Effect of Asystasia spp. Management on the O×G Hybrid (Elaeis oleifera × Elaeis guineensis) of Oil Palm at the Adult Stage

The proper management of weeds plays an important role in nutrition and health and, therefore, in the yield and sustainability of the oil palm crop. To evaluate the effect of Asystasia spp. management as a cover species in the interspecific hybrid O×G oil palm at the adult stage, a trial was established in the Luker Agrícola plantation (Casanare, Colombia). The treatments evaluated corresponded to four types of management of Asystasia spp. with different control radii concerning the stipe (drip line) (1, 3, and 4.5 m on three occasions during the year) on an O×G Coari × La Mé cultivar at the adult stage (2011 planting). The treatments were established under a randomized complete block design with four replications. The analysis of the results obtained after four years of evaluation indicated that there are no significant differences between the treatments evaluated in terms of soil chemistry, nutrition, growth, and crop yield by analysis of variance. Nonetheless, significant differences were observed in soil cover variables and biomass and nutrient accumulation according to Tukey’s test at 5%. According to the results obtained, the management of Asystasia spp. should be focused on the conservation and efficient use of resources. It should be adapted according to the most appropriate management conditions in each case (age of the crop, weeds desired by the plantation, pests, nutrient recycling, soil moisture conservation, among others).