Conversion of Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunch Fiber Waste into Green Liquid Organic Fertilizer

Abstract

Solid wastes generated from the oil palm industry contain valuable nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium that can significantly enhance plant growth and potentially elevate fertilizer production. This study aims to identify the optimal formulation of liquid organic fertilizer (LOF) derived from oil palm empty fruit bunch (OPEFB) fiber waste. Three formulations of LOF were prepared, comprising OPEFB waste, molasses, noni fruit, and cattle urine, designated as Formulation A, B, and C. These formulations underwent a 14-day anaerobic incubation period. The formulated OPEFB LOF was then analyzed for nutrient content, electrical conductivity, and total dissolved solids. This study also examines the soil properties and plant growth outcomes following the application of the formulated OPEFB LOF. The results indicated that Formulation A exhibited the highest nutrient concentrations, specifically 485 ppm nitrogen, 95 ppm phosphorus, and 1007 ppm potassium. In comparison to the other two OPEFB LOF formulations, Formulation A showed the lowest values for total dissolved solids (502 ppm) and electrical conductivity (8.14 dS/m). The findings demonstrated that Formulation A displayed the most favorable growth characteristics in terms of leaf count, plant height, leaf length, and leaf width. This is attributed to the nitrogen-boosting properties of cattle urine, along with the complementary effects of molasses and noni fruit as soil improver and bio-activator. This study confirms the viability of utilizing green organic fertilizer derived from OPEFB substrate in agriculture, replacing conventional inorganic fertilizers.