Oil Palm Plantations In Malaysia Research Articles

Malaysian oil palm plantation sector: exploiting renewable energy toward sustainability production

The Malaysian palm oil industry spans the entire value chain from upstream processes to downstream activities. This paper aims to review the progress of the palm oil industry and the current issues in the plantation sector, such as labor shortage, sustainable production, and greenhouse gas emission from the cultivation process. Palm oil cultivation is known for its labor-intensive process. Foreign laborers are usually employed in Malaysian palm oil plantations for harvesting, fruit collecting, and general maintenance works. Some issues have affected the supply of workers to Malaysian palm oil plantations. Farm mechanization, which has always been recommended as a tool to reduce dependency on foreign workers, is expected to solve the issues. However, certain considerations should be investigated, such as fuel consumption, to reduce its impacts on the environment. The currently available farm machineries that are frequently used contribute to almost 211 million kg of CO2-eq per year, as diesel consumption stands at 290 million L per year. Therefore, this paper also examines the potential renewable energy resources for the palm oil cultivation process. Exploiting renewable energy technologies in plantation operations, such as battery-powered electric vehicles charged using a solar photovoltaic (PV) system, can reduce up to 750 tonnes of CO2-eq per year. Therefore, this initiative will increase the sustainability of the Malaysian palm oil industry in general.

Comparative efficiency of different pretreatment methods on enzymatic digestibility of Parthenium sp.

The potential of Parthenium sp. as a feedstock for enzymatic saccharification was investigated by using chemical and biological pretreatment methods. Mainly chemical pretreatments (acid and alkali) were compared with biological pretreatment with lignolytic fungi Marasmiellus palmivorus PK-27. Structural and chemical changes as well as crystallinity of cellulose were examined through scanning electron microscopy, fourier transform infra red and X-ray diffraction analysis, respectively after pretreatment. Total reducing sugar released during enzymatic saccharification of pretreated substrates was also evaluated. Among the pretreatment methods, alkali (1% NaOH) treated substrate showed high recovery of acid perceptible polymerised lignin (7.53 ± 0.5 mg/g) and significantly higher amount of reducing sugar (513.1 ± 41.0 mg/gds) compared to uninoculated Parthenium (163.4 ± 21.2) after 48 h of hydrolysis. This is the first report of lignolytic enzyme production from M. palmivorus, prevalent in oil palm plantations in Malaysia and its application in biological delignification of Parthenium sp. Alkali (1% NaOH) treatment proves to be the suitable method of pretreatment for lignin recovery and enhanced yield of reducing sugar which may be used for bioethanol production from Parthenium sp.

Malaysian investors in the Indonesian oil palm plantation sector: home state facilitation and transboundary haze

This paper analyses the regionalization of Malaysian oil palm plantation firms into Indonesia. These firms have been implicated in starting fires to clear land for planting, which has resulted in transboundary haze. This paper argues that these Malaysian investors have been able to burn with impunity, despite the dire consequences of haze on their home country, because of the close patronage relationships and vested interests of the Malaysian government elites in these companies. Because of this, the home government is inclined to protect and defend the actions of these firms in Indonesia against such allegations, while the Malaysian public continues to suffer the haze.

Effects of forest conversions to oil palm plantations on freshwater macroinvertebrates: a case study from Sarawak, Malaysia

Oil palm plantations in Malaysia are expanding rapidly due to global oil and biofuel demand. This is of particular concern, as the conversion process of forested land to oil palm plantations and the maintenance of a plantation can significantly alter freshwater ecosystems. This is a result of the initial loss of a forested catchment, particularly the riparian vegetation, changes to the bed and banks of streams, sedimentation and changes to detrital inputs. In addition, various chemicals used on the plantations leach into the nearest waterways and can potentially affect freshwater macroinvertebrates. In the Malaysian region, these are largely endemic and generally incompletely known. This study assesses the impact of oil palm plantations on stream macroinvertebrates by comparing four steams flowing through undisturbed rainforest and four streams flowing through oil palm plantations in Sarawak, Malaysia. Freshwater macroinvertebrates were sampled using the standard three-minute kick sample method with accompanying chemical measurements. Although there were no distinct differences between the control and oil palm streams in the chemical data, the invertebrate communities provided a different interpretation of stream quality. Invertebrates were more abundant, species rich and diverse in rainforest streams than in oil palm ones. Most noticeably, two whole orders of insecta, Coleoptera (beetles) and Hemiptera (true bugs), were absent from the oil palm streams. This may be the result of the disappearance of natural bank habitats, the sensitivity to the pesticides targeted at the Rhinocerous beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros), or a combination of both.

