Oil Palm Age Research Articles

The estimation of above-ground oil palm carbon stocks of different ages through vegetation index

Above-ground carbon stocks play an important role to support the sustainability of oil palm plantation, and vary with soil characteristics, climate conditions, and agronomic practices. The common direct approach to assess aboveground carbon stocks may be time-consuming, and laborious, so may not be suitable especially for large scale observation. Therefore, the use of remote sensing may overcome some limitations coming up for conventional methods, yet requires a considerable data validation to obtain a reliable model. In this study, the normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) based on Sentinel-2 satellite imagery, acquired in September 2023, was used in combination with field measurements, i.e. biomass estimation, investigated in three separated of oil palm plantations differing in ages, i.e. young (< 10 years), middle (10 – 20 years) and old (> 20 years), subjected with similar soil characteristics, and climate condition, in Bojong Datar, Cibungur, and Cikasungka, West Java. Results show that above-ground carbon stocks increase with oil palm ages, i.e. from young to middle ages, with value ranging from 3.40 – 65.70 ton/ha, yet decreases down to 17 ton/ha with ages > 20 years. Similarly, it also occurred for NDVI index, i.e. increase from 0.50 – 0.59 for young to middle of oil palms, and down to 0.51 for oil palm > 20 years old. This study suggests a strong correlation between carbon stocks and NDVI values (R2 = 0.878), pointing out the potential use of vegetation index to estimate above-ground oil palm carbon stocks. In the future, with further validation, the use of NDVI to estimate plant biomass may provide a potential substitute for the field measurement methods with a considerable higher efficiency and accuracy.

Towards an Annually Updated Oil Palm Age Database (OPAD) with Multimodal Remote Sensing Features: Design and Preliminary Result

The cultivation of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is globally significant, particularly in tropical regions, due to the diverse applications of palm oil and palm kernel oil. This necessitates precise monitoring for sustainable management amidst escalating demand. This study aims to develop an annually updated Oil Palm Age Database (OPAD) using multisource remote sensing data to predict the oil palm age, a critical factor affecting productivity and environmental sensitivity. By comprehensively analyzing multisource remote sensing data from 1982 to 2023, this study establishes OPAD and validates its reliability using a random forest classifier. The findings reveal the relationship between remote sensing data features and changes in the oil palm age, offering insights into sustainable management practices. The results indicate an overall accuracy of 86.86 ± 0.92% for grouped age (i.e., seed (1-2 years), young (3-8 years), teen (9-14 years), mature (15-25 years), and post-mature (over 25 years)), with features such as GEDI forest height, ScanSAR HH SAVG, Planet NIR, and Planet Blue being instrumental in age prediction. Integrating optical, synthetic aperture radar (SAR), and canopy height data enables effective age prediction, which is essential for optimizing management strategies, assessing yield potential, and mitigating environmental impacts.

KAJIAN BEBERAPA SIFAT KIMIA TANAH PODSOLIK MERAH KUNING PADA LAHAN PERKEBUNAN KELAPA SAWIT BERBEDA UMUR DI SEI DAUN, KABUPATEN LABUHANBATU SELATAN, SUMATERA UTARA

Red-yellow podzolic soils are generally acidic and have poor chemical properties, so tolerant plants such as oil palm plants are needed. This research was to determine the effect of differences in the age of oil palms on the chemical properties of the Sei Daun plantation soil. The research was conducted in December 2022 using the method of purposive sampling according to plant age. Samples were taken from 5 lands with oil palm ages 8 years, 14 years, 16 years, and 25 years, as well as land without plants, 5 points were determined from each land, and each point was separated into 3 depths, namely 0-20 cm, 20-50 cm, and 50-70 cm, the 5 points were composited according to depth, producing 3 samples per field. The results of the analysis of soil chemical properties show that increasing the age of oil palm causes soil pH, thereby reducing available P, total N, exchangeable K, and CEC of soil, but increasing soil organic C, also increasing Fe-NH4OAC, Mn-NH4OAC, exchangeable Al but still in low value. Increasing the age of oil palms can lower the soil pH, thereby reducing the availability of nutrients. Fertilizer doses can be adjusted according to the age of the plant because the older it is, the more nutrients the plant absorbs.

