oil palm cultivation
TRANSCRIPT
Oil Palm Cultivation andYield Production
Kushairi, A.
POFP
Oil Palm Species•Elaeis guineensis
•West Africa•High yield
•Elaeis oleifera•Central-South America•Low yield•High quality oil•Tolerant to pests & diseases
•Interspecific hybrids E.o x E.g•Intermediate properties
Elaeis guineensis
Elaeis oleifera
Amsterdam
Bogor
Mauritius
Centre of origin:Elaeis oleifera
Centre of origin:Elaeis guineensis
Oil Palm Industry: The beginning
Malaysia
Congo DR
HistoricalDeli dura
1848 - Bogor, 4 seedlings1870s - Deli, Sumatra1911 - Rantau Panjang, Malaysia1917 - Tenammaran Estate1920s - Formal breeding & selection
Yangambi/AVROS pisifera1920s - Selection in Yangambi, Congo
- Sumatra- Malaysia
Production of Major Oil CropsCrop Oil (kg/ha/yr)
Oil palm 2500 – 4000
Coconut 600 – 1500
Olive 500 – 1000
Rapeseed 600 – 1000
Sunflower 280 – 700
Groundnut 340 – 440
Soyabean 300 – 450
Land utilization to produce 1 tonne oil
Crop Land (ha)Oil Palm 0.30Rapeseed 0.75Soybean 2.17
Climate & Soil Suitability
Rainfall: 1500-2000 mm/yr, evenly distributedTemperature: min 22-24 C max 29-33 CSunshine: continuous 5 hours/daySoil: loose-textured, no hard layer
Reproductive BiologyMonoecious: male and female flowers
separately on same palmInflorescences in alternate cyclesCross-pollinated species
Number of spikelet per inflorescenceSimilar in both genders, ca.200 spikelets
Number of flowersMales: 700 – 1200, Females: 5 – 30 Female inflorescence (flower)
Male inflorescence (flower)
Male30g pollen per inflorescence
Enough for 300 pollinationsPollen mostly shed 1-2 days following anthesisOne year storage at –5oC
Reproductive Biology
FemaleReceptive 36-48hrAnthesise sporadically, up to 4 weeksSecond day most suitable for pollination
Male inflorescence
Female inflorescence
Main pollinating agent:
Elaeidibius kamerunicus 3mm
Oil extractions (Palm Oil) • Lab
O/B = F/B x M/F x O/M• Mill
OER = O/B x 0.855
Kernel (Palm Kernel Oil)• Mill
KOER = K/B x 0.5
Palm Oil and Palm Kernel Oil
Factors affecting growth, flowering and yield
Total Dry Matter: partitioned into BDM and VDM– Photosynthetic rate
light intensity, water, CO2, temperature, nutrients
Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB)– Bunch weight, bunch number
Number of bunches– Frond production, sex ratio, abortion, bunch failure
Inflorescence developmentStages Events Months
0 Inflorescence initiation 33 – 411 Outer spathe initiation 26 – 34 2 Inner spathe initiation 24 – 32 3 Sex differentiation 23 – 31 4 Initiation of fourth bract 21 - 265 Spikelet initiation 17 – 21 6 Spikelet differentiation distinct 14 – 177 Abortion 9 – 12 8 Anthesis 69 Harvesting 0
Planting MaterialsBreeding and Seed Production
The need for legitimate planting materials: 25 years economic lifeVery important to invest in legitimate planting materials, ca. US$0.50 per germinated seedPlanting material: dura x pisifera (DxP)
Pollination
Germinated seeds
Tenera arising from DxP
Oil Palm GeneticsOil palm has 3 fruit forms: dura, tenera, pisifera
Selection progresses through a single genecontrolling shell thickness
Sh+ Sh+ = dura (thick shell)Sh- Sh- = pisifera (shell-less)Sh+ Sh- = tenera (thin shell)
Note: pisifera is female sterile (no bunch formation)
X
Sh+Sh+M/F = 60%S/F = 30%K/F = 10%O/B = 18%
Sh-Sh-S/F = 0
Sh+Sh-M/F = 80%S/F = 10%K/F = 10%O/B = 24%
Inheritance of Fruit Forms (DxP)
50% Tenera
Tenera(Sh+Sh-)
25%Tenera
(Sh+Sh-)
25%Dura
(Sh+Sh+)
25%Pisifera(Sh-Sh-)
Tenera x Tenera (TxT)
x
25%Tenera
(Sh+Sh-)
Tenera(Sh+Sh-)
Segregation ratio 1:2:1
Timeframe in OP breeding10 years of breeding cycle:
• 1-2 years - pollination / germination• 1 year - nursery• 2-3 years - juvenile stage• 4-6 years - data collection and selection
