Development and management of oil palm on peat - Golden Hope's Experience. - (:unkn) unknown (Bangi : MPOB)
Golden Hope Plantations Bhd, had initiated Lavang 'Dil Palm Plantations Project near Bintulu, Sarawak in 1996, covering an area of about 11,900 hectares. Out of this, about 3820 ha i.e. 32 per cent of total area was developed for oil palm planting on peat. The peat found in the project area is mainly organic soils of Anderson 1 (6.6 per cent,) Anderson II (10.6 per cent) and Anderson 11I (1 4.4 per cent). The whole project area was adapted from jungle or logged-over forest into Gil palm planting. The zero burning technique was employed during the land preparation and development of oil palm planting on peat. Major challenges faced in developing oil palm on peat are mostly pertaining to (i) high water table, (ii) leaning of oil palms, (iii) extra fertilizer inputs (mainly Zn Cu), (iv) peat subsidence and low bulk density, (v) termite infestation and (vi) mechanization especially for harvesting and evacuation of crops. This paper highlights Golden Hope 's experience on land preparation and management of peat soils for oil palm cultivation. Emphasis was also given to some techniques adopted to alleviate the problems of palm leaning, peat subsidence and termite infestation. Strategies for optimum fertilizer inputs and water management are also discussed.
10 ref.
Golden Hope Plantations Bhd, had initiated Lavang 'Dil Palm Plantations Project near Bintulu, Sarawak in 1996, covering an area of about 11,900 hectares. Out of this, about 3820 ha i.e. 32 per cent of total area was developed for oil palm planting on peat. The peat found in the project area is mainly organic soils of Anderson 1 (6.6 per cent,) Anderson II (10.6 per cent) and Anderson 11I (1 4.4 per cent). The whole project area was adapted from jungle or logged-over forest into Gil palm planting. The zero burning technique was employed during the land preparation and development of oil palm planting on peat. Major challenges faced in developing oil palm on peat are mostly pertaining to (i) high water table, (ii) leaning of oil palms, (iii) extra fertilizer inputs (mainly Zn Cu), (iv) peat subsidence and low bulk density, (v) termite infestation and (vi) mechanization especially for harvesting and evacuation of crops. This paper highlights Golden Hope 's experience on land preparation and management of peat soils for oil palm cultivation. Emphasis was also given to some techniques adopted to alleviate the problems of palm leaning, peat subsidence and termite infestation. Strategies for optimum fertilizer inputs and water management are also discussed.
Keywords: Compactación del suelo.; Drenaje; Manejo del agua; Prácticas de cultivo; Suelo de turba; Termitas; Palma de aceite