Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application

This paper provides overview of the leaching challenges frequently encountered in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a vital cash crop extensively grown in tropical regions like Malaysia, a major global palm oil producer. Given Malaysia’s highly weathered and less fe...

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Main Authors: Sham, Isma Nadia, Yap, Chee Kong, Nulit, Rosimah, Peng, Shih Hao Tony, Chai, Ee Wen
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Elite Scientific Publications 2024
Online Access:http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/1/113102.pdf
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author Sham, Isma Nadia
Yap, Chee Kong
Nulit, Rosimah
Peng, Shih Hao Tony
Chai, Ee Wen
author_facet Sham, Isma Nadia
Yap, Chee Kong
Nulit, Rosimah
Peng, Shih Hao Tony
Chai, Ee Wen
author_sort Sham, Isma Nadia
building UPM Institutional Repository
collection Online Access
description This paper provides overview of the leaching challenges frequently encountered in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a vital cash crop extensively grown in tropical regions like Malaysia, a major global palm oil producer. Given Malaysia’s highly weathered and less fertile soil, efficient fertilization is essential to ensure optimal oil palm growth and yield which requires a substantial supply of soluble Nitrogen and Potassium for crop uptake. Malaysia is a tropical country and typically experiences annual rainfall exceeding 2, 500mm, leading to inevitable leaching issues that impact the environment. In this review, five key aspects related to leaching problems were identified. Firstly, groundwater pollution is a concern. Runoff and deep percolation beyond the root zone can carry significant amounts of soluble plant nutrients, posing health risks when entering local community water sources due to high nitrate content. Secondly, nutrient leaching from oil palm plantations can harm freshwater systems by contributing to Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3—N) loads that can trigger surface water eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and disruptions to aquatic ecosystems. Next, intensive management of oil palm plantations can result in nutrient leaching that negatively impacts soil quality and fertility. In turn, it can reduce soil organic matter content and natural biodiversity. Excessive leaching may also hinder efficient nutrient absorption by crops, potentially causing nutrient deficiencies, manifesting as visual symptoms like necrosis and stunted growth. Lastly, if nutrients are not retained in the soil, the land can become toxic and unsuitable for future use unless a sustainable replacement strategy is employed.
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institution Universiti Putra Malaysia
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spelling upm-1131022024-11-15T08:01:34Z http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/ Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application Sham, Isma Nadia Yap, Chee Kong Nulit, Rosimah Peng, Shih Hao Tony Chai, Ee Wen This paper provides overview of the leaching challenges frequently encountered in Malaysian oil palm plantations. The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) is a vital cash crop extensively grown in tropical regions like Malaysia, a major global palm oil producer. Given Malaysia’s highly weathered and less fertile soil, efficient fertilization is essential to ensure optimal oil palm growth and yield which requires a substantial supply of soluble Nitrogen and Potassium for crop uptake. Malaysia is a tropical country and typically experiences annual rainfall exceeding 2, 500mm, leading to inevitable leaching issues that impact the environment. In this review, five key aspects related to leaching problems were identified. Firstly, groundwater pollution is a concern. Runoff and deep percolation beyond the root zone can carry significant amounts of soluble plant nutrients, posing health risks when entering local community water sources due to high nitrate content. Secondly, nutrient leaching from oil palm plantations can harm freshwater systems by contributing to Nitrate Nitrogen (NO3—N) loads that can trigger surface water eutrophication, leading to algal blooms and disruptions to aquatic ecosystems. Next, intensive management of oil palm plantations can result in nutrient leaching that negatively impacts soil quality and fertility. In turn, it can reduce soil organic matter content and natural biodiversity. Excessive leaching may also hinder efficient nutrient absorption by crops, potentially causing nutrient deficiencies, manifesting as visual symptoms like necrosis and stunted growth. Lastly, if nutrients are not retained in the soil, the land can become toxic and unsuitable for future use unless a sustainable replacement strategy is employed. Elite Scientific Publications 2024 Article PeerReviewed text en http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/1/113102.pdf Sham, Isma Nadia and Yap, Chee Kong and Nulit, Rosimah and Peng, Shih Hao Tony and Chai, Ee Wen (2024) Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application. Pakistan Journal of Life and Social Sciences, 22 (2). pp. 855-877. ISSN 1727-4915; eISSN: 2221-7630 https://pjlss.edu.pk/pdf_files/2024_2/855-877.pdf 10.57239/PJLSS-2024-22.2.0062
spellingShingle Sham, Isma Nadia
Yap, Chee Kong
Nulit, Rosimah
Peng, Shih Hao Tony
Chai, Ee Wen
Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title_full Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title_fullStr Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title_full_unstemmed Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title_short Nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
title_sort nutrient leaching in oil palm plantation: a review on special reference to fertilization application
url http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/
http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/113102/1/113102.pdf