Long-term changes as oil palm plantation age simplify the structure of host-parasitoid food webs.

Understanding host-parasitoid food webs, as well as the factors affecting species interactions, is important for developing pest management strategies in an agroecosystem. This research aimed to study how the long-term change in oil palm plantations, specifically the tree age, affect the structure of host-parasitoid food webs. The field research was conducted on an oil palm plantation located in Central Kalimantan and Jambi Province, Indonesia. In Central Kalimantan, we conducted observations of lepidopteran larvae and parasitoid wasps at different tree ages, ranging from 3 to 18 years old. For tree ages from 3 to 10 years, observations of host-parasitoid food webs were conducted by collecting the lepidopteran larvae using a hand-collection method in each oil palm tree within a hundred trees and they were later reared in the laboratory for observing the emerging parasitoids. The fogging method was applied for trees aged 12 to 18 years because the tree height was too high, and hand-collection was difficult to perform. To compare host-parasitoid food webs between different regions, we also conducted a hand-collection method in Jambi, but only for trees aged 3 years old. The food-web structure that was analyzed included the species number of lepidopteran larvae and parasitoid wasps, linkage density, and interaction diversity. We found 32 species of lepidopteran pests and 16 species of associated parasitoids in Central Kalimantan and 12 species of lepidopteran pests, and 11 species of parasitoids in Jambi. Based on the GLM analysis, tree age had a negative relationship with the species number of lepidopteran larvae and parasitoids as well as linkage density and interaction diversity. Different geographical regions showed different host-parasitoid food web structures, especially the species number of lepidopteran larvae and interaction diversity, which were higher in Central Kalimantan than in Jambi. However, some parasitoids can be found across different tree ages. For example, Fornicia sp (Hymenoptera: Braconidae) was recorded in all ages of oil palm sampled. Results of the GLM analysis showed that the abundance of Fornicia sp and its host (lepidopteran larvae abundance) were not affected by the tree age of the oil palm. In conclusion, the long-term change in oil palm plantations simplifies the structure of host-parasitoid food webs. This highlights the importance of long-term studies across geographical regions for a better understanding of the consequences that wide monoculture oil palm plantations have on biological control services.

MAPPING AGE OF OIL PALM TREES USING GOOGLE EARTH ENGINE CLOUD COMPUTING IN PT. SCP, PULANG PISAU REGENCY

The aim of this research is to utilize remote sensing data and use the GEE platform to detect the age of oil palms using Landsat 8 OLI data at the Sebangau Kuala Plantation in Pulang Pisau Regency, Central Kalimantan. This research was analyzed using the Google Earth Engine using FCD (Forest Canopy Density) analysis. The results of the model correlation with the conditions of the year of planting in the field through ARESTA (area statement) are 0.63 or have a strong relationship. The RMSE (Root Mean Square Error) value of the FCD (Forest Canopy Density) model is 0.661, which means that the error value is small and can be used as a model reference. The use of remote sensing and GEE makes the process of mapping the age of oil palm more effective. The results of the research show that mapping the age of oil palm using GEE is very efficient based on computing time, so it is very suitable for use in oil palm plantations.

HUMIDITY RETENTION IN SOIL WITH Elaeis guineensis Jacq. AT DIFFERENT AGES OF DEVELOPMENT

The amount of water retained by soil depends on its physical and chemical properties, as well as the type of cover or crop present. It is important to understand the effects of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantations on water requirements. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine soil humidity parameters in oil palm plantations at different ages of development in Tabasco, Mexico. The experiment was conducted using a completely randomized design with three replications. Four treatments were evaluated: 5-, 11-, and 25-year-old oil palm, and pasture as a control treatment. As response variables, parameters of bulk density (Da), texture, field capacity (CC), permanent wilting point (PMP), electrical conductivity (CE), saturation point (PS), and soil humidity parameters including irrigation sheet (Lr), sheet in the infiltration rate test (Lrinf), basic infiltration (Ib), accumulated sheet (Z), soil humidity retention curves (CRH), and soil humidity stress (EHS) were determined. Ib and Z values were determined in the surface layer; Lr, Lrinf, and CRH at three depths (0–30, 30–60, and 60–90 cm). The results indicate that the treatments presented significant differences (p ≤ 0.05) in all the variables evaluated; and the parameters of field capacity, permanent wilting point, initial and final humidity in the infiltration rate test, affected the humidity content in the Lr, Lrinf, CRH and EHS. It is concluded that oil palm age modifies soil humidity retention parameters and influences water requirements.

