THE PRODUCTION OF

OIL PALM

EXTENSION GUIDE NO. 9

GUIDE TO OIL PALM PRODUCTION

Introduction The oil palm is one of the cash crops actively

being promoted under the National Accelerated Industrial Crop Production Programme (NAICPP). The oil palm provides food, raw materials for the manufacture of soap, margarine, candle, confectioneries, ice-cream, detergents and timber. Every portion of the tree crop is useable. Nigeria at a time controlled about 50% (in 1953) of the world export in palm produce. But the export figure has declined over the years to the extent that the country now runs annual deficit ofabout250,000 tones. The Federal Government is determined under the NAICPP to reverse the trend. The purpose of this Guide is to provide basic information on production that will help the farmer produce the crop much more successfully and restore the crop to its past glory.

Climatic Requirement The ideal climatic features required for the

cultivation of Oil palm include: A rainfall of2000rnm (80 ins) or more per annum that is evenly distributed throughout the year. The plant thrives under condi-tions ofhigh relative humidity. Temperature requirement

ranges between 24°C and 34°C. Oil palm can tolerate even higher temperatures provided there is adequate moisture. The plant also requires plenty of sunshine -high sunshine totalling about 1,500- 2,000 sunshine hours a year or at least 5 sunshines hours per day.

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Site selection The best soil suitable for cultivating the crop

should be deep, well drained, medium textured, non-gravelly and non-lateritic. Usually soil under forest is more fertile than soil under previous farm land. But the cost of establishment is higher when a forest land is used than when a previous farmland is used.

Land Preparation The land preparation operations involve broadly

underbrushing the existing shrubs, felling of the existing trees and burning. These operations should begin 2 to 3 months before the time ofburning. The trees should be cut into manageable sizes to facilitate packing in windrows or burning. The land should be ready for planting at the beginning of the rains in April/ May.

After land clearing the field could be lined out with wooden pegs on planting points at a triangular spacing of9m x 9m x 9m giving a density of about 140- 150 palms per hectare. The palm rows should run in a north-south direction. This orientation and planting arrangement permit maximum solar interception by the individual palm.

Since the soil is usually left bare after burning, erosion may cause serious problems to the soil. As such it may be necessary to plant legume covers to protect the soil from erosion and to check the invasion of troublesome weeds. The legume cover crops widely planted are Calopogonium mucunoides, Peuraria phaseoloides and Centrosema pubescens seeds often mixed in a ratio 2:2:1. The seed mixture

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is sown at a rate of 5-6kg!ha. The seeds are sown into drills or broadcast onto the land.lt may be necessary to soak the seeds in water for 24 hours before planting to facilitate early germination. The legumes are sown after the onset of the rains.

Recommended Variety For the various oil palm zones, the Nigerian

Institute For Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) recommends the Extension Work Seeds (EWS). These are Tenera hybrids

The EWS are usually made available to farmers in form of sprouted nuts or raised oil palm seedlings which can be obtained through the M.A.N.R., A.D.P ., Tree Crops Unit (TCU) and Smallholder Management Unit (SMU) in your State.

The only source of the EWS remains the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research (NIFOR) located in Benin City, Edo State.

The EWS starts fruiting 3 - 4 years after field planting. Relatively, it is resistant to a number of palm diseases and has a yield potentials of 15-18 tonnes fresh fruit bunches (fib) per hectare per year as against 2-3 tonnes ffb of the wild and improved Dura varieties.

Nursery A nursery is necessazy for growing the germinated

seeds to produce strong, healthy and viable seedlings for the field establishment.

Recommended system of raising oil palm seedlings is the single stage poly bag nursery in which seedlings are grown in polybags until they are ready

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for transplanting into the field. The system involves the use of 400- 500 gauge

black polythene bags (usually about 40 x 35 em lay flat). The bags are filled with top soil from the nursery area and placed in square formation at 45 x 45cm spacing. This spacing gives 40,000 seedlings per hectare. The bags are filled to the top and made firm by watering for a least a week before planting.

Sprouted Seed Planting When sprouted seedings are received, they are

planted almost immediately after their plumule and radicles are well differentiated to prevent planting the seed upside down (planting the seed upside down results in delayed shoot emergence and twisted seedling that never does well). The depth of planting

should not be more than 2.5cm, taking care not to damage the radicle and plumule.

Fig. 1: Oil Palm Nursery

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Planting starts in mid April and ends in June (when rain stabilises) in order to ensure uniform seedling emergence and good take-off. As soon as planting is done, mulching with partially shredded oil pahn bunch refuse or dry grass .

Seedlings raised in polybags have higher rate of survival, faster field establishment and minimum transplanting shock (Fig 1).

