The shortage of workers in the oil palm industry caused some oil palm planters to practice the subsoil fertiliser placement to reduce the frequency of fertiliser application. The fresh fruit bunches (FFB) yield obtained from the subsoil fertiliser application was 4.52 t ha^–1, which was 13% lower than when fertiliser was broadcasted. Hence, it is less effective on riverine alluvial soil. The higher profits resulted from broadcasting would suggest that it is a more effective method for mature oil palm planted on alluvial soils. The subsoil placement of fertiliser is only advisable to be practised in marginal areas, such as high erosion areas especially in hilly areas where regular fertilisation would lead to nutrient losses via surface runoff.

Kekurangan pekerja di industri sawit menyebabkan sebilangan pekebun sawit mengamalkan kaedah penanaman baja di dalam tanah untuk mengurangkan kekerapan membaja. Hasil tandan buah segar (TBS) dari kaedah penanaman baja di dalam tanah adalah 4.52 t ha^–1 iaitu 13% lebih rendah daripada kaedah taburan. Oleh itu, ianya kurang berkesan di tanah lanar sungai. Keuntungan lebih tinggi yang diperoleh menunjukkan bahawa kaedah pembajaan secara taburan lebih berkesan untuk sawit matang yang ditanam di tanah lanar sungai. Kaedah penanaman baja di dalam tanah hanya disarankan untuk dipraktikkan di kawasan marginal, seperti kawasan hakisan tinggi terutama di kawasan berbukit di mana pembajaan adalah berisiko.