Evaluation of soil status in oil palm plantation in Ondo western region of Nigeria

Abstract

Oil palm is known to utilize a high amount of soil nutrients for optimum growth and development. Nutrient management is paramount to the production of high fruit bunch hence the reason for this study is to evaluate the fertility status of selected oil palm plantation in Ondo west Local Government Area. Two different species of oil palm (hybrid and non-hybrid species) were investigated for their physiochemical parameters. Soil samples from nonhybrid (B) recorded N, P and K content below the critical nutrient (NPK)
content for oil palm tree. The nutrient availability index indicated a low nutrient availability of TN, OM, P and Mg for soil samples from non-hybrid (B). Therefore proper nutrient management approaches such as the application of inorganic fertilizer should be adopted especially for nutrients that are deficient and low from non-hybrid (B).