Developing Oil Palm Research Articles

Dampak Konflik Sosial terhadap Ekspansi Lahan Perkebunan Sawit : Sebuah Kajian Literatur

Social conflicts in the oil palm plantation sector have become an increasingly prominent issue in various regions, with impacts that not only affect the relationship between parties, but also threaten and affect the sustainability of the industry, aspects of people's lives and the environment. Conflicts are often rooted in land disputes, dissatisfaction with compensation, and the environmental impacts of unsustainable plantation practices. This study aims to explore the impact of social conflicts on oil palm land expansion. It is hoped that this research can provide clear information about the relationship between social conflicts and oil palm land expansion, so that it can be used to find better solutions in managing and developing oil palm land in a more sustainable and equitable manner. The methods used are literature studies and literature reviews. Literature study is a research design used in collecting data sources related to topics. The collection of data sources for literature studies is carried out with a database search tool that is used as a stage to search for literature sources. The screening results from the journals that are appropriate and needed are 9 national articles. Based on the activities and journals, it was found and analyzed that the impact of social conflicts on the expansion of oil palm plantation land can have environmental, economic, and social impacts.

Prospective oil palm (Elaeis sp) materials for high tocotrienol content

Crude palm oil (CPO) contains various forms of vitamin E, including tocopherol, tocotrienol and a small amount of tocomonoenol, collectively known as tocols. Among these, tocotrienol is dominant in CPO, constituting approximately 70% of the total tocols; unlike tocopherol, which is known for its anti-ageing properties, tocotrienol exhibits potent antioxidant activities, 60 times stronger than tocopherol. Tocotrienol is recognized for its diverse health benefits as a neuroprotective, nephroprotective, anti-cancer, anti-cholesterol, anti-diabetic, and anti-inflammatory agent. Consequently, tocotrienol holds immense potential for pharmaceutical and nutraceutical applications. The exploration of oil palm materials planted in Kebun Adolina PTPN IV, North Sumatera, has been conducted since 2020, encompassing diverse genetic backgrounds, including commercial palm DxP varieties, an interspecific hybrid of Elaeis oleifera x Elaeis guineensis, wild-type palm materials originated from Angola and Cameroon, and palm clones of commercial DxP varieties. The analysis revealed a wide range of total vitamin E (tocol) content, ranging from 310.78 ppm to 1681.45 ppm. Among the genotypes studied, AD14S311 and AD14S2220 emerged as promising candidates for ortets to develop oil palm varieties with high content, especially tocotrienol. These genotypes demonstrated a high oil extraction rate (OER) and a total vitamin E level above 1000 ppm. These findings remade the potential genotypes as genetic resources for breeding programs in developing oil palm varieties enriched with tocotrienol and fulfilled the commercial value.

MENELISIK DAMPAK PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT BAGI HUTAN ADAT, HAK ULAYAT, DAN VISI EKOLOGIS MASYARAKAT HUKUM ADAT DI KALIMANTAN BARAT

According to the result of a research conducted in 2016 entitled "Changes in the Mindset of Dayak Indigenous Peoples in Sanggau Regency towards Customary Forests as a Result of Palm Oil Plantations", this article aims to describe the impact of oil palm plantations on indigenous forests, customary rights, and the ecological vision of Adat communities in West Kalimantan. The research method used is a qualitative method with a phenomenological approach. The findings of this research indicate that economic benefits obtained from oil palm plantations are not proportional with the ecological and social losses resulting from the impacts, both directly and indirectly. It is also found that Adat communities living around oil palm plantations often face the threat of horizontal conflicts due to competition over cultivated land and ecological threats in the form of floods and landslides. The findings within thisis useful to strengthen the understanding of the importance and necessity of developing oil palm plantations with due regard to the local wisdom and constructive ecological vision to maintain the existence of indigenous forests as customary rights. Therefore, land clearing for oil palm plantations must pay attention to local wisdom, preserving nature so that the sustainability of ecosystems and communities is guaranteed.

