Evaluating the Benefits of Empty Fruit Bunch Compost from Oil Palm into Coconut Coir Dust Growing Media for Soilless Culture Practice

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide a preliminary and fundamental evaluation of oil palm empty fruit bunch (EFB) compost into coconut coir dust for soilless cultivation. Four-leafed chilli seedlings were transplanted into polybags containing either of 100% coconut dust or a mixture of coconut dust and EFB compost in a ratio of 3:1 (v/v). A few parameters, such as fruit yield, fruit number, relative chlorophyll content, and maximum quantum yield of Photosystem II, were evaluated. The incorporation of EFB compost into coconut coir dust media significantly increased fruit fresh weight around 35.7% as well as 23.5% increase in the overall number of fruits. Additionally, there was an observed improvement in the chlorophyll content values at four distinct stages, specifically during the fruiting and mature stages. Nevertheless, there was a marginal increase in the Fv/Fm reading in media amended with EFB compost. This study suggests that the addition of EFB compost can be advantageous in enhancing the growth and productivity of chilli plants in soilless culture cultivation.
Keywords: EFB compost, chlorophyll content, Fv/Fv, coconut coir dust, soilless culture