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

The efficient use of organic fertilisers 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 fertilizers 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.

AGRO-INDUSTRIAL WASTE SUSTAINABLE MANAGEMENT – A POTENTIAL SOURCE OF ECONOMIC BENEFITS TO PALM OIL MILLS IN MALAYSIA

Over the decades the palm oil industry has managed some challenging environmental concerns regarding land transformation and degradation, increase in eutrophication, changing habitats of wildlife, pesticides runoff into inland watercourses, and probable climate change. Countries producing palm oil desire to do so in a more sustainable way that will leave the environment evergreen. Therefore this paper aims to encourage sustainable management of agro-industrial waste and its potential in making financial returns from the same waste. Hence, the study was conducted with the participation of seven local palm oil mills having different capacities and operation age. Attention was given to milling waste as they could cause serious environmental menace if unattended to properly. Milling waste includes lignocellulosic palm biomass namely the empty fruit bunches (EFB), oil palm shell (OPS), mesocarp fibres, palm oil mill effluent (POME), and palm oil mill sludge (POMS), as well as solid waste generated from the further processing of these biomass into the palm oil fuel ashes (POFA) and palm oil clinkers (POC). The opportunities available to the Malaysian palm oil industry and the financial benefits which may accrue from waste generated during palm oil production process cannot be over emphasized.