GammaScorpion: mobile gamma-ray tomography system for early detection of basal stem rot in oil palm plantations

Detection of the oil palm stem rot disease Ganoderma is a major issue in estate management and production in Malaysia. Conventional diagnostic techniques are difficult and time consuming when using visual inspection, and destructive and expensive when based on the chemical analysis of root or stem tissue. As an alternative, a transportable gamma-ray computed tomography system for the early detection of basal stem rot (BSR) of oil palms due to Ganoderma was developed locally at the Malaysian Nuclear Agency, Kajang, Malaysia. This system produces high quality tomographic images that clearly differentiate between healthy and Ganoderma infected oil palm stems. It has been successfully tested and used to detect the extent of BSR damage in oil palm plantations in Malaysia without the need to cut down the trees. This method offers promise for in situ inspection of oil palm stem diseases compared to the more conventional methods.

Effects of Operational Variables on Rotary Valve Metering System for a Variable Rate Technology Fertilizer Applicator for Oil Palm

In the Malaysian oil palm plantation, fertilizer application was observed to be done manually or mechanically at uniform rate without due consideration to nutrient variability. The available constant rate mechanical fertilizer spreaders on oil palm plantation were found to be susceptible to excessive fertilizer application. On the other hand, Variable Rate Technology (VRT) could be used to forestall the hazards of excessive fertilizer application. However, full knowledge of the operational variables of the metering system of a VRT applicator has become inevitable for proper utilization of this technology. A rotary valve metering system test rig was designed and constructed for the purpose of studying the characteristics of the system. A linear regression equation was developed to relate the discharge rate of the metering system to the screw conveyor speed, rotary valve speed, fertilizer bulk density and repose angle. The coefficient of determination (R2) of the regression equation was 98.65%. The screw conveyor speed, the rotary valve speed and type of fertilizer were found to have statistically significant effect on the discharge rate of the system. It was observed that the discharge rate of the system decreased with increase in rotary valve speed. The outcome of this study will enhance the use of rotary valve in the VRT fertilizer applicator for oil palm.

Effects of steeping variables and substrate mesh size on starch yield extracted from oil palm trunk

Large area of oil palm plantation in Malaysia generated significant amount of oil palm biomass such as oil palm trunk. This material is assumed to possess multipurpose utilization, including a starch-producing raw material. This work is aimed to determine the total extractable starch from oil palm trunk (OPT) using commercial steeping methods. The extraction methods used in this study include steeping the OPT in sodium metabisulphite (Na2S2O5) alone and with the addition of lactic acid (C3H6O3). The effect of process parameters: incubation temperature (IT) (room temperature at 26°C, 40°C, 50°C), incubation period (IP) (24h, 36h, 48h) and substrate mesh size (MS) (20 mesh, 40 mesh, 60 mesh) were evaluated for their effect on starch yield. The experimental results indicated that with the addition of lactic acid during steeping improved the starch yield (3.61%) as compared to that of steeping using sodium metabisulphite alone (0.92%). The effect of substrate mesh size is more significant than process parameters: incubation temperature and incubation period on the starch yield. The contour plot was derived from the equation and applied to determine the interactive effects of IT×IP, IT×MS and IP×MS. Among the interactions, IT×MS is more significant than IT×IP, and IP×MS on the starch yield. A second-order regression equation was developed for the response as a function of independent coded parameters (R2=0.91). Conclusively, starch recovery increased with increase of OPT mesh size and steeping incubation temperature.

Competitive ability of some cover crop species against Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion

Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion are the most troublesome weeds in oil palm plantations in Malaysia and establishment of cover crops under oil palms is an integral part of sustainable weed management in plantations. Replacement-series experiments were conducted to evaluate the mode and strength of competitiveness of four legume cover crop species, Calopogonium caeruleum, Centrosema pubescens, Mucuna bracteata and Pueraria javanica, and one soft grass species, Axonopus compressus, against Asystasia gangetica and Pennisetum polystachion. Relative yield, relative yield total and relative crowding coefficient were calculated with reference to shoot biomass. Asystasia gangetica was a consistently weaker competitor than Pennisetum polystachion. The legume cover crop species had higher relative yield when grown in mixtures, whereas the yield of Asystasia gangetica was lower in mixtures with legumes than in monoculture. The higher competitiveness of legumes was due to greater canopy height and leaf area index. Centrosema pubescens was a slightly weaker competitor than the other legumes. Although leaf area per plant of Centrosema pubescens did not differ from that of other three legumes, canopy height and blocking photosynthetically active radiation to the soil surface were lower. When grown with a cover crop for 12 weeks, dry weight per plant, leaf area and shoot number of Pennisetum polystachion increased as its proportion decreased in mixtures. Relative yield data indicated that Pennisetum polystachion is a strong competitor. Axonopus compressus was less susceptible to Pennisetum polystachion interference than the legumes. All cover crop species studied proved highly competitive against Asystasia gangetica, but none could compete against Pennisetum polystachion. The study confirms the feasibility of using a cover crop for management of Asystasia gangetica.

Occurrence of Common Weeds in Immature Plantings of Oil Palm Plantations in Malaysia

A survey was conducted by the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) to gain information on noxious weeds in oil palm plantations. The survey was conducted through questionnaires distributed to a total of 1412 oil palm estates with immature plantings throughout Malaysia between August 2008 and April 2009. Eleusine indica was found to be the most occurred grass (82.2%) in immature oil palm plantations followed by Imperata cylindrica (81.2%), Ischaemum muticum (71.8%) and Pennisetum polystachion (67.1%). The most found broadleaves in oil palm plantations were Mikania micrantha (77.2%), followed by Clidemia hirta (74.6%), Asystasia gangetica (74.2%), Melastoma malabathricum (72%), Chromolaena odorata (67.7%), Borreria latifolia (65.6%), Hedyotis verticillata (64.3%), Mimosa pudica (59.6%), Ageratum conyzoides (58.5%) and Lantana camara (55%). Sedges and ferns were found in 51 per cent and 74 per cent of the plantations. The new weeds emerging from uncollected oil palm loose fruits, volunteer oil palm seedlings (VOPS) was reported to be found in 64 per cent of the oil palm plantations. Keywords: Weeds, oil palm plantation.

Carbon budget of tropical forests in Southeast Asia and the effects of deforestation: an approach using a process-based model and field measurements

Abstract. More reliable estimates of the carbon (C) stock within forest ecosystems and C emission induced by deforestation are urgently needed to mitigate the effects of emissions on climate change. A process-based terrestrial biogeochemical model (VISIT) was applied to tropical primary forests of two types (a seasonal dry forest in Thailand and a rainforest in Malaysia) and one agro-forest (an oil palm plantation in Malaysia) to estimate the C budget of tropical ecosystems in Southeast Asia, including the impacts of land-use conversion. The observed aboveground biomass in the seasonal dry tropical forest in Thailand (226.3 t C ha−1) and the rainforest in Malaysia (201.5 t C ha−1) indicate that tropical forests of Southeast Asia are among the most C-abundant ecosystems in the world. The model simulation results in rainforests were consistent with field data, except for the NEP, however, the VISIT model tended to underestimate C budget and stock in the seasonal dry tropical forest. The gross primary production (GPP) based on field observations ranged from 32.0 to 39.6 t C ha−1 yr−1 in the two primary forests, whereas the model slightly underestimated GPP (26.5–34.5 t C ha−1 yr−1). The VISIT model appropriately captured the impacts of disturbances such as deforestation and land-use conversions on the C budget. Results of sensitivity analysis showed that the proportion of remaining residual debris was a key parameter determining the soil C budget after the deforestation event. According to the model simulation, the total C stock (total biomass and soil C) of the oil palm plantation was about 35% of the rainforest's C stock at 30 yr following initiation of the plantation. However, there were few field data of C budget and stock, especially in oil palm plantation. The C budget of each ecosystem must be evaluated over the long term using both the model simulations and observations to understand the effects of climate and land-use conversion on C budgets in tropical forest ecosystems.

