Oil palms (Elaeis guineensis) are generally able to grow economically and feasibly on various soil types, mostly in tropical countries. However, oil palms planted on acid sulfate soils were producing lesser Fresh Fruit Bunches (FFB) as compared to those on non-acid sulfate soils. The poor performance of oil palms planted on acid sulfate was mainly attributed to the presence of excess sulfates, which limits the FFB yields and vegetative growth.1 Generally, acid sulfate soils have significant amounts of free and absorbed sulfate. Jarosite generally occurs as pale yellow mottles along old root channels and on ped faces in acid sulfate soils. pH in these horizon is less than 4.0.2,3 These soils often are also high in Aluminium (Al), Al saturation and often with phosphorus (P) fixation capacity. These acid sulfate soils are known for having poor values for organic matter, bases, cation exchange capacity, water retention, water holding capacity and microbial activity, which contributes towards their low soil fertility and hence limitations in soil productivity. Of these limitations, Al toxicity and excess sulfates are two major constraints to FFB yields in oil palms. The important relationship of soil and water for managing a sustainable productivity of oil palms on acid sulfate soil are discussed in details in this paper.
In Malaysia, approximately 110,000 ha of acid sulphate soils are estimated to occur mostly along the west coast, while about 102.80 million ha are under acidic nature in Indonesia. Acid sulphate soils generally have significant amounts of free and absorbed sulphate, pale yellow mottles of jarosite along old root channels and on ped surfaces with pH (in water) below 4. These soils are high in Aluminium (Al) and phosphorus (P) fixation capacity, contributing towards their low fertility which limits the normal growth of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). However, Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) production in oil palm was improved significantly when water level in the field drains was maintained up to 60cm from soil surface mainly to cover jarosites and pyrite layers. Application of organic fertiliser mainly of Empty Fruit Bunches (EFB) and Palm Oil Mill Effluents (POME) to oil palm land proved to be beneficial as significant FFB yield up to 35 ton/ha/year was obtained in field trials. Maintaining water table in the drains to cover the pyritic horizon in order to inhibit further oxidation would be an important management tool for managing oil palms on acid sulphate soils.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.