Alternative oil palm fertilizer sources and management

The euphoric sentiment of the oil palm industry in 2007 till first half of 2008, generated by the historic high prices of crude palm oil (CPO) as influenced by the price escalation of fossil fuel and biofuel, has very quickly vaporized and replaced with an awakening call for prudence. Inorganic fertilizer prices soared concurrently to historic high levels as well. Notwithstanding the problem of uncertainty that led to non-timely supply and delivery, cost of fertilizer inputs to oil palm plantations has doubled to 50-60% of the cost of FFB production. Profitability of the oil palm plantation business is consequentially squeezed as it remains as a price taker for its produce and the purchase of in organic fertilizers. The Malaysian oil palm industry's dependence on inorganic fertilizer import can only be partially mitigated by the use of organic fertilizers produced within the country. Chicken dung is used directly in small holdings mainly. It is also processed as organic fertilizer but used limitedly in oil palm plantations. Availability of cow and goat/sheep dung is also very insignificant. The recycling of solid and liquid wastes from palm oil mills is the logical alternative, and accepted as a standard good agricultural practice in the industry. There are, however, some obvious limitations in their utilization which must not be overlooked particularly when the industry is moving toward sustainable development. The industry in Malaysia is poised to adopt a wholesome green technology approach with several options that can achieve multiple objectives. Co-composting ofEFB and POME has the highest attractiveness (Buron. et. al., 2008) while at the same time the compost/organic fertilizer produced can be applied over a much bigger hectarages. especially in areas of poorer growing conditions, that can benefit significantly in growth/yield as compared to the current EFB mulching and irrigation of treated POM£. Concurrently biogas capture with and without generation of renewable energy enhances the C02 emission reduction above the criterion of 35% as set by the EU Commission on Renewable Energy. Thus palm oil qualifies as a feed stock of biofuel in European market. The continuation of the Clean Development Mechanism (CD~ beyond 2012 with the carbon credit incentive is critical for more readily adoption by the industry fertilizer management (Roberts, 2007) are also discussed in relation to compost usage. The oil palm industry is strongly urged to adopt the good agricultural practice in the establishment of leguminous cover crops for N fixation without fail in all new plantings/replantings. The choice of Mucuna bracteata over other conventional leguminous cover crops is strongly emphasized for reasons discussed. The potential usage of biochar, derivable from the oil palm biomass,is also highlighted as an area of research that can lead to its future exploitation for soil fertility improvement and long term sequestration of C02 in soil.