Agronomic assessment of three spice plants as understorey crops in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) plantation

Utilization of land with intercrop plants can support the productivity of the land. The wide spacing of oil palm plants can be used to plant intercrops. Spice plants such as red ginger, turmeric, and cardamom are examples of intercropping plants under the shade of oil palm. This study aimed to determine the adaptability of red ginger, turmeric, and cardamom as understorey plants of different oil palm ages. The research was carried out from February to November 2021 at Sekernan, Muaro Jambi, Jambi. The study consisted of three experiments to investigate three spice plants. Each experiment used a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with oil palm ages as treatments, namely 0, 5, 10, 15, and 20 years. Variables observed included light intensity, plant height, tiller number, leaf number, and rhizome weight. The red ginger and turmeric were considered as adaptive plants to understorey conditions due to the yield of &gt; 60% in 15-year-old oil palm trees than those grown in non-shade conditions. Production levels of red ginger and turmeric were determined by the number of tillers and leaves. The cardamom plant under oil palm shade produced a better yield than that in control. This implies that all three spices are suitable as intercrop plants under oil palm plantations.&#x0D; Keywords: cardamom; low light intensity; red ginger; shade stands; turmeric

ANALYSIS OF FACTORS AFFECTING LABOR EFFICIENCY IN OIL PALM HARVESTING AT PT ASN KEBUN UJONG LAMIE, NAGAN RAYA DISTRICT

Labor efficiency is all the efforts made by each member in balancing the amount of labor with the production produced. The purpose of this study was to determine the labor efficiency of oil palm harvesters at PT ASN Kebun Ujong Lamie, Nagan Raya Regency. This study uses a quantitative research method with multiple linear regression analysis method. The sampling technique used was purposive sampling. The sample in this study amounted to 19 respondents. The results showed that partially with a 95% confidence level the premium variable had an effect on the labor efficiency of oil palm harvesters, and age and education level had no effect on the efficiency of the palm oil harvesters. Meanwhile, the age, education level, and premium variables simultaneously affect the labor efficiency of oil palm harvesters.

Weed diversity in oil palm plantation: benefit from the unexpected ground cover community

Weeds in oil palm plantations are commonly associated with harmful ground cover species that can compete with oil palm at some level. Here, we discuss weeds from the perspective of communities impacting other taxonomic groups of agro-biodiversity in oil palm plantations. Differences in the age of oil palm in large-scale plantations affect micro conditions such as differences in canopy cover, light intensity, and humidity. The young oil palm provides less canopy, which allows more sunlight on the plantation floor, whereas older plantation supports less canopy with lower light intensity. Each weed species has a different level of adaptation to changing micro conditions. The adaptation differences affect the composition, distribution, and community structure of weeds and thus affect the diversity of other related taxa. We tried to observe the relationship between oil palm age and weeds. This results showed that the structure of the weed community changed with the age difference of the oil palm plant. The younger oil palm plantations supported a higher number of weed species compared to older plantations. The management of oil palm plantations needs to maintain the sustainability of beneficial weed species to ensure the contribution of existing agro-biodiversity, especially for pest control.

Spatially-explicit mapping annual oil palm heights in peninsular Malaysia combining ICESat-2 and stand age data

