The most widely practiced method of rat control in oil palm plantations is by baiting with anticoagulant rat poisons. Two experiments were conducted to study the efficacy and susceptibility of first-generation anticoagulant rat bait, coumatetralyl (0.375%) to control Rattus rattus diardii. In the first experiment, a laboratory trial was conducted to test two commercial coumatetralyl 0.375 per cent rat baits (5 g and 6 g) and one brodifacoum bait (5 g) in comparison with an untreated control. All the three baits provided excellent kill of Rattus rattus diardii. The results indicated that, Rattus rattus diardii from the locality of Sampit in Central Kalimantan was susceptible to first-generation anticoagulant of coumatetralyl and coumatetralyl baits were highly palatable. The laboratory findings prompted to evaluate the efficacy of first-generation bait in the field. The second experiment was conducted in an 18-year-old mature oil palm field to evaluate coumatetralyl rat bait in three baiting treatments to control high rat infestation with high fresh damage (18%; 12%; 15%; 17%) of Rattus rattus diardii. The coumatetralyl wax bait was evaluated with one bait per palm (replacement at 4 days interval), three baits per palm (replacement at 7 days interval) and five baits per palm (replacement at 7 days interval); and an untreated control treatment was included. All the three baiting treatments provided successful control of rats and reduced the rat population to a negligible level. The standard baiting treatment required nine baiting rounds. The three baits per palm and five baits per palm treatments needed eight and five baiting rounds respectively. The fresh damage on fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in all the three treatments were observed to have reduced from high level to 0 per cent. The first-generation coumatetralyl anticoagulant bait was effective for the control of Rattus rattus diardii. Hence, it is good approach to use the first-generation baits (for example coumatetralyl bait) in susceptible rat population areas until such time the change to second generation rodenticide bait is required. Placements of more baits required fewer baiting rounds but may result in over application of baits which lead to high cost. Therefore, multiple bait application is not recommended for routine baiting campaigns. It is relatively an interim measure for quick reduction of rat populations especially in high infestation areas. Keywords: Oil palm, high rat population, baiting, first-generation anticoagulant, coumatetralyl, Rattus rattus diardii.
{"title":"APPLICATION METHODS OF COUMATETRALYL BAITS TO CONTROL RATTUS RATTUS DIARDII IN HIGH INFESTATION AREAS","authors":"B. R","doi":"10.56333/tp.2021.005","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2021.005","url":null,"abstract":"The most widely practiced method of rat control in oil palm plantations is by baiting with anticoagulant rat poisons. Two experiments were conducted to study the efficacy and susceptibility of first-generation anticoagulant rat bait, coumatetralyl (0.375%) to control Rattus rattus diardii. In the first experiment, a laboratory trial was conducted to test two commercial coumatetralyl 0.375 per cent rat baits (5 g and 6 g) and one brodifacoum bait (5 g) in comparison with an untreated control. All the three baits provided excellent kill of Rattus rattus diardii. The results indicated that, Rattus rattus diardii from the locality of Sampit in Central Kalimantan was susceptible to first-generation anticoagulant of coumatetralyl and coumatetralyl baits were highly palatable. The laboratory findings prompted to evaluate the efficacy of first-generation bait in the field. The second experiment was conducted in an 18-year-old mature oil palm field to evaluate coumatetralyl rat bait in three baiting treatments to control high rat infestation with high fresh damage (18%; 12%; 15%; 17%) of Rattus rattus diardii. The coumatetralyl wax bait was evaluated with one bait per palm (replacement at 4 days interval), three baits per palm (replacement at 7 days interval) and five baits per palm (replacement at 7 days interval); and an untreated control treatment was included. All the three baiting treatments provided successful control of rats and reduced the rat population to a negligible level. The standard baiting treatment required nine baiting rounds. The three baits per palm and five baits per palm treatments needed eight and five baiting rounds respectively. The fresh damage on fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in all the three treatments were observed to have reduced from high level to 0 per cent. The first-generation coumatetralyl anticoagulant bait was effective for the control of Rattus rattus diardii. Hence, it is good approach to use the first-generation baits (for example coumatetralyl bait) in susceptible rat population areas until such time the change to second generation rodenticide bait is required. Placements of more baits required fewer baiting rounds but may result in over application of baits which lead to high cost. Therefore, multiple bait application is not recommended for routine baiting campaigns. It is relatively an interim measure for quick reduction of rat populations especially in high infestation areas. Keywords: Oil palm, high rat population, baiting, first-generation anticoagulant, coumatetralyl, Rattus rattus diardii.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"45 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80723108","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
This desktop study evaluates the potential risks of climate change in Malaysia on oil palm cultivation in the field up to the year 2050. Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the atmosphere has a positive effect on oil palm performance. However, the oil palm is unable to use this positive effect to its maximum due to the higher air temperatures and uneven rainfall patterns that come with climate change. Higher air temperatures during frequent low rainfall periods subject the oil palm to water and heat stress which reduce photosynthesis. In addition, during the subsequent heavy rainfall periods, the solar radiation is low and reduces photosynthesis. The heavy rainfall also causes flooding of river basins and coastal regions; posing problems to fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting and crop evacuation. If the land is flooded for long periods, it will also become unsuitable for planting oil palm. A rising sea level with climate change also results in the intrusion of saline sea water into coastal areas. This poses challenges for oil palm cultivation since the crop does not tolerate saline conditions.Climate change is also found to favour higher risk of attacks on oil palm by pests and diseases. In conclusion, the climate of Malaysia is still suitable for oil palm cultivation up to 2050 in spite of climate change. However, climate change presents risks to oil palm cultivation; the magnitude depending on its severity. Keywords: Climate change, water and heat stress, flooding, sea level rise, oil palm cultivation , pests and diseases.
