A PROPOSAL

ON

EFFECT OF POTTING MEDIA TYPES AND NEEM

FERTILIZER 0N GROWTH OF SPROUTED KERNEL OF
OIL PALM Elaeis guineensis

BY

ADEBAYO PECULIAR ADEJUMOKE

20193614

A PROJECT SUBMITTED TO THE HORTICULTURE

DEPARTMENT, COLLEGE OF PLANT SCIENCE AND
CROP PRODUCTION.
FEDERAL UNIVERSITY OF AGRICULTURE ABEOKUTA,
OGUN STATE.

NOVEMEBER 2024.
 CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION

The oil palm Elaeis guineensis is a highly valuable crop in tropical regions, contributing

significantly to the economy through its oil production. With increasing global demand for palm

oil in food, cosmetics, and biofuels, the need for sustainable and efficient cultivation practices

has become more critical. One of the key factors influencing the early growth stages of oil palm

seedlings is the potting media used and the type of fertilizer applied. These components are vital

for ensuring healthy seedling establishment, which is crucial for future yield potential Hartley,

1988.

Potting media is what the roots actually grow in, it helps to retain moisture, and holds

nutrients. Media also vary in their respective capacities for growth support; thus, the selection of

potting media is vital in fulfilling the oil palm seedling requirement. The application of organic

fertilizers such as neem, which is rich in nutrients and has potential repellent activity against

pests, has recently attracted much attention as a prospective eco-friendly substitute for chemical

fertilizers Subba Rao, 2006. Neem contains high amount of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium,

and has been shown in many studies to enhance soil fertility and control pests Azam-Ali &

Squire, 2002.

Palm oil is used widely in food, cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, and as a biofuel, making it

an essential component of the global agricultural economy Corley & Tinker, 2016. In Nigeria, oil

palm cultivation plays a vital role in the country’s agricultural sector, contributing to livelihoods,

export earnings, and industrial development. However, maximizing the productivity of oil palm
requires addressing critical agronomic factors, including the selection of appropriate potting

media and fertilization practices during the early stages of seedling development.

The establishment of seedlings is one of the most important factors that determine the yield

potential of oil palm plantations in the future. Thus, right potting media and fertilizers at the

nursery stage will have direct impact on root development, nutrient absorption and seedling

health Sharma, 2012 Different types of potting media, including sandy soil, loamy soil, peat, and

compost, provide different degrees of aeration, water retention, and nutrient accessibility that are

essential for healthy growth Tinker, 1990. In addition, neem has been used as a fertilizer for its

pest-control characteristic because of the presence of several nutrients in it for a few years. Since

Neem Azadirachta indica is common in Nigeria and the use of organic fertilizer may enhance the

quality of the soil Berrada, Alhassan, Ibrahim & Musalam, 2015 as well as serve as a

biopesticide Aljehany & Jahangir, 2016 due to some active compounds such as azadirachtin,

nimbin and salannin Schmutterer, 1990

Establishing healthy oil palm seedlings is crucial to ensuring maximum yields in

plantations. The success of these seedlings in the nursery stage is largely influenced by

environmental and agronomic factors, such as the type of potting media and the fertilization

regimen applied. Potting media provide physical support to plants while also affecting nutrient

uptake, water retention, and root aeration. Studies have shown that media types such as loamy

soil, sandy soil, peat, and organic compost vary in their effects on seedling growth Hartley, 1988.

A significant amount of research has been conducted on optimizing potting media for various

crops, but there is limited research specifically on oil palm seedlings, particularly within the

context of Nigerian agriculture.

 On the other hand, neem-based fertilizers have garnered attention in recent years due to

their dual role as a source of nutrients and as a natural pest repellent. Neem Azadirachta indica is

a tree native to India and widely cultivated in tropical regions, including Nigeria. Neem

fertilizers are rich in essential nutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, and they

contain bioactive compounds such as azadirachtin, which acts as an insect repellent and growth

promoter Schmutterer, 1990. In Nigeria, neem is abundant and accessible, making it a cost-

effective and sustainable option for smallholder farmers Owolabi et al., 2019

Given the need to adopt eco-friendly and sustainable agricultural practices, particularly in

a climate-conscious era, the utilization of neem fertilizer in oil palm nurseries presents an

opportunity to reduce the reliance on synthetic fertilizers, which are often associated with

environmental degradation Oluwatosin & Omotayo, 2019. Furthermore, the integration of

organic fertilizers such as neem with suitable potting media could offer synergistic effects,

leading to enhanced growth and development of oil palm seedlings. Therefore, this study aims to

investigate the effect of different potting media types, in combination with neem fertilizer, on the

growth performance of sprouted oil palm kernels.

