer with three levels: 5 g/polybag, 7.5 g/polybag, and 10 g/polybag. Growth observation data were analyzed using Analysis of Variance (ANOVA). Significant differences among treatments were further tested using Duncan’s Multiple Range Test (DMRT) at a 5% significance level.

The results showed a significant interaction effect on the fresh weight of oil palm seedlings, with the highest value of 40.60 g obtained from the combination of 200 g/polybag rice husk charcoal and 10 g/polybag NPK fertilizer. Rice husk charcoal dosage significantly affected stem diameter and leaf number, with the highest values of 19.97 mm and 6.75 leaves, respectively, obtained at 300 g/polybag. NPK fertilizer dosage significantly increased plant height and leaf number, with the highest values of 18.78 cm and 6.58 leaves, respectively, recorded at 10 g/polybag.

oil palm seedlings, main nursery, rice husk charcoal dosage, NPK fertilizer dosage

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