Biodiversity, agricultural development and valuation of ecosystem services

There have been significant losses of biodiversity in the tropics at ecosystem, species and genetic levels as a consequence of agricultural development resulting in simplified landscapes with large areas dominated by crop monocultures. While it is suggested that many ecosystem services can be maintained by a few key species under present environmental conditions, particularly in […]

A review on seed dormancy and germination

An overview of seed dormancy and germination in plants is presented with reference to various crops, especially oil palm, and the effects of plant growth regulators (PGRs) and chemicals are also highlighted. This review also includes the biochemistry and molecular studies in seed germination, and related issues. Rumusan keseluruhan bagi kedorminan biji dan pencambahan dalam […]

Improving the efficiency of oil palm tissue culture

Planting clones seems to be the best approach to higher yield. Although the oil palm has been cloned for some years now, the production is still vastly below demand due to inefficiency at some of the cloning stages. This article describes some technologies developed by MPOB to improve oil palm cloning – liquid culture, efficient […]

Modeling oil palm bunch components, palm oil and kernel yields

The source-based model OPRODSIM (Oil Palm Production Simulator) simulates fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield based on the assimilate remaining after the requirements of vegetative growth have been met. However, in its initial form it does not take account of pollination as a factor limiting yield, nor does it provide an estimate of palm mesocarp oil […]