SHALLOT EXTRACT AND EGGSHELL EFFECTS ON PRE-NURSERY OIL PALM SEEDLINGS

Abstract

This study evaluated the individual and combined effects of shallot (Allium cepa L.) extract and chicken eggshell powder on the vegetative growth of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings during the pre-nursery stage. The experiment was conducted at the agricultural field of the Faculty of Science and Technology, Universitas Tjut Nyak Dhien, Medan, North Sumatra, from December 2025 to March 2026. A 3 × 3 factorial randomized block design with three replications was used. Shallot extract was applied at 0, 15, and 60 mL plant−1, while eggshell powder was applied at 0, 50, and 150 g plant−1. Plant height, stem diameter, leaf area, and leaf number were recorded from 5 to 12 weeks after planting (WAP) and analyzed by analysis of variance followed by Duncan’s Multiple Range Test at the 5% level when treatment effects were significant. Shallot extract significantly affected plant height at 8–12 WAP and leaf number at 9–12 WAP, with 60 mL plant−1 producing the highest values at 12 WAP (20.41 cm and 3.19 leaves). Eggshell powder significantly affected plant height and leaf number only at 12 WAP, with 150 g plant−1 producing 19.44 cm and 3.15 leaves. Neither factor significantly affected stem diameter or leaf area, and the interaction was nonsignificant for all measured traits. The results indicate that the two organic inputs acted mainly as independent, time-dependent growth modifiers rather than as a synergistic treatment during the pre-nursery period.