Information About Oil Palm Nutrition

Info

rmat

ion

abou

t oi

l pal

m n

utrit

ion

Magnesium, potassium and boron three important nutrients for oil palm

2

Nutrient requirements for the oil palm

upta

ke (k

g ha

-1)

K

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Source: Ng, 1977

Magnesium and potassium are two importantnutrients in the oil palm production. The targetof high palm oil yields cannot be realizedwithout adequate supply of these essentialmacronutrients.

The growth cycle of oil palm which lasts forabout 25 years is characterized by differentstages which each has its specific requirementregarding nutrition. During the initial threeyears after planting, there is a graduallyincrease in K and Mg uptake by the oil palm.After 3-5 years onwards, the nutrient uptake isstabilized on a high level.

Nutrient requirement by oil palm

Potassium and magnesium are importantfor oil palm nutrition

This brochure will attempt to clarify and visuali-ze the role of Mg, K, S and boron for oil palmwith respect to soil/plant interactions, stressingon yield responses to Mg application and itsinteraction with other cations on FFB and oilformation.

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10years from planting

N

Mg

P

3

4

Fertilizers used for oil palm

For the plant nourishment, the fertilizer industryprovides the oil palm plantations with mineralfertilizers. Mineral nutrients are inorganicelements that have essential and specificfunctions in plant metabolism.

Potash and magnesium products are repre-sented on the market through K+S KALIGmbH. This company extracts potash andmagnesium crude salts from six mines inGermany, transforming them into a wide

variety of high-grade mineral fertilizer pro-ducts and intermediate products for furtherprocessing for technical, commercial andpharmaceutical purposes.

K+S KALI GmbH is the fourth largest potashproducer worldwide and the leader in Europe.In the field of potassium sulphate and magne-sium sulphate speciality fertilizers (mainlyESTA® Kieserite and Epsom Salt), K+S KALIGmbH occupies the leading position worldwide.

name formula content comments

Nitrogen

Ammonium chloride NH4Cl 28% N Acidifying

Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 21% N, 24 % N Acidifying

Urea CO(NH2)2 46% N Acidifying

Phosphorus

Triple superphosphate Ca(H2PO4) 2H2O 41 – 50% P2O5

(TSP) 12 – 20% CaO, 1.4% S

Rock phosphate Ca3(PO4)2 25-39% P2O5 Very slow-acting46-50% CaO

Potassium

Potassium chloride* KCl 60% K2O Muriate of Potash (MOP)

Potassium sulfate* K2SO4 50% K2O, 18% S Sulphate of Potash (SOP)

Magnesium

Kieserite* MgSO4 H2O 27% MgO, 22% S Soluble, quick-acting

Dolomite MgCO3 + CaCO3 30-47% CaO Slow-acting, varying 2-18% MgO content of Ca and Mg

Boron

Borax Na2B4O2 10H2O 11%B Soluble, quick-acting

* K+S KALI GmbH products

5

Potash and Magnesium fertilizers from K+S KALI GmbH are products of nature

The elements potassium and magnesium occurwidely in our natural ecosystem. They areessential nutrients for plants, animals andhumans. The discovery of potash and magnesi-um fertilizer deposits has made it possible tocorrect deficiencies of these nutrients in agri-culture.

In Germany, these natural deposits were for-med some 230 million years ago resulting fromthe solar evaporation of seawater during theZechstein period. The water from salt waterlagoons (3) which were cut off from the ocean(1) by shallow bars (2), evaporated (4) and cry-stallized.

Specific conditions during the solar evaporationphase resulted in the formation of deposits notonly rich in potash minerals but also containingmagnesium sulphate. K+S KALI GmbH minesthese unique crude salts and transforms theminto quality fertilizers containing potassium,magnesium and sulphur with the help of envi-ronment-friendly physical means, e.g. electro-static separation, solution and re-crystallisationprocesses.

Formation of potash and magnesium deposits in Germany(Shallow-barrier-theory)

Ocean Bars

Lagoon

Evaporation

Potash and Kieserite bed

6

ESTA® Kieserite fine and gran. a natural product from Germany

ESTA® Kieserite fine

Kieserite 27 + 22

27% MgO water-solublemagnesium oxide

22% S water-soluble sulphur

ESTA® Kieserite gran.

