Oil Palm Crops Research Articles

Decreasing the load on the lower back with an ergonomic cutting tool for harvesting oil palm bunches

Harvesting palm oil crops involve different risk factors that decrease workers’ safety and physical integrity. This paper compares stress on the lower back when using the conventional tool and a new cutting system for cutting bunches. The biomechanical analysis is carried out using simulations generated by JACK Siemens software. The study found a 95.97% reduction of intradiscal compression (L4/L5) when cutting bunches and showed that pressure on all joints was reduced, in certain cases, such as the back and elbow, by up to 100%. That is, when cutting using the new system, the worker maintains a neutral posture of the spine. The new design comprises a point of support on which the tool rests and means that workers only have to direct the blade. Future studies should compare both tools in terms of productivity while preserving the ergonomic characteristics.

PEMBERDAYAAN MASYARAKAT NAGARI PERSIAPAN GIRI MAJU, KABUPATEN PASAMAN BARAT DENGAN INOVASI DAN TEKNOLOGI PENGOLAHAN JAGUNG

Jagung merupakan tanaman sela utama bagi kebun sawit yang sedang peremajaan dan diharapkan menjadi sumber pendapatan utama sebelum tanaman sawit menghasilkan. Transfer teknologi budidaya jagung di lahan sawit ditujukan pada peningkatan hasil produksi jagung tanpa merugikan tanaman utama serta tetap mempertahankan produktivitas lahan dan lingkungan. Peningkatan pendapatan juga dapat dilakukan melalui upaya peningkatan nilai tambah biji jagung menjadi berbagai produk makanan. Kegiatan KKN-PPM yang berlangsung di kanagarian Persiapan Girimaju, kecamatan Luhak Nan Duo kabupaten Pasaman Barat dari bulan Juni hingga Agustus 2018 ini bertujuan untuk mentransfer teknologi produksi jagung yang ramah lingkungan dan pengetahuan dan keterampilan dalam meningkatkan nilai tambah jagung menjadi berbagai produk makanan dan olahan lainnya. Hasil yang diperoleh dari kegiatan KKN ini adalah (1) masyarakat mampu menerapkan teknologi produksi jagung yang disinergikan dengan peternakan sapi, (2) terjadi peningkatan efisiensi produksi jagung melalui introdusir mesin pemipil jagung, (3) masyarakat mampu menghasilkan variasi produk makanan berbasis jagung dan (4) terbentuknya UMKM baru di nagari. Hasil analisis statistik mengunakan skala Likert memberikan nilai indeks 0.99 terhadap dampak/manfaat KKN, menunjukkan bahwa kegiatan KKN-PPM dikategorikan sangat sukses dan memberikan manfaat kepada masyarakat nagari, dan memberikan nilai indeks 0.95 pada pelaksanaan KKN, menunjukkan bahwa pelaksana KKN-PPM memiliki kompetensi yang cukup dan kesesuaian ilmu dengan program yang dijalankan.

Aplicação da vulnerabilidade ambiental do município de Moju, estado do Pará

O município de Moju no Estado do Pará pertencente à Mesorregião do Nordeste Paraense e à Microrregião Tomé-Açu e está inserido no chamado 'polo biodiesel' que, atualmente, vivência uma fase de intensos investimentos agroindustriais de produção de óleo de palma visando suprir o mercado nacional e internacional de biocombustíveis. O município possui o menor percentual de áreas protegidas na sua mesorregião, vive com uma expansão da cultura de dendê, do pólo biodiesel e o embargo das atividades do Município Verdes pela alta taxa de desmatamento e focos de calor, chamando a atenção para estudos ambientais. Neste contexto, o presente trabalho apresenta uma comparação e análise das influências das variáveis ambientais na determinação da vulnerabilidade ambiental do município de Moju. Através de Sistemas de Informações Geográficas, associou-se diversos graus de suscetibilidade das classes das variáveis. Com a ponderação Fuzzy, realizou-se a sobreposição ponderada dos planos de informação referentes ao solo, geologia, cobertura vegetal e uso e ocupação do solo. Esta comparação permitiu determinar a fragilidade ou resiliência natural dos mesmos aos processos de degradação ambiental e ação antrópica e as influências de cada uma na determinação das diferentes vulnerabilidades ambientais. As comparações e análises realizadas procuraram determinar o quanto cada uma destas variáveis e suas respectivas classes contribuem para se estabelecer o grau de vulnerabilidade do município estudado.

