OILPALM PLANTATION
INTRODUCTION
Oil palm requires evenly distributed annual rainfall of 2000 mm without a defined dry season. Moist, deep and well drained medium textured soils rich in humus content are considered ideal. Gravelly and sandy soils, particularly the coastal sands are not ideal for oil palm cultivation
Oil palm requires evenly distributed annual rainfall of 2000 mm without a defined dry season. Moist, deep and well drained medium textured soils rich in humus content are considered ideal. Gravelly and sandy soils, particularly the coastal sands are not ideal for oil palm cultivation
Temperature can
be a limiting
factor for oil
palm production Best
oil palm yields
are obtained in
places where a maximum average
temperature of 29-33oC
and minimum average
temperature of 22-24oC
are available. The
crop requires 1800-2000 sunlight
hours annually, more
than 300 cal/cm2
/ per day,
constant sunlight of
atleast 5 hours
per day for
better oil palm
yield.
NURSERY AND ITS MANAGEMENT
Nursery is raised by planting germinated sprouts initially in a pre-nursery bed or in polybags in a primary nursery and transplanting them at five leaf stage to a secondary nursery of large sized polybags. Raising seedlings in large polybags without a pre-nursery stage is also being practiced
Nursery is raised by planting germinated sprouts initially in a pre-nursery bed or in polybags in a primary nursery and transplanting them at five leaf stage to a secondary nursery of large sized polybags. Raising seedlings in large polybags without a pre-nursery stage is also being practiced
The potting
mixture is made
by mixing top
soil, sand and
well decomposed cattle
manure in equal
proportions. Smaller polybags
of 250 guage
and 23 x 13 cm
size, preferably black
are used for
raising primary nurseries. A healthy germinated sprout
is placed at
the centre at
2.5 cm depth. It is
better to plant
sprouts soon after
the differentiation of
radicle and plumule.
The seedlings are
to be watered
daily. Application of
a fertilizer mixture
containing one part
of ammonium sulphate, one
part of super
phosphate, one part
of muriate of
potash and two
parts of magnesium sulphate
is recommended at
15 g at
one month stage,
45 g at
three months stage
and 60 g at six
months stage per
seedling. This has
to be applied
6 - 8 cm away
from seedlings during
the first application, 10-12
cm away during
second and 15-20
cm away during
the third application in
primary nursery.
SINGLE STAGE POLY BAG NURSERY AND SECONDARY NURSERY
At present the single stage polybag nursery is recommended in India. Since the plants are to remain in these polybags for more than one year, good quality polybags of 500 gauge and 40 x 45 cm size are to be used. On the lower half of the bag, perforations are made at an interval of 7.5 cm for drainage. A bag can carry 15 - 18 kg of nursery soil depending on the type of soil mixture used.
At present the single stage polybag nursery is recommended in India. Since the plants are to remain in these polybags for more than one year, good quality polybags of 500 gauge and 40 x 45 cm size are to be used. On the lower half of the bag, perforations are made at an interval of 7.5 cm for drainage. A bag can carry 15 - 18 kg of nursery soil depending on the type of soil mixture used.
The water
requirement for different stages
of growth of
seedlings are as
follows: 0 - 2 months
at 4 mm/day,
2 - 4 months at
5 mm/day, 4 - 6 months at
7 mm/day and
6 - 8 months at
10 mm/day. Application of
9 - 18
lit. of water
per seedling per
week according to
the stage of
growth and soil
type.
FIELD PLANTING
Prepare
the land for
oil palm plantings at
least 3 months
before transplanting the
seedlings to the
main field. In
soils with low
permeability, drainage channels
are to be
constructed to prevent
water stagnation in
upper layer of
soil.
AGE OF SEEDLINGS AT TRANSPLANTING
It is advisable to plant well grown seedlings of 12 - 14 months old. At this stage, a well developed tenera seedling will have a height of 1-1.3 m from base and will have more than 13 functional leaves.
