High density planting in deep peat Tradewinds experience
2007
Azlan H.I. | Dawson, A. Jacob | B. Silek | D. Ariffin
Tradewinds Plantation Berhad carried out a density trial in deep peat at Rantau estate, Sibu, Sarawak. This trial, started in 2000, tested three planting densities: standard at 160, medium at 180, and high at 200 stands per hectare. Normal estate fertilizer rates were used in the trail and the planting material was commercial D x P. Preliminary results during the first four years of production show that yield per hectare is significantly higher in the density planting. The FFB per ha per year increased with increase in density by 8% (25.80 mt/ha) for the medium density and 17% (27.80 mt/ha) for the high density respectively over the standard density (23.83 mt/ha). The higher density started to show etiolation of the fronds about 72 MAP. LAI is significantly higher in the higher density treatments throughout this trial period. Leaf analysis taken six years after planting show that except for leaf K, all other leaf parameters are within nutrient critical levels for the various densities. Preliminary finding indicated that the higher density treatments were able to maximize early economic return.
Show more [+] Less [-]AGROVOC Keywords
Bibliographic information
This bibliographic record has been provided by Universiti Putra Malaysia