The Influence of K3 (Occupational Health and Safety), Training and Career Development on the Performance of PTPN IV Kebun Gunung Bayu Employees

The Indonesian palm oil industry is important for the Indonesian economy with palm oil trade performance continuing to increase. However, the challenge of developing oil palm is limited human resources. Companies implement K3 because many activities involve work accidents and disease risks. Training to provide, and develop competencies. Career development is company support to motivate employees to be able to develop their careers better. This research aims to analyze the influence of K3, training and career development on the performance of PTPN IV Kebun Gunung Bayu employees. The research method is quantitative. Data analysis methods are validity testing, reliability testing, classical assumption testing, multiple linear regression analysis and hypothesis testing. The research results show that K3, training and career development have a significant effect on employee performance.

Farmer preference for marginal land use and their impact on soil quality

Changes in forest land use into dry lands have become a concern of the global community because of environmental damage. The research objectives were to determine land use priority for agricultural development and its impact on soil quality. The research was conducted in Baras District, Pasangkayu Regency, West Sulawesi. The socio-economic survey was conducted using a focus group discussion technique. Stratified soil surveys were carried out on priority land uses. Analysis of the physicochemical properties of soil was carried out at the Soil Science Laboratory, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Tadulako. Support for the development of farmer institutions, ease of product marketing, financial benefits for farming, and the availability of quality seeds are the dominant factors influencing people’s preference for the priority of developing oil palm farming. Respectively, Soil quality indexes in oil palm blocks aged 3 years, 6 years, and 24 years were 0.5584 (moderate), 0.3072 (slightly poor), and 0.4362 (moderate). Soil quality decreased early in plant growth up to 6 years of age, but improved with effective soil organic carbon management up to 24 years of age.

Independent Palm Oil Small Holders' Plans Regarding Their Behaviour

The ISPO (Indonesian Sustainable Palm Oil) framework, which describes best practises for the production of ecologically friendly oil palm plantations, absolutely has to be put into reality. This is of the utmost importance. This study aims to analyse the behavioural intentions of independent small holders located within the Riau Regency in regard to extending their sustainable palm oil enterprises. Specifically, this research will look at how these individuals plan to grow their palm oil operations. Throughout the course of this investigation, structural equation modelling was utilised as a tool for doing both descriptive and inferential analysis (SEM). The findings indicated that attitudes (general attitudes, personal attitudes, emotional values, and intelligence) and perceptions of behavioural control (experience, knowledge, media, and intervention), which in turn influence behaviour, are the primary contributors to farmers' behavioural intentions, which in turn influence farmers' actual behaviour. It is well established that farmers' behavioural intentions are unaffected by subjective norms, including age, gender, education level, income level, and religion. Farmers have started to be encouraged to try to work in groups through the formation of farmer groups and cooperatives as part of the process of fostering and developing oil palm. This is due to the fact that ISPO certification will only be given to farmers who are members of farmer groups or cooperatives. This is due to the fact that certification from ISPO will only be granted to farmers who satisfy the standards of both.

Penerapan Asas Kepastian Hukum dalam Peraturan Menteri Pertanian Nomor 01/PERMENTAN/KB/120/1/2018 Tentang Pedoman Penetapan Harga Pembelian Tandan Buah Segar Kelapa Sawit Produksi Pekebun

