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Characteristics and classification
of peat
Constraints to oil palm cultivation
New plantings from jungle
Compaction of the peat
Replanting from oil palm
Planting density
Mechanisation
Nutrition
Drainage & water management
Susidence
FFB collection
Pests & diseases
Yield potential
Costings
730 ha
470 ha
Deep peat
(> 2 m deep)
Total
4,280 ha
5,480 ha
Classification of Peat
Criteria used include depth of organic layer, ash content, nature of
subsoil, salinity of ground water and stage of decomposition.
For tree crops like oil palm, depth of the organic layer is the most
important factor.
Shallow Peat
< 1 m deep
1-2 m deep
Deep Peat
> 2m deep
High Acidity
Step 2
Step 3
Felling of Jungle
Step 4
Step 5
Step 6
Step 7
Bund
Planting
Compacted Avenue
Uncompacted
Peat
Compacted
Peat
0.11
0.20
21.7
7.3
27.6
8.7
Shredding
Planting Along
Windrowed Biomass
Holing
Planting Along
Drain Side
Drain Dimensions
In Metres
Main Drains
Collection Drains
Field Drains
Top
Bottom
Depth
5.0
2.5
1.2
2.0
1.0
0.6
2.0
1.5
1.0
Nursery on Peat
Soil Medium
1st choice
2nd choice
3rd choice
4th choice
Mineral Soil
Soil + Peat
Sand + Peat
Peat only
Soil
Peat
Sand
Planting Density
Shallow Peat
high & uniform rainfall areas 136 palms/ha.
low rainfall areas 148 palms/ha.
Moderately Deep
and Deep Peat
160 palms/ha.
Planting System
Compacted peat
Uncompacted peat
hole-in-hole planting
160 PALMS/HA.
Young Plantings
Plant Nutrition
Nitrogen
PHOSPHATE
For optimum growth and production phosphate is
essential. In trials a 20-40% response to P has
been obtained. It is applied as rock phosphate in
and around the planting hole at planting with
further annual dressings at 1.0-1.5 kg. per palm.
higher rates can reduce Cu uptake
Potassium
Peat is very deficient in K and large doses of potash are
required for optimum production. Usually 3-6 kg. of
MOP or its equivalent is required for mature palms.
Where bunch ash (40% K2O) is available, half the K is
applied as MOP and the other as bunch ash.
Copper
Cu is fundamental to the growth of oil palm on peat. Deficiency leads to
the condition known as mid-crown chlorosis. For proper establishment,
early application is essential. It is applied to the soil at planting with
further dressing at the end of the 1st and 2nd year. Thereafter, application
is based on leaf levels which should be maintained above 3 ppm and
closer to 5 ppm in frond 17
Zinc
Like Cu, Zn is also important in oil palm nutrition. Deficiency leads to the
condition known as peat yellows. Early application is recommended. The
method and rate being the same as Cu. Leaf levels in frond 17 should be
maintained above 12 ppm and closer to 15 ppm.
Replants are usually more prone to peat yellows. For rehabilitation, spraying
with ZnSO4 is necessary. Remission occurs within 3-6 months. In United
Plantations, spraying is done regularly over 4,000 ha., twice a year using a
fixed wing aircraft at 35 litres/ha. of a 18,000 ppm Zn solution.
Zinc
After Application
Before
After Application
Before
Aerial Application
Other Nutrients
Magnesium
No response obtained
Boron
Requirements similar to
mineral soils
No response obtained
Nutrient imbalances N, K, B
PH of Peat 3.5
Liming is done in the first 2-3 years to correct acidity
and to promote better rooting.
Thereafter,
applications are made according to requirements.
Overliming can affect K uptake and micronutrient
availability. Where bunch ash is used routinely, lime
application can be reduced or eliminated
Water Management
Watertable Effect on Yield on Deep Peat
Watertable
Status
Water Level
(Mean for 8 Years)
FFBYield
(Mean for 8 Years)
Medium
Watertable
(Optimum)
80 cm
(21-165)
Low
Watertable
96 cm
(13-165)
High Watertable
44 cm
(0-165)
Subsidence
5-7 cm per year during initial years from jungle
clearing.
Thereafter, it settles down to around 2.5 cm per
year.
Prevention
Avoid blanket weeding
Maintain ground vegetation
Maintain watertable at 60-80 cm
WHC
(Dry Weight Basis)
Jungle Peat
220 570 %
170 %
102 %
Hard Clods
Road/Rail Infrastructure
Termites
Valanga
Oryctes
Proutista
Tirathaba
Ganoderma
Termites
Coptotermes curvignathus
Coptotermes sepangensis
Schedorhinotermes sarawakensis
Globitermes sulphures
Amiteres minor
Shallow
Peat
Deep
Peat
X
X
IPM
PROGRESS
PROGRESS IN OIL PALM YIELD ON DEEP PEAT
35
1990s Planting
1997 Planting
30
32
31
1999 Planting
29
28
28
28
27
27
26
25
25
25
25
24
28
26
25
24
24
FFB YIELD/HA
22
21
20
21
20
19
18
17
1980s Planting
17
16
15
16
14
13
13
13
11
12
11
10
10
1960s Planting
5
0
3rd
4th
5th
6th
7th
8th
9th
10th
11th
12th
13th
14th
15th
16th
17th
No. of species
19
13
23
52
7
15
5
3
18
BIRDS
MAMMALS
REPTILES
RM/Ha.
355.00
960.00
380.00
300.00
1,020.00
3,015.00
First Year
1. LCC establishment & weeding
2. Manuring
3. Pest & disease
4. Upkeep roads, bridges & drains
5. Contingencies
RM/Ha.
450.00
850.00
150.00
50.00
50.00
1,550.00
Third Year
RM/Ha.
250.00
1100.00
150.00
60.00
30.00
25.00
50.00
25.00
50.00
1740.00
Weeding
Manuring
Pruning
Pest & Disease
Supplying, census
& sundries
Upkeep drains
Contingencies
RM/Ha.
250.00
1200.00
40.00
100.00
10.00
50.00
50.00
1700.00
Development
1st year
2nd year
3rd year
General charges
Total
RM/Ha.
3,015.00
1,550.00
1,740.00
1,700.00
2,500.00
10,505.00
Thank you
UP