Application of oil palm empty fruit bunch effects on soil biota and functions : A case study in Sumatra, Indonesia

Tao, Hsiao-Hang and Snaddon, Jake L. and Slade, Eleanor and Henneron, Ludovic and Caliman, Jean-Pierre and Willis, Katherine J. (2018) Application of oil palm empty fruit bunch effects on soil biota and functions : A case study in Sumatra, Indonesia. Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment, 256. pp. 105-113. ISSN 0167-8809

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Abstract

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is an important tropical crop which provides one-fifth of the world’s vegetable oil, yet its rapid expansion can negatively influence the soil ecosystem. Identifying suitable agronomic management such as crop residue application is important for the sustainable development of oil palm. We examined the effects of adding empty fruit bunches (EFB), a major oil palm residue, on multiple soil abiotic properties, soil biota, and indicators of soil functions. We compared treatments of EFB applications with three application rates, and a chemical fertilizer treatment in a 15–year trial in Central Sumatra, Indonesia. EFB application increased pH and aggregate stability in 0–10 cm soils and decreased the soil bulk density. EFB application increased the abundance of soil detritivore mites, soil fauna feeding activity, and soil microbial activity. EFB application decreased the biomass of a dominant invasive earthworm species, Pontoscolex corethrurus (Müller, 1857). Results from structural equation modelling suggested that EFB directly affected soil biota and functions, rather than through altering soil abiotic properties. The effects of EFB application on most soil abiotic properties, soil biota and function indicators were independent of the application rate. Our results revealed that EFB application has a high potential to enhance soil biota and functions in oil palm plantations.

Item Type:
Journal Article
Journal or Publication Title:
Agriculture, Ecosystems and Environment
Uncontrolled Keywords:
/dk/atira/pure/subjectarea/asjc/2300/2303
Subjects:
?? crop residue managementearthwormsoil biotasoil ecosystem functioningsoil fauna feeding activitysoil microbial activitysoil mitestructural equation modellingsustainable oil palmecologyanimal science and zoologyagronomy and crop science ??
ID Code:
89794
Deposited By:
Deposited On:
22 Jun 2019 08:21
Refereed?:
Yes
Published?:
Published
Last Modified:
15 Jul 2024 17:29