A. M.
Tarmizi, Khaid Haron and Wahid Omar
ABSTRACT
Oil palm is unrivalled
in its ability to convert solar energy into fibres and oil. This process
requires a large amount of nutrients, which must be supplied through soil or
fertilizer.
A section of this paper highlights the nutrients requirements of
oil palm based on the nutrient contents of tenera palms from analysis of their
nutrients in fresh fruit bunches (FFB), trunk and roots in a fertilizer trial
conducted on weathered mineral soil. Oil palm is more efficient than other oil
crops such as soybean in utilising N and P for production of economic yield. Agronomic
efficiency, as measured by the increase in crop yield per unit of additional
fertilizer used, could be increased considerably with smaller quantities of
fertilizer. This could be done through best management practices (BMP), such as
conservation planting technique that offers way of maintaning soil fertility
with reduced input of inorganic fertilizer, hence, increase agronomic
efficiency. This paper reviews method of recycling of nutrients accumulated in
the oil palm during replanting., facts of environmental friendly oil palm and
best management practices of sustainable palm oil production.
Key : oil palm, tissue,
nutrient balance, innovative replanting technique, biomass, and residuces
management.
By : Malaysian Palm Oil Board, P.O. Box 10620, 50720
Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia