Evaluation of farm yard manure (sheep bedding) on the soil fertility, leaf mineral composition, and growth performance of oil palm seedlings

This study was conducted to evaluate the growth performance and leaf mineral composition of oil palm seedlings as influenced by the application of sheep manure. Partially decomposed farmyard manure from sheep was mixed with soil and filled into polybags (28 cm x 35 cm lay flat) in proportions as treatments: (25% soil: 75% FYM); (50% soil: 50% FYM); (75% soil: 25% FYM); and (100% soil + NPK 15:15:15) as control. The treatments were laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with four (4) replications. Assessment was made for morphological growth (plant height, leaf number, and butt circumference), physiological growth (crown and root biomass) and leaf nutrients status analysed for N, P, K, Ca and Mg. There was no significant (p ≤ 0.05) difference observed in growth parameters. It was however observed that treatments with a higher amount of manure (25% soil: 75% FYM) showed significantly (p ≤ 0.05) higher biomass production than the control. The leaf nutrients analysis for N, P, K, Ca and Mg indicated lower concentration than their respective optimum levels. This study revealed that oil palm seedlings can grow well on soil amended with farmyard manure from sheep and that higher percentage of 25% soil: 75% FYM seem more promising. The FYM application will help boost the vegetative growth of oil palm seedling thus reducing inorganic fertilizer application in the nursery.