Development of Oil Palm Water Balance Tool for Predicting Water Content Distribution in Root Zone

The water content distribution in root zone of oil palm crop is substantial for predicted the crop water usage both for productivity and environmental issues. The varying condition of climate, soil properties, crop stage, ground water existing of oil palm cultivation require the specific water balance analysis model which can evidence the precision condition of water content in root zone. The oil palm water balance tool was developed by inputting the data base including climate, soil properties, crop stage, root density and root zone layer as well. The data was generated through the reference vapotranspiration process by Penman Monteith equation, set parameter of van – genuchten and water flow analysis by Richard equation to bring about the output data in hourly time step which consisted of ETo, soil moisture, cumulative drainage flux, cumulative capillary flux and cumulative water content - rainfall in three root zone. The first, second and third root zone were determined variously depend on the type of soil and the crop stage. The model was built based on the data observation on field research conducted in 3 different condition; the type of soil inceptisol free drainage (without capillary), spodosol with no flux bottom and ultisol with groundwater contribution.

The effect of oil palm on income strategies and food security of households in rural communities in Campeche, Mexico

Oil palm cropping expands rapidly in the Mexican state of Campeche. The crop has the potential to contribute to agricultural diversification and economic development of rural communities. At the same time, the effect of its rapid, unplanned expansion on income strategies and food security of domestic groups in rural communities is largely unknown. The goal of this study is to analyze the effects of the oil palm crop on income strategies and food security in rural communities of the south of Campeche State, México. The Sustainable Livelihoods (SL) approach was used and information on cropping and SL was gathered through a survey and participatory community workshops. Results show that, until now, oil palm cropping is a complementary activity to the income strategies of the farmers’ families as these incorporate palm cultivation, while maintaining their other productive activities. Oil palm plantation establishment contributes to productive diversification, job creation and provision of stable incomes of domestic groups (DGs). Furthermore, domestic groups that include oil palm production in their income strategies have a greater degree of food security.

Estimation of sediment production in oil palm expansion areas in the Amazon

ABSTRACT Currently, an activity that has become strategic at a national level is the cultivation of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in the northeast region of the Pará State, in eastern Brazilian Amazon. However, the impacts of this crop expansion on the hydro-sedimentological cycle are still unknown. Therefore, this study estimated the impacts of oil palm crop expansion on sediment production in a sub-basin under consolidated use of this crop. The Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model was applied in the Mariquita sub-basin, calibrated by the flow regionalization technique, using data measured in the field with a current meter. Simulation results indicated an increase in sediment production between the years 2008 and 2013, which can be attributed to the large reduction of areas of secondary vegetation that were replaced by pasture, oil palm and general agriculture. Oil palm areas had a lower average monthly sediment yield in the rainiest period in all simulated years, compared with areas of general agriculture and pasture.