10 years of progeny testing (field test of the DxP)Thus, 20 years to produce progeny tested materials
Production stage Average duration (months)
Cumulative (months)
Pollination to harvest 6 6
Seed processing and germination 3 9
Pre nursery 3 12
Main nursery and field planting 10 22
Timeframe in Seed Production
Choice of Planting MaterialsMalaysia produces 50 – 88 mil seeds annually Limits in production• Planting material (genotype)• Environment• Genotype x Environment
Oil extraction rate (OER)Vegetative vigour
Planting MaterialsTissue Culture Clones
Mass propagation of high quality planting materialsSupported by breeding programmes
Oil palm can be cloned from these ex-plants:– Young leaf– Inflorescence– Root
Ortet selection:– FFB yield > 200 kg/palm/year – Oil/bunch > 28%
Sampling of leaf cabbage from selected ortet
Oil Palm Tissue Culture Process
1. Ortet sampling2. Callus initiation in explants3. Embryoid formation
(embryogenesis) in callus4. Embryoid maturation and
multiplication5. Shoot regeneration6. Rooting7. Plantlets transplanting
Leaf cabbage
Shoot multiplication
Embryoid
Rooting
Plantlets in polybags
Timeframe in Oil Palm CloningProduction stage Average duration
(months)Cumulative(months)
Explants to callus 6 6
Callus to embryoids 9 15
Polyembryogenic (PE) to shoots 24 39
Shoot development 2 41
Rooting/ transplanting/ acclimatization 4 45
Pre nursery 3 48 (4 yrs)
Main nursery and Field planting 10 58 (ca.5 yrs)
Note: Seed production from pollination to planting is 22 months
Nursery
Objectives– to provide planting
materials of the highest quality for field planting
Two types of nursery– One-stage– Two-stage
Pre-nursery
Main nursery
One-stage nursery
Involves the main nursery onlyPolybags – 500gauge (0.12mm thick) x 38 x 51cm– filled with top soil two weeks before arrival of
germinated seeds– arrangement 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.9m triangular
Germinated seeds sown 1.8cm below soil surfaceMake sure not sown upside down
Main nursery
Two-stage nursery
Involves pre- and main nurseriesPre-nurseryPolybags 15 x 23cmAdvisable to arrange polybags 10 x 10 for easy managementMay require shades to protect seedlings against heat from sunlight3-month old seedlings are transplanted to big polybags in the main nursery
Pre-nursery Main nursery
Watering
Water twice daily, morning and late afternoon– Initially, seedlings require 0.5 litre of water a day– Later (11 months), 2.5 litres
Watering methods– Manually: watering-can, water hose– Irrigation system: sprinklers, lay-flat tubes
Fertilizer applicationAge of seedling
(months)Application per
monthAmount (g)
14:13:9:2:2½ Amount (g)12:12:17:2
4 2 14 -5 2 - 286 2 28 -7 2 - 428 2 42 -9 2 - 56
10 3 56 -11 1 - 7012 1 70 -13 1 - 8414 1 84 -
Weeding
Weeding once a month– between polybags– inside the polybags
Between polybags– contact herbicides may be used
but not hormonal-type herbicides (causes disorders) Inside polybags– manual weeding
Pest & disease control
Insecticide and fungicide sprays only necessary when there is outbreak
However, it is always beneficial to have monthly routine to avoid outbreaks
Culling of seedlingsSelection / culling are done when seedlings are– 3 months– 7-8 months– 12 months, just before field planting
Seedlings to be culled, examples– Twisted leaves– Grassy leaves– Juvenile– Chimeras
Establishment and Maintenance of Plantation
Land Clearing
From jungle, rubber, coconut, oil palm areasMechanised using bulldozers, chain sawsZero burning is emphasised – environmental friendlyIf need to burn (e.g. disease) – get permit from authority– Burning 6-8 weeks after felling
Plant with cover crop to avoid erosion
Chipping of old oil palm stand for replanting