1.1 JUSTIFICATION

Research on the combination of potting media types and neem fertilizer for the growth of

sprouted kernels of oil palm is necessary to promote sustainable agriculture and improve oil palm

seedling quality. Studies have shown that proper potting media selection is essential for root

development, moisture management, and nutrient uptake Rosenani et al., 1996. When combined

with neem fertilizer, which acts as a natural growth enhancer and pest repellent, it may

contribute to the overall health and vigor of oil palm seedlings.

 Neem's bioactive compounds, including azadirachtin, offer a dual benefit of promoting

plant growth and protecting against soil-borne pests, potentially reducing the need for chemical

interventions Schmutterer, 1990. Investigating how different potting media respond to neem

fertilization could provide new insights into optimizing the early growth stages of oil palm,

ensuring better field establishment and higher long-term yields. This research is also crucial in

advocating for more sustainable and environmentally friendly agricultural practices in oil palm

cultivation..By focusing on the effect of potting media types and neem fertilizer on the growth of

sprouted oil palm kernels, this study aims to bridge the knowledge gap and offer practical

solutions for enhancing the growth performance of oil palm seedlings in an eco-conscious

manner.

There is a growing body of literature on sustainable agricultural practices, with particular

emphasis on organic fertilizers such as neem and their role in improving crop yields Akinbami &

Adekunle, 2020. However, there remains a gap in the research concerning the application of

neem fertilizer specifically on oil palm seedlings in combination with various potting media.

Most Nigerian farmers continue to rely on chemical fertilizers due to their rapid effects, but these

come with significant long-term costs in terms of soil health and environmental sustainability

Oladokun, 2015. The importance of this study lies in its potential to provide farmers with an

effective and environmentally friendly alternative for nursery management in oil palm

cultivation, aligning with Nigeria’s goal of sustainable agricultural development.

1.2 OBJECTIVE
 To evaluate the effects of different potting media types and neem fertilizer applications

on the growth and development of sprouted oil palm kernels in order to optimize

nursery practices for improved seedling performance and sustainable agriculture.

 To provide recommendations for nursery operators and small holder farmers on the best

combination of potting media and organic fertilizer to enhance oil palm seedling

growth.
 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 EXPERIMENTAL LOCATION AND SITE.

The experiment will be carried out at the Network of Bio-pesticides and Phyto-medicines

stakeholders (NEBIPS) screenhouse at Organic skill demonstration farm, Federal University of

Agriculture Abeokuta (latitude 7˚15 N and Longitude 3˚25E), Ogun state, Nigeria.

MATERIALS

The oil palm Elaeis guineensis seedlings used, will be from the previous research work carried

out, potting medias such as, top soil, saw dust and top soil + sawdust will be used.

DATA COLLECTION

Data were collected on the following parameters.

 Plant height- will be measured using measuring tape

 Numbers of leaves- this will be determined by counting the leaves on the plants

 Number of root-this will be determined by counting the roots

 Root length- will be measured using ruler

 Stem girth- will be measured using vernier caliper

DATA ANALYSIS
 Data collected will be subjected to Analysis of Variance (ANOVA) and mean of significant

treatment will be separated using LSD at 5% level of probability using GenStat 12th Editions

REFERENCES.

Azam-Ali, S. N., & Squire, G. R. (2002). Neem: A Tree for Solving Global Problems. National

Academy Press.

Hartley, C. W. S. (1988). The Oil Palm. Longman.

Rosenani, A. B., Fauziah, C. I., & Anuar, A. R. (1996). Effect of organic fertilizer on the growth

of oil palm seedlings. Journal of Tropical Agriculture.

Schmutterer, H. (1990). Properties and potential of natural pesticides from the neem tree,

*Azadirachta indica*. Annual Review of Entomology.

Subba Rao, N. S. (2006). Soil Microbiology (4th ed.). Science Publishers.

Akinbami, M., & Adekunle, J. (2020). Organic fertilizers in tropical agriculture: A review of

neem-based applications in Nigeria. *Journal of Sustainable Agriculture*, 12(3), 211-220.

Corley, R. H. V., & Tinker, P. B. (2016). *The Oil Palm* (5th ed.). Wiley Blackwell.

Oluwatosin, G. A., & Omotayo, A. O. (2019). Evaluation of neem fertilizer for sustainable

agriculture in Nigeria. *Nigerian Journal of Agriculture*, 6(2), 77-84.

Omoti, U. (2001). The future of the oil palm industry in Africa: An economic analysis.

*International Journal of Agricultural Economics*, 10(1), 55-61.

Owolabi, A. O., Ojo, B. A., & Adebisi, K. A. (2019). Assessment of neem fertilizer usage and

its impact on crop yield in Nigeria. *African Journal of Sustainable Agriculture*, 8(2), 144-157.