Application of Oil Palm Empty Bunch Ash Nanoparticle on Epidermal Cell Thickness and Chlorophyll Content of the Soybean Leaf

Abstract

The utilization of oil palm empty bunch (OPEB) could be a powerful solution to manage such large volume of wastes produced from the oil palm plantation. Ash created from this waste could be used as soil ameliorant as well as additional agent for liquid fertilizer. Its form in nano size might increase the leaf absorption. Therefore, this study was aimed to investigate the effect of OPEB ash nanoparticle on epidermal cell thickness and chlorophyll content of soybean leaves. This study was carried out using completely randomized design to examine five levels of OPEB ash nanoparticle concentration, ranging from 0, 1.25, 2.5, 3.75, and 5%. Each concentration was repeated nine times. OPEB ash nanoparticle was applied firstly at 2 weeks-old plants and repeated weekly up to 5 times. Application OPEB ash nanoparticle was performed through foliar spray. The results showed that OPEB ash nanoparticle affect the soybean leaf physiology, particularly the structure and anatomy of its stomata. In addition, application of 0.125% OPEB ash nanoparticle increased the epidermal cell thickness. However, higher concentration of OPEB ash nanoparticle was found to inhibit the chlorophyll formation.