It is advisable to plant well grown seedlings of 12 - 14 months old. At this stage, a well developed tenera seedling will have a height of 1-1.3 m from base and will have more than 13 functional leaves.
SELECTION OF SEEDLINGS
All deformed, diseased and elongated seedlings are to be discarded. Differences in the height of healthy seedlings ranging from 90 to 159 cm tend to even up after 14 months of transplanting to maintain.
All deformed, diseased and elongated seedlings are to be discarded. Differences in the height of healthy seedlings ranging from 90 to 159 cm tend to even up after 14 months of transplanting to maintain.
TIME OF TRANSPLANTING
Transplanting to the main field has to be done during the onset of rainy season. In very impermeable soils and where there is chance for the seedlings to suffer severely during rainy season, proper drainage has to be ensured.
Transplanting to the main field has to be done during the onset of rainy season. In very impermeable soils and where there is chance for the seedlings to suffer severely during rainy season, proper drainage has to be ensured.
SPACING AND METHOD OF PLANTING
The optimum planting density for oil palm is the density of population that gives maximum production from unit area. Triangular system of planting with 9 x 9 x 9 m spacing accommodates 143 palms/ha. is being recommended.
The optimum planting density for oil palm is the density of population that gives maximum production from unit area. Triangular system of planting with 9 x 9 x 9 m spacing accommodates 143 palms/ha. is being recommended.
TRANSPORTING SEEDLINGS AND PREPARING PITS
Pits of 60 cm3 are taken prior to planting and filled with surrounding top soil and allowed to settle. Rock phosphate is applied at 200 g per planting pit. Nitrogen is not usually applied in the planting pits as the application of fertilizers may damage the root system and affect survival of the plants if there is a dry period soon after planting. Nitrogen and potassium are usually applied 4 - 6 weeks after planting. In Mg deficient soils, magnesium is applied at 100 g as anhydrous MgSO4 or 200 g epsum salt per seedling.
Pits of 60 cm3 are taken prior to planting and filled with surrounding top soil and allowed to settle. Rock phosphate is applied at 200 g per planting pit. Nitrogen is not usually applied in the planting pits as the application of fertilizers may damage the root system and affect survival of the plants if there is a dry period soon after planting. Nitrogen and potassium are usually applied 4 - 6 weeks after planting. In Mg deficient soils, magnesium is applied at 100 g as anhydrous MgSO4 or 200 g epsum salt per seedling.
REPLACEMENT AND GAP FILLING
These palms are to be given special care so that they can catch up with the rest of the plantations. Early production of more female inflorescences in the initial 30 months, is an indication of high yielders and all those that fail to produce female bunches will remain as poor yielders.
These palms are to be given special care so that they can catch up with the rest of the plantations. Early production of more female inflorescences in the initial 30 months, is an indication of high yielders and all those that fail to produce female bunches will remain as poor yielders.
FERTILIZER REQUIREMENT
Based on the fertilizer experiments conducted under rainfed conditions in India, the following fertilizer schedule is recommended for oil palm.
Based on the fertilizer experiments conducted under rainfed conditions in India, the following fertilizer schedule is recommended for oil palm.
Fertilizer recommendation for
oilpalm
Age Nutrients (gram/palm/year)
N P
K
First year
400 200
400
Second year 800 400
800
Third year 1200 600
2700
METHOD OF FERTILIZER APPLICATION
The fertilizers are preferably applied in two equal split doses during May - June and September -October by uniformly spreading them within a 2 metre circle around the base of the palm and forking to incorporate them into the soil. Mg deficiency can be corrected through the application of 500 g of MgSO4 /palm/year. Rock phosphate and muriate of potash are the best source for phosphorus and potassium respectively. During the initial years fertilizers may be applied within the area covered by the crown canopy. In the case of older palms, fertilizers are applied depending on the concentration of roots and are usually applied in the weeded circle.
