UTILIZATION OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES AS MULCH IN COMMUNITY OWNED OIL PALM PLANTATIONS (CASE STUDY IN SIMARDONA VILLAGE, NORTH SUMATRA)

Solid Waste Oil Palm Empty Fruit Bunches have high nutrients, which significantly determine oil palm growth rate and production. Each nutrient has its role and can show specific symptoms in plants if their availability in the soil is very lacking. Dry oil palm land and the difficulty of procuring chemical fertilizers for the community that owns oil palm plantations in Simardona Village are expected to be overcome by the use of OPEFB. Utilization of Oil Palm Empty Bunches as Mulch was done manually in 4 research scenarios. Scenario 1 uses 2 kg of chemical fertilizers plus 250 kg of OPEFB, scenario 2 uses 2 kg of chemical fertilizers plus 300 kg of OPEFB, scenario 3 uses 2 kg of chemical fertilizers plus 350 kg of OPEFB, and scenario 4 uses 2 kg of chemical fertilizers plus 400 kg of OPEFB. The results obtained are that the humidity or moisture has increased from a value of 1 to 4. Therefore, it can be seen that the effect obtained from the use of more OPEFB makes the humidity higher. The calculation of the total cost of using OPOPEFB as mulch is obtained from the sum of the price of chemical fertilizers, the price of OPOPEFB, and workers' wages. The total cost after utilization of TKKS is IDR854,000.00. The total cost before using TKKS was IDR441,600,000. The difference in costs before and after the utilization of TKKS is IDR412,400.00, an increase in costs of 48%. The cost of using TKKS is higher than before using TKKS. The total harvest obtained before the use of OPEFB is 2,000 kg or IDR4,900,000. Meanwhile, after using OPEFB, the total yield obtained was 2,700 kg or IDR6,615,000.


Introduction
Indonesia is experiencing a relatively rapid development of the palm oil industry. Palm oil in Indonesia today is a prima donna commodity. Its area continues to grow and not only from the monopoly of the State Large Plantation (PBN) or the In oil palm plantations, one of the organic fertilizer ingredients that are still widely available and can be expected to replace the role of inorganic fertilizers is empty palm oil bunches that can be used as compost. Oil palm empty fruit bunches (OPEFB) are stable waste made out of the processing of oil palm; massive quantities of OPEFB have the capability for use as compost and are predicted to enhance the physical, biological and chemical homes of ultisol subsoil (HAITAMI & WAHYUDI, 2019). Oil palm empty fruit bunches have a chemical composition of 45.95% cellulose, 22.84% hemicellulose, 16.49% lignin, 2.41% oil, and 1.23% ash. So far, the utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunches is minimal, namely as a source of potassium after the combustion process (Adiguna & Aryantha, 2020).
The process of burning empty palm oil bunches produces fly ash which can cause air pollution. OPEFB compost contains total N-nutrients (6.79%), P2O5 (3.13%), K2O (8.33%) with a pH of 9.59 (TOIBY, RAHMADANI, & Oksana, 2016). The utilization of oil palm empty fruit bunches is also an effort to reduce the use of inorganic fertilizers because excessive use of inorganic fertilizers can negatively impact the environment and save costs because inorganic fertilizer prices tend to be expensive (Harahap et al., 2020).
Oil palm fertilization is one of the plant maintenance activities to produce oil palm, which is very important in oil palm cultivation, so everything related to fertilization activities is a significant concern. One thing that needs to be considered in fertilization activities is that the costs incurred for fertilization are very large, which is around 20% of production costs or about 40-60% of the cost of maintaining mature plants (Saragih, Suswatiningsih, & Santosa, 2017). The high productivity of oil palm plants depends on the type of planting material, climatic conditions, soil type, and the technical culture, applied such as fertilization, soil and water conservation, and plant protection.
Fertilization is one of the largest components of maintenance costs for oil palm plants (Butar, Ambarsari, & Listiyani, 2018). Fertilizer is one of the primary nutrients that will determine oil palm growth rate and production. Each nutrient has its own role and can show certain symptoms in plants if their availability in the soil is very lacking. The provision of nutrients in the soil through fertilization must be balanced, that is, adjusted to the plant's needs. The purpose of fertilization is an effort to get healthy and jagur growth, which can shorten the TBM period and produce earlier (Astuti et al., 2014)-taking into account the price of fertilizer which is quite expensive, which in general, compound fertilizer is more costly compared to single fertilizers (Simatupang, Palupi, & Suwarto, 2019).
In Simardona Village, there is a smallholder plantation, namely oil palm, close to the palm oil processing industry PT Paluta Inti Sawit North Padanglawas, producing solid waste in empty palm oil bunches. Currently, this OPEFB waste is sold back to people who want to use it. This OPEFB can be used as a soil improvement material and a source of nutrients for oil palm plants which a direct application can do as mulch. Dry oil palm land and the difficulty of procuring chemical fertilizers for the community that owns oil palm plantations in Simardona Village are expected to be overcome by the use of OPEFB.

