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Research on Crops

Potassium uptake and use efficiency in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) across different palm ages and cultivars


DOI: 10.31830/2348-7542.2026.ROC-1298    | Article Id: ROC-1298 | Page : 287-293
Citation :- Potassium uptake and use efficiency in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) across different palm ages and cultivars. Res. Crop. 27: 287-293
ERICK FIRMANSYAH, ENDANG SULISTYANINGSIH, BUDIASTUTI KURNIASIH AND EKA TARWACA SUSILA PUTRA endangsulis@ugm.ac.id
Address : Doctoral Program, Department of Agricultural Science, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Gadjah Mada, 55281 Yogyakarta, Indonesia
Submitted Date : 4-03-2026
Accepted Date : 10-04-2026
Online Published:

Abstract

Potassium (K) is an essential macronutrient regulating physiological, metabolic, and reproductive processes in oil palm. However, uniform fertilization methods that ignore variation in palm age and cultivar often result in suboptimal K-use efficiency (KUE). This study evaluated K uptake dynamics and use efficiency across contrasting palm ages and cultivars and identified key efficiency parameters associated with fresh fruit bunch (FFB) productivity. A two-year field experiment was conducted from July 2023 to July 2025 in Rokan Hulu, Riau Province, Indonesia. The experiment was arranged in a 3 × 2 factorial design with two factors, namely palm age (6, 12, and 23 years after planting) and cultivar (Sei Pancur and Yangambi), with four palms per treatment combination used as replicates. Potassium uptake and KUE were analyzed using ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and stepwise multiple regression. Palm age and cultivar significantly affected FFB productivity and most KUE traits. FFB productivity increased with age, whereas several efficiency indices declined in older palms. Potassium uptake was highest in reproductive organs, and Sei Pancur showed more stable K translocation and yield-based KUE across growth stages than Yangambi. The final regression model explained 94% of the variation in FFB productivity, with yield-based K-use efficiency, total K uptake, K translocation efficiency, and AEV as predictors. These findings support cultivar- and stage-specific K management to improve long-term productivity and nutrient-use efficiency in oil palm.

Keywords

Cultivar variation nutrient efficiency oil palm palm age potassium dynamics yield performance

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