Impact of intercropping systems on the growth and yield of mature oil palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in Indonesia.

Wide spacing among oil palm trees in mature Stage II (MS II) plantations offers an opportunity for intercropping with food crops like rice, corn, and soybeans. Identifying an intercropping system that positively impacts the growth and yield of oil palm is a primary objective of this study. Therefore, this research was conducted at the Ciparanje Experimental Farm, Faculty of Agriculture, Universitas Padjadjaran, from January to April 2024. The study used a randomized block design (RBD) with four treatments, each replicated four times. The treatments included monoculture oil palm, intercropping with rice, corn, and soybeans. The results showed that the intercropping treatment of oil palm + soybean had the best effect on the growth and yield of oil palm compared to monoculture. Plant height growth increased by 9.43%, the number of fronds increased by 12,43%, stem girth increased by 9,17%, stomata conductance increased by 6,43%. Intercropping MS II oil palms provides the same growth and physiological characteristics as monoculture MS II oil palms based on the results of vegetative data and oil palm production which are not significantly different. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]