TITLE: TRICHODERMA HARZIANUM AS A GROWTH ENHANCER OF OIL PALMS IN THE FIELD
1Mohd Hefni Rusli, 1Faridah Abdullah, 2Zainal Abidin Mior Ahmad and 3Arbakariya Mohd Ariff
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 Serdang, Selangor.
2Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia.43400 Serdang, Selangor.
3Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 Serdang, Selangor.
Email: mohd_hefni81@yahoo.com.
1Mohd Hefni Rusli, 1Faridah Abdullah, 2Zainal Abidin Mior Ahmad and 3Arbakariya Mohd Ariff
1Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 Serdang, Selangor.
2Department of Plant Protection, Faculty of Agriculture, Universiti Putra Malaysia.43400 Serdang, Selangor.
3Institute of Bioscience, Universiti Putra Malaysia,43400 Serdang, Selangor.
Email: mohd_hefni81@yahoo.com.
Abstract
The effect of Trichoderma compost on the growth of oil palms was investigated. The Trichoderma compost was obtained from its producers and tested for enhancement of growth on field palms. Field trials were conducted at at Mungka Estate, Segamat, Johor. This trial was given the same treatments and assessed over six months. Five treatments were made, namely applications of Trichoderma compost, fertilizers, commercial compost, 1:1 Trichoderma compost with fertilizers and1:1 Trichoderma with commercial compost. No applications were made on the control. Five growth parameters were assessed, namely stem girth, frond production, pinnae number, frond length and chlorophyll content in the leaves. Based on a summation of parameters, the best growth from the trial was shown by seedlings treated with Trichoderma compost and 1:1 Trichoderma compost with fertilizers. This was followed by fertilizers, commercial compost, 1:1 Trichoderma with commercial compost and finally the control, in descending order. Thus, Trichoderma compost was confirmed to be a good growth enhancer for both seedlings in the nursery, as well as for young palms in the field.
The effect of Trichoderma compost on the growth of oil palms was investigated. The Trichoderma compost was obtained from its producers and tested for enhancement of growth on field palms. Field trials were conducted at at Mungka Estate, Segamat, Johor. This trial was given the same treatments and assessed over six months. Five treatments were made, namely applications of Trichoderma compost, fertilizers, commercial compost, 1:1 Trichoderma compost with fertilizers and1:1 Trichoderma with commercial compost. No applications were made on the control. Five growth parameters were assessed, namely stem girth, frond production, pinnae number, frond length and chlorophyll content in the leaves. Based on a summation of parameters, the best growth from the trial was shown by seedlings treated with Trichoderma compost and 1:1 Trichoderma compost with fertilizers. This was followed by fertilizers, commercial compost, 1:1 Trichoderma with commercial compost and finally the control, in descending order. Thus, Trichoderma compost was confirmed to be a good growth enhancer for both seedlings in the nursery, as well as for young palms in the field.