{"title":"POTENTIAL RISKS OF CLIMATE CHANGE TO OIL PALM CULTIVATION IN MALAYSIA","authors":"F. Yew, Mei Lee Yew","doi":"10.56333/tp.2021.004","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2021.004","url":null,"abstract":"This desktop study evaluates the potential risks of climate change in Malaysia on oil palm cultivation in the field up to the year 2050. Increasing carbon dioxide (CO2) level in the atmosphere has a positive effect on oil palm performance. However, the oil palm is unable to use this positive effect to its maximum due to the higher air temperatures and uneven rainfall patterns that come with climate change. Higher air temperatures during frequent low rainfall periods subject the oil palm to water and heat stress which reduce photosynthesis. In addition, during the subsequent heavy rainfall periods, the solar radiation is low and reduces photosynthesis. The heavy rainfall also causes flooding of river basins and coastal regions; posing problems to fresh fruit bunch (FFB) harvesting and crop evacuation. If the land is flooded for long periods, it will also become unsuitable for planting oil palm. A rising sea level with climate change also results in the intrusion of saline sea water into coastal areas. This poses challenges for oil palm cultivation since the crop does not tolerate saline conditions.Climate change is also found to favour higher risk of attacks on oil palm by pests and diseases. In conclusion, the climate of Malaysia is still suitable for oil palm cultivation up to 2050 in spite of climate change. However, climate change presents risks to oil palm cultivation; the magnitude depending on its severity. Keywords: Climate change, water and heat stress, flooding, sea level rise, oil palm cultivation , pests and diseases.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"8 1 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-03-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"77527815","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The Malaysian cocoa industry needs a sustainable and consistent supply of cocoa beans with the quality attributes of specialty cocoa beans to meet the diverse and increasing requirements of the world prospect. It is aimed to transform and implement a specialty cocoa value chain in Malaysia, to help small-scale cocoa growers gain access to high value markets. The efforts towards developing Malaysia as fine flavour cocoa producing country involve a range of activities at all levels of the cocoa value chain. Promising varieties recognised through the Cocoa Excellence programme with unique characteristics have been identified and adapting high-yield growing techniques to increase productivity is the next challenge in order to get sufficient volume, with proper post-harvest processing and rigorous quality control and traceability. As the world demand for fine flavour cocoa has been growing, initiatives should be taken on several key research components, including identifying clones with specialty beans and suitable regions for growing cocoa, determine flavour evaluation not only sensory but DNA fingerprinting of selected materials, selecting potential specialty cocoa varieties among genetic collection and train growers especially smallholders, to follow the recommended practices. Also, a more in-depth market study will be necessary to give and guide the industry with more detailed recommendations on fine or flavour cocoa investments such as price, quality and volumes. Certification is another requirement by specialty cocoa buyers and retailers as an important proof of commitment to sustainability. The demand for certification of cocoa and chocolate is growing strongly in the European and global cocoa market. Keywords: Specialty beans, fine flavour cocoa, cocoa varieties, bean quality, post-harvest technique, sustainable cocoa industry
{"title":"REVOLUTION OF COCOA BEANS IN MALAYSIA: BULK TO SPECIALTY BEANS","authors":"Y. Tee, Nuraziawati MAT YAZIK, Haya Ramba","doi":"10.56333/tp.2021.003","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2021.003","url":null,"abstract":"The Malaysian cocoa industry needs a sustainable and consistent supply of cocoa beans with the quality attributes of specialty cocoa beans to meet the diverse and increasing requirements of the world prospect. It is aimed to transform and implement a specialty cocoa value chain in Malaysia, to help small-scale cocoa growers gain access to high value markets. The efforts towards developing Malaysia as fine flavour cocoa producing country involve a range of activities at all levels of the cocoa value chain. Promising varieties recognised through the Cocoa Excellence programme with unique characteristics have been identified and adapting high-yield growing techniques to increase productivity is the next challenge in order to get sufficient volume, with proper post-harvest processing and rigorous quality control and traceability. As the world demand for fine flavour cocoa has been growing, initiatives should be taken on several key research components, including identifying clones with specialty beans and suitable regions for growing cocoa, determine flavour evaluation not only sensory but DNA fingerprinting of selected materials, selecting potential specialty cocoa varieties among genetic collection and train growers especially smallholders, to follow the recommended practices. Also, a more in-depth market study will be necessary to give and guide the industry with more detailed recommendations on fine or flavour cocoa investments such as price, quality and volumes. Certification is another requirement by specialty cocoa buyers and retailers as an important proof of commitment to sustainability. The demand for certification of cocoa and chocolate is growing strongly in the European and global cocoa market. Keywords: Specialty beans, fine flavour cocoa, cocoa varieties, bean quality, post-harvest technique, sustainable cocoa industry","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"47 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-02-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75036284","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin. is an invasive pest in India. It feeds on most of the