Oil palm growth and yield as affected by densities, progenies and N fertilizer on Bengawat soil: the preliminary results
AHMAD AFANDI Murdi , HAMDAN Abu Bakar , AHMAD TARMIZI Mohammed , AHMAD Kushairi, Dr , KHAIRUMAN HashimA split-split plot trial involving oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) at four population densities (140, 160, 180 and 200 palms ha -1 ), two palm progenies (PS1 and commercial DxP) and three levels of nitrogen (N0 – control, N1 -0.63 kg N palm -1 yr -1 , and N2 – 1.26 kg N palm -1yr -1), replicated thrice was initiated in May 2000 at MPOB Research Station, Lahad Datu, Sabah. Vegetative growth measurements were taken at 26 months after planting (MAP) and first year yield production recorded from December 2002 to November 2003. Soil was sampled and analysed for nutrient contents at the beginning of the trial. Frond 17 was sampled at 30 MAP and subsequently analysed for dry matter nutrient contents. At 26 MAP to 30 MAP, the growth parameters and dry matter nutrient contents were not significantly different, densities, progenies and nitrogen treatments did not affect PS1 performance. A similar observation was made on the first year yield. The fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield for the various population densities ranged from 5.9 to 7.4 t ha -1yr -1. The FFB yield was only 10% higher for commercial DxP compared with PS1, however, it was not significantly different. In general, the preliminary results showed that density and nitrogen treatment did not affect PS1 performance (growth and yield) at 26 to 43 MAP.
Tags: PORIM SERIES 1 (PS1), MPOB PUBLICATIONS, OIL PALM YIELDS, NUTRIENTS, OIL PALM SOILS, oil palm, oil palm cultivation
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