The fertilizers are preferably applied in two equal split doses during May - June and September -October by uniformly spreading them within a 2 metre circle around the base of the palm and forking to incorporate them into the soil. Mg deficiency can be corrected through the application of 500 g of MgSO4 /palm/year. Rock phosphate and muriate of potash are the best source for phosphorus and potassium respectively. During the initial years fertilizers may be applied within the area covered by the crown canopy. In the case of older palms, fertilizers are applied depending on the concentration of roots and are usually applied in the weeded circle.
WATER REQUIREMENT
It is
established that oil
palm needs 120
- 150 mm
of water to
meet its monthly
evapo-transpiration needs. In
areas where perennial water
source is available, basin
irrigation is possible. But
where the terrain
is undulating and
water is scarce
during summer months,
drip irrigation is
recommended to keep
four drippers per
palm in the
weeded palm circle
to supply atleast
90 litres of
water per palm
per day during
summer months which
will vary according to
the ETP values
in a locality.
WEED CONTROL
Herbicide application has become common in recent years. Herbicides such as 2, 4-D, 2, 4-5-T, halogenated aliphatic acids Dalapon and TCA are found to produce abnormalities in oil palm seedlings and are to be avoided. Herbicide mixtures of 2 kg a.i. of Paraquat with 3 - 4 kg Atrazine Monuron and Diuron per ha sprayed/ground applied twice a year has been found to give control of weeds.
Herbicide application has become common in recent years. Herbicides such as 2, 4-D, 2, 4-5-T, halogenated aliphatic acids Dalapon and TCA are found to produce abnormalities in oil palm seedlings and are to be avoided. Herbicide mixtures of 2 kg a.i. of Paraquat with 3 - 4 kg Atrazine Monuron and Diuron per ha sprayed/ground applied twice a year has been found to give control of weeds.
MAINTENANCE OF PATHS
In young plantation, the maintenance of paths is important for inspection and in later years for harvesting. This is carried out by timely weed control as done in the case of ring weeding.
In young plantation, the maintenance of paths is important for inspection and in later years for harvesting. This is carried out by timely weed control as done in the case of ring weeding.
ABLATION
The bunches produced initially will be very small and have low oil content. Removal of such inflorescences is called ablation or castration. Removal of all inflorescences during the initial three years is found to improve vegetative growth of young palms so that regular harvesting can commence after three and half years of planting.
The bunches produced initially will be very small and have low oil content. Removal of such inflorescences is called ablation or castration. Removal of all inflorescences during the initial three years is found to improve vegetative growth of young palms so that regular harvesting can commence after three and half years of planting.
PRUNING OF LEAVES
In oil palm two leaves are produced per month. Therefore, it becomes necessary to prune excess leaves so as to gain access to bunches for harvest. Severe pruning will adversely affect both growth and yield of palm, cause abortion of female flowers and also reduce the size of the leaves. It was suggested that palms aged 4 - 7 years should retain 6 - 7 leaves per spiral (48 - 56), those aged 8 - 14 years 5 - 6 leaves per spiral (40 - 49) and those above 15 years should have 4 - 5 leaves per spiral (32 - 40).
Pruning is preferably carried out at the end of the rainy season. It is also better to carry it out during the low crop season when labourers are also available.
In oil palm two leaves are produced per month. Therefore, it becomes necessary to prune excess leaves so as to gain access to bunches for harvest. Severe pruning will adversely affect both growth and yield of palm, cause abortion of female flowers and also reduce the size of the leaves. It was suggested that palms aged 4 - 7 years should retain 6 - 7 leaves per spiral (48 - 56), those aged 8 - 14 years 5 - 6 leaves per spiral (40 - 49) and those above 15 years should have 4 - 5 leaves per spiral (32 - 40).
Pruning is preferably carried out at the end of the rainy season. It is also better to carry it out during the low crop season when labourers are also available.
Insect pollination in oil palm
The oil palm, hitherto though to be wind pollinated, has been now proved to be an a insect pollinated species. From West Africa, the original home of oil palm, eight species of pollinating weevils were reported. Occurence of Eldeidobius kamerunicus in the oil palm plantations of Kerala was introduced during 1985 from where it was introduced and got established in little Andamans during 1986.
The oil palm, hitherto though to be wind pollinated, has been now proved to be an a insect pollinated species. From West Africa, the original home of oil palm, eight species of pollinating weevils were reported. Occurence of Eldeidobius kamerunicus in the oil palm plantations of Kerala was introduced during 1985 from where it was introduced and got established in little Andamans during 1986.
Introduction of
weevil in India
increased the fruit
let from 36.8
percent to 56.1
percent resulting in
40 per cent
increase in F/B
ratio. The maximum
attainable pollination potential was
as much as
to cent percent
with 57 percent
increase in FFB
weight.
HARVESTING
Proper and timely harvesting of fruit bunches is an important operation which determines the quality of oil to a great extent. The yield is expressed as fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in kg per hectare per year or as oil per hectare per year. The bunches usually ripen in six months after anthesis. Unripe fruits contain high water and carbohydrate and very little oil. As the fruit ripens oil content increase to 80 - 85% in mesocarp. Over ripe fruit contains more free fatty acids (FFA) due to decomposition and thus increases the acidity. Usually the ripe fruits, attached to the bunches contain 0.2 to 0.9% FFA and when it comes out of extraction plant the FFA content is above 3%.Ripeness of the fruit is determined by the degree of detachment of the fruit from bunches, change in colour and change in texture of the fruit. Ripening of fruits start from top downwards, nigrescens fruits turning reddish orange and the virescens (green) to reddish brown. Fruits also get detached from tip downward in 11 - 20 days time. Ripeness is faster in young palms than in older palms for the bunches of equal weight. The criteria used in determining the degree of ripeness based on the fruit detachment are as follows:
Proper and timely harvesting of fruit bunches is an important operation which determines the quality of oil to a great extent. The yield is expressed as fresh fruit bunches (FFB) in kg per hectare per year or as oil per hectare per year. The bunches usually ripen in six months after anthesis. Unripe fruits contain high water and carbohydrate and very little oil. As the fruit ripens oil content increase to 80 - 85% in mesocarp. Over ripe fruit contains more free fatty acids (FFA) due to decomposition and thus increases the acidity. Usually the ripe fruits, attached to the bunches contain 0.2 to 0.9% FFA and when it comes out of extraction plant the FFA content is above 3%.Ripeness of the fruit is determined by the degree of detachment of the fruit from bunches, change in colour and change in texture of the fruit. Ripening of fruits start from top downwards, nigrescens fruits turning reddish orange and the virescens (green) to reddish brown. Fruits also get detached from tip downward in 11 - 20 days time. Ripeness is faster in young palms than in older palms for the bunches of equal weight. The criteria used in determining the degree of ripeness based on the fruit detachment are as follows:
Fallen fruits:
10 detached or
easily removable fruits
for young palms
and 5 for
adult palms.
Number of
fruits detached after
the bunch is
cut; 5 or
more fruits/kg of
bunch weight, quantity
of detachment per
bunch; fruit detachment on
25% of visible
surface of bunch.These criteria
could be applied
with flexibility.
FREQUENCY OF HARVESTING
Harvesting rounds should be made as frequent as possible to avoid over ripening of bunches. A bunch which is almost ripe but not ready for harvest for a particular harvesting round should not be over-ripe by next round. In lean period of production, harvesting can be made less frequent and it should be more frequent in peak periods. Harvesting rounds of 7 - 14 days are generally practiced. Other factors determining frequency are, extraction capacity of the mill, transportation facilities, labour availability and skill of the workers. In India, harvesting is usually carried out with a chisel of 6 - 9 cm wide attached to a wooden pole or light hollow aluminium pipe, Bunches are cut without damaging the petiole the leaf that supports it. Use of narrow chisel is usually carried out till the palm reaches two meters above the ground. For taller palms upto 4 meters, a wider chisel of 14 cm is used.