Kieserite 25 + 20




l is a sulphate based magnesium and sulphurfertilizer especially suited to balance nutritionin intensive farming systems aiming at both high yield and high quality production.

l is the result of extracting the naturally occurring mineral kieserite (MgSO4 H2O) through the environment-friendly electro-static separation process (ESTA®) from salt deposits in Germany.

l contains the nutrients magnesium and sulphur in an immediately plant-available (water-soluble) form.

l is an efficient Mg and S source for all crops in all soil types regardless of soil pH.


l is the granulated form of ESTA® Kieseritefine containing 25% MgO and 20% S as magnesium sulphate.

l is suitable for all types of soil owing to its high solubility regardless of soil pH.

l has excellent spreading properties due to the hardness of the granules and the appro-priate particle size distribution.

l is ideally suited for bulk blending.

l is mined from naturally occurring deposits and cleared for use in organic farming systems according to the EU-regulations EC 2092/91.

The Kieserite crystal

crystal: monocline-prismatichardness: 3.5density: 2.57 g cm-3

7

Muriate of Potash standard in oil palm nutrition

Muriate of Potash standard

Potassium chloride 60

60% K2O water-soluble potassium oxide

Muriate of Potash gran.




l is a highly concentrated single-nutrient fertilizer containing 60 % K2O as potassiumchloride.

l is the universal potash fertilizer suitable forall chloride tolerant crops and applicable for all types of soils.

l is a fine crystalline product virtually free of particles smaller than 0.16 mm. MOP standard is used for both: the manufacture of compound fertilizer and for straight manual application in oil palm.


l is the granulated form of Muriate of Potashstandard ideally suited to bulk blending and mechanical spreading due to its highly uniform and solid granules.

The MOP structure

structure: cubicappearance: pink, crystalline soliddensity: 1,987 g cm-3

Korn-Kali®

more than MOP

Korn-Kali®

Potassium Chloride with Magnesium 40 (+6+3+4)

40% K2O water-solublepotassium oxide



3% Na water-soluble sodium

Korn-Kali®+B

Potassium Chloride with Magnesium 40 (+6+3+4)

40% K2O water-solublepotassium oxide



3% Na water-soluble sodium

0.8% B2O3 boron

Korn-Kali®

l is a combined potassium, magnesium and sulphur fertilizer with 40% K2O as potassiumchloride, 6% MgO and 4% S as magnesiumsulphate (ESTA® Kieserite).

l contains potassium, magnesium and sulphur,all in the water-soluble form; thus, the nutrients are immediately available to the plant irrespective of soil pH.

l is effective in all types of soils and is suitablefor all chloride tolerant crops.

l is a granulated product with excellentspreading characteristics.

l due to the convenient particle size distributionKorn-Kali® is extremely suitable for bulk blending.

Korn-Kali®+B more than just Korn-Kali

Korn-Kali®+B

l is a combined fertilizer with:-potassium in the form of MOP-magnesium and sulphur in the formof ESTA® Kieserite

-boron in the form of sodium borate

l contains all nutrients in a fully water-soluble form which are therefore directly available to the plants independent of soil pH.

l ensures efficient uptake and utilization of K, Mg and B by crops because of a more even distribution of all nutrients in each application.

l is a granulated product with excellent spreading characteristics. Due to the convenient particle size distribution Korn-Kali® +B is extremely suitable for bulk blending.

8

Quality management for consistent product quality

Before K+S KALI products reach ourcustomers they undergo very stringent qualitycontrols. Based on DIN/ISO 9000-9004 K+S KALIhas introduced QUALITY MANAGEMENT,aiming at constant monitoring and perfectingthe quality of products through-out the wholeproduction chain, from the mine through therefinery to the warehouse. This is an essentialpart of the company’s philosophy, safeguardingthe confidence of our customers in ourproducts and hence future development.Quality management covers all our activitiesand is vital in the dedication of all employeesto optimize products and services accordingto the market demand. Besides the internalquality management, independent laboratoriestake samples from all products and analysethe fertilizers in terms of purity, nutrientcontent, granulometry, flow and anti-dustcharacteristics before delivery.