green-leaved plants including arecaceae palms. Both the nymphs and adults suck the sap from the leaves causing yield loss. For effective management of the pest, ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi has developed a novel technology using microbial agent, Isaria fumosorosea. The initial trials that were conducted on the efficacy of the fungus yielded good results causing substantial mortality to all stages of the pest. The methodology on multiplication has been standardised using locally available low cost agro materials like broken sago grains, cane sugar and potatoes. Multiplication of the microbial organism included preparation of mother culture in the laboratory as well as in the farmers’ homes and preparation of ready to use culture for application against the target pest using mother culture. The preparation of mother culture using laboratory ingredients was compared with that of locally available materials. The spore count and the time taken for obtaining the maximum output were also compared and found on par in both the cases. The methodology to multiply the mother culture by farmers in their homes was also developed which is helpful for further multiplication and use to control the pest. The cost of production of mother culture using locally available agro materials was found to be half the price of that prepared in the laboratory. This methodology replaces the farmers dependency for mother culture from various institutes/laboratories and helps to procure sufficient culture with them. Keywords: Rugose spiraling whitefly, Isaria fumosorosea, broken sago grains, cane sugar
白蛉;白蛉;白蛉。是印度的一种入侵害虫。它以大多数绿叶植物为食,包括槟榔科棕榈树。若虫和成虫都从树叶中吸取汁液,造成产量损失。为了有效地控制这种害虫,印度油棕研究所(ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research)的Pedavegi开发了一种使用微生物制剂Isaria fummosorosea的新技术。对真菌功效进行的初步试验取得了良好的结果,导致所有阶段的害虫大量死亡。繁殖方法已经标准化,使用当地可获得的低成本农业材料,如西米碎粒、甘蔗糖和土豆。微生物的繁殖包括在实验室和农民家中制备母体培养物,以及利用母体培养物制备即用型培养物用于防治目标害虫。用实验室原料制备母培养物并与当地原料制备母培养物进行了比较。孢子数和获得最大产量所需的时间也进行了比较,发现在两种情况下都是平等的。还提出了农民在家中繁殖母种的方法,为进一步繁殖和防治害虫提供了依据。发现使用当地可获得的农业材料生产母体培养物的成本是在实验室制备的价格的一半。这种方法取代了农民对来自各种研究所/实验室的母体培养物的依赖,并有助于从它们那里获得足够的培养物。关键词:白蝇,烟孢粉虱,西米碎粒,蔗糖
{"title":"HOUSEHOLD PRODUCTION OF ISARIA FUMOSOROSEA FUNGUS MOTHER CULTURE TO CONTROL RUGOSE SPIRALING WHITEFLY","authors":"K. P","doi":"10.56333/tp.2021.001","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2021.001","url":null,"abstract":"Rugose spiraling whitefly (RSW), Aleurodicus rugioperculatus Martin. is an invasive pest in India. It feeds on most of the green-leaved plants including arecaceae palms. Both the nymphs and adults suck the sap from the leaves causing yield loss. For effective management of the pest, ICAR- Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi has developed a novel technology using microbial agent, Isaria fumosorosea. The initial trials that were conducted on the efficacy of the fungus yielded good results causing substantial mortality to all stages of the pest. The methodology on multiplication has been standardised using locally available low cost agro materials like broken sago grains, cane sugar and potatoes. Multiplication of the microbial organism included preparation of mother culture in the laboratory as well as in the farmers’ homes and preparation of ready to use culture for application against the target pest using mother culture. The preparation of mother culture using laboratory ingredients was compared with that of locally available materials. The spore count and the time taken for obtaining the maximum output were also compared and found on par in both the cases. The methodology to multiply the mother culture by farmers in their homes was also developed which is helpful for further multiplication and use to control the pest. The cost of production of mother culture using locally available agro materials was found to be half the price of that prepared in the laboratory. This methodology replaces the farmers dependency for mother culture from various institutes/laboratories and helps to procure sufficient culture with them. Keywords: Rugose spiraling whitefly, Isaria fumosorosea, broken sago grains, cane sugar","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"30 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-31","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"84256664","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Noor Sahira NOOR AZIZAN, S. Mustaffha, S. S. Jumali
Palm oil mills have been identified as one of the main sources of environmental pollution as they generate both solid (decanter cake) and liquid [palm oil mill effluent (pome)] wastes. It is vital for the palm oil industry to implement effective measures in order to mitigate its environmental impacts. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the biological oxygen demand (BOD), of the effluent daily analysed by the mill laboratory are important parameters related to the intensity of the environmental impacts on the wastewater. The organic content in the effluent contributes towards the BOD and its relevance lies in the oxygen content of the water courses (usually rivers) into which the effluent is discharged. At values in excess of 100 ppm in the effluent stream, the water source will face starvation of oxygen resulting in the destruction of their marine life. POME can be treated with algae or specific aquatic plants. Past researches were carried out on the potential of Chlamydomonas incerta, Pistia stratiotes, Ipomoea aquatica, Chrysopogon zizanioides and Eichhornia crassipes in combating environmental concerns. The result shows that Eichhornia crassipes is able to reduce COD, BOD, N and P by up to 50, 90, 88 and 64 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be treated by composting, a physical method using the plant E. crassipes, which was found to be the most effective biological method for POME treatment because its effectiveness in reducing contaminants was higher than other aquatic plants and microalgae. This review discusses several potential methods that are accepted and observed in other related researches and how biological methods compare with physical method for POME treatment. Keywords: Palm oil mill effluent, aquatic plants, phytoremediation, biological method, physical method.
