Opportunities for oil palm R & D in further meeting the challenges of the new dynamics
Publicación:
Revista Palmas; Vol. 29 Núm. 1 (2008); 59-79
0121-2923
Revista Palmas; Vol. 29 Núm. 1 (2008); 59-79
0121-2923
Abstract
Field based research and development (R&D) has been important in the success of the oil palm, and it has always had a strong environmental component. Some reasons for the decline in active R&D over the last few years include attempted cost saving, knowledge protection, and, paradoxically, diversion towards the challenges of the new dynamics ? sustainability, biodiversity, food safety and good agricultural practice (GAP). The economic prospect now poses greatest uncertainties. Labor use is high compared with competing crops, although the worker/product ratio and energy balance are more favorable. The examples here illustrate how economics can be addressed by maximizing production efficiency and income through field R&D. The crop by-products (75% of the fresh fruit bunches [FFB]) are used for mill energy and some nutrient recycling. By developing these options, mills could produce electricity commercially and increase recycling. Oil and kernel extraction ratios (OER and KER) are related to the potential content of harvested FFB, the achievement of which is affected by a number of factors in practice, in the field and mill. The measurement of ERs by bunch analysis and batch milling is cumbersome and expensive. More regular assessment would aid in evaluating agronomic comparisons and treatments, and monitoring achievement in practice. Modern technology ought to make better methods possible. Closer palm spacing gives higher early yield and OER. The long non-productive period between generations is expensive, but it can be reduced by underplanting and felling progressively. These possibilities merit ongoing investigation. A close-spaced short cycle with underplanting could relieve the tall palm harvesting problem. Ganoderma disease poses unanswered questions, such as the cause of the marked variability in site proneness. The cause of early incidence from root contact with buried old stand tissues is clear, but not the losses starting about year 10. It is feasible that two different phenomena are involved ? such a hypothesis could explain some confounding aspects. Marked family differences can arise in genetic blocks, possibly exploitable, and might explain anomalous field differences. Unnecessary precaution infield practice can be very costly. This and a range of other topics show scope for field R&D. Not all investigations will have entirely positive conclusions, but they will enhance skill, and some will stimulate studies in related areas and for other disciplines. Industry effort is necessary to invigorate and coordinate programs. La investigación y desarrollo (I y D) de campo ha sido importante para el éxito de la palma de aceite y siempre ha tenido un fuerte componente ambiental. Algunas razones para la disminución de la investigación y desarrollo durante los últimos años han sido un intento de racionalizar costos, la protección del conocimiento, y, paradójicamente, la desviación hacia los retos de la nueva dinámica -sostenibilidad, biodiversidad, inocuidad de los alimentos y buenas prácticas agrícolas (BPA). El prospecto económico plantea ahora grandes incertidumbres. La mano de obra es alta comparada con los cultivos competidores, aunque la relación trabajador-producto y el balance de energía son más favorables. Los ejemplos que aquí se presentan ilustran la manera como la economía puede ser abordada maximizando la eficiencia de la producción y el ingreso a través de la I y D de campo. Los subproductos del cultivo (75 por ciento de los racimos de fruto fresco, RFF) se utilizan para energía en las plantas de beneficio y para el reciclaje de algunos nutrientes. Al desarrollar estas opciones, las plantas de beneficio pueden producir electricidad comercialmente y aumentar el reciclaje. Las tasas de extracción de aceite (TEA) y de almendra (TEK) se asocian con el contenido potencial de los racimos de fruto fresco cosechados, y su logro está afectado por varios factores en la práctica, en el campo y en la planta de beneficio. La medición de las tasas de extracción por medio del análisis de racimos y del procesamiento por lotes es engorrosa y costosa. Una evaluación realizada con más regularidad ayudaría a valorar las comparaciones y los tratamientos agronómicos, y a monitorear los logros en la práctica. La tecnología moderna debe posibilitar mejores métodos. Un distanciamiento de siembra más corto entre las palmas da un mayor rendimiento temprano y una TEA más alta. El período no productivo largo entre generaciones es costoso, pero puede reducirse mediante la plantación bajo cubierta (under planting) y talado progresivo. Estas posibilidades merecen una investigación continua. Un ciclo corto con distancia de siembra corta y la plantación bajo cubierta puede aliviar el problema de la cosecha de palmas altas. La enfermedad causada por Ganoderma plantea interrogantes sin respuestas, tales como la causa de la marcada variabilidad de propensión de los sitios. La causa de incidencia temprana por contacto de la raíz con tejidos de rodales viejos enterrados es clara, menos las pérdidas que empiezan alrededor del año 10. Es factible que estén involucrados dos fenómenos diferentes -tal hipótesis puede explicar algunos aspectos que confunden. Diferencias marcadas entre las familia pueden surgir en bloques genéticos, posiblemente explotables, y pueden explicar las diferencias anómalas de campo. La precaución innecesaria en la práctica de campo puede resultar muy costosa. Lo anterior y otra serie de temas muestran un radio de acción para la investigación y desarrollo de campo. No todas las investigaciones tendrán conclusiones enteramente positivas, pero mejorarán la habilidad, y algunas estimularán los estudios en áreas relacionadas y para otras disciplinas. El esfuerzo de la industria es necesario para vigorizar y coordinar programas.
Field based research and development (R&D) has been important in the success of the oil palm, and it has always had a strong environmental component. Some reasons for the decline in active R&D over the last few years include attempted cost saving, knowledge protection, and, paradoxically, diversion towards the challenges of the new dynamics ? sustainability, biodiversity, food safety and good agricultural practice (GAP). The economic prospect now poses greatest uncertainties. Labor use is high compared with competing crops, although the worker/product ratio and energy balance are more favorable. The examples here illustrate how economics can be addressed by maximizing production efficiency and income through field R&D. The crop by-products (75% of the fresh fruit bunches [FFB]) are used for mill energy and some nutrient recycling. By developing these options, mills could produce electricity commercially and increase recycling. Oil and kernel extraction ratios (OER and KER) are related to the potential content of harvested FFB, the achievement of which is affected by a number of factors in practice, in the field and mill. The measurement of ERs by bunch analysis and batch milling is cumbersome and expensive. More regular assessment would aid in evaluating agronomic comparisons and treatments, and monitoring achievement in practice. Modern technology ought to make better methods possible. Closer palm spacing gives higher early yield and OER. The long non-productive period between generations is expensive, but it can be reduced by underplanting and felling progressively. These possibilities merit ongoing investigation. A close-spaced short cycle with underplanting could relieve the tall palm harvesting problem. Ganoderma disease poses unanswered questions, such as the cause of the marked variability in site proneness. The cause of early incidence from root contact with buried old stand tissues is clear, but not the losses starting about year 10. It is feasible that two different phenomena are involved ? such a hypothesis could explain some confounding aspects. Marked family differences can arise in genetic blocks, possibly exploitable, and might explain anomalous field differences. Unnecessary precaution infield practice can be very costly. This and a range of other topics show scope for field R&D. Not all investigations will have entirely positive conclusions, but they will enhance skill, and some will stimulate studies in related areas and for other disciplines. Industry effort is necessary to invigorate and coordinate programs.
Palabras clave:
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
sostenibilidad
medio ambiente
investigación
tasa de extracción de aceite
palma de aceite
elaeis guineensis
sostenibilidad
medio ambiente
investigación
tasa de extracción de aceite