Harvesting rounds should be made as frequent as possible to avoid over ripening of bunches. A bunch which is almost ripe but not ready for harvest for a particular harvesting round should not be over-ripe by next round. In lean period of production, harvesting can be made less frequent and it should be more frequent in peak periods. Harvesting rounds of 7 - 14 days are generally practiced. Other factors determining frequency are, extraction capacity of the mill, transportation facilities, labour availability and skill of the workers. In India, harvesting is usually carried out with a chisel of 6 - 9 cm wide attached to a wooden pole or light hollow aluminium pipe, Bunches are cut without damaging the petiole the leaf that supports it. Use of narrow chisel is usually carried out till the palm reaches two meters above the ground. For taller palms upto 4 meters, a wider chisel of 14 cm is used.
Yield of Oilpalm
In well maintained garden the yield of oilpalm will be as furnished below :
In well maintained garden the yield of oilpalm will be as furnished below :
Age of oilpalm Yield (Ton/ha/year)
3-4 years 5
4-5 years 12
5-6 years
25
6-25 years 30
ECONOMICS
A detailed account of the economics of oilpalm cultivation in India has been furnished. The data furnished therein is modified using current labour charges and oil price and the details on various investments and returns from one hectare adult plantation. This excludes the cost of land as we expect government owned land, leased land, or already owned property will be used for oilpalm cultivation. From the fourth year, the yield of bunches increases upto tenth year, and a stabilized bearing is attained thereafter. The investment during first year under irrigation will be almost three times of that under rainfed conditions mainly on account of the initial expenditure required to install the drip irrigation system. With irrigation the annual returns will exceed the annual expenses from the first harvest itself, i.e, during the fourth year after planting. By the end of sixth year the total returns will be more than total investments including all the expenditure for installing pumpset and the drip irrigation system. A minimum of 22 FFB per hectare can be expected from the tenth year onwards.
A detailed account of the economics of oilpalm cultivation in India has been furnished. The data furnished therein is modified using current labour charges and oil price and the details on various investments and returns from one hectare adult plantation. This excludes the cost of land as we expect government owned land, leased land, or already owned property will be used for oilpalm cultivation. From the fourth year, the yield of bunches increases upto tenth year, and a stabilized bearing is attained thereafter. The investment during first year under irrigation will be almost three times of that under rainfed conditions mainly on account of the initial expenditure required to install the drip irrigation system. With irrigation the annual returns will exceed the annual expenses from the first harvest itself, i.e, during the fourth year after planting. By the end of sixth year the total returns will be more than total investments including all the expenditure for installing pumpset and the drip irrigation system. A minimum of 22 FFB per hectare can be expected from the tenth year onwards.
TABLE 1 - COST OF PRODUCTION AND (Rs.) PER HECTARE
S.No.
Particulars Cost of production
1 Labour cost
for 200 Nos.
@ Rs.80/- per
day as casual
labour 16,000
2 Fertilizer cost
2,500
3 Plant Protection cost
400
Total cost of production
28,900
TABILE 2 : INCOME FROM OILPALM GARDEN DEPENDING UPON THE BUNCH PRODUCTION
S.No. No. of Bunches/ tree/year FFByieldt/ha/yearGrossIncome Rs./ha/yearNet income
(Gross income – cost) Rs./ha/year
(Gross income – cost) Rs./ha/year
1 10 bunches
@ 10kg/tree/year 14.3 35,750 6,850
2 12 bunches
@ 15kg/tree/year 25.7 64,250 35,350
3 12 bunches
@ 20kg/tree/year 34.3 85,750 56,850
Cost of one tonne of FFB is Rs.2,500
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