Fertilizers Application in Nursery Application of a compound fertilizer NPK Mg

in the ratio 12: 12:17:2 at the rate of 14g (i.e. one table-spoonful) per seedling per application in two doses at 2 and 8 months after planting is recommended. The fertilizer should be spread in a ring about 7 .Scm away from the seedling to avoid scorching of the leaves. In the Calabar Fasc soil e.g. in Abak sub-Station, these single fertilizers are applied as a mixture in the ratio of 1: l: 1 :2, by weight because there is an ample deficiency of magnesium there. In the Benin area ofNigeria, a mixture ofNPK Mg fertilizer in the ratio 1: 1: 1:1 by weight using sulphate of ammonia, single superphosphate, muriate or sulphate of potash and magnesium sulphate respectively, is applied at the rate of 42g per seedling at 2 and 8 months after planting.

Nursery Watering During the dry season, the seedlings should

be watered with 2 litres of water applied in two equal doses per week. A large amount may be required in severe harmattan conditions in which watering may be carried out both in the mornings and ev:enings daily

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because oil palm seedlings are vulnerable to any measure of water stress. Mulching also helps to conserve moisture.

Pests of Nursery The three main insect pests of oil palm nursery

are termites, grasshoppers and beetles.

Termites These are white little ants that attack nursery

seedlings principally during the dry season. They attack and destroy the root system of seedlings in the soil which cause the seedlings to be pale, stunted or dead in heavy infestations.

Control Termites can be controlled culturally by increasing

the frequency and volume of watering during the dry season from November to onset of the next rainy season.

Chemical Control Apply Furadan 3G at 1 Og/seeddling (1 tea

spoon) or ultracide 40SCW at 6% concentration. In the later case both the soil under and in the polybag should be well drenched with the insecticide.

Grasshoppers These feed on the leaves and can cause

considerable deterioration to nursery seedlings. The young nymphs are the most destructive stage ofthese insects, particularly when they swann.

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Control By handpicking and destroying the nymphs at

low infestation intensity. Apply 85% carbaryl (Selvin 85 or Vetox 85)

at 24gm in 2 gallons of water or Basudin 60EC at 0.1 % concentration (i.e . 1 OOml in 1 00 litres of water).

Beetles (SmaU Weevils) The adult weevil lays eggs on cut parts or tiny

holes, it finds on the petioles, leaf bases or bulb of seedlings. The eggs later develop into larvae which eat through the affected parts of the seedling. In severe cases the afected part will cause wilting and later death ofthe seedling.

Control: Weevil attack is high in heavily shaded nurseries.

In order to minimise its attack, it is advisable to provide light shading during the dry season or period of drought during July- August. The insect can also be controlled culturally by avoiding wounding any part of the seedlings. It is advisable to uproot affected seedlings and burn. Chemical control of the insect is by spraying with Basudin 60EC at 4 mll litre of water or Ultracide 40EC at 6 mJ/litre of water.

Nursery Diseases Freckle disease (Cercospora leaf spot).

The disease is caused by the fungus, Cercospora eleaides. This is the commonest and most wide spread leaf disease of the oil palm in Nigeria and indeed West Africa. It occurs throughout the year

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and at all stages of growth from nursery seedlings to adult field palms. It causes severe infection in young field palm and may hinder vegetative growth or delay the onset of fruiting. In the initial phase, the symptom is the appearance of small pin-point, dark-brown spots scattered over the surface of young leaflets. On the older leaves, the disease becomes more aggressive and the tissues surrounding the spots show necrosis which spreads rapidly on the leaflets eventually becoming desiccated and brittle.

Fig. 2: Freckle infected leaves

Control Spray of nursery seedlings forthnightly, and

young palms with Dithane M-45, Mancozeb or Captan at the rate of2.5kglha i.e. 50g/15 Iitres of water.

Blast Disease Blast is a serious root disease of the oil palm

seedlings and cause loses in the nursery. This is usually very fatal because ofthe decay of the roots.

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The seedling then collapses and subsequently death of the affected seedling. In West Africa the disease is known to occur between Mid-October and January. The first visible symptom of the disease in affected seedling is the disappearance ofthe shiny appearance normally found on healthy leaves. The leaves become dull and soft. The colour change to olive-green or khaki, then to greenish yellow and eventually purple or brownish tints develop at the leaf tip. The leaves dry out, turning dark brown or brittle.

Control: There is no satisfactory chemical control ofblast

at present. However, the disease can be greatly reduced by planting the seedlings properly and at the right time.

It is known that the following factors lead to a high incidence of the disease:

Planting a nursery between June and end of September. Planting seedling during the dry season. A severe drought during July- August. The disease is normally controlled by paying attention to the following: Plant ~proved disease resistant hybrid - NIFOR Extension Work Seed (EWS).

Plant sprouted seeds in polythene bags filled with air dried topsoil. Ensure that the nursery is planted during April or May. Water seedlings at the rate of not less than 4 litres per seedling per week during the dry season, and during any dry period of drought

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in July or August. Mulch the seedlings throughout the nursery period. Recent investigations have shown that shading

of seedlings, particularly during the dry months of October to December, can significantly reduce losses of seedlings due to blast.

Transpl~nting to the Field The Ball-Of earth method of transplanting is

the best method. Polybag seedlings are best trans-planted with all the soil in the bag. Transplanting of seedlings should commence when they have attained the age of 1 0- 12 months. The operation should start as soon as the rains become regular and be completed at least 2 months before the rains cease.