{"title":"POME Treatment Technology Using Biological and Physical Methods: A Review","authors":"Noor Sahira NOOR AZIZAN, S. Mustaffha, S. S. Jumali","doi":"10.56333/tp.2021.002","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2021.002","url":null,"abstract":"Palm oil mills have been identified as one of the main sources of environmental pollution as they generate both solid (decanter cake) and liquid [palm oil mill effluent (pome)] wastes. It is vital for the palm oil industry to implement effective measures in order to mitigate its environmental impacts. The chemical oxygen demand (COD) and the biological oxygen demand (BOD), of the effluent daily analysed by the mill laboratory are important parameters related to the intensity of the environmental impacts on the wastewater. The organic content in the effluent contributes towards the BOD and its relevance lies in the oxygen content of the water courses (usually rivers) into which the effluent is discharged. At values in excess of 100 ppm in the effluent stream, the water source will face starvation of oxygen resulting in the destruction of their marine life. POME can be treated with algae or specific aquatic plants. Past researches were carried out on the potential of Chlamydomonas incerta, Pistia stratiotes, Ipomoea aquatica, Chrysopogon zizanioides and Eichhornia crassipes in combating environmental concerns. The result shows that Eichhornia crassipes is able to reduce COD, BOD, N and P by up to 50, 90, 88 and 64 per cent respectively. Meanwhile, palm oil mill effluent (POME) can be treated by composting, a physical method using the plant E. crassipes, which was found to be the most effective biological method for POME treatment because its effectiveness in reducing contaminants was higher than other aquatic plants and microalgae. This review discusses several potential methods that are accepted and observed in other related researches and how biological methods compare with physical method for POME treatment. Keywords: Palm oil mill effluent, aquatic plants, phytoremediation, biological method, physical method.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"31 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2021-01-30","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"87001681","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Although peat soil has a low pH range of 3.2 to 3.8 units, it remains unclear whether this is a major constraint to oil palm cultivation, as the cultivar is known to tolerate fairly high levels of acidity without any serious adverse effects. Earlier work on liming and acidity correction has often given conflicting and sometimes, even negative results. In view of the latter, two trials were established to evaluate a number of soil ameliorants and their impact if any, on the growth and yield of newly planted and young mature palms in deep acidic peat. This paper summarises results over a 7- year evaluation period. Of the four ameliorants evaluated on newly planted seedlings in trial no.1, limestone dust (LSD) was the most effective in correcting acidity, raising the soil pH from 3.6 to 5.4 - 6.1 units in the top 30 cm of soil. Despite the significant improvement in soil pH, no advantage in nutrient uptake, palm growth and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield was recorded over unlimed control plots. In contrast, oil palm bunch ash (BA), eucalyptus fly ash (EFA) and paddy husk ash (PHA) had a smaller impact on soil acidity, but increased FFB yield from 2 per cent to 9 per cent, of which BA was the most effective, especially at the higher rate of application (9.0 kg/palm/year). One negative aspect of acidity amelioration is its impact on peat subsidence. Being highly caustic, application of LSD and BA accelerated decomposition and mineralisation of the peat, increasing subsidence rates by as much as 1.0 cm per annum. In trial no.2 which evaluated two potash sources [muriate of potash (MOP) and BA] on young mature palms, only annual applications of BA significantly improved soil pH, requiring up to 9.0 kg per palm per year to improve and maintain top soil pH above 5.0 units. BA was also superior to MOP in improving soil fertility, particularly the levels of exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium and also significantly reduced the concentration of free aluminium ions and aluminium saturation to low or negligible levels. Although BA ameliorated soil acidity and significantly improved soil fertility, no significant differences in FFB yield were recorded between BA and MOP. With MOP, response to fertiliser inputs was linear, highest yield being achieved with 6.0 kg per palm per year. In contrast, no significant differences were recorded between the different BA rates applied, with 4.50 kg per palm per year producing the same yield response as the highest rate of 11.25 kg per palm per year. For peat soil, BA appeared to be the more efficient K source, as it could attain the same yield as MOP, but at lower K inputs. As peat is reported to be very deficient in silica, it is suspected that any positive responses elicited by application of ash products (which have high silica content) could be a response to silica rather than correction in soil acidity. However, as no soil, foliar and product analysis was carried out for silica content in both trials, the latte
尽管泥炭土的pH值范围较低,只有3.2至3.8个单位,但目前尚不清楚这是否是油棕种植的主要限制因素,因为众所周知,该品种能够耐受相当高的酸度,而不会产生任何严重的不良影响。早期关于石灰化和酸度校正的工作经常给出相互矛盾的,有时甚至是负面的结果。鉴于后者,进行了两项试验,以评价若干土壤改良剂及其对深酸性泥炭中新种植和幼成熟棕榈树的生长和产量的影响。本文总结了7年评价期的结果。4种改良剂在新栽苗木上的评价。1、石灰石粉尘(LSD)对酸碱度校正效果最好,可将土壤表层30 cm土壤pH值由3.6提高到5.4 ~ 6.1。尽管土壤pH值显著改善,但在养分吸收、棕榈生长和鲜果束产量方面,与未施肥的对照区相比没有明显优势。油棕榈束灰(BA)、桉树飞灰(EFA)和稻壳灰(PHA)对土壤酸度的影响较小,但可使FFB产量从2%提高到9%,其中BA效果最好,特别是在较高的施用量(9.0 kg/棕榈/年)下。酸度改善的一个负面方面是它对泥炭沉降的影响。由于高腐蚀性,使用LSD和BA加速了泥炭的分解和矿化,使沉降率每年增加了1.0厘米。在第一次审判中。2在幼龄成熟棕榈上评价了两种钾肥来源[钾肥(MOP)和BA],只有每年施用BA才能显著改善土壤pH值,每棵棕榈每年需要高达9.0 kg的钾肥才能改善并保持表层土壤pH值在5.0以上。BA在提高土壤肥力方面也优于MOP,特别是交换性钾、钙和镁的水平,并显著降低游离铝离子浓度和铝饱和度至较低或可忽略的水平。虽然BA改善了土壤酸度,显著提高了土壤肥力,但BA与MOP在FFB产量上无显著差异。对于MOP,对肥料投入的反应是线性的,最高产量为每年每棵棕榈6.0公斤。相比之下,施用不同BA量之间没有记录到显著差异,4.50 kg / palm / year与最高11.25 kg / palm / year产生相同的产量响应。对于泥炭土,BA是更有效的钾源,在较低的钾投入下,BA可以获得与MOP相同的产量。据报道,泥炭非常缺乏二氧化硅,因此怀疑使用灰产品(二氧化硅含量高)引起的任何积极反应可能是对二氧化硅的反应,而不是土壤酸度的纠正。然而,由于在这两个试验中都没有对土壤、叶片和产品进行硅含量分析,因此后者将仍然是一个假设,直到证明相反。目前正在进行试验,以评估二氧化硅对泥炭土壤中油棕生长和产量的影响。关键词:酸度,束灰,油棕,泥炭,土壤改良。
{"title":"Evaluation of Soil Ameliorants on Immature and Mature Oil Palms in Acidic Peat","authors":"M. Sidhu, Z. Sinuraya, A. A, M. Sharma","doi":"10.56333/tp.2020.018","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.018","url":null,"abstract":"Although peat soil has a low pH range of 3.2 to 3.8 units, it remains unclear whether this is a major constraint to oil palm cultivation, as the cultivar is known to tolerate fairly high levels of acidity without any serious adverse effects. Earlier work on liming and acidity correction has often given conflicting and sometimes, even negative results. In view of the latter, two trials were established to evaluate a number of soil ameliorants and their impact if any, on the growth and yield of newly planted and young mature palms in deep acidic peat. This paper summarises results over a 7- year evaluation period. Of the four ameliorants evaluated on newly planted seedlings in trial no.1, limestone dust (LSD) was the most effective in correcting acidity, raising the soil pH from 3.6 to 5.4 - 6.1 units in the top 30 cm of soil. Despite the significant improvement in soil pH, no advantage in nutrient uptake, palm growth and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield was recorded over unlimed control plots. In contrast, oil palm bunch ash (BA), eucalyptus fly ash (EFA) and paddy husk ash (PHA) had a smaller impact on soil acidity, but increased FFB yield from 2 per cent to 9 per cent, of which BA was the most effective, especially at the higher rate of application (9.0 kg/palm/year). One negative aspect of acidity amelioration is its impact on peat subsidence. Being highly caustic, application of LSD and BA accelerated decomposition and mineralisation of the peat, increasing subsidence rates by as much as 1.0 cm per annum. In trial no.2 which evaluated two potash sources [muriate of potash (MOP) and BA] on young mature palms, only annual applications of BA significantly improved soil pH, requiring up to 9.0 kg per palm per year to improve and maintain top soil pH above 5.0 units. BA was also superior to MOP in improving soil fertility, particularly the levels of exchangeable potassium, calcium and magnesium and also significantly reduced the concentration of free aluminium ions and aluminium saturation to low or negligible levels. Although BA ameliorated soil acidity and significantly improved soil fertility, no significant differences in FFB yield were recorded between BA and MOP. With MOP, response to fertiliser inputs was linear, highest yield being achieved with 6.0 kg per palm per year. In contrast, no significant differences were recorded between the different BA rates applied, with 4.50 kg per palm per year producing the same yield response as the highest rate of 11.25 kg per palm per year. For peat soil, BA appeared to be the more efficient K source, as it could attain the same yield as MOP, but at lower K inputs. As peat is reported to be very deficient in silica, it is suspected that any positive responses elicited by application of ash products (which have high silica content) could be a response to silica rather than correction in soil acidity. However, as no soil, foliar and product analysis was carried out for silica content in both trials, the latte","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"21 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-12-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"82208153","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Two incidences of severe rat damage were encountered in a visit to an oil palm estate in Lower Perak recently. Severe rat damage on oil palm fruit bunches and inflorescences was seen in a young mature 6-year-old planting. Rat species identified were Rattus tiomanicus (via cage trapping) and Rattus argentiventer (via digging the burrow). Furthermore, images of rat chewing inflorescence were taken by an estate personnel during night inspection. Mitigation measures to identify the cause of rat infestation in young mature planting and to reduce risk of damage and crop losses covering various aspects in several headings, namely rat species, rat damage and crop losses, bait shyness, poison baiting, multiple baits application, mass trapping, dog-assisted hunting, worker hunting, and augmentation of barn owl population are discussed. Severe rat damage on immature palms (1 - 2 years old) was seen in a planting of an adjacent estate. It is not possible to comment on the rat infestation in immature planting which was viewed from far. Fast control is required to end the rat infestation before further loss of palms. However, mitigation measures are discussed under several headings, namely rat species, rat damage and crop losses, poison baiting, bait shyness, mass trapping, deterrent mixture and rate baiting policy. In conclusion, rats are important pest in mature and immature oil palm plantings and rat management is becoming more challenging due to acute labour shortage and the need for multi-pronged approach in integrated rat management and /or the need to tolerate certain levels of rat damage. To meet these approaching challenges, the training of estate personnel must be emphasised and supported by new findings from on-going R&D works. Keywords: Rats, oil palm, damage, mitigation.
{"title":"Rat Damage Incidences in Lower Perak and Mitigation Measures","authors":"G. F. Chung, Syee Wha Poh","doi":"10.56333/tp.2020.017","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.017","url":null,"abstract":"Two incidences of severe rat damage were encountered in a visit to an oil palm estate in Lower Perak recently. Severe rat damage on oil palm fruit bunches and inflorescences was seen in a young mature 6-year-old planting. Rat species identified were Rattus tiomanicus (via cage trapping) and Rattus argentiventer (via digging the burrow). Furthermore, images of rat chewing inflorescence were taken by an estate personnel during night inspection. Mitigation measures to identify the cause of rat infestation in young mature planting and to reduce risk of damage and crop losses covering various aspects in several headings, namely rat species, rat damage and crop losses, bait shyness, poison baiting, multiple baits application, mass trapping, dog-assisted hunting, worker hunting, and augmentation of barn owl population are discussed. Severe rat damage on immature palms (1 - 2 years old) was seen in a planting of an adjacent estate. It is not possible to comment on the rat infestation in immature planting which was viewed from far. Fast control is required to end the rat infestation before further loss of palms. However, mitigation measures are discussed under several headings, namely rat species, rat damage and crop losses, poison baiting, bait shyness, mass trapping, deterrent mixture and rate baiting policy. In conclusion, rats are important pest in mature and immature oil palm plantings and rat management is becoming more challenging due to acute labour shortage and the need for multi-pronged approach in integrated rat management and /or the need to tolerate certain levels of rat damage. To meet these approaching challenges, the training of estate personnel must be emphasised and supported by new findings from on-going R&D works. Keywords: Rats, oil palm, damage, mitigation.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"102 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-11-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"75789651","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Bunch failure due to insufficient pollen is a serious problem in all the oil palm growing countries. It is observed that the main problem is due to lack of pollinating weevils as a result of inadequate male flowers in the plantations. The establishment of pollinating weevils in high sex ratio palms is a critical requirement for oil palm productivity. Bunch failure due to lack of pollination in high sex ratio palms was found to cause more than 90 per cent yield loss. The problem was severe, particularly, in isolated young oil palm plantations. Presence of limited number of male flowers led to fewer pollinating weevils even after inundating releases leading to poor yield. Intercropping with crops like banana and sugarcane which require great amount of water encouraged the emergence of more female than male flowers. Assisted pollination by sprinkling pollen grains on female inflorescences proved effective to a certain extent. Various treatments like severe pruning of fronds and application of gibberellic acid in high doses proved effective in mitigating the problem. These allowed natural pollination with the emergence of more male flowers and establishment of pollinating weevils. Keywords: Bunch failure, thrips, pollinating weevils, inundating releases, gibberellic acid.
