Effect of Mycorrhiza from Fern Roots (Nephrolepis spp.) on the Growth of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Seedlings at the Prenursery Stage

Muliani Muliani, Plant Cultivation Study Program, Department of Agricultural Technology, Pontianak State Polytechnic, Zaenal Mutaqin, Plant Cultivation Study Program, Department of Agricultural Technology, Pontianak State Polytechnic, Tika Rahma Yunita, Plant Cultivation Study Program, Department of Agricultural Technology, Pontianak State Polytechnic
Received: 2025-12-30
Accepted: 2026-09-15
Published: 2026-10-29

Abstract


Palm oil is a strategic agricultural commodity that plays a vital role in the global economy, productivity heavily depends on the success of the nursery phase, especially the prenursery stage, which requires optimal growth conditions. Nutrient availability, particularly phosphorus, often becomes a limiting factor, the use of mycorrhiza is crucial because fungi are known to enhance plant nutrient absorption, especially phosphorus, through their extensive external mycelial networks. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of mycorrhiza derived from fern roots (Nephrolepis spp.) on the growth of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings at the prenursery stage. The research was conducted at the Experimental House and Plantation Science Laboratory II, Politeknik Negeri Pontianak, for four months (May–August 2025). The experimental design used a Randomized Block Design (RBD) with four levels of mycorrhizal biofertilizer doses: 0, 10, 25, and 35 g/polybag, each replicated four times. The results indicated that mycorrhizal application significantly affected plant height during early growth (2–6 weeks after planting) but had no significant effect on the number of leaves and stem diameter up to 12 weeks. Microscopic observations revealed arbuscular mycorrhizal colonization in oil palm roots, characterized by the presence of hyphae, vesicles, and arbuscules. Therefore, fern root-derived mycorrhiza shows potential as a natural biofertilizer that enhances early seedling growth and supports sustainable oil palm nursery management on marginal soils.

Keywords


Fern roots, mycorrhiza, prenursery, oil palm, seedling growth.

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References


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DOI: https://doi.org/10.30596/agrium.v29i2.28143

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