Oil palm lignocellulose biomass utilization : Novel value-added products

Oil palm produces a large amount of lignocellulose biomass. The exploitation of this biomass is still traditional and low, i.e., for fibre production, organic fertilizer (for soil amelioration, structure and fertility improvement) and erosion prevention. Although these are environmentally friendly practices, there is little value addition, thereby prompting a need to increase the quantum of […]

Estimating maintenance respiration of oil palm

Maintenance respiration (MR) is normally the largest fraction of dark respiration in crop plants. MR of mature oil palm is difficult, if not impossible, to measure directly. However, it can be calculated from respiratory coefficients and standing crop biomass components. The derivation of the coefficients is described and examples are given of the MR of […]

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 […]

Measuring and modelling oil palm trunk growth

The trunk represents an important component of the vegetative dry matter of oil palm. This paper describes the approaches taken to model trunk growth as part of a comprehensive model of oil palm dry matter production and development, and the problems and limitations encountered. Several approaches are described including the independent simulation of trunk height […]

Alternative oil palm fertilizer sources and management

The euphoric sentiment of the oil palm industry in 2007 till first half of 2008, generated by the historic high prices of crude palm oil (CPO) as influenced by the price escalation of fossil fuel and biofuel, has very quickly vaporized and been replaced by an awakening call for prudence. Inorganic fertilizer prices soared concurrently […]