Biochar-Enriched Oil Palm Compost Enhances Growth Performance of Durian Musang King Seedlings

Authors

  • Mohammed Abdillah Ahmad Farid Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-5408-2214
  • Nurul Azlina Rusli Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia
  • Rasdianah Dahali Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8544-6460
  • Mohd Ashadie Kusno Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7136-0092
  • Mohd Muhaizi Mat Daud Laboratory of Sustainable Bioresource Management, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-9101-2976
  • Mohd Huzairi Mohd Zainudin Laboratory of Sustainable Animal Production and Biodiversity, Institute of Tropical Agriculture and Food Security, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7900-9678
  • Mohd Zulkhairi Mohd Yusoff Laboratory of Biopolymer and Derivatives, Institute of Tropical Forestry and Forest Products (INTROP), Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Bioprocess Technology, Faculty of Biotechnology and Biomolecular Sciences, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400, UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia; Department of Agroindustry, Faculty of Technology of Agriculture, University of Brawijaya, Veteran St, Malang, East Java 65145, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6787-9350

Keywords:

Durian seedlings, Musang King, Biochar, Organic fertiliser, Oil palm mill effluent, Nutrient leaching

Abstract

Durian ‘Musang King’ (Durio zibethinus D197) cultivation in Malaysia remains heavily reliant on chemical fertilizers, contributing to soil acidification, microbial decline, and nutrient leaching. A 140-day comparative evaluation was conducted of four fertilization regimes: chemical NPK (15:15:15), poultry manure with wood dust, palm oil mill effluent (POME), and biochar-enriched compost. The seedling morphometrics (leaf number, leaf length, stem length, stem diameter, and NDVI) were quantified biweekly, while soil pH, temperature, and leachate COD were monitored to capture nutrient retention dynamics. Biochar-enriched compost (T4) exhibited the most pronounced improvements, surpassing NPK (0.84); soil pH increasing from 4.56 to 5.98 versus 4.72–5.62 under NPK; and COD peaking at only 153 mg/L compared with 839 mg/L in manure-based compost (P = 0.010). The biochar-enriched compost improved seedling growth while also reducing nutrient loss, with much lower leaching (153 mg/L compared to 839 mg/L). This means it not only improved plant performance but also protected the environment. By combining plant growth measurements, plant health (NDVI), soil conditions, and leachate analysis, this study provides a practical and well-rounded way to evaluate more sustainable fertilization strategies for durian nursery systems.

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Published

2026-07-09

How to Cite

Ahmad Farid, M. A., Rusli, N. A., Dahali, R., Kusno, M. A., Mat Daud, M. M., Mohd Zainudin, M. H., & Mohd Yusoff, M. Z. (2026). Biochar-Enriched Oil Palm Compost Enhances Growth Performance of Durian Musang King Seedlings. BioResources, 21(3), 7912–7927. Retrieved from https://ojs.bioresources.com/index.php/BRJ/article/view/25270

Issue

Vol. 21 No. 3 (2026)

Section

Research Article or Brief Communication