{"title":"Management of Oil Palm Bunch Failure in High Sex Ratio Palms","authors":"P. Kalidas","doi":"10.56333/tp.2020.016","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.016","url":null,"abstract":"Bunch failure due to insufficient pollen is a serious problem in all the oil palm growing countries. It is observed that the main problem is due to lack of pollinating weevils as a result of inadequate male flowers in the plantations. The establishment of pollinating weevils in high sex ratio palms is a critical requirement for oil palm productivity. Bunch failure due to lack of pollination in high sex ratio palms was found to cause more than 90 per cent yield loss. The problem was severe, particularly, in isolated young oil palm plantations. Presence of limited number of male flowers led to fewer pollinating weevils even after inundating releases leading to poor yield. Intercropping with crops like banana and sugarcane which require great amount of water encouraged the emergence of more female than male flowers. Assisted pollination by sprinkling pollen grains on female inflorescences proved effective to a certain extent. Various treatments like severe pruning of fronds and application of gibberellic acid in high doses proved effective in mitigating the problem. These allowed natural pollination with the emergence of more male flowers and establishment of pollinating weevils. Keywords: Bunch failure, thrips, pollinating weevils, inundating releases, gibberellic acid.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"12 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"90047203","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
The palm oil industry is currently facing unprecedented issues and challenges. Global climate change is caused by human activity such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, palm oil has been singled out as the perpetrator. While the industry has taken proactive steps to deal with the negative consumer image by producing certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), improving crude palm oil (CPO) quality must go in tandem with CSPO; otherwise the onerous efforts will be negated. Surveys over a span of 25 years have shown that our CPO quality has, at best, remained status quo. Enhancing palm oil quality is not just a must but a prerequisite. This is because these are the very characteristics that affect consumer’s perception of its value. The industry must produce CPO quality that refiners, and ultimately consumers, want and not the quality they think the refiners want. Refiners want CPO with low free fatty acid (FFA), low contamination, low oxidation, and high iodine value. Leaders of the industry must be committed to produce quality products, not just provide lip service. Formulating quality as a policy, and having effective control systems, do not in themselves, produce quality products. Such a task needs the commitment and the will of everyone within the organisation to set it in motion. In the long run, the most important factor affecting a business unit’s performance is the quality of its products and services in relation to its competitors. To produce quality CPO, all that is needed is – reduce contaminants during collection of fruits, minimise fruit damage and process the fruits early. Good coordination and cooperation between estates and mills is a must. Keywords: Survey, quality, improvements, refinery, requirements.
{"title":"Enhancing Basic CPO Quality","authors":"S. Ng, V. Ng","doi":"10.56333/tp.2020.015","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.015","url":null,"abstract":"The palm oil industry is currently facing unprecedented issues and challenges. Global climate change is caused by human activity such as deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions. Unfortunately, palm oil has been singled out as the perpetrator. While the industry has taken proactive steps to deal with the negative consumer image by producing certified sustainable palm oil (CSPO), improving crude palm oil (CPO) quality must go in tandem with CSPO; otherwise the onerous efforts will be negated. Surveys over a span of 25 years have shown that our CPO quality has, at best, remained status quo. Enhancing palm oil quality is not just a must but a prerequisite. This is because these are the very characteristics that affect consumer’s perception of its value. The industry must produce CPO quality that refiners, and ultimately consumers, want and not the quality they think the refiners want. Refiners want CPO with low free fatty acid (FFA), low contamination, low oxidation, and high iodine value. Leaders of the industry must be committed to produce quality products, not just provide lip service. Formulating quality as a policy, and having effective control systems, do not in themselves, produce quality products. Such a task needs the commitment and the will of everyone within the organisation to set it in motion. In the long run, the most important factor affecting a business unit’s performance is the quality of its products and services in relation to its competitors. To produce quality CPO, all that is needed is – reduce contaminants during collection of fruits, minimise fruit damage and process the fruits early. Good coordination and cooperation between estates and mills is a must. Keywords: Survey, quality, improvements, refinery, requirements.","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"2 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-10-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"85940127","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
B. B. Ang, M. Sidhu, Ida Febriantine, Yopy Dedywiryanto, J. Tan, H. H, Izharul Ihsan, Erta Ginting, A. R, Eko Suprihanto, S. S, Y. Samosir, M. Sharma
