EFFECTS OF AMENDING SOIL WITH MICROBES ON THE SOIL

MICROBIAL POPULATAION IN OIL PLAM PLANTATION

Noor Khairani, M.B.1*, Mohamadu Boyie Jalloh1,2, Mahmud Sudin3, Rakib, M.R.M.1,2, Markus Atong1,2,
and Clament Chin Fui Seung1
1Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, UMS, Locked Bag No. 3, 90509 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.

Sustainable Palm Oil Research Unit, Faculty of Sustainable Agriculture, UMS, Locked Bag No. 3, 90509 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysia.
2

3Faculty of Science and Natural Resources, UMS, 88400 Kota Kinabalu, Sabah, Malaysia.

*Tel: +6013-8846774, E-mail: noorkhairani1001@gmail.com

INTRODUCTION / NOVELTY
Chemical fertilizer input is one of the main components in plantation
management cost. It is costing the Malaysian oil palm industry billions of
RM per year. Alternatives to chemical fertilizers that can contribute
toward reduced use is worth exploring.
Such alternative must not compromise yield, profit and the environment.
The alternative must essentially contribute to a more sustainable oil palm
industry and ensuring triple wins for people, planet and profit.
OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the effect of microbial based bio-fertilizers (BF) on soil
microbial population
METHODOLOGY
A 3 years field study carried out in a 13-years-old oil palm estate Figure 1 Effect of treatment application on the numbers of total
(Genting Plantations, Sekong Estate). There were 10 treatments using a
randomized complete block design with 4 replicates (Total of 40 plots). bacteria count from 2012 to 2015. CFU is colony-forming units
The chemical and microbial/bio-fertilizers (BF) combinations used as
treatments are listed below:

T1 : Normal Estate Fertilizer (NEF) or conventional fertilizer (CF) rate

T2 : LSM Best Practice
T3 : LSM Best Practice + 100% NEF or CF
T4 : LSM Best Practice + 50% NEF or CF
T5 : LSM Best Practice + Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB)
T6 : LSM Best Practice + EFB + 50% NEF or CF
T7 : LSM Best Practice + Agriorganica Best Practice
T8 : Agriorganica Best Practice + 100% NEF or CF
T9 : Mycogold Best Practice + 100% NEF or CF
T10 : No Treatment (control)

Soil samples were collected aseptically from the soil surface 0-15 cm
depths in each experimental plot at yearly intervals starting from Figure 2 Effect of treatment application on the numbers of
preliminary period (June 2012) till end of the study for three years (June
2013, June 2014 and June 2015). actinomycetes count from 2012 to 2015. CFU is colony-forming units

Populations of selected components of the soil microbial community were

measured with the surface spread plate count method. Then soil samples
were serially diluted from 10-3 to 10-7 dilutions using sterile distilled water
as a blank and they were inoculated in selected agar medium by spread
plate technique. Three (3) types of agar medium were used, nutrient
agar, actinomycetes isolation agar, and potato dextrose agar. After 48
and 36 hours of incubation at 36oC the colonies were counted using a
colony counter. After the incubation period, the colony forming units
were counted and expressed as CFU x10 g-1 of dry soil basis.
IMPORTANT FINDINGS
1. The total bacteria counts, influenced by the type of fertilizer applied,
were higher in treatment 6 (LSM + EFB + 50% NEP chemical
fertilizer) 82.69× 10-6 CFU g-1 dry soil and treatment 5 (LSM + EFB)
78.44× 10-6 CFU g-1 dry soil when compared to the other treatments. Figure 3 Effect of treatment application on the numbers of total fungi
2. The actinomycetes counts showed there were no significant different from 2012 to 2015. CFU is colony-forming units
(p>0.05) in preliminary count (2012) for all treatments. However,
counts were significantly different (p<0.05) after 3 year treatment. POTENTIAL APPLICATION
Actinomycetes counts were higher in treatment 6 (LSM + EFB + 50% 1. The millions of hectares of oil palm plantations can adopt this
NEP chemical fertilizer) 89.31 x 10-4 g-1 dry soil, respectively(Table 2). approach.
2. A form of good and sustainable agriculture practice that everyone is
3. Preliminary data showed there were no significant different (p>0.05) advocating.
in fungi count for all treatments. Fungi counts were higher in
treatment 6 (LSM + EFB + 50% NEP chemical fertilizer) 35.81 x 10-5 IMPACTS TO SOCIETY, ECONOMY & NATION
CFU g-1 dry soil, respectively, when compared to other treatments in 1. Huge (millions of RM) savings in terms of financial/economic cost to
2015. Growth of fungi was better in treatment 6 compared to other the plantation industry in Malaysia.
treatments. Fungi population was increase with application of EFB in 2. Sustained soil health by reducing used of chemical fertilizer..
treatment 5 (LSM + EFB) and treatment 6 (LSM + EFB + 50% NEP). 3. Huge potential in reducing the environmental pollution to rivers and
Reduce used of chemical fertilizer also slightly increase fungi streams nearby oil palm plantations.
population in treatment 2 (LSM) and treatment 10 (Zero treatment). 4. The danger of fertilizer pollution affecting the activities of those
depending on rivers for their livelihood ( eg. fishermen) will be
4. Continuous applications of chemical fertilizer reduce the population of reduced.
bacteria, actinomycetes and fungi in treatment 1 (NEP chemical
fertilizer application).
LIST OF PUBLICATIONS:
1. Noor Khairani M. B and Jalloh, M.B (2015). Alternative approaches to the use of chemical fertilizers in oil palm via soil microbial augmentation. In Sustainability and
challenges of the oil palm industry. Eds Baba Musta, Khim Phin Chong, Leong Wan Vun, Constance Yang Ying Chung. SPOR – UMS. pp. 115-120. ISBN: 978- 967-0582-36-8
2. Noor Khairani, M.B. and Jalloh, M.B., (2013). The application of chemical and bio-fertilizers in plantations – A review paper. UTAR National Postgraduate Fundamental and
Applied Sciences Seminar 2013. 13-14 May 2013.
3. Noor Khairani M.B , Jalloh, M.B. and Sudin, M., (2014). Reducing chemical fertilizer usage in oil palm plantations via soil microbial amendments – Effects on FFB yield. 2nd
national Postgraduate Symposium on sustainable Agriculture. 8- 9 October 2014.
4. Noor Khairani M.B , Jalloh, M.B. and Sudin, M., (in Review). Comparison of chemical fertilizers and soil microbial augmentation effect on oil palm fresh fruit bunch. Submitted
for Publication – Crop Science Journal

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT:
The researchers acknowledge:
1. University Malaysia Sabah, Genting Plantations Sekong Estate and Malaysian Palm Oil Board Lahad Datu Research Station for providing facilities.
2. Nestle Manufacturing Sdn. Bhd. for funding this research (GL0072)