Proper immature palm management results into high yields and the immature palm management phase begins when seedlings are transplanted.
Immature phase begins when seedlings are transplanted. Cover oil palm fields with legumes as these fix nitrogen and control soil erosion. Great care should be taken when transplanting to avoid transplanting shock. It is highly recommended to grow palms on degraded land to minimize costs of land clearing. Additionally, grow palms on degraded land and thereafter apply herbicides and plant legumes. Construct accessible roads without tampering top soil as it contains a lot of soil nutrients.
Establishment practices
Start by determining the planting area and conduct a soil survey to analyse soil conditions and determine the soil properties. Thereafter apply soil fertilizers to boost soil nutrient content. However avoid growing palm on Corse soil textures. Additionally, create a logistics layout to easily determine and to maximize land use and during planting determine the planting density basing on soil fertility. Also construct contours on slopes to control soil erosion and uncontrolled run off.
Fertilizer application
Start by applying 50-100 kg of NPK one week after cover seed germination to accelerate plant growth. Thereafter apply compost fertilizers to boost growth. Furthermore, apply NPK and magnesium during weeding to supplement soil nutrients. Lastly, surround plants with empty fruit bunches to boost soil nutrient content.
Management practices
When planting dig holes 10cm wide in triangular pattern, then sow legume cover seeds mixed with with rock phosphate. Additionally, weed during third month of cover crop growth. Also regularly apply herbicides for the next 20 months and always, transplant seedlings with care as well as conducting weekly census to determine the crop growth pattern. Lastly, irrigate plants for proper plant growth to avoid plant stress. Lastly, weed plant circles to help plants benefit from fertilizers.
