Effects of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation and some ameliorating measures

Lim K.H., . (2007) Effects of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation and some ameliorating measures. [Proceedings Paper]

Planting of oil palm on tropical peat soils esp. on deep peat greater than 1.5m depth is gaining importance in Malaysia and Indonesia over the last decade due mainly to the shortage of suitable mineral soils. To date about 250 000 ha of peatlands in Sarawak Malaysia and about 200 000 ha in the Riau Province of Sumatra Indonesia have been planted with oil palm. Under natural condition peat swamps are invariably water-logged with high water table at the surface or above it. Controlled drainage will be required before oil palm can be successfully cultivated on peat. Drainage results in a more favorable peat environment for planting oil palm but also trigger off surface subsidence. The initial high subsidence upon drainage in the first years helps in increasing the very low bulk density of drained surface peat from about 0.10 to 0.15 gm/cm3 which is benificial for oil palm establishment. However subsequent subsidence although at a slower rate will have some adverse effects on oil palm cultivation and these will require amelioration in order to achieve sustainable yield on peat. Maintenance of the water table at 50-75 cm from the peat surface is vital for minimizing peat subsidence which is important for prolonging the economic life span of the reclaimed peat for sustainable oil palm cultivation. The impact of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation and performance varies with its topographic position on the peat basin. In areas where the peat evelation is lower than the average high tide level flooding can occur after several years of oil palm cultivation. In this situation perimeter bunding will be required to prevent flooding and in some cases influx of saline water. Other adverse effects of peat subsidence include interferences to effective water management road construction/maintenance mechanization as well as causing leaning/hanging palms. On higher ground with lower water table the subsidence rate is faster resulting in more severe palm leaning/hanging problem which will adversely affect nutrient uptake light interception and yield. Some ameliorating measures to minimize the adverse effects of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation are discussed. These include water management practices preplanting mechanical surface compaction adequately deep planting to minimize the palm leaning problem and construction of elevated mechanization paths during land preparation. Some field trials to minimize the palm leaning problem due to peat subsidence are also highlighted in this paper.

Full text available from:

Abstract

Planting of oil palm on tropical peat soils esp. on deep peat greater than 1.5m depth is gaining importance in Malaysia and Indonesia over the last decade due mainly to the shortage of suitable mineral soils. To date about 250 000 ha of peatlands in Sarawak Malaysia and about 200 000 ha in the Riau Province of Sumatra Indonesia have been planted with oil palm. Under natural condition peat swamps are invariably water-logged with high water table at the surface or above it. Controlled drainage will be required before oil palm can be successfully cultivated on peat. Drainage results in a more favorable peat environment for planting oil palm but also trigger off surface subsidence. The initial high subsidence upon drainage in the first years helps in increasing the very low bulk density of drained surface peat from about 0.10 to 0.15 gm/cm3 which is benificial for oil palm establishment. However subsequent subsidence although at a slower rate will have some adverse effects on oil palm cultivation and these will require amelioration in order to achieve sustainable yield on peat. Maintenance of the water table at 50-75 cm from the peat surface is vital for minimizing peat subsidence which is important for prolonging the economic life span of the reclaimed peat for sustainable oil palm cultivation. The impact of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation and performance varies with its topographic position on the peat basin. In areas where the peat evelation is lower than the average high tide level flooding can occur after several years of oil palm cultivation. In this situation perimeter bunding will be required to prevent flooding and in some cases influx of saline water. Other adverse effects of peat subsidence include interferences to effective water management road construction/maintenance mechanization as well as causing leaning/hanging palms. On higher ground with lower water table the subsidence rate is faster resulting in more severe palm leaning/hanging problem which will adversely affect nutrient uptake light interception and yield. Some ameliorating measures to minimize the adverse effects of peat subsidence on oil palm cultivation are discussed. These include water management practices preplanting mechanical surface compaction adequately deep planting to minimize the palm leaning problem and construction of elevated mechanization paths during land preparation. Some field trials to minimize the palm leaning problem due to peat subsidence are also highlighted in this paper.

[error in script]

Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. mal S590.2 S683 2007 Call Number
AGROVOC Term:	ELAEIS GUINEENSIS
AGROVOC Term:	PEAT SOILS
AGROVOC Term:	DEPTH
AGROVOC Term:	TOPOGRAPHY
AGROVOC Term:	SUBSIDENCE
AGROVOC Term:	MECHANIZATION
AGROVOC Term:	DRAINAGE
AGROVOC Term:	CULTIVATION
AGROVOC Term:	INDONESIA
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:13
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/10871

Actions (login required)

View Item