STORM "GREEDY WATER" PALM OIL BASED ON ACADEMIC PERSPECTIVE

The tendentious issue of deforestation, biodiversity, "water greedy" attack ganoderma and carbon emissions continue to heat up in this decade has cornered palm plantations in Indonesia for allegedly either from outside or from inside the country becomes the base of why. To clarify these issues then this article aims to analyze the impact of oil palm plantations in terms of the water balance of plant oil palm. Water use in the oil palm plantations on average 92.05 mm/month or equivalent to 1104.5 mm/year over lamtoro stands is 3,000 mm/year, acacia 2,400 mm/year, sengon of 2,300 mm/year, amounting tea 900 mm/year, rubber amounted to 1,300 mm/year, bamboo amounted to 3,000 mm/year and teak amounted to 1,300 mm/year. The coefficient of oil palm crop of 0.93. The percentage amount of rainfall used palm oil amounted to only 39.60% of the annual rainfall. Percentage of evapotranspiration value is smaller than the value of evapotranspiration pine percentage of 64.5%, A. mangium 68.8%, amounting to 55.1% of ferns and eucalyptus (E.alba) amounted to 52.4%. Meanwhile, rubber plant has a value of 1 kc, other crops such as rice, during the period of growth has kc values between 1.05 to 1.2. Soil water content (KAT) which indicates the storage capacity of the root zone of oil lower than the root zone rubber (Rusmayadi, 2011). This is due to the oil more roots growing in the topsoil to a depth of ± 1 meter and as you go down the less. Rooting most densely contained at a depth of 25 cm. Therefore the ability of smaller savings in oil palm plantations compared to rubber, then the excess water will be removed or overflowed (Ro) is not taken ("greedy water") by palm trees. Palm oil as a commodity to be seen objectively with regard to the nature of biological (plant roots), physiological (crop coefficient), and environmental (water storage capacity). This is to straighten out the problems that it is not water but greedy oil plantation management who do not pay attention to aspects of water conservation.

Intersepsi Radiasi Matahari pada Pertanaman Padi Sawah (Oryza sativa L) di Prafi Manokwari

<p><em>Palm Oil is versatile crops. In general, most of products coming from fresh fruit bunch (FFB) producing crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) are used for food, oleo chemical and biofuel. Besides that, its leaves and empty fruit bunch can be used for natural fertilizer, pulp and paper. Palm oil crops also give benefits for countries that produce palm oil crops. For example, in Indonesia, palm oil crops not only have numerous contributions to gross domestic products (GDP) but also it creates employment, increases income level of farmer� and provides basic amenities and infrastructure in rural area where the oil palm plantation there.�</em><em>However, palm oil crops have some negative impacts for envi

Industri Perkebunan Kelapa Sawit dalam Konteks Pembangunan Berkelanjutan

<p><em>Palm Oil is versatile crops. In general, most of products coming from fresh fruit bunch (FFB) producing crude palm oil (CPO) and crude palm kernel oil (CPKO) are used for food, oleo chemical and biofuel. Besides that, its leaves and empty fruit bunch can be used for natural fertilizer, pulp and paper. Palm oil crops also give benefits for countries that produce palm oil crops. For example, in Indonesia, palm oil crops not only have numerous contributions to gross domestic products (GDP) but also it creates employment, increases income level of farmer� and provides basic amenities and infrastructure in rural area where the oil palm plantation there.�</em><em>However, palm oil crops have some negative impacts for environment. The expanse of oil palm plant

THE GROWTH OF OIL PALM VARIETIES (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS JACQ.) ON SUBSOIL MEDIA TREATED WITHSEVERAL DOSAGES OF NITROGEN FERTILIZER

AbstractOilpalmis one of important export commodities performing as the country’s main foreign exchange from the trade of crops.Nitrogen is a limiting factor of plant growth. This study aims to determine: 1) the appropriate dose of absorption of nitrogen and growth in some high yielding varieties of oil palm; 2) the superior varieties of oil palm crops that provide no effect from the nitrogen nutrients and; 3) the interaction between varieties and nitrogen fertilizer on nitrogen nutrient absorption efficiency. This research was conducted in Palm Oil Research Centre at the District of Deli Serdang, the Province of North Sumatra.The research used Factorial Random Block Design with 2 factors. The first factor is varieties (Avros 540, PPKS 239, Simalungun, Langkat and 718PPKS). The second factor is N fertilizer which consists of without N fertilizer, 25% fertilizer recommendation, 50% fertilizer recommendation, 75% fertilizer recommendation and 100% fertilizer recommendation. The results showed that the varieties of oil palm used have different characteristics on plant height, stem diameter and number of leaves. The Simalungun variety was the best variety and its combination with 100% recommendation N was the best result in increasing plant heightof oil palm. Meanwhile the combination with 50% recommendation N was the best result in increasing stem diameter and number of leavesof oil palm.Keywords: oilpalm, nitrogen fertilizer, variety