Being one of the largest potash producer,K+S KALI GmbH has sales branches andaffiliates all over the globe. In close co-operationwith local and regional representatives aworld-wide distribution network has beenformed to satisfy the quantitative andqualitative requirements of our customers.Furthermore, the K+S KALI GmbH has anagricultural advisory department wherespecialized agronomists support the localrepresentatives with their knowledge.

From the mining and processing sites inGermany, the K+S KALI products are suppliedto growers all over the world. Within Germanyand Europe, trucks, railway and small vesselsare the predominant means of transport used.The overseas destinations are reached bylarge sea vessels. Our up-to-date technologyin logistics and professional handling servesas a sound foundation. Shipped through ourown fertilizer docks in Hamburg port, reliableand punctual deliveries to our overseas cus-tomers are guaranteed.

Professional logistic facilities guarantee an optimal and save fertilizer transport to our overseas customers

9

Magnesium in the plant

Magnesium has many functions in the metabo-lism of oil palm. The most prominent function ofMg in plants is its role as the central atom ofthe chlorophyll molecule, the green pigment inleaves which captures the light energy requiredfor photosynthesis.

Functions of magnesium in the plant

Magnesium and its most importantfunction in plants

Besides being part of the chlorophyll, Mg isalso involved in the carboxylase reaction of thephotosynthesis, namely as a coenzyme in thefixation of CO2. Mg is needed in all processesthat require energy, e.g. starch, protein andvitamin synthesis, assimilate transport to leavesand fruit bunches and it is required in manyenzymes concerned with fatty acids and oilbiosynthesis.

10

Magnesium in the soil

Mg is absorbed by plants as Mg2+ from the soilsolution. The absorption depends on the Mg2+ inthe soil solution, soil pH, the % Mg saturationon the cation exchange capacity (CEC) andthe quantity of other exchangeable cations(Ca2+, K+, Na+ and NH4+). The Mg2+ in the soilsolution is in equilibrium with the exchangeableMg which is absorbed at the negative sides ofclay minerals and humus. The absorption ofMg2+ is very prone to competition with othercations. High ratios of Ca/Mg at the exchangecomplex or the continued use of high-calcicliming materials which may increase the Ca/Mgratio induce Mg deficiency on certain crops.

In acid mineral soils, Al3+ becomes the dominantcation of the exchange complex, formingsoluble toxic species which impair root growth.This Al induced root growth depression canbe alleviated by adequate magnesium supply.

Impairment of root growth asaffected by soil pH

Mg alleviates Al induced rootgrowth depression

11

Potassium in the plant

Potassium is needed by the plant in largequantities for the production of high yield(bunch size and bunch number) and improvedcrop quality. In contrast to many other essen-tial elements, K is not a firm constituent oforganic compounds. Potassium is present inall plant organs and cells and has manyfunctions in the plant:

l Potassium plays an important role in the conversion of light into biochemical energy during photosynthesis.

l Potassium speeds up the flow of assimilates from leaves (source) to other plant organs (e.g. fruit bunches and roots).

l Potassium promotes the storage of assimilatesas a result of increased production and improved translocation of carbohydrates.

l Potassium increases the nitrogen useefficiency through a faster conversion of nitrogen to proteins.

l Plants abundantly supplied with K can utilizethe soil moisture more efficiently than K-deficient plants.

Dry matter is composed of:30% crude fibre12% protein48% N-free-extracts 4% fat

6% ash

80% water

20% dry matter 42%

potassium

24% oxygen 7% chloride

7% silicon 5% phosphorus 5% calcium 4% magnesium 4% sulfur 1% sodium 1% trace

elements, iron,zinc, manganese,opper, boron,molybdenum

Plant ash over a wide range of plant species contains on average 42% potassium

12

Potassium in the soil

Potassium cycle in the soil*

In the soil, four categories of potassium areusually distinguished:

l potassium as a component of soil minerals

l non-exchangeable potassium (fixed K)

l exchangeable potassium (bound on the surface of soil clays and organic matter)potassium in the soil solution

Exchangeable and non-exchangeable K are inequilibrium with each other and with the K inthe soil solution. Potassium transfers easily between these pools.