Estimating aboveground biomass in forest and oil palm plantation in Sabah, Malaysian Borneo using ALOS PALSAR data

Conversion of tropical forests to oil palm plantations in Malaysia and Indonesia has resulted in large-scale environmental degradation, loss of biodiversity and significant carbon emissions. For both countries to participate in the United Nation’s REDD (Reduced Emission from Deforestation and Degradation) mechanism, assessment of forest carbon stocks, including the estimated loss in carbon from conversion to plantation, is needed. In this study, we use a combination of field and remote sensing data to quantify both the magnitude and the geographical distribution of carbon stock in forests and timber plantations, in Sabah, Malaysia, which has been the site of significant expansion of oil palm cultivation over the last two decades. Forest structure data from 129 ha of research and inventory plots were used at different spatial scales to discriminate forest biomass across degradation levels. Field data was integrated with ALOS PALSAR (Advanced Land-Observing Satellite Phased Array L-band Synthetic Aperture Radar) imagery to both discriminate oil palm plantation from forest stands, with an accuracy of 97.0% ( κ = 0.64) and predict AGB using regression analysis of HV-polarized PALSAR data ( R 2 = 0.63, p < .001). Direct estimation of AGB from simple regression models was sensitive to both environmental conditions and forest structure. Precipitation effect on the backscatter data changed the HV prediction of AGB significantly ( R 2 = 0.21, p < .001), and scattering from large leaves of mature palm trees significantly impeded the use of a single HV-based model for predicting AGB in palm oil plantations. Multi-temporal SAR data and algorithms based on forest types are suggested to improve the ability of a sensor similar to ALOS PALSAR for accurately mapping and monitoring forest biomass, now that the ALOS PALSAR sensor is no longer operational.

Absence of Differential Predation on Rats by Malaysian Barn Owls in Oil Palm Plantations

Barn Owls (Tyto alba javanica) have been widely introduced in Malaysian oil palm plantations to control rodent pests. However, their effectiveness in regulating rodent populations is unknown. We investigated whether Barn Owls selected prey with respect to size and sex classes based on data from 128 pellets of Barn Owls compared to 1292 live-trapped rats in an oil palm plantation in Malaysia. The birds mostly fed on Rattus rattus diardii, the most commonly trapped species. Body mass of prey consumed was predicted based on models derived from measurements from trapped rats. Sex of prey was determined by pelvic measurements with reference to those taken from specimens of known gender. There was no clear selection of prey by Barn Owls in relation to size or sex of prey, and no difference in the body mass of prey between the owls' breeding and nonbreeding seasons. The absence of differential predation in Barn Owls may partly explain the lack of clear evidence that they regulate rodent populations and thus act as successful biological control agents.

Application of knowledge management systems in Malaysian oil palm plantations' supply chain

Vertically integrated firms are streamlining activities in their supply chain by using knowledge management systems (KMS). Effective KMS need suitable combination of organisational and managerial initiatives and the use of suitable information technologies. Malaysian oil palm plantations have been recognised as leaders in technology development and adoption. KMS in the plantations started with the use of computerised inventory management systems. Subsequently, the plantation companies applied KMS to integrate various functions, including sourcing raw materials, production and support activities. This paper explores to what extent oil palm plantations have used KMS in managing their supply chain primary and support activities and how effective it is in increasing performance. Results of the study showed the plantation managers agreed that KMS have contributed significantly in improving the plantations' performance. However, greater use of existing KMS and adopting a more advanced IT will further improve performance at all stages of the supply chain.

Comparisons on engine power requirements of 6WD and 4WD prime movers for the oil palm plantation in Malaysia

An attempt was made to investigate the possibility of designing and developing a multipurpose, all terrain, 6WD prime mover for the oil palm plantation in Malaysia. Comparisons were made on the engine power requirements of the 6WD prime mover over the 4WD prime mover on four different soil classifications having terrain slopes ranging from 0° to 30° based on the traction equations by ASABE [1]. Generally, the 6WD prime mover showed in the range of 5.27–45.81% reduction in the engine power requirements than the 4WD prime mover having equal size and weight configurations when traversing over the four different soil classifications. Greater percentage reductions in engine power with the 6WD over the 4WD prime mover were found as the terrain changes from concrete to soft or sandy soil classification with prominent percentage reductions at higher terrain slopes. The proposed 6WD prime mover has a single chassis with skid steer drive wheels, oscillating drive axles, and low inflation pressure tires. The 63 kW water-cooled, diesel engine was sufficient to run an hydrostatic main pump at a working pressure of 220 bar and a flow rate of 91 L/min under two drive speeds (i.e. high and low) and two drive modes (i.e. forward and reverse). Proper prime mover wheelbase and proper ground clearance height were employed to give better stability and manoeuvrability for the typical oil palm plantation terrain in Malaysia. Mounting provisions for the seedling transplanting, fertilizer applicator and the in-field fresh fruit bunches (FFB) collection–transportation were made on the prime mover.