Variabilidad espacial y análisis multitemporal sobre los cambios en las coberturas de la tierra ocasionados por la expansión del cultivo de la palma de aceite en los años 1985, 2000 y 2016 en el municipio de San Carlos de Guaroa (Colombia)

El cultivo de palma de aceite ha transformado el ambiente debido a la demanda global de materias primas para biocombustibles, la política doméstica de sustitución de importaciones y el modelo de desarrollo agroindustrial. En este artículo se presentan los principales resultados de un ejercicio de análisis espacial multitemporal desarrollado para el municipio de San Carlos de Guaroa (departamento del Meta, Colombia) con el propósito de identificar y analizar las transiciones de uso del suelo durante los años 1985, 2000 y 2016. Se identificaron patrones de cambio en tres coberturas de suelo definidas: bosques de galería, cultivo de palma de aceite y áreas de uso agropecuario. Entre 1985-2016 el 19,38% de los bosques de galería desapareció (1.845,45 hectáreas), con una tasa anual de reducción estimada media de 3,22% (59,53 hectáreas) y en su mayoría fueron reemplazados por cultivos de palma de aceite. La expansión del cultivo de palma de aceite en este periodo fue estimada en un promedio de 1.312,56 hectáreas por año.

Effects of climate change on agriculture water demand in lower Pak Phanang river basin, southern part of Thailand

The aim of the research is to analyse the effects on agricultural water demand in the Lower Pak Phanang River Basin area due to climate change. The climate data used in the analysis were rainfall, maximum, minimum, and average temperatures. The climate datasets were obtained from statistical downscaling of global circulation model under the CMIP5 project by means of bias correction with Optimizing Quantile Mapping implemented by the Hydro and Agro Informatics Institute. To determine agriculture water demand, reference evapotranspiration (ETo) based on Hargreaves method was calculated for both baseline climate data (1987-2015) and forecasted climate data in 2038. For agriculture water demand in the Pak Phanang river basin, we considered paddy field, palm oil, rubber, grapefruit, orchard, vegetable, ruzy and biennial crop, based on land use data of the Land Development Department of Thailand in 2012. The results showed that forecasted agriculture water demand in 2038 with existing land use data in 2012 will be increased with the average of 18.9% or 61.78 MCM as compared to baseline climate condition. Both water demand and supply management measures would be suitably prepared before facing unexpected situation.

Oil Palm Crop Improvement: Role of Biotechnology in the Present Scenario

Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis ) is a cross-pollinated crop with the female and male inflorescences being produced in alternate cycles. It produces approximately 5–8 metric tons of crude palm oil and 0.4–0.8 metric tons of kernel oil per hectare per annum. The major palm oilimporting countries are India, China, Netherlands, and Pakistan. The palm oil has a major share in the world edible oils. Also there is a high scope in increasing the oil palm yield to a greater extent. The breeding efforts to improve the varieties with high fresh fruit bunches (FFB) yields is major concern to increase palm oil productivity. Reduced height increment, drought tolerance, superior oil quality, pest and disease tolerance, as well as precocity are also important considerations. Although traditional plant breeding based on phenotypic selection is very effective, it has suffered from several limitations for complex traits.