* Modified from Sparks and Huang (1985); Mutscher (1995)

Potassium is taken up actively by palm roots asK+ ion mainly from the soil solution. Most of thepotassium needed by the plant is transportedby mass flow (with the water moving to theplant root) and by diffusion. The effectivenessof K+ from the soil solution for the cropnourishment is influenced by the presence ofother cations, particularly calcium (Ca2+) andmagnesium (Mg2+).

Plantuptake

Leaching

Mineral

K

Non-exchangeable

K

exchangeable

K

Soil

solution K

Fertilizer

K

13

The importance of potassiumin oil palm production

In accordance with the extremely high growthrate of the oil palm, its requirements in nutrientsare enormous. Of all major plant nutrients,potassium is taken up in the largest amount.Therefore, potassium plays an important role inplant nutrition and is known as the mostimportant cation in plant physiology.

Potassium is involved in a high number of bio-chemical functions and affects yield positivelyon many soils (bunch size and bunch number).In addition with nitrogen, potassium causessynergistic effects improving growth, bunchyield and oil/bunch ratio.

For most soils, the normal K content in frondNo. 17 is between 0.9 % and 1.3 % dependingon palm age, soil moisture or total leaf cations.

Nutrient removal for 25 t FFB (kg ha-1)

Yield t ha-1 N P2O5 K2O MgO S

25 t FFB 190 60 300 100 30

Effect of increased potassium fertilization on FFB yield and K-leaf content

treatment yield relative K-leaf contentFFB ha-1 year-1 yield % of dry matter

K0 15.82 100 0.87

K1 18.36 116 1.10

K2 19.38 123 1.16

K1: 1.5 kg MOP palm-1 year-1

K2: 3.0 kg MOP palm-1 year-1

source: after Taniputra and Panjaitan, 1981

14

The importance of sulphurin oil palm production

Just as magnesium, sulphur belongs to thesix macro-nutrients and is usually taken up by plants in the same order of magnitude asphosphorus and magnesium. The totalsulphur content in plants varies between0.2% and 0.5% of the dry matter. Sulphur isinvolved in numerous metabolic processes ofthe plant, e.g. the photosynthesis, sugar andstarch, amino acid and protein formation aswell as oil and fat synthesis.

Sulphur exists in organic and in inorganicforms in the soil. Around 90% of the total S inmost non-calcareous soils exists in organicforms. The inorganic forms are solution SO4

2-,absorbed SO4

2-, insoluble SO42- and reduced

inorganic S compounds.

Sulphur is taken up by palm roots as SO42- ion

from the soil solution which is transported bydiffusion and mass flow to the roots.

Another source of sulphur in the soil is fromthe atmospheric deposition of SO2 which,particularly in industrial countries, was formany years an important nutrient source butalso a strong environmental burden.Therefore, anti air pollution technology hasbeen employed so that today this sourceof sulphur has been drastically reducedand S deficiency in agriculture has becomewidespread.

Sulphur deficiency symptoms are similar withthese of nitrogen. In the beginning the pinnaeare pale and small and under acute deficiencythey show small brown necrotic spots.Sulphur deficiency symptoms are rarely in oilpalm because sufficient S is normally appliedthrough Ammonium Sulfate (AS) and/orESTA® Kieserite.

15

Sulphur deficiency symptoms in coconut-pinnae

The importance of boronin oil palm production

Compared to magnesium and potassium,boron is the most important micro-nutrient in oilpalm nutrition. Mature palms accumulate up to0.5 kg B ha-1 in above ground biomass.

Boron exists in four forms in the soil:

l bound in rocks and minerals

l adsorbed on surfaces of clays

l combined with organic matter

l as free non-ionized boric acid (H3BO3)and B(OH)4- in the soil solution

The general understanding of the boron uptakeby plants appears to be still incomplete. Theundissociated boric acid may be the mosteffective form, which is transported in the soilsolution by mass flow and/or diffusion. Plantuptake of boron is a passive process whereH3BO3 moves in response to its concentrationgradient in the xylem to sites of greatest waterloss.

