Potential of Palm Oil Mill Effluent From 30 and 60 Tons Hour⁻¹ Mills as Nutrient Sources For Oil Palm (Elaeis guineesis Jacq.) Planations
Abstract
Palm Oil Mill Effluent (POME) is one of the main liquid wastes generated from palm oil processing industries and has high potential to cause environmental pollution if not properly managed. However, POME contains various macro- and micronutrients that can potentially be utilized as an organic liquid fertilizer for oil palm plantations. This study aimed to evaluate the potential of POME generated from palm oil mills with capacities of 30 tons hour⁻¹ and 60 tons hour⁻¹ as nutrient sources for oil palm cultivation. The research was conducted using a quantitative descriptive method through laboratory analysis of macro- and micronutrient contents and statistical analysis using the Independent Samples T-Test. The observed macronutrients included nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg), and calcium (Ca), while the micronutrients included boron (B), copper (Cu), zinc (Zn), iron (Fe), and manganese (Mn). The results showed that POME from both mill capacities contained essential nutrients with different nutrient characteristics. POME from the 60 tons hour⁻¹ mill contained higher nitrogen and copper concentrations, indicating greater potential to support vegetative growth. In contrast, POME from the 30 tons hour⁻¹ mill contained higher potassium, phosphorus, magnesium, boron, and iron concentrations, which are more favorable for generative growth and fruit formation. Statistical analysis indicated significant differences in most nutrient parameters between the two mill capacities. Overall, POME has considerable potential to be utilized as an organic liquid fertilizer to support sustainable oil palm plantation systems while reducing environmental pollution and dependence on inorganic fertilizers. A key advantage of this study is the identification of distinct nutrient profiles of POME produced by different mill capacities, allowing more targeted utilization according to oil palm growth stages. Therefore, POME from 60 tons h⁻¹ mills is recommended for vegetative growth enhancement, while POME from 30 tons h⁻¹ mills is more suitable for supporting reproductive growth and fruit development.
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