Growth and Physiological Responses of Oil Palm Seedlings to Trichoderma Asperellum SL2 Inoculation

Improving the quality of oil palm seedlings is crucial because it impacts the overall sustainability and production of the crop. This study aimed to determine the impact of Trichoderma asperellum SL2 on the growth of oil palm seedlings in nurseries. The study consisted of a single factor: the doses of T. asperellum SL2 in mycelial biomass. This treatment factor consisted of four levels, namely without T. asperellum SL2, doses of 100 g/L, 200 g/L, and 300 g/L. There were three replications per treatment, resulting in 12 experimental units. The total plant population was 48 seedlings. Morphological and physiological traits were analyzed statistically using ANOVA. When the DMRT was administered after the treatment, it had a notable impact at p < 0.05. The measurements were taken on fully mature leaf samples taken with the LI-COR 6400XT from the fifth branch at the growth point. The optimal seed height of 32.06 cm was achieved with the 300 g/L Trichoderma asperellum SL2 treatment. Similarly, other observed variables, such as stem diameter (14.33 mm), the number of fronds (5.33 units), the longest root (34.83 cm), and root volume (9.83 cm³), were also best in the treatment with 300 g/L T. asperellum SL2. The 300 g/L T. asperellum SL2 produced a photosynthetic rate of 30.94 μmol CO2 m-2 s-1. Stomatal conductance was measured at 56.82 mmol H2O m-2s-1, and WUE at 24.69%. These findings collectively emphasize the promising prospects of applying T. asperellum SL2 treatment to elevate overall growth performance.