Oil palm is the most efficient oil-producing crop but its extension leads to increased deforestation in Southeast Asia. Oil palm height enables the quantitative estimation for carbon stock or palm oil yield. Nevertheless, there are still no accurate characterization of oil palm height providing information for the tradeoff between forest damage and carbon stock of oil palm in Southeast Asia. The new generation of spaceborne LiDAR provides large-extent canopy height samples, offering an opportunity for mapping the oil palm height at the regional scale yet with challenge to extrapolate the footprint heights to spatially coherent maps. Here, we proposed a new method by combining Ice, Cloud, and Land Elevation Satellite-2 (ICESat-2) footprint data with stand age that is closely related to tree height. We first developed a semi-automatic filtering algorithm to filter the low-quality ICESat-2 data, and used a change detection algorithm to optimize the planting year map of oil palm. Then, an empirical age-height model was derived by linking ICESat-2 footprint canopy height with oil palm age that was used to estimate spatially and temporally oil palm height for the whole Peninsular Malaysia. A validation with independent ICESat-2 footprint data suggests a high agreement for the height estimates in 2020 from the age-height model (R2 = 0.63; RMSE = 1.64 m) with a bias within ±3 m for >90% of the height estimates. Using the age-height model and planting year map of oil palm, we produced the first comprehensive wall-to-wall maps of long-term yearly oil palm height at a spatial resolution of 30 m in Peninsular Malaysia during 2001 through 2020. Our results suggest that the mean height of oil palm in all and regionally-disturbed areas have increased by 10.82 m and 9.29 m respectively during the last two decades in Peninsular Malaysia. Our results indicate that combining stand age and ICESat-2 footprint data has great potential in spatially-explicit mapping regional oil palm height that contributes to a better quantification for regional plantation carbon stock.

Greenhouse gas flux from peat with oil palm plants of different ages

The use of peat for agricultural crop cultivation needs to be done carefully by considering water management and peat characteristics. The use of peat for cultivation affects the breakdown of organic matter, which produces CH4 and CO2. CO2 and CH4 are glasshouse gases that cause global warming and impact climate change. The purpose of this activity was to determine the flux of CO2 and CH4 from the peat used for palm oil cultivation at different ages. The gas collection was carried out surrounding and between plants at 50m, 100m, and 150m from the drainage channel. Gas samples were taken using the closed chamber method, and gas was analysed using gas chromatography equipped certain detector. The results of the activity showed that the flux of methane from peat with palm oil trees aged < 3 years tended to be higher than oil palms aged > 3 years, while the CO2 flux was relatively not different between palm oil aged < 3 years and > 3 years. The distance of the presence of the drainage channel affects the CH4 and CO2 fluxes, namely the high CH4 flux at the point near the drainage channel but the low at the CO2 flux. Further and in-depth research is needed to understand GHG flux from peat with different oil palm ages.

Strategi Pendukung Pelaksanaan Peremajaan Kelapa Sawit di Provinsi Jambi

Efforts to accelerate oil palm replanting in Jambi Province are constrained due to internal and external factors that greatly affect oil palm farmers. The total area of oil palm plantation in 2022 in Jambi Province is 1,099,191 ha consisting of 201,835 ha of immature plants, 759,455 ha of yielding crops and 137,902 ha of damaged or old plants. Oil palm replanting needs to be done considering to the age of oil palm which has got unproductive period. Information on internal and external factors is needed to provide solutions to the obstacles faced by smallholders in oil palm replanting. These two factors influence the decision of farmers to rejuvenate their oil palm and find alternatif strategic options that can be done in order to accelerate the replanting of oil palm plantations in Jambi Province. The study design is cross sectional. The data analysis method used in this study is SWOT analysis

Validation of Early Infection Markers for Ganoderma in Oil Palm at Three Endemic Ganoderma Locations

A serious disease that affects the viability of the oil palm industry is basal stem rot, which is caused by Ganoderma. The current level of disease can be viewed as unmanageable, given that the palms were growing in an unfavorable or unsuitable climate. Today, there are numerous approaches to diagnose diseases early, and one of them using molecular methods. Seven genes for early infection markers were effectively generated by a reference's transcriptome study, including LEUCO, ETHYLENE, CHALCONE, ANTHOCYANIDIN, ETHYLENE, MANNOSE, and SENESCENCE. The purpose of this study is to validate and confirm the presence of Ganoderma infections in three endemic oil palm field in Indonesia i.e. Cisalak Baru, Rejosari, and Bekri plantation. This study conducted real time qPCR of RNA from oil palm roots with four different severities of infection. Manual processing of RNA isolation and cDNA synthesis were carried out, to provide quantification expression level. In addition, gene ontology (GO) analysis was also performed in order to explain the roles of each gene tested. The results revealed that CHALCONE is the only marker that consistently elucidate the Ganoderma's early infection appear in three locations. The drawbacks of the analysis results are tightly correlating to the age of oil palm as well as endemic location. GO results declare that seven genes function related to the response of infection. This work was successful in confirming early infection in three places, elucidating the variables influencing the efficacy and sensitivity of molecular detection, and revealing the function and importance of particular genes for detection.