Smallholder oil palm plantations have made a major contribution to the development of the national palm oil industry. However, the policy of developing oil palm plantations continues to be unfavorable to smallholder oil palm farmers, with one example being the right of farmers to earn income and profits as an illustration of guarantees for agricultural product marketing. To realize these farmers' rights, the government established Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018 concerning Guidelines for Setting the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Farmers in lieu of Minister of Agriculture Regulation Number 14/Permentan/OT.140/2/2013 concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters, which is considered unable to provide legal certainty because the content material is incomplete and has multiple interpretations. The purpose of writing this law is to analyze the application of the principle of legal certainty in the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture, Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018, concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters. The writing of this law uses a normative-juridical method, namely, by examining and understanding the positivization of the principle of legal certainty in statutory regulations. The application of the principle of legal certainty in the substance of the Regulation of the Minister of Agriculture Number 01/PERMENTAN/KB.120/1/2018 concerning Guidelines for Determining the Purchase Price of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches Produced by Planters has fulfilled the principle of legal certainty, namely protection for both smallholders and smallholders with plasma patterns as well as self-help patterns through partnerships with plantation institutions. In the cooperation agreement between the company and the planters, through the planters' institution, the regional government is authorized as a supervisor, and the government has also regulated the minimum elements for the parties in the cooperation agreement. The regulation regarding supervision and sanctions in this regulation has also clearly stipulated time limits for the implementation of obligations, so that it will be easier for the Governor to supervise and provide sanctions in the event of a violation. Keywords: Legal Certainty, Smallholders, Oil Palm Plantations.

The Role of Women in Increasing Oil Palm Production in Aceh Province

Regional development is largely determined by the potential possessed by a region, the wisdom made by the local government must refer to the potential of areas that have the opportunity to be developed, especially the plantation subsector. The high demand for exports of plantation products has encouraged the development of a number of plantation commodities in various regions. Palm oil is one of the leading commodities in the plantation subsector in Aceh Province. Until now, oil palm is a prima donna crop of the people in the Aceh region and in several other regions. Palm oil is the development of an agribusiness-based plantation subsector. The activities of oil palm plantations and their derivative products provide high added value in the economic sector. The importance of developing oil palm plantations is increasingly felt in the impact on the workforce of both men and women who work in the oil palm plantation sector and its derivative sectors. Women are an important part of the palm oil industry that is always present in every chain of the palm oil production process. This impact can be seen from the increase in income of the farming community, resulting in an increase in the purchasing power of rural people, both for primary and secondary needs. Based on the role of oil palm in the rural economy and the development of oil palm plantation areas in the Aceh area. The selection of research sites is in the Western region of Aceh which includes: Aceh Singkil and Meulaboh Regencies and the Eastern region of Aceh includes: North Aceh Regency, East Aceh, Kuala Simpang. It is known that the region has many characteristics of the oil palm plantation industry in Aceh province.

Pendekatan Special Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit terhadap Daya Dukung Lingkungan di Kecamatan Anggaberi Kabupaten Konawe

The objectives of this study were (1) to identify the existing conditions of oil palm plantations in Anggaberi District, Konawe Regency (2) to analyze the condition of the carrying capacity of the environment in Anggaberi District, Konawe Regency (3) to formulate the concept of controlling environmental carrying capacity in Anggaberi District, Konawe Regency . This research was carried out through the stages of research methods including conducting studies on primary data and secondary data, namely the availability of geospatial information on the research area, D3TLH information, in the formulation of the concept of carrying capacity control. Based on the results of spatial identification, it shows that there are 2 villages and 1 sub-district that are the location for developing oil palm plantations in Anggaberi District, namely Andabia Village, Lerehoma Village, Wunduongohi Village, with a total area of 2500 Ha. The results of the analysis of environmental service index performance in Anggaberi District are divided into 5 (five) index classes, namely very low class, low, medium, high and very high class. The average carrying capacity index value of the provision, regulation and support ecosystem services in Konawe Regency, where the provision of environmental services ranges from 2.38 to 3.44 (low - high class), the regulatory environmental service index is in the range of 2.12 to 3.18 (low to medium class) and supporting environmental services index values ranging from 2.55 to 2.95 (low to medium class). In detail, the distribution of the index of carrying capacity for environmental services provision, regulation and support in Anggaberi District. The carrying capacity and carrying capacity of the region are highly dependent on the ability of the ecosystem to produce provision, maintenance and protection services. The ability of ecosystems to produce the services mentioned above is very dependent on the condition/state of the landscape or ecoregion conditions, the condition of the distribution of natural vegetation and the condition of land cover throughout the mainland of Konawe Regency. The combination of these three variables greatly determines the ability of ecosystems to produce services, both provisioning services, regulatory services and protection services.

