The Diversity of Oil Palm Weeds Results in The People's Oil Palm Plantations in Kuantan Singingi Regency

Abstract

Weeds are defined as plants that have the potential to disrupt or harm human interests, and as a result, humans have developed methods to control their proliferation. The weeds in oil palm plantations exhibit considerable diversity, encompassing grasses, sedges, and woody plants. This research aims to ascertain the diversity of weed species present in mature oil palm plantations in the Kuantan Singing District.  The research was conducted using the proposed random sampling method. Data were collected through direct interviews, which included information such as the age of the plant and the type of herbicide and fertilizer used. The weed vegetation was analysed using the quadrant method on each plot of land. The observation plots were 10 m x 10 m in size, with 25 plots in each garden.  The weeds are identified at each observation point through a visual examination of their morphological characteristics, which are then matched with those described in the relevant literature. The observations of plantation conditions indicate that the predominant age of the oil palm is 5-7 years, with a planting distance of 8x9 metres. The soil types observed in each plantation area included black sandy, white sandy, and rocky, with black sandy soil representing the dominant soil type.  Farmers employ both mechanical and chemical techniques to control weeds. The frequency of control is once every three months. A total of 14, 12, and 9 weed species were identified in the Central Kuantan, Inuman, and Sintajo Raya sub-districts, respectively. The results of the observation of the types of weeds found in the people's coconut plantations on yield crops revealed the presence of five types of narrow-leaf weeds, ten types of broad-leaf weeds, and four types of fern weeds.