Boron is essential for root elongation,carbohydrate and cell wall formation, affectingthe protein synthesis and the regulation ofnucleic acid synthesis.

A typical B-deficiency symptom: crinkle leaf on oilpalm pinneae

Boron deficiency is the most widespreadmicronutrient disorder in oil palm. Borondeficiency occurs on sides where B could beleached out easily (high rainfall, in sandy soilsand in peat soils).

Typically B deficiency symptoms are wellknown under “crinkle leaf”, “fishbone leaf”,“hook leaf” and “little leaf”.

B deficiency, from left to right: blind leaf, hook leaf, hook leaf.

16

Potassium deficiencyin oil palm

In tropical regions, more soils are poor inplant available potassium than in temperateregions.

In oil palm, potassium is the nutrient which isrequired in the largest quantity during the yearafter planting. The K content of fruit bunchesis about 0.65% of the bunch weight and theK content in vegetative dry matter is constantover the life cycle (around 1.0-1.3%).

K deficiency occurs where soils contain verysmall amounts of soil-exchangeable K.Especially in sandy soils and in peat soils,potassium deficiency is widespread becauseof high leaching losses caused by high rainfall.Furthermore, K deficiency occurs where rootsare not able to penetrate the soil to deepersoil layers because of an impermeable soilhorizon.

A variety of symptoms have been found to beassociated with potassium deficiency inmature oil palms. Confluent orange spottingis the most common K deficiency symptomcharacterised by small, initially pale greenspots which gradually turn yellow to yellowishorange and enlarge both between and acrossthe leaflet veins.

A second symptom is called “white stripes”and point out K deficiency often together withan imbalance between K and N and probablya lack of boron. These white, pencil-like stripesoccur on both sides of the mid-rips and havea transparent look.

Confluent orange spotting White stripes

17

Magnesium deficiencyin oil palm

Magnesium as a fertilizer has long beenneglected in oil palm plantations in the pastwhich led to widespread magnesium deficiency.Mg deficiency occurs where soils contain verysmall amounts of exchangeable Mg and wherethe topsoil has been eroded. Furthermore,leaching losses from soils which due to theiradvanced stage of weathering were inherentlypoor in magnesium led to further acceleratedsoil depletion of this nutrient. High and over-fertilization with K and Ca containing fertilizerscause Mg deficiency because of theantagonistic effect and uptake imbalancebetween these nutrients.

The unbound Mg is highly mobile within theplant and is easily retranslocated from olderto younger leaves and tissues, e.g. grains,fruits etc. Mg deficiency symptoms in oil palm

are characterised by uniform discolouration ofleaflets and of the older fronds, ranging fromyellow to bright orange-yellow. Strongestexpression of magnesium deficiency occursduring the dry season at high solar radiationand exposure to the sunlight. Therefore,among planters the symptoms are often calledheat induced sunburn and are rarely associatedwith Mg deficiency. The causal effects, however,are that under dry conditions Mg mobility inthe soil and hence uptake is reduced. LowMg supply leads to impaired retranslocationand accumulation of starch in leaves and theactivation of O2 resulting in toxic radicals,being responsible for the chlorosis and necrosisof pinnae. “Sunburn” is hence an expressionof latent Mg deficiency under high lightintensities.

Mg deficient oil palm Mg deficiency on pinnae

18

Since the sustained plant availability of Mg iscrucial for high FFB yield and oil extractionrates, it is absolutely necessary to pay attentionto the nutrient release characteristics from themagnesium fertilizer sources to provide the oilpalm continuously with this essential nutrient.

In principle, there are three different forms inwhich magnesium can be applied to the soil:

l the oxide form(magnesium oxide and fused lime stone)

l the carbonate form(in magnesite and dolomite)

l the sulphate form (ESTA® Kieserite and other magnesium sulphates).

The physicochemical properties of Mg fertilizersare crucial for their use in oil palm plantations.Mg oxides and carbonate (dolomite) have a veryslow solubility (compared to ESTA® Kieserite)releasing the Mg at rates inadequate for highcrop uptake. Dolomite can be used partly to maintain Mglevels on acid soils but because of its lowsolubility it is not as effective as ESTA®

Kieserite to correct Mg deficiency and tosupply plants adequate with Mg.

