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Research Article

Vol. 43 No. 2 (2026): Revista de Ciencias Agrícolas - May - August 2026

Effects of organic fertilizers on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in Colombian soil

DOI
https://doi.org/10.22267/rcia.2026432.299
Submitted
March 19, 2025
Published
2026-07-22

Abstract

Colombia is the leading oil palm producer in the Americas, with an area exceeding 520,000 hectares. Favorable prices and the long-term stability of this crop are driving an expansion in cultivated areas. However, concerns about environmental degradation caused by oil palm cultivation have increased, mainly due to the negative impact on the soil's physical, chemical, and biological properties. The use of organic fertilizers in oil palm cultivation improves soil fertility, helps maintain stable production levels, increases the plants' resistance to disease, and is more environmentally friendly. This study aims to evaluate the impact of applying three organic fertilizers: palm rachis compost, poultry manure compost, and bovine manure compost, as a strategy to mitigate the problem of low fertility and chemical degradation of soils under oil palm cultivation in the municipality of Tibú, Norte de Santander, Colombia. The work consisted of a field experiment with a quantitative approach based on a block experimental design. Both bovine and poultry manure composts increased oxidizable organic carbon and total nitrogen in the soil. All sources of organic matter proved to be promising and suitable alternatives for improving the chemical properties of the soil under oil palm cultivation.

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