Workers’ Physiological Impact in the Oil Palm Cultivations in Malaysia

The workers' physiological impact with respect to human energy expenditure and heart rate against the various operations at the nursery and field stages in oil palm cultivation has been studied. The involved operations under both the nursery or field stages and the available tasks within each operation were ranked individually under the combinational basis of dawdling, demanding, and exhausting criteria. Holing in large polybags was found to be currently the most critical operation under the nursery stage, while planting germinated seeds in small polybags was the least critical operation. On the other hand, lining was found to be currently the most critical operation under the field stage operation, while pest control was the least critical operation. The established DWD-DEM-EXH Cartesian Plot could be used as the prime basis when formulating the proper mechanisation programme for the oil palm plantations in Malaysia. Keywords: Workers' physiological impact, human energy expenditure, oil palm nursery field operations, oil palm nursery operations.

Nitrogen management is essential to prevent tropical oil palm plantations from causing ground-level ozone pollution

More than half the world's rainforest has been lost to agriculture since the Industrial Revolution. Among the most widespread tropical crops is oil palm (Elaeis guineensis): global production now exceeds 35 million tonnes per year. In Malaysia, for example, 13% of land area is now oil palm plantation, compared with 1% in 1974. There are enormous pressures to increase palm oil production for food, domestic products, and, especially, biofuels. Greater use of palm oil for biofuel production is predicated on the assumption that palm oil is an "environmentally friendly" fuel feedstock. Here we show, using measurements and models, that oil palm plantations in Malaysia directly emit more oxides of nitrogen and volatile organic compounds than rainforest. These compounds lead to the production of ground-level ozone (O(3)), an air pollutant that damages human health, plants, and materials, reduces crop productivity, and has effects on the Earth's climate. Our measurements show that, at present, O(3) concentrations do not differ significantly over rainforest and adjacent oil palm plantation landscapes. However, our model calculations predict that if concentrations of oxides of nitrogen in Borneo are allowed to reach those currently seen over rural North America and Europe, ground-level O(3) concentrations will reach 100 parts per billion (10(9)) volume (ppbv) and exceed levels known to be harmful to human health. Our study provides an early warning of the urgent need to develop policies that manage nitrogen emissions if the detrimental effects of palm oil production on air quality and climate are to be avoided.

The incidence and use of Oryctes virus for control of rhinoceros beetle in oil palm plantations in Malaysia

The rhinoceros beetle, Oryctes rhinoceros, has emerged as a serious pest of oil palm since the prohibition of burning as a method for maintaining estate hygiene in the 1990s. The abundance of beetles is surprising given that the Malay peninsula was the site of first discovery of the Oryctes virus, which has been used to effect good as a biological control agent in other regions. A survey of adult beetles was carried out throughout Malaysia using pheromone traps. Captured beetles were examined for presence of virus using both visual/microscopic examination and PCR detection methods. The survey indicated that Oryctes virus was common in Malaysia among the adult beetles. Viral DNA analysis was carried out after restriction with HindIII enzyme and indicated at least three distinct viral genotypes. Bioassays were used to compare the viral strains and demonstrate that one strain (type B) is the most virulent against both larvae and adults of the beetle. Virus type B has been cultured and released into healthy populations where another strain (type A) forms the natural background. Capture and examination of beetles from the release site and surrounding area has shown that the spread and persistence of the applied virus strain is accompanied by a reduction in palm frond damage.

Mycorrhizal status of epiphytes in Malaysian oil palm plantations

Epiphytic plants were collected from four oil palm plantations in Peninsular Malaysia and their mycorrhizal status determined. Conspecific plants with a terrestrial habit (16 species) and rhizosphere soils were also examined for mycorrhizal colonization and glomalean fungi, respectively. Twelve species of glomalean fungi were recovered from the four oil palm plantation soils. Of the 29 epiphytic species in 16 families belonging to the bryophytes, pteridophytes and angiosperms, only four species of angiosperms that were facultative epiphytes and a hemiepiphyte growing within 0.4 m of ground level had vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizal (VAM) fungi. Bioassays of organic debris from oil palm trunks did not produce vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas on maize. Six epiphytic species grown in the greenhouse in pots containing oil palm rhizosphere soils rooted and had VAM fungi and thus may be facultative epiphytes. Five other epiphyte species failed to grow in pots and are probably obligate epiphytes. Seven epiphyte species that established themselves in pots failed to form vesicular-arbuscular mycorrhizas.