ESTA® Kieserite as a natural Mg sourcedissolves gradually and independent of thesoil pH and provides oil palms continuouslywith both essential nutrients (Mg+S).Attention should be paid to other MgSO4

fertilizers. These MgSO4 fertilizer materials arechemically produced and are a by-product ofthe industry. They are characterised by avariable Mg content, a poor structure (powder)and are partly polluted with heavy metals.

Magnesium Solubility insource water g/l

ESTA® Kieserite 417(MgSO4 H2O)

Dolomite 0.034(CaCO3 MgCO3)

Magnesium oxide 0.0062(MgO)

Magnesium sourcesdecide on oil palm productivity

19

Oil palm roots active in nutrient uptake aremostly located in the first 50 cm of the soilprofile whereas the highest quantities arelocated in the first 30 cm. The incorporationand mixing of fertilizers with the soil to improveits dissolution is usually not feasible becausethe upper root network will be destroyed andnutrient uptake will be inhibited.

Magnesium and surface application

soil

dep

ht (c

m)

0 - 15

15 - 30

30 - 60

60 - 90

0 1 2 3cmol Mg kg-1

Source: Singh (1989)

Control BA+ESTA® Kieserite BA+GML

The effect of bunch ash (BA) and magnesium source (ESTA® Kieseriteand dolomite (GML)) on soil exch. Mg (cmol kg-1)*

Soil: Sedu Soils, typic BA = 8.0 kg palm-1 bunch ashSulfaquept ESTA® Kieserite = 3.0 kg palm-1 ESTA® Kieserite

GML = 5.0 kg palm-1 dolomite

20

The effect of a typical surface applicationof two Mg carriers (ESTA® Kieserite anddolomite) on soil exchangeable Mg wasstudied in oil palm. The results show thatdolomite, owing to its poor solubility, onlyincreased exchangeable Mg contents in theupper soil layers, whereas substantial Mgfrom ESTA® Kieserite penetrated to lowersoil depths.

Magnesium and surface application

The effect that Mg from ESTA® Kieseritepenetrated deeper into the soil than Mg fromdolomite (after a surface application) has asignificant effect on root growth. The effectof an improved root growth was studied withforest trees on an acid soil in Germany. Theobservation of this experiment was thatdolomite owing to its slow release ofmagnesium only benefited the roots in thetop 10 cm whereas in the lower soil horizonroot growth was even reduced after dolomiteapplication compared to the control. The

Distribution of feeder roots (<2 mm) of Norway spruce on an acid forest soil (pH 3.7) as affected by Mg nutrition

oil e

xtra

ctio

n ra

te (%

)

0 - 5

5 - 10

10 - 20

20 - 30

0 100 200 300 400 500 600root concentration (mg I-1)

325557

477

145253

271

181325

80

152217

36

Source: Schaaf and Zech (1991)

Control Dolomite ESTA® Kieserite

21

explanation of this effect may be in thepromotion of root growth in the morefavourable environment with higher Mg andCa availability, whereas penetration into theacid subsoil did not occur. On the other hand,Kieserite owing to its solubility independenton the pH and deeper penetration into the soilprofile, benefited also the roots at the lower soildephts. This is an important feature of solublemagnesium in form of ESTA® Kieserite,improving root growth to enhance uptakeof N, P, K and Mg also from the subsoil.

Magnesium and oil extraction rate

For a long time, the oil palm industry hasemphasized yield in form of harvested FFB intonnes by neglecting oil extraction rate. Inrecent years, the industry goal was to enhancethe oil formation in oil palm to define newperformance parameters in case of productionand profitability. The importance of magnesiumfor oil production is evident from the fact thatit promotes oil formation.

Treatment last trial year combined years (1-5)(t ha-1) (t ha-1)

N+P+SOP 4.35 6.00

N+P+SOP+1.5 kgESTA® Kieserite 5.92 6.54

source: Tayeb, PIPOC, 2005

Mg in the form of ESTA® Kieserite influencedpositively oil production. Tayeb (2005) repor-ted that on top an extra 1.57 t ha-1 yr-1 oil wasachieved through consistent application of1.5 kg palm-1 yr-1 ESTA® Kieserite. Over thewhole experiment, an extra 0.57 t ha-1 yr-1 oilwas achieved per year.

