Mission to Bakrie oil palm plantations in Sumatra (Indonesia), march 2008

At Agrowiyana, reference experiment AW CP 01 has got off to a good start, with the first leaf analysis in August 2007 and the start of harvest recording in January 2008. The fertilizer rates for the next application in May 2008 have been fixed. Back-up trial AW ES 01 is to be set up in May 2008 on mature palms, as planned: the site has been chosen and the design is ready. At Kisaran, reference experiment KP CP 01 has also got off to a good start, with the first leaf analysis in August 2007. Harvest recording is due to begin in October 2008. The fertilizer rates for the next application in May 2008 have been fixed. Back-up trial TR ES 01 is to be set up in May 2008 on mature palms, as planned: the site has been chosen and the design is ready. At Pasaman, reference experiment AB CP 01 was launched in December 2007 with the first fertilizer application under the protocol. The fertilizer rates for the next two applications in May and November 2008 have been fixed. The first leaf samples will be taken in August 2008. As regards the future back-up trial, SA ES 01, the soil analysis of the sample taken in December 2007 confirms an available phosphorus deficit. The choice of the best phosphate fertilizer will be made in a nursery trial conducted at Kisaran with soil from Sungei Aur. Trial SA ES 01 proper is scheduled to begin in mid-2009. The field trial management system, notably coordination, which is essential between R&D and the plantation, needs to be subject to a standardized procedure circulated to the managers and assistants concerned. As regards fertilization of the estates in 2008, PT BSP, in accordance with the good overall mineral nutrition results obtained in 2007, has decided to continue reducing the amounts of fertilizers applied, whilst keeping a safety margin in relation to CIRAD recommendations. On average, there will be 5.5 kg of fertilizer per palm at Agrowiyana, 6 kg at Kisaran and 5.5 kg at Pasaman. Single fertilizers will be applied at Agrowiyana and at Kisaran, following GIRAD recommendations. However, at Pasaman, for reasons of supply logistics, PT BSP will once again apply Hi-Kay compound fertilizer in 2008, with supplemental rock phosphate to cover P requirements. (Résumé d'auteur)