Journal of Smart Agriculture and Environmental Technology
Vol. 4 No. 2 (2026): August 2026

Biochar and Solid Decanter Improve Selected Soil Chemical Properties and Leaf Nutrient Status of Oil Palm Seedlings under Reduced NPK Fertilization

Sakiah (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Siti F Batubara (Faculty of Agriculture. Universitas Sumatera Utara. Medan, Indonesia)
Febriana Roosmawati (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Saroha Manurung (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Rahmad Dian (Politeknik STTT Bandung)
Sigi Ardika (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Adiani Y Siahaan (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Riki Pradana (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)
Bolkiah Habibie (Institut Teknologi Sawit Indonesia, North Sumatra, Indonesia)



Article Info

Publish Date
13 Aug 2026

Abstract

Oil palm seedling growth in acid mineral soils is often constrained by low soil fertility and limited nutrient retention, making organic amendments a potential strategy to improve growing media quality while reducing mineral fertilizer input. This study evaluated the effects of biochar and solid decanter, applied individually or in combination, on soil chemical properties and leaf nutrient status of oil palm seedlings under reduced  compound mineral fertilizer rates. The experiment was arranged in a non-factorial randomized block design with seven treatments and four replications. The treatments were P0: without soil amendment + 100% NPK fertilizer; P1: 0.6 kg plant−1 solid decanter + 75% NPK fertilizer; P2: 0.6 kg plant−1 solid decanter + 50% NPK fertilizer; P3: 1.5 kg plant−1 biochar + 75% NPK fertilizer; P4: 1.5 kg plant−1 biochar + 50% NPK fertilizer; P5: 0.6 kg plant−1 solid decanter + 1.5 kg plant−1 biochar + 75% NPK fertilizer; and P6: 0.6 kg plant−1 solid decanter +1.5 kg plant−1 biochar + 50% NPK fertilizer. After 14 weeks of treatment application, the treatment packages significantly affected soil organic carbon, total soil nitrogen, leaf phosphorus concentration, and soil exchangeable potassium. Soil organic carbon increased from 1.33% in the control to 5.83% in the combined biochar and solid decanter treatment with 50% NPK fertilizer. Total soil nitrogen also increased from 0.13% to 0.49% under the same treatment. However, soil pH, soil available phosphorus, leaf nitrogen, and leaf potassium were not significantly affected. These findings indicate that the integrated amendment-fertilizer packages, particularly the combination of biochar + solid decanter + 50% NPK fertilizer, improved soil organic carbon and total soil nitrogen and supported selected nutrient parameters, including leaf phosphorus concentration and soil exchangeable potassium, under a 25% to 50% reduction in the recommended NPK fertilizer rate.

Copyrights © 2026






Journal Info

Abbrev

smartagrienvitech

Publisher

Subject

Agriculture, Biological Sciences & Forestry Biochemistry, Genetics & Molecular Biology Earth & Planetary Sciences Environmental Science Veterinary

Description

The Journal of Smart Agriculture and Environmental Technology (JOSAET) is an international, interdisciplinary publication committed to addressing current issues in agriculture and environmental sciences. Our mission is to promote sustainable and safe food production practices for the future without ...