Pocket

Guide

Identifying & Treating Nutrient Deficiencies and Other Disorders in the Oil Palm
Elaeis guineensis

ARAB

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & ADVISORY BUREAU

www.arabis.org

Introduction
This document is designed as a field guide for plantation management staff and agronomists who would like to identify nutrient deficiencies on oil palm plantings in the field, understand something of the underlying causes, and how they might be prevented or remedied. Because oil palm cultivation requires intensive fertilizer use for increasing and sustaining growth and yields, and because fertilizer accounts for a very major proportion of production costs, considerable efforts have been made to develop a technical and economic basis for recommending fertilizer use. This involves field observations, taking measures of palm growth parameters (Girth, Height, Leaf Area Index-LAI), as well as taking soil and tissue / foliar samples for chemical analysis. Field Data Collection & Sampling
Ideally a sampling intensity of at least 1% (1 to 1.5 palms/Ha) should be implemented when collecting data from the field on growth and in collecting soil and foliar samples - i.e. to make a composite data set / sample from 25 to 50 palms in each 25 to 50 Ha block of planting. For foliar samples, the reference tissue for analysis in adult palms is the center part of the pinnae (without midrib) from Frond 17, which is the upper center of the crown. For young palms (< 3 years), pinnae tissue from Frond 9 is collected. For collecting soil samples, auger borings are made in the palm circles / inter palm areas of the palms from which foliar tissue samples are collected. Measures on the various growth parameters (girth, height and LAI) are also done on the palms from which foliar samples are collected. Yield records also need to be collected. All data / samples collected should be indexed by the following spatial and temporal information: Estate, Division, Block, Area (Ha), Progeny, Planting Year; and Month / Year.

Recommending Fertilizers
Foliar analysis gives an indication of the nutrient status of a planting, providing good information about nutrient imbalances. Note however, that it is difficult and even dangerous to calculate fertilizer rates with any satisfactory degree of accuracy on the basis of foliar analytical data only. As such, soil analytical data should also be used to validate indications of deficiency based on foliar analytical results. In estimating the quantum of fertilizers that needs to be applied, both foliar and soil as well as other agronomic and crop growth / production information should be used. Because of the numerous variables that need to be considered when generating fertilizer recommendations, computer programs using the nutrient balance concept algorithms are now commonly used, especially on a commercial scale. ARABs plantation management software system - PAXSYS has a Fertilizer Recommendation System (FRS) that generates optimal fertilizer use profiles based on the nutrient balance concept i.e. NUTRIENT SUPPLY Soil Nutrient Reserves (assessed by soil analysis) Fertilizer Application Procedurally, the Fertilizer Recommendation System in ARABs PAXSYS software system does the following for each plant macro nutrient (N, P, K, Ca, Mg and S): examines the plantings physical environment - soil texture, colour, slope, infiltration capacity, terrain etc. examines soil reserves of the nutrient (soil analytical results) calculates the age of the planting (based on planting year) computes a Base Fertilizer application rate (based on past research findings on nutrient uptake rates at various ages of the oil palm crop) examines the crop's growth measures (Girth, Height & LAI) and biomass growth and yield output levels to estimate nutrient immobilization and nutrient export levels examines palm nutritional status (foliar analytical results) adjusts BaseFert rate to account for good/poor palm growth and nutritional status
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NUTRIENT DEMAND Palm Nutrient Status (assessed by foliar analysis) Nutrient Uptake - Production & Growth Nutrient Losses - Leaching & Runoff

After the above procedure has been repeated for all the individual macro-nutrients, the system ... computes nutrient balance ratios to identify the primary / secondary limiting nutrient factor(s) examines economic parameters (prices of fertilizers and FFB) notes the types of fertilizers to be applied (nutrient sources) computes a Recommended Fertilizer application rate for the various fertilizers to be recommended in combination and the timing / sequence of application. adjusts this rate according to the properties of the individual fertilizer types (i.e. soluble vs partially soluble). It does this by also estimating the runoff and leaching losses of the various fertilizer types when applied to the block whose soil textural and slope properties are known to the system.

