Some important elements of soil-water relationship in managing oil palms planted on acid sulfate soils

Abstract

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.

Monitoring of pH level for maximizing oil palm ffb yields

“…[11] highlighted in their paper that ammonium-based nitrogen fertilizers in excess rates, leaching of nitrate nitrogen, and continual removal of plant & animal waste products could accelerate the change of pH. Many researchers highlighted that oil palm can tolerate well to low pH values in the range of 4 and 5 for commercial oil palm production especially in Southeast Asia [3,7,8,12]. [13] reported that (i) experiments carried out in four sites in Indonesia have shown that high yields are possible on soils with low pH and (ii) best management practices can increase pH.…”

“…[13] reported that (i) experiments carried out in four sites in Indonesia have shown that high yields are possible on soils with low pH and (ii) best management practices can increase pH. [3] also reported that a high FFB yield above 35 tons per ha per year is possible on acid sulfate soils with proper nutrient inputs as well as good water management.…”

“…This is due IOP Publishing doi:10.1088/1755-1315/1308/1/012037 3 to more compounded factors involved in oil palm cultivation on peat such as low bulk density, palm leaning, and termite attacks [12]. Agronomic and management practices such as minimizing the leaching of nutrients, especially K fertilizers, maintaining water level at 50 to 75 cm from the peat surface, detecting and treating termites are among the key aspects to achieving high yield in peat planting [3,12,17]. As such, besides pH values, many factors determine high FFB production in oil palm.…”

“…As such, besides pH values, many factors determine high FFB production in oil palm. On acid sulfate soils, Al toxicity and excess sulfates are the major constraints to FFB production in oil palm [3,22]. By maintaining water-table at 45 to 60 cm, accelerated pyrite-oxidation was avoided to obtain maximum oil palm yields [3,15,18].…”

“…On acid sulfate soils, Al toxicity and excess sulfates are the major constraints to FFB production in oil palm [3,22]. By maintaining water-table at 45 to 60 cm, accelerated pyrite-oxidation was avoided to obtain maximum oil palm yields [3,15,18]. [13] highlighted that in one of the treatments, bunch ash application had an ameliorative effect on pH as compared to treatment of ammonium sulfate fertilizer application.…”