Methodology
This research was conducted in an oil palm plantation owned by the Simardona Village community, North Padanglawas Regency, North Sumatra Province. The research was carried out from January to April for scenarios 1 and 2. For scenarios 3 and 4 starting in June to September 2021. The data used in this study were data on oil palm plants, namely Ph, Moister, Fertility, Light, Cost, and Dosage of Fertilizer. The data collection of Fertilizer Cost and Dosage was conducted by interview. As for the pH, Light, Fertility, and Moister data using a measuring instrument.
The condition of the plantation land is rainfall with an average of 234 mm with an average of 18 days of rain each month. Solar radiation, the average solar radiation every month is 30%. Temperature, the maximum temperature every month is 33.57 degrees Celsius, and the minimum temperature is 20.44 degrees Celsius with an average temperature of 25.87 degrees Celsius every month. The average humidity is 80.67%.
Data collection was carried out before and after the OPEFB application. Where the measurement period is two weeks one time. While the measurement data collection will be carried out for eight months, there will be 16 times of data collection. OPEFB application is made manually. One truck contains 2.7 tons of OPEFB, with the price of OPEFB per truck being IDR300,000.00 (the price of OPEFB includes transportation costs from the factory to the land), so the price /kg is IDR111.00. The study was conducted on 32 oil palm trunks with four scenarios using OPEFB. Where in each scenario, there are eight trial bars.
Each scenario has four dead crosses. The application of OPEFB in dead gates (inter-principal) because the oil palm plants include TM (Producing Plants) is done to facilitate the harvesting process. The application is made by retailing OPOPEFB using a pole and rickshaw. OPEFB application is carried out once a year, while chemical fertilization occurs two times a year. The total OPEFB used in all experiments is 5,200 kg or about two trucks. Scenario 1 uses an additional 250kg of OPEFB, scenario 2 uses an additional 300kg, scenario 3 uses an additional 350kg, and scenario 4 uses an additional 400kg. The quantitative method is carried out with financial analysis to determine the cost, level of income, and benefits obtained from OPEFB and compared when not using OPEFB.

Results & Discussion
A. Before OPOPEFB Utilization

Dosage and Price of Chemical Fertilizer
The cost calculation before using OPEFB will be adjusted according to the amount of fertilizer used per scenario. Each scenario has eight stems and 32 stems or uses about Ha of land. The dose of chemical fertilizer used is 3kg per stem, and the total fertilizer used is 96kg for 32 oil palm stalks. The price of fertilizer for each palm trunk is IDR11,300.
Online version available at http://journal.ugm.ac.id/index.php/ajse Measurement Moister, Ph, light, and Fertility tester for scenarios 1, 2, 3, and 4 before adding OPEFB. For scenarios 1 to 4, the results of the fertility measurement are ideal. And the pH measurement results were obtained neutral, namely 7 for each scenario. The measurement results of 8 oil palm trunks for each scenario can be seen in the following Table 2,  Table 3, Table 4, and Table 5. Table 2. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 1 Table 3. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 2 Table 4. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 3 Table 5. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 4 3.