Kontribusi Pendapatan Tenaga Kerja Wanita terhadap Pendapatan Keluarga (Studi Kasus di KUD Krida Sejahtera Kabupaten Tulang Bawang Provinsi Lampung)

Contribution of Women’s Labor Income to Family Income (Case Study in KUD Krida Sejahtera Tulang Bawang Regency Lampung Province). Koperasi Unit Desa Krida Sejahtera is located in Bogatama Village, Penawartama Sub-district, Tulang Bawang Regency, Lampung Province, which is a forum for people to develop oil palm plantation businesses. In managing this business, KUD Krida Sejahtera establishes a nucleus-plasma partnership with PT. Sumber Indah Perkasa and absorbs women’s labor as plantation field workers. The purpose of this research is to calculate the contribution of women’s labor income to family income and the motivation that encourages women to work as field worker in the KUD Krida Sejahtera’s oil palm plasma plantation. The results showed that the contribution of the income of the female who work in KUD Krida Sejahtera’s oil palm plasma plantation to the family income is in the medium category with a percentage of 49,71%. Women's labor income is very helpful in improving the standard of living of the family to be better than before. While the motivation that drives women to work as field workers in KUD Krida Sejahtera’s oil palm plasma plantations is that it is necessary to fulfill the three needs stated by Clayton Alderfer, that are the need for existence, relatedness, and growth (ERG). The advice than can be given is that household women are given greater opportunities in the public sphere to develop their potential and can play a productive role such as opening a home industry. For KUD Krida Sejahtera to increase the empowerment of household women by channeling employment opportunities and entrepreneurship development to support women's potential as an effort to help increase women's contribution to the family economy. Then, for further research, it is expected to use other theories besides the ERG theory which can represent the conditions at the research site.

Marketing Channel Analysis of Oil Palm Fresh Fruit Bunches in Lubuk Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency

The purpose of the research is to find out marketing channel analysis of oil palm fresh fruit bunches in Lubuk Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency. The research was conducted in Lubuk Barumun District in Padang Lawas Regency, North Sumatra Province with the consideration that Padang Lawas Regency has potential in developing oil palm plantation areas. The research was carried out from January to February 2021. The sample collection of producer farmers was carried out by purposive sampling with the sample criteria being independent oil palm farmers. From the population of oil palm farmers in Padang Lawas Regency as many as 297 people, a sample of 10 percent was taken, namely 30 farmer respondents. Quantitative analysis is used to determine the Hirschman Herfindahl index on market structure, market behavior based on the price relationship between two markets at the same level and the magnitude of market performance based on marketing margin analysis, profit margin ratio, farmer's share, cost share, and profit share. The results showed that, the number of oil palm farmers is large while the number of sellers or intermediaries is only a few so that the marketing system for fresh fruit bunches of oil palm tends to be imperfect competition because there are many sellers but few buyers (oligopsony). Analysis of the Hirschman Herfindahl index, it is known that the market structure of oil palm fresh fruit bunches in Lubuk Barumun District, Padang Lawas Regency tends to lead to an imperfect competition market (oligopsony) which causes the bargaining position of oil palm fresh fruit bunches farmers to be in poor condition weak, namely as a price taker. The efficiency of an already efficient marketing channel is the one that shows the smallest value of marketing efficiency, namely in channel III (Ep < 5% efficient). Marketing channels I and II have not been efficient (Ep > 5% inefficient). Keywords: Marketing Channel, Oil Palm, Fresh Fruit Bunches .