Beside the essential nutrient Mg, it seemsto be that also the Mg source of fertilizers(e.g. ESTA® Kieserite (MgSO4) and dolomite(MgCO3) plays an important role on oil forma-tion because of differences in solubility andnutrient release pattern. This may explainresults where the oil extraction rate was 8%higher compared to the dolomite treatment.

The effect of two different Mgfertilizer (ESTA® Kieserite anddolomite) on oil extraction rate

oil e

xtra

ctio

n ra

te (%

)

30

28

26

24

22

20

Source: Ditschar, 2006

30 42 48age of palms (month)

ESTA® Kieserite Dolomite Control

22

Fertilizer management in oil palm

Oil palm belongs to the ten most heavilyfertilized crops worldwide and therefore, thefertilizer costs are considerable. At times ofa high oil price, the fertilizer managementseems to be easier because of a higher profitwhereas at times of a low oil price the quantityof fertilizer used is reduced.

In perennial crops (oil palm), such fertilizerreductions during one or two years could havedrastic consequences in yield performance forthe next years. A constant fertilizer applicationis essential to supply the oil palm continuouslywith nutrients to guarantee good yieldperformance over years.

The K+S KALI fertilizers (ESTA® Kieserite,Korn-Kali®, Korn-Kali®+B) support the oilpalm industry with high-quality fertilizer toensure and to provide high yield performance.K+S KALI fertilizers are established in theoil palm industry worldwide and are part ofthe straight fertilizer program on oil palmplantations.

Innovative products and an improved productquality can help to minimize fertilizer costs.Through Korn-Kali®+B, a combination ofMOP, ESTA® Kieserite and Borax, it ispossible to ease the fertilizer application andto reduce labour costs compared to thetraditionell straight fertilizer application. Theapplication of 5 to 6 kg Korn-Kali®+B perpalm splitted in two or three applications willsatisfy the annual requirements of K, Mg andB in mature oil palms. The even distribution ofall nutrients in each application ensures highyield performances over years.

High FFB yield with K+S KALI products.

23

Best Management Practisefor Maximum Economic yield in oil palm

Following on the success of a BestManagement Practise (BMP) project with PTAsiatic Persada in Jambi (Indonesia), theregional Southeast Asia Program* of thenewly established International Plant NutritionInstitute (IPNI) initiated a second BMP projectat larger scale. The new project began in2006 with six collaborating oil palm plantationslocated in the key oil palm growing areas ofSumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia.

The K+S KALI GmbH, a founding member ofthe IPNI, is a partner of the new BMP projectin support of the Southeast Asia Program andthe oil palm industry in Indonesia and Malaysia.There is an increasing global demand forvegetable oils such as palm oil but an evidentneed to increase productivity. Oil palm yieldshave largely stagnated in the last 20 years,but substantial opportunities exist to increaseyield in existing plantations while minimizingnegative effects on the environment throughimproved management practices includingbetter plant nutrition. The BMP approachprovides estate managers with a concept andguiding principles on how to evaluate currentmanagement practices compared to improvedBMP implemented in selected trial block. Theaim is to maximize yield and minimize fruitlosses but the individual BMP componentsare tailored by the estate management tosite-specific conditions. A continuous dialoguebetween estate managers and agronomistsduring site visits are an integral part of theBMP concept and helps addressing upcomingproblems during the implementation.

The BMP approach is based on crop andnutrient management principles:

l decision making based on relevantinformation

l development of management units based on soil and plant surveys

l best management practise (BMP) for optimal economic yield

l plant-based determination of nutrient needs

l ‘need-based’ fertilizer use for effective use of nutrients

Apart from improved nutrient managementprinciples, best management practises arecharacterised by:

l complete crop recovery through collection of all fruits

l short harvesting rounds (7 days) and a good access for the harvester

l adequate pruning and the removal of unproductive palms

l optimal root function and nutrient uptake by palms through adequate moisture availability (drainage, water conservation)

l optimal nutrient use through complete utilization of crop residues (empty fruit bunches etc.)

l optimal access and erosion control throughcontour paths

l optimal fertilizer use efficiency through weed-free platforms around trees and correct fertilizer placement

*www.ipni.net/seasia

24

Inter-row-fertilizer-applicationbetween oil palms (on old,properly stacked fronds)increases fertilizer efficiency.