Harvest
Harvesting is done every two weeks. In one fertilization period, 12 harvests were carried out. The average yield for each fertilization period is 2,000 kg with a price per kg of IDR2,450 with a total yield of IDR4,900,000 for one fertilization period. The yield before the use of OPEFB can be seen in the following Table 6. Dosage of chemical fertilizer use Scenario 1 when adding 250 kg of OPOPEFB, Scenario 2 when adding 300 kg of OPOPEFB, Scenario 3 when adding 350 kg of OPOPEFB, Scenario 4 when adding 400 kg of OPOPEFB. The total use of chemical fertilizers after the use of OPOPEFB is 2 kg, with the price of fertilizer per stem being IDR. 6,150, the dose of fertilizer can be seen in the following Table 7. Moister and light after using OPEFB have different values for scenario 1 to scenario 4. Meanwhile, pH and fertility before and after adding OPOPEFB have the same results: pH seven and ideal fertility. Measurements were carried out on eight oil palm stems with a measurement time of every two weeks. The following Table 8, Table 9, Table 10,  and Table 11 are measures fertility, moister, light, and ph. Table 8. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 1 Table 9. Moister, pH, light, and fertility scenario 2

Production Income
Harvesting is done two times every month. In one fertilization period, 12 harvests were carried out. The average yield for each fertilization period is 2,700 kg with a price per kg of IDR 2,450 with a total yield of IDR 6,615,000 for one fertilization period. Harvest yields after the use of OPOPEFB increased by 48%. It can be seen in the following Table 12.   Table 1, the price of chemical fertilizer per stem was IDR. 11,300.00 so that the fertilization period 1 was IDR11,300.00 x 32 stems was IDR361,600.00. When viewed in 4 scenarios where each scenario only uses 8 sticks, chemical fertilization costs are IDR90,400.00/scenario. When added to the cost of workers IDR80,000.00 and the cost for each scenario is IDR110,400 so the total cost of using chemical fertilizers is IDR441,600.00

Cost After Utilization of OPEFB
After using OPEFB, the price of fertilizer chemical/stem is IDR6,150.00, so the first fertilization is IDR6,150.00 x 32 stems is IDR196,800.00. When viewed in 4 scenarios where only eight stems are chemical fertilization costs are is IDR49,200.00/scenario. The difference is that after the use of OPEFB where OPEFB is used during the first stage of fertilization, the cost becomes IDR111,000.00 for scenario 1, the price of OPEFB is added to IDR49,200.00, the price of chemical fertilizer is IDR160,200.00.
Coupled with the workers' wages of IDR20,000 per scenario, the costs incurred for scenario 1 are IDR180,200. Scenario 2, the costs incurred are IDR133,200.00, the price of OPEFB plus IDR49,200.00, the price of chemical fertilizers is IDR182,400.00. Coupled with the workers' wages of IDR 20,000 per scenario, the costs incurred for scenario 2 are IDR202,400. In scenario 3, the costs incurred are 155,400.00, the price of OPEFB plus IDR49,200.00 the price of chemical fertilizers is IDR204,600.00.
Coupled with the workers' wages of IDR20,000 per scenario, the costs incurred for scenario 3 are IDR224,600. Scenario 4, the costs incurred are IDR177.600.00, the price of OPEFB plus IDR49,200.00, the price of chemical fertilizers is IDR226,800.00. Added to the wages of workers of IDR20,000 per scenario, the costs incurred for scenario 4 are IDR246,800. So, the total cost required for the utilization of OPEFB is IDR854,000.00. The difference in costs before and after the utilization of OPEFB is IDR412,400.00. There is an increase in costs of 48%. Then the cost incurred for scenario 3 is IDR224,600.
Scenario 4, the costs incurred are IDR177,600.00, the price of OPEFB plus IDR49,200.00, the price of chemical fertilizers is IDR226,800.00. Added to the wages of workers of IDR20,000 per scenario, the costs incurred for scenario 4 are IDR246,800. So, the total cost required for the utilization of OPEFB is IDR854,000.00. The difference in costs before and after the utilization of OPEFB is IDR412,400.00. There is an increase in costs of 48%. The total cost required for the utilization of OPEFB is IDR854,000.00.
The difference in costs before and after the utilization of OPEFB is IDR412,400.00, there is an increase in costs of 48%. the total cost required for the utilization of OPOPEFB is IDR854,000.00. The difference in costs before and after the utilization of OPEFB is IDR412,400.00, there is an increase in costs of 48%.