Physical Characteristics of Peat Soil in Oil Palm Plantation, Simpang Kanan Village, Simpang Kanan Subdistrict, Rokan Hilir

Farmers in the village of Simpang Right use marginal land, namely peat soil, to develop oil palm farming. So far, the analysis of the physical properties of peatlands in Simpang Right has never been carried out. The application of fertilizers and oil palm plant care is only based on knowledge from social media and from the knowledge of parents first, so it is important to analyze the physical properties of the soil from peatlands that have been used for oil palm cultivation. This research was conducted from September 2021 to January 2022 on oil palm agricultural land cultivated by the community in Simpang Right Village, Simpang Right District, Rokan Downstream District, Riau Province. The method used is a free grid survey method at the semi-detail survey level. The implementation of taking soil samples from 3 sample points with a distance of 100 meters in the field using a random method spread over predetermined points. The results of the research on the physical properties of peatlands show that the peat soil used for oil palm plantations in the Simpang right village has Bulk Densty.0.15gr, Total Pore Space 44.68%, Field Capacity 254.25%, Withering Point 128,88%. Overall, the physical properties of the soil in oil palm plantations in Simpang Right Village, Simpang Right District, Rokan Downstream District, Riau Province are in good condition. To increase fertility for oil palm cultivation, it can be done by providing manure and chemical fertilizers with the required dose so that it can provide growth to oil palm plants.

Analysis of Peat Soil Chemical Properties in Oil Palm Plantation in Simpang Kanan Village, Rokan Hilir Regency

This ecosystem change results in changes in chemical, physical, and biological characteristics and properties. The fertility level of peatlands can be determined through an analysis of the chemical properties of the soil. Therefore, the analysis of the chemical properties of the soil, including the analysis of the main nutrient content, was carried out from November 2021 to January 2022 in Simpang Kanan Village, Simpang Kanan District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province. Farmers in Simpang Kanan Village use marginal land, that is peat soil to develop oil palm farming. This research was conducted using the free grid method at the semi-detailed survey level. The implementation of taking soil samples from 3 sample points with a distance of 100 meters in the field using a random method scattered at predetermined points. Farmers in Simpang Kanan Village use marginal peat soil to cultivate oil palm plantations. So far, no analysis of the chemical properties of peat soil has been carried out. Application of fertilizers and cultivation is only based on knowledge from the internet or from previous generations. Therefore, it is important to study the analysis of the chemical properties of soil from peatlands used for oil palm plantations. The results of research on the chemical properties of peatlands in Simpang Kanan Village, Simpang Kanan District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province showed that the peat soil planted with oil palm in Simpang Kanan Village had a pH of around 4.89, C-organic 6.07%, N-Total 1 ,67 mg/L , P-Total 34.08 mg/L , K-Total 11.54 mg/L. Thus, the chemical properties of the soil in oil palm plantations in Simpang Kanan Village, Simpang Kanan District, Rokan Hilir Regency, Riau Province. Still good, to increase fertility for oil palm cultivation, it can be done by increasing the pH in the soil so that it maximizes oil palm development and can be used as a recommendation for oil palm fertilization.

Institutional Development in the Supply Chain System of Oil Palm Agroindustry in South Kalimantan

Developing oil palm agroindustry in South Kalimantan involves internal and external factors for its sustainability. The long distance of each stakeholder requires a digitally connected system. The research aimed at identifying criteria, sub-criteria, and alternatives in the developed network model, determine the sensitivity to determine the relevance of actor's role, determine the effectiveness and efficiency before and after implementation of the system, and analyse the level of certainty and importance of assumptions developed. The methods used were surveys, focus group discussions, and questionnaires. Experts in the Analytical Network Process (ANP) method were from academia, business, society and government. Supply Chain Operation Reference (SCOR) method to analyse supply chain performance involved 178 respondents. The level of certainty and importance of assumptions was with Strategic Assumption Surfacing and Testing (SAST). The results of the analysis show there was an interdependence between the sub-criteria on the specified criteria and alternatives applied to achieve the goals. Pairwise comparisons showed the highest sub-criteria cluster was the replanting program with a weight of 0.662, for alternative cluster the highest priority weight in the system involving all actors playing a role was 0.391, with relevant sensitivity test results. The results of the analysis of effectiveness and efficiency before and after implementation of the system showed an increase in SCOR value for all actors. The results of SAST analysis were in Quadrant I with the highest level of importance and certainty of 7.6 meaning very important and certain. The implications of the research results can be seen in fostering the use of technology in realizing transparency, especially regarding the price, quality, and traceability of fresh fruit bunches, the realization of a monitoring system for policymakers and capital assistance for independent oil palm smallholders.