Land Preparation ScheduleActivities Jan Feb Mar Apr May JunUnder brushing/weed spraying XFelling X XChipping/stacking/partial burning (if applicable)
X X X
Lining X X XRoad construction X X XTerracing X X XDrainage X X XPlanting X X XCover crop X X X
Roads and DrainsRoads– Good road system essential
for easy transportation during development and subsequent operations
Road maintenance
Drains– Most needed in swampy and
low-lying areas– Weeds on road shoulders
and surface are maintained by chemical spraysDrainage system
Lining
Lining after land clearing is completedRows in North-South direction for max sunlightPlanting distances– Inland soil (less fertile): 8.8m triangular (148 p/ha)– Coastal soil (more fertile): 9.0m triangular (136 p/ha)
BiodiversityBiodiversity and its conservation given attention in plantations: – conservation of flora and fauna
Oil palm palm plantations:– Rich in dicotyledons, monocotyledons, sedges,
ferns and brackens, anthropods, mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians
Plantation industry plays an important role in the conservation and enhancement of biodiversity in the oil palm environment
Source: Khairudin Hashim et al., (2005)
Field PlantingCarried out at beginning of wet seasonSeedlings attained age of 11-14 monthsPlanting holes prepared 2 weeks earlier300g phosphate fertilizer applied in planting hole to promote root developmentPolybags removed before plantingPlanting holes filled-up and soil is firmed
Cover CropsObjectives– To control erosion and nutrient losses– To improve nutrient status from
leguminous covers– To stabilise soil moisture– To improve soil structure and aeration– To prevent weeds– Mucuna spp.
Calopoganium mucunoides 2.8 kg/haPueraria phaseoloides 2.3 kg/haCalopoganium caeruleum 0.6 kg/ha
Cover crop
Weed Control
Objectives– To be ‘free’ of breeding ground of insect pests
and agents of diseases– To prevent competition between weeds and crop– To facilitate loose fruit collections, fertilizer
applications, control of pests and diseases
Weed Control Schedule
Age of palms (years)
Intervals between rounds (days)
No. of rounds per year
0 – 1 30 12
2 – 3 45 8
4 – 6 60 6
7 – 10 90 4
> 10 120 3
Maintenance of inter-rows, palm circles and low-lying areas
Should be free from noxious weeds, woody plants and their regenerationsPalm circles are clean-weeded 1.5m radiusAll low-lying areas, planted or not, are to be maintained fairly clean:– Managing drainage system– Breeding grounds for pests and diseases– Hide-outs for mammalian pests, e.g. wild boars
Upkeep of Harvesting Paths
The path used by harvesters to access palms and evacuate cropsPaths are alternate between planting rowPaths are maintained to allow passage to harvestersPaths are maintained by chemical sprays
Harvesting Paths and Frond Piles
Har
vest
ing
path
XX
XX
X
XX
XX
X
Har
vest
ing
path
Fron
d pi
le
XX
XX
X
XX
XX
X
Har
vest
ing
path
Fron
d pi
le
Fron
d pi
leFr
ond
pile
X = oil palm
Frond PruningThe removal of dead, old and drying fronds– Involves cutting, then stacked neatly in frond pile
Objectives– To facilitate weeding and fertilizer applications,
especially in young palms– To speed up harvesting collection of bunches– To facilitate collection of loose fruits
Timing – First pruning 6 months before first harvest– Progressive pruning during harvesting– Annual pruning also carried out
Fertilizer Requirements
A major cost in plantation operation– Correct and timely application has impact on yield
production and economic return– Large quantity of N, P, K, Mg fertilizer requirements
Fertilizer recommendations– Depends on age of palm, soil type, field conditions– Based on soil and foliar analyses