Estimation of Oil Palm Total Carbon Fluxes Using Remote Sensing

Net primary production (NPP) is one of the approaches used to estimate the amount of carbon sequestration by plants. This research aims to estimate the total carbon flux exchanged from different ages of oil palm using remote sensing. The study site was at the PTPN VI Batang Hari, Jambi, Sumatra, Indonesia. The amount of carbon sequestration by oil palm plantations at PTPN VI Batang Hari, Jambi can be estimated using remote sensing based on the light use efficiency (LUE) model. The results showed that the oil palm age affects the amount of carbon sequestrated. The lowest Net primary production value was found at one year of planting 4.28 gCm-2day-1, and the highest was 9.38 gCm-2day-1 at 20 years of planting. The model LUE output was validated using Eddy covariance data and the results showed a low error and a high accuracy rate with RMSE = 0.05 gCMJ-1, R2 = 92%, and p-value = 0.04. We concluded that the LUE model can be used with high accuracy to estimate the amount of carbon absorption of oil palm when direct measurement is unavailable.

Growth Growth Response of Several Varieties of Oil Palm Sprouts (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Towards Application of Biological Fertilizer in Pre-Nursery

This research was conducted at the Faculty of Agriculture, University of North Sumatra, Medan from September 23, 2021 to December 14, 2021. The study used a factorial completely randomized design, the first factor being the DxP Yangambi varieties, the DxP Simalungun varieties, and the DxP Dumpy varieties and the second factor being the application of biological fertilizers consisting of: 0 g/l water, 2.5 g/l, 5 g/l water, 7.5 g/l water. The results showed that the PPKS DxP Dumpy varieties significantly increased plant height at 8, 10, and 11 weeks of age of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings in pre-nursery. The application of biofertilizers did not significantly increase the growth of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings in the pre-nursery. The interaction of biological fertilizer application with varieties significantly increased plant height from 7-12 weeks of age on oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) seedlings in pre-nursery.

Analysis of Soil Fertility in Oil Palm Plantation (Elaeis guineensis Jacq) Smallholder Farmers in East Luwuk District, Banggai Regency

One of the factors that influence the production of oil palm plantations is the condition of the land favorable for their growth and development, especially regarding the physical and chemical properties of the soil and the status of soil fertility. The purpose of this study was to determine soil’s physical and chemical properties, as well as its fertility status on smallholder oil palm plantations. Soil sampling was conducted through a descriptive exploratory survey method, involving six sampling points and representing three oil palm ages (11, 16, and 22 years old). The soil chemical and fertility status were analyzed using the National Criteria of Soil Chemical Properties developed by Soil Research Institute and Five Major Soil Chemical Properties approach developed by Soil Research Center. All observed soil exhibited clay textures and varying soil color matrix. The soil had neutral acidity, medium to high base saturation/BS and cation exchange capacity/CEC, moderate P2O5, as well as low organic C and K2O. Soil fertility status on the entire sites were classified as low, which primarily caused by low soil organic C and K contents. In order to improve soil condition favorably for oil palm growth and development, further studies must be conducted using more direct approach, relating the oil palm requirement with current state of soil and land conditions.

