The effect of root cutting on the availability of organic carbon stock in oil palm plants (elaeis guneensis jacq)

Abstract

Palm oil (Elaeis guenesis jacq) is an important commodity in Indonesia. Assessments of the underlying causes of yield gaps in oil palm production systems worldwide are lacking in exploring existing knowledge about oil palm productivity from a crop physiological perspective. Modifying the roots of oil palm plants through root cutting can affect the availability of carbon stocks in the soil because roots are one of the sources of organic carbon input into the soil. The purpose of the study was to analyses the effect of cutting the roots of oil palm plants on the availability of carbon stocks and soil fertility for these crops. The land where the study took place had a relatively low soil fertility status, there were several parameters observed showing low availability status in the soil. The low content of nutrients in the soil causes limited soil in providing nutrients to support plant growth.