Abstract
The economic impact of maximising and maintaining high yields is obvious. This has prompted the concept of maximum exploitation of genetic yield potencial (MEGYP) of oil palm in 1983. This study shows that MEGYP can be achieved on commercial scale in Malaysia where an average oil palm yield of 23 tonnes per ha per year was attained over 1988 to 1993 and 25 tonnes per ha per year in 1993 from 74025 ha. These yields were obtained from a wide range of soils, rainfalls and planting densities of 108 to 161 palms per ha. However, it is more realistic to target for maximum exploitation of site yield potential (MESYP) of oil palm rather than MEGYP. The site yield potential of oil palms from good planting materials and with the correct planting densisites was mainly influenced by agroecological zones and soil properties. The agroecological zones multifactor and site-specific approach is essential to maximise and maintain oil palm yields. High yields can be obtained from palms abovre 20 years old provided agromanagement imputs are correct and not reduced. The present information on agronomy and management is sufficient to maximise and maintain high oild palm yields in Malaysia. It is now up to us to properly implement them and make cultural practices easier, cheaper and less labour intensive while maintaining their efficiencies and environment friendliness.The economic impact of maximising and maintaining high yields is obvious. This has prompted the concept of maximum exploitation of genetic yield potencial (MEGYP) of oil palm in 1983. This study shows that MEGYP can be achieved on commercial scale in Malaysia where an average oil palm yield of 23 tonnes per ha per year was attained over 1988 to 1993 and 25 tonnes per ha per year in 1993 from 74025 ha. These yields were obtained from a wide range of soils, rainfalls and planting densities of 108 to 161 palms per ha. However, it is more realistic to target for maximum exploitation of site yield potential (MESYP) of oil palm rather than MEGYP. The site yield potential of oil palms from good planting materials and with the correct planting densisites was mainly influenced by agroecological zones and soil properties. The agroecological zones multifactor and site-specific approach is essential to maximise and maintain oil palm yields. High yields can be obtained from palms abovre 20 years old provided agromanagement imputs are correct and not reduced. The present information on agronomy and management is sufficient to maximise and maintain high oild palm yields in Malaysia. It is now up to us to properly implement them and make cultural practices easier, cheaper and less labour intensive while maintaining their efficiencies and environment friendliness.