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Optimization of Nutrient Parameters Influencing Oil Palm Seedling Growth in Soil Amended with Flyash and Sludge

James Okuo, I Osa-Iguehide, B Anegbe, BM Bolanle

The efficient use of organic fertilizers as a source of nutrient has been a concern in the world oilpalm production. The large amount of Palm Oil Mill Sludge (POMS) and Fly Ash (FA) produced in palm oil industries can effectively be utilized as organic fertilisers and so minimize the amount of waste dispose to the environment. This study is aimed at optimizing the nutrient parameters influencing oil palm seedling growth in soil amended with FA and POMS. The nutrient parameters were optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM). The optimization results showed that an increase in the mass of FA and a decrease in the mass of POMS result in a decrease in the growth response of the oil palm seedlings. The responses were best with increase in the mass of POMS and a decrease in the mass of FA. Therefore, an indirect relationship exists between the masses of FA and POMS. An empirical quadratic polynomial model was developed to relate the interaction of the POMS and FA. The strong linear correlation between the observed and predicted responses showed that the model reasonably predicted the process using a quadratic polynomial. The maximum plant height of 70.4 cm at 15% soil amendment was obtained at a mass of 1.46 kg FA and 8.54 kg POMS for the 180 days planting period. Results from this study showed that co application of FA and POMS can be very effective at a maximum of 14.6% FA and minimum of 85.4% POMS by mass