Evaluation of Ground Serpentinite Rock as a Magnesium Source for Oil Palm Nursery Seedlings

Three magnesium (Mg) sources viz. ground serpentinite rock (GSR), ground magnesium limestone (GML) and water-soluble Epsom salt were tested at 30 g equivalent of magnesium oxide (MgO) on oil palm seedlings in the main nursery. The fertilisers were split applied on the soil surface in four rounds over seven months. Leaf 3 sampled in the fourth, sixth and eighth months after transplanting showed that the oil palms applied with the three Mg sources had significantly higher Mg status than the control (no Mg). Among the three Mg sources, oil palms fertilised with GSR and Epsom salt had significantly higher Mg status than GML and control treatment. The present study indicate that GSR could be an alternative fertiliser to GML and Epsom salt. It could be used as a source of Mg fertiliser for soil surface application of oil palm seedlings grown in polybags in the nursery Keywords: Ground serpentinite rock, ground magnesium limestone, Epsom salt, oil palm seedlings, magnesium fertilisers, surface application