Fertilizers are applied within the palm circles
Fertilizer Application ScheduleYoung Palms
FertilizerRate of application (kg/p/yr)
Rounds/yrYear 1 Year 2 Year 3
NPKMg 6.0 6.5 - 4SA - - 3.0 2MOP - - 3.0 1CIRP - - 1.75 1Kieserite - - 1.0 1
Fertilizer Application Schedule
Matured palms
Fertilizer Rate of application (kg/p/yr) Rounds/yrSA 3.5 2MOP 3.5 2CIRP 1.75 1Kieserite 1.5 1
Fertilizer spreader
Nutrient Recycling 1
Empty fruit bunches (EFB)Fertilizer equivalent of 1 tonne EFB8kg Urea, 2.9kg CIRP, 18.3kg MOP, 4.7kg Kieserite
Palm oil mill effluent (POME)Fertilizer equivalent 360-5500 litres of POME2-3kg Urea, 1.8-2.8kg CIRP, 1.5-2.2kg MOP, 2.3-3.5kg Kieserite
EFB mulching
Nutrient Recycling 2
Pruned frondsFertilizer equivalent 1 tonne dried fronds59.8kg Urea, 14kg CIRP, 39.8kg MOP, 27.8kg Kieserite
Palm residues (zero burning land-clearing)Fertilizer equivalent of trunk and fronds per hectare737.9kg Urea, 92.1kg CIRP, 707.1kg MOP, 281.4kg Kieserite
Pests and DiseaseBagworms and nettle caterpillarsControls: IPM, trichlorfon,
Bacillus thurigiensis (bacteria)Rhinoceros beetleControls: carbofuran, pheromone traps,
Metarhizium (fungus)
DiseaseGanoderma BSRControls: avoidance/ sanitation, surgery,
hexaconazole, tolerant palms
Pests
Ganoderma
Rhinoceros beetle
Bagworm
Control of rhinoceros beetle using Metarhizium
Cassia cobanensis
Parasitoid
HarvestingStarts bearing at 2½ to 3 years after field planting– Harvest when some, say 2
loose fruits on the ground Harvesting schedule– 2 – 3 times a month(10 to 15 day round in a month)– 7 am to 12 noon
Harvesting tools– Chisel for young palms– Sickle for older palms
HarvestingLocate ripe bunches
• Remove obstructing fronds• Harvest FFB
Pruned fronds stacked neatly in frond pile
• Bunch stalk cut to at least 2.5cm• Loose fruits collection, put in sacks
Evacuate FFB and loose fruits to platform by the roadside
HarvestingFor high oil in bunches
No unripe bunches harvested (zero unripeness policy)No ripe bunches left unharvestedMinimise damage to fruits
during harvesting, loading, transportationMinimise contamination by earth and soilKeep bunch stalk as short as possible – stalks absorb oil in milling process
Transportation of FFB
From palms to platforms manual, wheel-barrow, bicycles, buffaloes, motorcycle-trailer, mini tractors, etc.
From platforms to ramp by tractors on the same dayFrom ramp to mill by lorieseither on the same day or the following day
Palm
Platform
Ramp
Mill
Tractor and grabber used by plantations
Motorcycle-trailer used by smallholders
Cost of ProductionCost item % of total cost Approx. range (%)
General upkeep 12 8 – 16
Fertilizers 22 12 – 32
Harvesting & transportation 34 22 – 46
Maintenance & supervision 10 7 – 13
Depreciation & maintenance of facilities 3 1 – 15
R&D and advisory 1 Wide
Others 18 1 – 27
Cost of Production (estimates)
Cost itemsImmature palms Mature palms
1st year(RM/ha)
2nd year(RM/ha)
3rd year(RM/ha) (RM/ha) (RM/ tonne
FFB)
Non-recurrent Costs 70% - - - -
Upkeep and Cultivation 20% 65% 50% 10% 15%
Fertilizer 10% 35% 50% 50% 45%
Harvesting - - - 20% 20%
FFB Transportation - - - 20% 20%
Total 4,800 2,600 2,400 2,500 300USD1 = RM3.3
Oil palm is the highest oil-bearing plantMain products are PO and PKOImportant factors in OP cultivation– Suitable land – High yielding planting materials/ clones– Labour – Mechanization
Conclusions
ConclusionsOil palm cultivation and yield production in environmental friendly manner:– Biodiversity– Conservation of riparian areas, slopes, swamps– Zero-burning– Recycling of biomass– Soil conservation– Use of leguminous covers crops– Integrated pest management (IPM)
Plantations adopt – Roundtable for Sustainable Palm Oil (RSPO)– Codes of Practice (COP)