Preliminary results from two plantations inNorth Sumatra, Indonesia, showed bunchyield increases between 7% and 13%,respectively, in blocks with BMP after 6months compared with the reference blocksunder standard management (see table below).The yield increase was mainly related to anincrease in bunch weight (+8%) as a result of abetter crop recovery due to shorter harvestingrounds, i.e. every palm was visited everyseven days. With shorter harvesting intervals,rounds increased by 38% and 82% in thetwo plantations, respectively, because of themore frequent visits by harvesters. The grossbenefit with BMP was 105 USD ha-1 and 132

USD ha-1 in the two plantation, respectively.Because of higher costs for the BMP imple-mentation a detailed economic analysis isnecessary to show the net revenue of BMP. Apreliminary economic analysis indicated addi-tional costs for the implementation of BMP ofonly about 50 USD ha-1 so that there is a sig-nificant positive net benefit with BMP. A morethorough analysis is expected after one year.

The BMP project clearly shows that a slightinvestment in management practises canresult in a significantly higher productivity andprofitability.

Project Harvest FFB yield Avg bunch Gross value of extrarounds (kg ha-1) weight (kg) BMP yield difference

Estate A +38% +7% +8% +105 USD

Estate B +82% +13% +8% +132 USD

25

Initial effects of BMP on harvest round, fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, average bunch weightand gross benefit compared to reference blocks in two plantations in North Sumatra.

Contact: IPNI Southeast Asia Program, e-mail [email protected]

All out of one hand


Kieserite 27 +22

27% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide22% S water-soluble sulphur

ESTA® Kieserite fine has been used in oilpalm production worlwide and is generallyregarded as the standard magnesium fertilizer.The reason for this is that it is a highlyconcentrated Mg and S carrier and containsboth nutrients in the water-soluble form.


Kieserite 25 +20

25% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide20% S water-soluble sulphur

ESTA® Kieserite gran. is the granulated formof ESTA® Kieserite fine containing 25% MgOand 20% S as magnesium sulphate.

Korn-Kali®

Potassium chloride with magnesium 40 (+6+4+3)

40% K2O water-soluble potassium oxide6% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide4% S water-soluble sulphur3% Na water-soluble sodium

Korn-Kali® is a combined potassium, magne-sium and sulphur fertilizer with 40% K2O aspotassium chloride, 6% MgO and 4% S asmagnesium sulphate (ESTA® Kieserite)

ESTA Kieseritfine

Produced byK+S KALI GmbH

34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

®

Korn-Kali®


34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

ESTA Kieseritgran.

®


34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

26

Korn-Kali®+B

Potassium chloride with magnesium 40 (+6+4+3)

40% K2O water-soluble potassium oxide6% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide4% S water-soluble sulphur3% Na water-soluble sodium

0.8% B2O2 water-soluble boric oxide

Korn-Kali®+B is a well balanced K, Mg, S andB fertilizer for oil palm and ensures efficientuptake and utilization of these nutrients.




Muriate of Potash (MOP) is a highly concen-trated single-nutrient fertilizer containing60% K2O as potassium chloride. MOP is theuniversal potash fertilizer suitable for allchloride tolerate crops.




Muriate of Potash (MOP) gran is the granulatedform of MOP standard containing 60% K2Oas potassium chloride.

Korn-Kali+B®


34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

MOP standard


34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

27

MOP gran.


34111 KasselGermany

A K+S Group Company

K+S KALI GmbHP.O. Box 10 20 29 · 34111 Kassel · GermanyPhone +49 (0)561 9301-2316 · Fax +49 (0)561 [email protected] · www.kali-gmbh.com

A K+S Group Company 6677

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Documents

Information About Oil Palm Nutrition