| Abstrak/Abstract |
Oil palm cultivation on peatlands is of great importance for improving the wellbeing of farmers. Managing peatlands is challenged
by poor nutrient availability and low nutrient retention. Applying ameliorants and fertilizers is required to enhance peat soil
properties. .is study aimed to assess the e5ect of biochar and ash from oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFBs), dolomite, and
mineral fertilizers on peat soil quality and fertility. .e :eld experiment was conducted on young oil palm cultivation in the
peatland of Palalawan regency, Riau province, Indonesia, by using a randomized block design with two treatment factors. .e :rst
factor was the ameliorant: dolomite, dolomite + ash from OPEFB, and dolomite + biochar from OPEFB. .e second factor was the
dose of NPK compound fertilizer: NPK with standard recommendation dose, NPK with site-speci:c recommended dose, and
NPK with farmer’s dose. .e observed parameters included soil properties, leaf nutrient status, and midrib characteristics.
Assessing the treatment e5ect used an analysis of variation and treatment mean comparison using the Tukey test. .e results
showed that ash and biochar from OPEFB improved peat soil pH, electrical conductivity, available phosphorus (P) and potassium
(K), and the growth of oil palm plants. Applying NPK fertilizer using the site-speci:c recommendations dose improved soil
properties, leaf nutrient status (N, P, and K), and the growth of one-year-old oil palms. .e utilization of ash and biochar from
OPEFB may reduce agricultural lime on peatlands.
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