Expert System for Diagnosing Palm Tree Diseases and Pests using Forward Chaining and Certainty Factor

A general introduction to pests and diseases of palm oil crops in relation with the business of palm oil cultivation is necessary to increase the productivity of palm oil plantations. Unfortunately, the number of experts and researchers having expertise in palm oil plants are still very small. To overcome this, an expert system is needed to diagnose diseases and pests in palm oil crops. Therefore, this study proposes an expert system for diagnosing palm tree diseases and pests. The diagnosis begins by entering the initial symptoms, then the system will display other related symptoms. Finally, the system will display the diagnosis of the symptoms entered. This expert system will ease farmers in identifying diseases and pests based on early symptoms; hence, necessary prevention and early treatment of the disease can be accurately conducted.

Does the Vulnerable sun bear Helarctos malayanus damage crops and threaten people in oil palm plantations?

AbstractLargely as a result of the expansion of oil palm Elaeis guineensis, forest fragmentation has occurred on a large scale in Borneo. There is much concern about how forest-dependent species, such as the Vulnerable sun bear Helarctos malayanus, can persist in this landscape. The absence of sufficient natural food in forest fragments could drive sun bears into oil palm plantations, where they risk coming into conflict with people. We interviewed oil palm plantation workers and farmers in the Lower Kinabatangan region of Sabah, Malaysian Borneo, to ascertain if sun bears were utilizing plantations, if they were causing damage to the crop, and how the bears were perceived by people. To obtain a comparative baseline we extended these questions to include other species as well. We found that bears were rarely encountered in plantations and were not considered to be destructive to the oil palm crop, although they were generally feared. Other species, such as macaques Macaca spp., bearded pigs Sus barbatus, and elephants Elephas maximus, had more destructive feeding habits. Sun bears could use this readily available food resource without being targeted for retribution, although incidental human-related mortality remains a risk. Although bears could gain some nutritional benefit from oil palm, plantations do not provide the diversity of food and cover available in a natural forest.

Expansion of palm oil (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the state of Maranhão and soil water deficit limitations in the Brazilian Amazon

Oil palm is considered the crop with the highest oil production per planted area unit. This condition has driven the Brazilian government to create the Sustainable Oil Palm Production Program. Since 2009, the agroenergy production chain has used oil palm as a viable and profitable crop to recover deforested areas in the Amazon. The aim of this study was to assess hydric conditions able to indicate the potential to expand oil palm crops in the state of Maranhao, even in the Legal Amazon. The climate database used (average and extreme temperature in degrees Celsius; rainfall values; relative humidity, and vapour-pressure deficit). Water deficit values were was obtained by comparing the potential evapotranspiration of oil palm (ETc) to actual rainfall (ER). Water balance was calculated based on available water capacity of 125 mm.month-1. Evapotranspiration was obtained using the methodology according to the climate database available to calculate the evapotranspiration rate in an area planted with oil palm in this study. The water deficit values show no restriction in the soil water replacement between January and June. However, from July to December, the water deficit varies between 200 and 300 mm. The levels showed that, in the areas evaluated, oil palm crops will require irrigation. In this period, yield was estimated at 17 tons ha-1 when the water deficit was considered at 210 mm and 14 tons ha-1 for a deficit of 380 mm. This result reinforces that oil palm production may drop by more than 50% due to water deficits and the crop will greatly impact the economy and the environment if the irrigation strategy is adopted in the areas of Maranhao.

NERACA AIR LAHAN UNTUK PENGEMBANGAN TANAMAN KELAPA SAWIT (Elaeis guinensis Jacq), DI KECAMATAN SANGKUB, KABUPATEN BOLAANG MONGONDOW UTARA

This study aims to find out the water balance in Sangkub Sub-district, North Bolaang Mongondow Regency for oil palm cultivation with water balance simulation model developed by Handoko (1994) and Rogi (2002). The study was conducted from May - December 2016. This research uses simulation model method; the data used in this research is secondary data. The data analysis used run model of water balance of land and formula calculation of land water balance. The study found that the amount of water surplus from the run of the water balance model and calculations based on the formula in one year cannot meet the water requirements of oil palm crops, so that oil palm plantations cannot be cultivated in Sangkub Sub-district. This is due to the existence of rice cultivated crops prior to oil palm cultivation, where both plants require relatively large amount of water.