PENGANGKUT PANEN KELAPA SAWIT DARI POHON KE MOBIL PENGANGKUT MENGGUNAKAN ALAT ANGKUT SISTEM CONVEYOR RANTAI

Indonesia is one of the main producers of palm oil, and currently occupies the second position in the world. Indonesia is a country with the largest oil palm area in the world, which is 34.18% of the world's palm oil area. The achievement of the average production of Indonesian palm oil in 2017-2020 was recorded at 176 million tons of fresh fruit bunches (FFB). This study aims to increase effectiveness and efficiency in work productivity. The method used in this research is to do direct spaciousness. The results show the results of the performance of the tool for developing oil palm fruit ideas into cars by looking at the consumption of fuel used in a single transport process. The system works by rotating the gear and shaft that encircles the chain and pulls the oil palm haul board.

The Potential of Palm Oil as An Economic Recovery in Central Kalimantan in The Era of A Pandemic: Typology Klassen Analysis

Palm oil is one of Central Kalimantan's leading commodities. With a plantation area of almost two million hectares. Central Kalimantan is capable of producing up to eight million tons of palm oil annually. During the pandemic, Central Kalimantan's economy experienced the deepest contraction of up to 3.17 percent due to restrictive policies to prevent the spread of the virus. According to Statistics of Indonesia, the agriculture, forestry, and fisheries sectors are the most resilient sectors because they can grow positively amid a pandemic. The palm oil commodity could be a solution for boosting the economy of Central Kalimantan through appropriate management strategies. One strategy in recovering from the impact of the pandemic is through Small and Medium Enterprise's innovation. Based on the Klassen Typology analysis, Pulang Pisau Regency has the biggest potential for developing oil palm SMEs (quadrant I). In addition, Palangka Raya City and Kapuas Regency are in quadrant IV, which means they have the highest number of SMEs. However, their economic growth has contracted.

Expression analysis of miRNAs and their putative target genes confirm a preponderant role of transcription factors in the early response of oil palm plants to salinity stress

BackgroundSeveral mechanisms regulating gene expression contribute to restore and reestablish cellular homeostasis so that plants can adapt and survive in adverse situations. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play roles important in the transcriptional and post-transcriptional regulation of gene expression, emerging as a regulatory molecule key in the responses to plant stress, such as cold, heat, drought, and salt. This work is a comprehensive and large-scale miRNA analysis performed to characterize the miRNA population present in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) exposed to a high level of salt stress, to identify miRNA-putative target genes in the oil palm genome, and to perform an in silico comparison of the expression profile of the miRNAs and their putative target genes.ResultsA group of 79 miRNAs was found in oil palm, been 52 known miRNAs and 27 new ones. The known miRNAs found belonged to 28 families. Those miRNAs led to 229 distinct miRNA-putative target genes identified in the genome of oil palm. miRNAs and putative target genes differentially expressed under salinity stress were then selected for functional annotation analysis. The regulation of transcription, DNA-templated, and the oxidation-reduction process were the biological processes with the highest number of hits to the putative target genes, while protein binding and DNA binding were the molecular functions with the highest number of hits. Finally, the nucleus was the cellular component with the highest number of hits. The functional annotation of the putative target genes differentially expressed under salinity stress showed several ones coding for transcription factors which have already proven able to result in tolerance to salinity stress by overexpression or knockout in other plant species.ConclusionsOur findings provide new insights into the early response of young oil palm plants to salinity stress and confirm an expected preponderant role of transcription factors - such as NF-YA3, HOX32, and GRF1 - in this response. Besides, it points out potential salt-responsive miRNAs and miRNA-putative target genes that one can utilize to develop oil palm plants tolerant to salinity stress.