Figure 1. Comparison of prior and costs after utilization of OPEFB
Each scenario for scenario 1, when OPEFB 250 kg/gate dies, the total price for chemical fertilizer, OPEFB, and labor costs is IDR180,200.00, while scenario 2 is when using OPEFB 300 kg/gate dies, the total price is IDR202,400.00, scenario 3 is when using OPEFB 350 kg/dead goal the total price is IDR224,600.00, scenario 4 when using OPEFB 400 kg/dead goal the total price is IDR246,800.00. There is a price difference per scenario of IDR22,200.
Online version available at http://journal.ugm.ac.id/index.php/ajse   The yields before and after the use of OPEFB have differences. For the harvest before the use of OPEFB as much as 163 kg for the first harvest and 180 kg for the second harvest. The average yield per fertilization period is 2,000 kg or 2 tons with a price per kg of IDR2,450. The total harvest income obtained is IDR4,900,000. Meanwhile, the yields obtained after using OPEFB are 235 kg for the first harvest and 220 kg for the second harvest. The average yield per fertilization period is 2,700 kg or equivalent to 2.7 tons with a total income of IDR6,615,000. Production income increased by 26%.
The total income earned is the total revenue earned minus the total expenditure. The total income earned for 1 fertilization period is IDR5,761,000/ fertilization period. The effect after the use of OPEFB can be seen from the results of the moister measurement, which after adding 250kg of OPOPEFB for scenario 1, 300 kg for scenario 2, 350 kg for Figure 6. Comparison of harvest scenario 3, and scenario 4, 400 kg. Soil moisture has increased from a value of 1 to 4. Thus, it can be seen that the effect obtained from the use of more OPEFB makes the moister higher. The more OPEFB used, the greater the increase in humidity levels.
For effect on yields, the yields obtained after the use of OPEFB have an increase of 48%. Thus, OPEFB affects crop yields. This happens because of the increase in humidity, making oil palm plants better in quality with the nutrient content in OPEFB.The costs incurred for the use of OPEFB appear to be higher when compared to the costs that only use chemical fertilizers. However, this does not have much effect because the yields obtained have increased. Thus, the costs incurred when using OPEFB can still be balanced with the income from the harvest.

Conclusion
Comparison of costs before and after the use of OPEFB has a difference. The cost required for one fertilization period is IDR110,400 for each scenario. With the total cost of using only chemical fertilizers is IDR441,600. The costs after using OPEFB for each scenario are IDR180,200, IDR202,400, IDR224,600, and IDR246,800. With a total cost of IDR854,000. The costs incurred for the use of OPEFB in this study depend on the number of OPEFB used, the fewer doses of OPEFB used, the cost will be cheaper.
The dose of chemical fertilizer used before and after OPEFB has a difference. The quantity before the use of OPEFB is 3 kg, while after the use of OPEFB the chemical fertilizer used is 2 kg. Meanwhile, the OPEFB doses used for each scenario 1 to 4 are 250 kg, 300 kg, 350 kg, and 400 kg. The dose of OPEFB in each scenario is different, but the quantity of chemical fertilizer used remains the same, which is 2 kg each. The effect obtained after using OPEFB for oil palm plantations is seen in increasing soil moisture and increasing yields of oil palm crops.
Previously, the plantations were dry and sandy with an average moister value of 1.5, and after the use of OPEFB, the moister value obtained increased to 4. The amount of OPEFB used also affected the increase in moister. For effect on crop yields, the yield obtained has a rise of 48% with the number of harvests per fertilization period before the use of OPEFB of 2,000 kg with total revenue of IDR4,900,000.00. And for the harvest after the use of OPEFB is 2,700 kg with total revenue of IDR6,615,000.00. The utilization of OPEFB can increase crop yields.
Online version available at http://journal.ugm.ac.id/index.php/ajse process and quality of compost from oil palm empty fruit bunches. Bioresource Technology,101 (22)