Pengaruh Aplikasi Biochar Tandan Kosong Kelapa Sawit terhadap Produksi dan Sifat Biologi Tanah pada Tanaman Menghasilkan Kelapa Sawit (Elaeis Guineensis Jacq.) di PTPN IV Kebun Torgamba

Abstract

The application of biochar derived from oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) has the potential to support sustainable agriculture, as it functions as a soil amendment and ameliorant that can improve soil quality and land productivity. This study aimed to evaluate the effect of EFB biochar application on yield and soil biological properties of mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) at PTPN IV Torgamba Estate. The research was conducted at PTPN IV Region I, Torgamba Estate, Labuhanbatu Selatan District, North Sumatra Province, from February to June 2025. A non-factorial randomized block design (RBD) was employed with two treatments, namely without biochar application (B0) and with EFB biochar application (B1), each replicated four times. The results indicated that EFB biochar application had no statistically significant effect on yield and soil biological properties. Nevertheless, the application of EFB biochar showed a positive trend in enhancing oil palm yield and improving soil biological properties.