Asian Agri’s oil palm research station’s (OPRS-Topaz) breeding programme involves the complementary development of both seedling and clonal planting materials. From 2010-2018, a total of 18 clonal trials and 890 hectares of commercial clonal plots were established in two provinces (North Sumatra, Riau) and on three major soil types (volcanic, inland, peat). This paper reports on the early performances of the clones in the latter sites. Comparatively, elite clones only achieved 82 per cent and 85 per cent of their ortet fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and crude palm oil (CPO) yields, respectively. Analysis undertaken in five of the oldest mineral soil trials indicated either a negative or very low positive correlation between clone and ortet FFB yield, but correlations of oil to bunch (O/B) and annual height increment (Hi) were positive and highly significant, confirming the better heritability of the latter two parameters and their suitability as criteria for ortet selection. In clonal trials, the highest yields were obtained on inland soils in Riau province, with elite clones recording average peak FFB and CPO yields of 45.1 tonnes per hectare and 11.6 tonnes per hectare, respectively. Slightly lower yields were attained on volcanic soils (36.2 tonnes FFB/ha; 9.9 tonnes CPO/ha) and on deep peat (32.6 tonnes FFB/ha; 8.5 tonnes CPO/ha) in North Sumatra. However, as the latter two sites contained some younger trials, they may have yet to achieve their maximum potential. O/B values also differed for the same clones planted on three different soil types. On average, oil content of clones planted on peat was approximately 3 percentage points lower than their counterparts planted on either inland or volcanic soils. In all nine trials which included DxP seedling controls, the top five clones recorded higher CPO yield over their seedling controls by 7-47 per cent. However, these results should be interpreted with caution as all the DxP seedling controls belonged to the same generation as the clones. Their true yield superiority can only be ascertained when evaluated against the latest improved Topaz Series 4 DxP crosses. Nevertheless, nine clones showed good potential for commercial scale propagation, having high CPO yield (9.5 tonnes/ha), O/B (32 %) and good adaptability and consistency in performance over a wide range of sites. Performances of untested clones (directly planted in commercial plots without evaluation in clonal trials) followed the same trend as in clonal trials. Highest yields were recorded on inland soils (39.4 tonnes FFB/ha), followed by volcanic (30.8-36.0 tonnes FFB/ha) and peat soils (27.1-29.8 tonnes FFB/ha). Likewise, as some of the latter commercial plantings were only 5-6 years of age, it is likely that their peak yields have yet to be attained. Census conducted from 2014 to 2016 indicated a low incidence of palms with mantled fruit, averaging 3.3 per cent in clonal trials and only 0.3 per cent in commercial plantings. Such acceptable t
{"title":"Early Performances of Topaz Gen-1 Tenera Clones in Clonal Trials and Commercial Plots in Indonesia","authors":"B. B. Ang, M. Sidhu, Ida Febriantine, Yopy Dedywiryanto, J. Tan, H. H, Izharul Ihsan, Erta Ginting, A. R, Eko Suprihanto, S. S, Y. Samosir, M. Sharma","doi":"10.56333/tp.2020.014","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.56333/tp.2020.014","url":null,"abstract":"Asian Agri’s oil palm research station’s (OPRS-Topaz) breeding programme involves the complementary development of both seedling and clonal planting materials. From 2010-2018, a total of 18 clonal trials and 890 hectares of commercial clonal plots were established in two provinces (North Sumatra, Riau) and on three major soil types (volcanic, inland, peat). This paper reports on the early performances of the clones in the latter sites. Comparatively, elite clones only achieved 82 per cent and 85 per cent of their ortet fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and crude palm oil (CPO) yields, respectively. Analysis undertaken in five of the oldest mineral soil trials indicated either a negative or very low positive correlation between clone and ortet FFB yield, but correlations of oil to bunch (O/B) and annual height increment (Hi) were positive and highly significant, confirming the better heritability of the latter two parameters and their suitability as criteria for ortet selection. In clonal trials, the highest yields were obtained on inland soils in Riau province, with elite clones recording average peak FFB and CPO yields of 45.1 tonnes per hectare and 11.6 tonnes per hectare, respectively. Slightly lower yields were attained on volcanic soils (36.2 tonnes FFB/ha; 9.9 tonnes CPO/ha) and on deep peat (32.6 tonnes FFB/ha; 8.5 tonnes CPO/ha) in North Sumatra. However, as the latter two sites contained some younger trials, they may have yet to achieve their maximum potential. O/B values also differed for the same clones planted on three different soil types. On average, oil content of clones planted on peat was approximately 3 percentage points lower than their counterparts planted on either inland or volcanic soils. In all nine trials which included DxP seedling controls, the top five clones recorded higher CPO yield over their seedling controls by 7-47 per cent. However, these results should be interpreted with caution as all the DxP seedling controls belonged to the same generation as the clones. Their true yield superiority can only be ascertained when evaluated against the latest improved Topaz Series 4 DxP crosses. Nevertheless, nine clones showed good potential for commercial scale propagation, having high CPO yield (9.5 tonnes/ha), O/B (32 %) and good adaptability and consistency in performance over a wide range of sites. Performances of untested clones (directly planted in commercial plots without evaluation in clonal trials) followed the same trend as in clonal trials. Highest yields were recorded on inland soils (39.4 tonnes FFB/ha), followed by volcanic (30.8-36.0 tonnes FFB/ha) and peat soils (27.1-29.8 tonnes FFB/ha). Likewise, as some of the latter commercial plantings were only 5-6 years of age, it is likely that their peak yields have yet to be attained. Census conducted from 2014 to 2016 indicated a low incidence of palms with mantled fruit, averaging 3.3 per cent in clonal trials and only 0.3 per cent in commercial plantings. Such acceptable t","PeriodicalId":22956,"journal":{"name":"The Planter","volume":"20 1","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":0.0,"publicationDate":"2020-09-25","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"80836371","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}