KAJIAN BEBERAPA SIFAT FISIKA TANAH YANG DITANAMI KELAPA SAWIT PADA UMUR DAN KELERENGAN YANG BERBEDA (Studi Kasus Perkebunan Sawit Kelurahan Simpang Tuan, Kecamatan Mendahara Ulu,Tanjung Jabung Timur)

Land clearing for oil palm plantations using heavy equipment will affect the physical properties of the soil, namely increasing soil compaction and decreasing soil porosity and soil moisture content. However, along with the growth of plantation crops such as oil palm, it is suspected that it can restore the physical properties of the soil. The aim of the study was to examine the differences in the physical characteristics of the soil at various ages of oil palm and the slope. The study was conducted in one of the oil palm plantations, Simpang Tuan Village, Mendahara Ulu District, Tanjung Jabung Timur Regency from March to May 2021. The study was carried out using the survey method, selecting representative areas using the Purposive Random Sampling method on oil palm plantation areas with various ages (newly planted, 5 years old, and 12 years old) and various marbles (0-3%, 3-8%, and 8-15%) with 3 replications. Parameters observed were soil texture, soil organic matter content, bulk density, water content, and soil permeability. The results showed that the older the age of oil palm plantations, the increase in organic matter content, total pore space, water content and soil permeability and a decrease in volume weight. The steeper the slope, the greater the weight of the soil volume and a decrease in the organic matter content, total pore space, water content and soil permeability.

Oil Palm Plantation Land Cover and Age Mapping Using Sentinel-2 Satellite Imagery and Machine Learning Algorithms

Nowadays, there are various techniques and methods used in land cover classification using remote sensing data especially in oil palm monitoring. This study discussed the oil palm mapping using satellite imagery (Sentinel-2) and classification of land cover features using machine learning algorithms such as linear support vector classifier (LSVC), random forests (RF) and deep neural network (DNN). A total 13218 sampling points (80% of the total sampling points used as training samples and 20% applied as testing samples) were randomly selected in the study area which were then classified into six land cover features; water, bare soil, forest, immature oil palm (the age of 2-8 year), mature oil palm (age >8 year) and built-up area. These data were validated by using spectral reflectance, Google Earth Pro and ground checking. The accuracy assessment was conducted by a confusion matrix method. The results showed that classification of land features using DNN with batch size 32 and epoch 100 has the highest accuracy which is 99.35% for overall accuracy and 98.49% kappa accuracy. This study demonstrated various machine learning algorithms that may be used to detect and classify the maturity of oil palm trees, which is vital to record in tree inventories for effective plantation management.

Potential and Productivity of Natural Forage as Feed for Beef Cattle under Oil Palm Plantations in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province

Abstract The availability of feed is one of the prerequisites for the sustainability of the beef cattle development program. This study aimed to review the potential and productivity of natural forage under oil palm plantations. Data were taken in Musi Banyuasin Regency, South Sumatra Province, from March to June 2021. The sampling was conducted on 3 hectares plantations using tools measuring 1 m x 1 m; therefore, there were 30 samples for each oil palm age. The highest and lowest biomass productivity was at 5 years-age of 11,644 kg ha-1, and 2,144.46 kg ha-1, respectively. The highest and lowest weight of dry forage matter was at 5 and 15 years-age of 2918 kg ha-1 and 699.49 kg ha-1. Musi Banyuasin’s oil palm farms can supply cattle feed for 1.56 AU ha-1 and accommodate 489,845.06 AU before production. In the grazing system, one hectare of oil palm plantations can provide cattle feed for 0.37-0.47 AU ha-1 and accommodate about 117,423.57-147,925.04 AU. Therefore, oil palm plantations in Musi Banyuasin have a good potential for beef cattle development with an integrated system to preserve the environment.

Farming analysis of intercropping of long bean on palm oil plantations (case study)

The research was carried out in the oil palm plantation of farmers in Naga Sari Village, Mestong District, Muaro Jambi Regency, Jambi Province. The age of oil palm was 2 years with a spacing of 8 x 9 m. This research was started from October 2019 to February 2020. The research method was a case study on long bean intercropping on smallholder oil palm plantations was covering an area of 3,600 m2. Input and output datas were obtained by recording all farming activities, included of payment of wages and purchases of materials and yield. The purpose of this study was to analyze the long bean intercropping system farming on immature oil palm plantations. The results showed that the long bean intercropping system on immature oil palm plantations was feasible and profitable to cultivate. The amount of revenue is IRD 14,700,000, - with operating profits of IRD 8,260,000, R/C 2.28 and B/C 1,283. The break-even point of production is 1,840 kg and the price break even point is IRD 1,533/kg. The balance of payment of wages with the purchase of materials is 68.5% : 31.5%.