SISTEM PENDUKUNG KEPUTUSAN MENGGUNAKAN METODE SAW MENENTUKAN DOSIS PEMUPUKAN PADA TANAMAN KELAPA SAWIT DENGAN MENGGUNAKAN (POC) NASA

Fertilization is one of the requirements of plant maintenance, including in oil palm crops that have been the producers of raw materials for palm oil production. But there are often problems faced by farmers during the fertilization process such as the type of fertilizer is not appropriate and the dosage of fertilizer that is not in accordance with the needs of the field so that farmers get a harvest that is not comparable with the amount of costs incurred for the use of fertilizer. to solve the problem of determining the amount of fertilizer dosage applied simple additive weightig (SAW) method implemented in the decision making system in determining the dosage of fertilization in oil palm plant using NASA liquid organic fertilizer (POC). From experiments conducted and implemented into web-built applications with PHP programming language can provide results in the form of recommendations on the number of doses of NASA POC fertilizer to oil palm crops.

INTEGRASI SAPI POTONG TANAMAN SAWIT (SISKA) DAN POTENSI PENGEMBANGANNYA DI KABUPATEN PASAMAN BARAT (Studi Kasus Kelompok Tani Lubuak Gadang, Kecamatan Luak Nan Duo)

The aim of the study was to analyze: (1) integration of beef cattle and oil palm plantations and development potential; and (2) the constraints faced in the implementation of integration programs of beef cattle and oil palm plantations. The study was conducted at farmer groups (Lubuak Gadang) in the vilage of Luhak Nan Duo County, District of East Pasaman. The study used survey method and direct observation to localized research using questionnaires. The results showed that the integration between beef cattle and oil palm plants not take place optimally, oil palm waste is not utilization for animal feed, while the use of organic vertilizer for oil palm crop has reached 100% in the form of unprocessed vertilizer. Obstacles encountered in the implementation of the integration of beef cattle and crops are oil palm farmers lack knowledge about integration and limited their knowledge of livestock waste treatment technology and feed processing of oil palm crop waste, so that the application of the integration between beef cattle and crop oil palm is not optimal.Key words: Beef cattle integration, oil palm, District of west Pasaman

Economic Assessment of Technology Adoption in Oil Palm Plantations from Colombia

Adopting technology regarding agricultural crops has traditionally been associated with high costs. Producers have thus often abstained from adopting better agronomical practices and have consequently lost the benefits they could otherwise have obtained by implementing better criteria for managing their crops.This research builds on results by Ruiz et al., (2017) who found three typologies of oil palm lots, regarding adoption of technology and yields on oil palm crops from Colombia. This work was aimed at evaluating the typologies found by Ruiz et al. (2017) from an economic standpoint by using different economic assessment methods, in order to determine the benefits of technology adoption at the Colombian oil palm agroindustry. The methods used were aimed at estimating: unit cost, net present value (NPV), net income, land use efficiency, generation of income and competitiveness.Results indicate that the cost of producing a ton of fresh fruit bunches from oil palms (FFB) on lots having high adoption of technology was 2.5% to 8% lower when compared to lots having lower adoption of technology (Typologies 2 and 3. respectively). Technology adoption enables greater yearly net income to be obtained in mature oil palm crops in typology 1, than the one obtained at typology 2 and typology 3. The adoption of technology allows the grower to obtain net income equivalent to a legally-established yearly minimum wage (LEYMW), using less land. Finally, it was concluded that at average CPO prices for the period 2005-2015, the Colombian growers that participated in this study, may be competitive at the European market, which is the main destination of Colombian exports of crude palm oil (CPO).