The potential of palm oil mill effluent for improving the water infiltration rate in lateritic soil

Abstract

Poor soil drainage of the lateritic soil is due to its clayey texture and high bulk density. Palm oil mill effluent (POME) may be administrated to increase the water infiltration rate and improve the drainage of the lateritic soil. The share farm of the Faculty of Plantation and Agrotechnology, UiTM Jasin was treated with various volume of POME for 16 weeks by using Completely Randomized Design (CRD). Overall, treatment of POME did not increased water infiltration rate. The bulk density of the lateritic soil that was treated with POME is suitable for agriculture. Treatment 1 (2L) gave 68 mm/hour of water infiltration rate and 1.25 g/cm3 of bulk density with 0.570 and 0.451 of p-values respectively which is acceptable with the consideration of cost benefits, cost inputs, and profit to the industry. The results shown were not significant might be due to types and soil textures, duration for the research to be completed, and also climate change factors.