The following steps are involved in this method of transplanting:

1. Dig hole big enough to accommodate ball-of-earth

2. Separate top soil from sub-soil 3. Lift polybag seedlings carefully to planting

point to avoid disturbing the ball-of-earth. 4. Tear off polybag carefully and slide

ball-of-earth into planting hole 5. Make sure that surface ofball-of-earth levels

up with soil surface

6. Fill gap with top soil and ram gently with stick to avoid water logging and ensure firm establishment of seedling.

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However, NIFOR, also recommended the use of the "Naked Root" method of planting where plantations are too far from point of palm seedling collection and cost of transporting seedlings is too high.

In this case before transporting seedlings, seedlings should carefully be removed from polybags and the roots treated with thick suspension of clay in water (clay slurry). This is to protect roots from drying out. The treated seedlings are then tied up in bundles with wet banana leaves, grass or sack around the root for transportation.

Planting holes using this method are dug in the shape of a cross with a slight elevation in the center. During planting ensure that the roots are evenly distributed in the four arms of the cross (Fig. 3a) then fill hole with top soil.

Fig. 3 a.: Top View: showing distribution of Roots in four Arm of the cross

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Fig. 3 b.: Side View: Seedling properly seated on elevated centre ofthe cross

Planting into the field can start as soon as the first rain falls in March/ April and should be completed by the end of May/June. Late planting may result in the death of young palms within one year of planting. In areas where "grass cutter" and other rodents are found it is necessary to protect young seedlings from these pests. A "Collar" of2.5cm wire mesh, 30cm in diameter and 45cm high (90cm x 45cm layflat) or alternatively a fence of split bamboo should be placed around each plant at the time of transplanting. The collar should be pushed into the soil and securely pegged down. Goats and sheep must be kept away from young plantations as they will destroy the young

leaves.

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t~ - ~ =¥ • ~ ,._. ~ .~ ~ ~

~ ~

* * ~ · ~ ~ ~ • ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ . ~

9m ~ ~· ~

* ~ • ~ *. -k* --~ ~*~-T'~--- 9m ~ ~ ~--~···g-~ ~ 't-~~~

Fig. 4: Marking out a plantation at 9m triangular spacing.

Intercropping and Weed Control Intercrop of early maize, groundnuts, cassava,

melon or similar food crops can be grown between young palms within the first 3 - 4 years of establishment provided a distance of 0.5 - 1.5m radius is maintained from the base of each palm in the intercrop, (depending on the age of the palm).

The intercrops will help to suppress weeds in the plantation and provide a source of revenue to the farmer before the palms come into bearing.

The greatest single factor which limits oil palm growth and production in some parts of the country is moisture. Anything that can be done to prevent moisture loss will be of great value to the oil palm.

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However, oil palm varieties that are more draught tolerant and better suited to the drier areas than the present varieties are being developed for the marginal areas in the country. Mulch can go a long way in helping to conserve moisture. If you grow cover crops or you allow the plantation to develop natural cover, they should be slashed 3-4 times a year and left on the ground.

A fire trace of about 9.5 metres in width should be cleared around the plantation at the end ofthe rains. The edge of the surrounding bush next to the fire trace should be burnt backwards away from the plantation.

One metre radius clean ring weeding around each palm should be carried out 2 or 3 times every year. This, apart from preventing competition for soil nutrient and moisture allows for easy application of fertilizer, harvesting, various field observations and to some extent, prevent pest and disease infestation.

In later years, the ring should be increased to 2 metres.

Fertilizing Application The application of fertilizer is essential for oil

palm to give maximum growth and yield. Fertilizer should be broadcast on the clean weeded circle 7.5cm away from the seedling base as shown in the fig 5.

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Fig. 5: Fertilizer Application

Pest and Disease Control Oil palms are attacked by a number of pests

and diseases but person may have difficulty in identifying a particular pest or disease. If you notice any yellowing or other symptoms of pest attack or disease on your palms, you should contact your Agricultural Extension Worker immediately.

Harvesting Oil palms can be harvested the 4th year after

planting if they are given the proper care and management. The correct time to harvest bunches is when a few of the fruits become loose and can be dislodged. Experience has shown that if there are about 2 - 3 loose fruits at the base of the palm then the

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bunch is sufficiently ripe for harvest. If harvested ear-lier than this, the fruits will be underripe and will not have reached full oil content before fruit processing and oil extraction. If harvested too late, the acid content of the oil [free fatty acid (ffa)] which affect oil quality will be too high. In addition, bunch rot problem may occur.

Fruits should not be bruised or the quality of the oil will be lowered leading to more free fatty acids. Bunches from young palms should be harvested with a special palm harvesting chisel or a sharp pointed cutlass.

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SUMMARY

* Select suitable site.

* Use the EWS recommended from the Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm Research.

* Use seedlings raised in polybags.

* Maintain your nursery effectively.

* Use ball-of earth method of transplanting and transplant before June.

* Observe good plantation management.

* Harvest the bunches at the correct time.

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