Soil erosion control in immature oil palm plantation

The objectives of developing oil palm plantations should feasible economically and without causing massive erosion. This research proposes soil and water conservation strategies that are ideal and optimal for oil palm cultivation depending on land capability class. The conservation test for plants was performed according to land capability classes on a plot measuring 22 m × 4 m. Runoff and erosion rates were measured using Multislot Divisor Method. Nutrient leaching was analysed based on the content of C-organic (Ctot) (Walkley–Black method), total nitrogen (Ntot) (Kjeldahl method), P-available (Bray-1 method) and K2O (extraction with 1N NH4OAc at pH 7.0). From the results, land capability class III, cover crops (soybean) + manure (P3) treatment effectively reduced runoff and soil erosion (22.63 m3∙ha–1∙y–1 and 13.04 Mg∙ha–1∙y–1), as well as nutrient leaching, compared to other treatments. Furthermore, sediment trap + cover crop + manure (P3) controlled runoff, erosion and nutrient leaching on land capability class IV, producing the lowest runoff (129.40 m3∙ha–1∙y–1), soil erosion (11.39 Mg∙ha–1∙y–1), C-organic (1.3%), and P (1.95 mg kg–1). Soil conservation treatment significantly reduced erosion and runoff (p < 0.05) on land capability class VI. The bench terrace + cover plants + manure treatment-controlled runoff, erosion, and soil nutrient leaching.

Palm Oil and Natural Disasters: Sociological Meanings of Discourses on the Ecological Impact of Oil Palm Expansion

Since its inception and until now, oil palm plantations have been controversial in Indonesia. Although there is ample evidence presented by proponents proving that oil palm expansion has made an important contribution to the Indonesian economy, from an ecological point of view, it is claimed by critics to have negative impacts on the environment, one of which is the cause of natural disasters. The link between oil palm expansion and natural disasters is debated between critics and supporters of oil palm expansion. This study examines the theme of criticism of oil palm expansion as a cause of natural disasters and counter-discourse of supporting oil palm expansion. By using literature study methods and an environmental, sociological perspective, it is found that the discourse on the impact of oil palm plantation expansion shows a contradiction between the views of the New Ecological Paradigm (Paradigma Ekologi Baru or PEB) and the Human Exemptionalism Paradigm (Paradigma Keterpisahan Manusia or HEP). The Indonesian government is building a counter-discourse of ecological modernization to maintain and develop oil palm plantations expansion.

Comparative transcriptome analysis reveals novel insights into transcriptional responses to phosphorus starvation in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) root

BackgroundPhosphorus (P), in its orthophosphate form (Pi) is an essential macronutrient for oil palm early growth development in which Pi deficiency could later on be reflected in lower biomass production. Application of phosphate rock, a non-renewable resource has been the common practice to increase Pi accessibility and maintain crop productivity in Malaysia. However, high fixation rate of Pi in the native acidic tropical soils has led to excessive utilization of P fertilizers. This has caused serious environmental pollutions and cost increment. Even so, the Pi deficiency response mechanism in oil palm as one of the basic prerequisites for crop improvement remains largely unknown.ResultsUsing total RNA extracted from young roots as template, we performed a comparative transcriptome analysis on oil palm responding to 14d and 28d of Pi deprivation treatment and under adequate Pi supply. By using Illumina HiSeq4000 platform, RNA-Seq analysis was successfully conducted on 12 paired-end RNA-Seq libraries and generated more than 1.2 billion of clean reads in total. Transcript abundance estimated by fragments per kilobase per million fragments (FPKM) and differential expression analysis revealed 36 and 252 genes that are differentially regulated in Pi-starved roots at 14d and 28d, respectively. Genes possibly involved in regulating Pi homeostasis, nutrient uptake and transport, hormonal signaling and gene transcription were found among the differentially expressed genes.ConclusionsOur results showed that the molecular response mechanism underlying Pi starvation in oil palm is complexed and involved multilevel regulation of various sensing and signaling components. This contribution would generate valuable genomic resources in the effort to develop oil palm planting materials that possess Pi-use efficient trait through molecular manipulation and breeding programs.