CHARACTERISTICS OF PEAT WITH DIFFERENT DEPTH IN SUPPORTING GROWTH AND PRODUCTIVITY OF OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis Jacq)

This study aims to determine the characteristics of peat with different depths in supporting the growth and productivity of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). The research was carried out at the PT Kaswari Unggul Palm Oil Plantation, which is located in Dendang District, East Tanjung Jabung Regency, Jambi Province. Using survey and test methods in the laboratory. The experimental design was carried out unformatted and the location was chosen intentionally. The land selected as samples are peat with a depth of (100 and 300 cm). Observation; Plant height, Number of Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB), Stem Circumference, FFB Weight, Midrib Length, and Palm Oil Productivity, Light Intensity. Soil analysis; available-P, total-Fe-, total N, organic-C and CEC, pH, Al-exchange, total-K, Soil Moisture, and Peat Maturity. Data were analyzed by inference method using paired t-test with 5 % level. The results showed that the: (1) shallow peat has a maturity level of sapric peat (very ripe) and peat in hemic maturity (slightly ripe). (2) The depth of peat will affect the value of total-N, pH, P Bray 1 (available-P) and K-exchange, and has no effect on organic-C, total-Fe, CEC, and Al-exchange. (3) The growth and production of oil palm on shallow peat is better than on deep peat