Ganoderma versus mycorrhiza

This Basal stem rot (BSR) disease, which has long been recognized as the most annihilating disease of field palms in Southeast Asia, still reigns as the number one killer of oil palms and serves a disastrous blow to palm oil production. With the identification of the causal agent, i.e. Ganoderma boninense, several control measures have […]

The Malaysian National Average Oil Palm: concept and evaluation

This paper develops the concept of the Malaysian National Average Oil Palm and evaluates the physiological characteristics required to produce the mean fresh fruit bunch (FFB) and mesocarp oil yields recorded in Malaysia between 1996-2000. The results are contrasted with those for oil palm in years of peak yield and with palms growing on a […]

Going back to basics: producing high palm oil yields sustainably

The production of food, fibre, oleochemicals and pharmaceuticals/ nutraceuticals by the oil palm industry is carried out under the progressive agricultural practices to ensure a safe and viable environment that is basic to sustainable development. Going back to basics requires two perspectives to be considered. The first is to have a telescopic global view that […]

Thermal conductivity of oil palm fibre – polyethylene hybrid composite

Hybrid composite boards were manufactured from oil palm trunk (opt), frond (opf), empty fruit bunces (efb) and polyethylene. The objective of this study was to measure the thermal conductivity of hybrid composite boards. The thermal conductivity of the boards was measured using Quick Thermal Conductivity Meter (QTM-D3). In this study, hybrid boards with different types […]

Towards understanding and controlling abscission in the oil palm

Losses in oil yield and quality are often attributed to the non-synchronous ripening of oil palm bunches and the shedding of loose fruits. Manipulation of abscission process offers valuable opportunities for increasing the productivity of oil palm. Biotechnology or conventional breeding may be exploited to delay the onset of abscission or prevent it altogether. The […]