Evaluation of Foliar Nutrient Concentrations in Oil Palm

Nutrient Critical Optimal 2.7 - 2.9 0.16 - 0.18 0.9 - 1.2 0.35 - 0.55 0.20 - 0.26 0.20 - 0.35 3.0 - 3.2 0.16 - 0.20 1.1 - 1.3 0.35 - 0.55 0.20 - 0.26 0.20 - 0.35 15 - 25 5- 8 12 - 18

Mature palms (> 6 years) - Frond 17 N (%) 2.6 P (%) 0.15 K (%) 0.85 Ca (%) 0.30 Mg (%) 0.17 S (%) 0.15 Young palms (< 6 years) - Frond 9 N (%) 2.9 P (%) 0.16 K (%) 1.0 Ca (%) 0.30 Mg (%) 0.17 S (%) 0.15 B (ppm) Cu (ppm) Zn (ppm) 8 3 10

Soil Fertility Evaluation for Oil Palm

Property pH Org C (%) Tot N (%) Av P (ppm) Ex K (% meq) Ex Ca (% meq) Ex Mg (% meq) Note: % meq (or meq/100gm) ppm v. Low < 3.5 < 0.8 < 0.08 <5 < 0.1 < 0.3 < 0.1 Low 4.0 1.2 0.12 10 0.20 0.5 0.20 Mod 4.2 1.5 0.15 15 0.25 0.75 0.25 High 5.5 2.5 0.25 20 0.30 1.00 0.30 v. High > 5.5 > 2.5 > 0.25 > 30 0.5 1.5 0.5

= cmol/kg = mg/kg

Nutrient Removal in Oil Palm

N Bunch Removal
@ 25tFFB/Ha/yr

Nutrient Removal (kg/palm/yr) P K Ca Mg 0.08 0.02 0.08 0.18 0.63 0.47 0.69 1.79 0.14 0.07 0.19 0.31

0.49

Immobilization in palms 0.27 Recycled in Fronds Total Uptake >

Note:

0.53 1.29

The above figures are for mature palms - the removal rates being generally less for younger palms being often proportional to the growth and yield levels of the palms. Fertilizer recommendations generally attempt to replace nutrients removed and immobilized in the palms (and not which are recycled in fronds).

Applying Fertilizers
Not only is the quantum of fertilizers to be applied important, but also the method, distribution and timing of fertilizer application. The palm takes up nutrients through its roots all year round and nutrients have to be made available to it continuously. Although the partially soluble rock based fertilizers may be applied once a year (such as Rock Phosphate and Dolomite), the soluble fertilizers (S/A, MOP and Kieserite) needs to be applied in at least 2 to 4 or more applications a year (depending on the leaching / runoff potential of the area in question and the method of application broadcast vs sub-soiling). On highly porous volcanic, peat or sandy soils, nutrient leaching has to be controlled. In the high clay soils, fertilizer runoff losses can be reduced though subsoiling.

Yellow / Pale Frond N deficiency

N Deficiency Description
In young palms N deficiency is characterized by paling and gradual yellowing (chlorosis) of frond pinnaes throughout the palm canopy. In older plantings, such paling is not so observable being observable more in the younger (upper) fronds. However, the pinnaes tend to be narrow and short. Severely N deficient fronds exhibit yellow rachis and leaf mid-ribs, and their laminae tends to be narrow and rolling inwards. Note that it is quite common for foliar analysis to indicate normal N levels of 2.70-2.90% and above in N deficient palms (due to concentration effects). However, if foliar analysis also indicates that the palm is deficient in N with levels less than 2.60%, it is a reconfirmation of the poor N status of the palms. Note that should the LAI increase significantly overtime, foliar N levels may tend to fall (due to dilution effects). As soil Nitrogen contents are a poor indicator of N availability to plants (as soil N is usually tightly bonded to soil Carbon from organic matter), the C/N ratio is more relevant. Only when C/N ratios are less than 10, does soil N become available to plants.

Causes
On tropical mineral soils, N deficiency arises mainly from the low amounts of soil N that is available to palms. On peat soils where there is significant amounts of N, N deficiency is also commonly observed due to the unavailability of N from peat with high C/N ratios. Waterlogged palms also show induced N deficiency. Also, since the oil palm exports high amounts of N in FFB production, it is necessary to practice replacement N fertilization.

Prevention
Few soils are able to supply sufficient N to rapidly growing and productive palms. During the immature phase, prevention is best achieved by the maintenance of a legume cover crop and by N fertilizer application. In mature palms,
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the application of N fertilizers is required. In peat and other low lying areas subject to waterlogging, an adequate drainage infrastructure should be in place.

Treatment
Fertilizer application rates for mature oil palms ranging from 2.5 to 4.0 kg S/A / palm / year (S/A = 21% N) are normally made and have proven to be able to sustain the N status of the oil palm. For immature oil palms (< 4 years), rates applied are somewhat lower. However, if Urea (43% N) is to be applied as the N source, it should never be applied when the soil is dry as it is prone to volatization losses.

Narrow Trunks, Lower Frond Dessication P deficiency

P Deficiency Description
Palms with acute phosphorus deficiency exhibit poor rooting (and perhaps some toppling over of palms), a premature chlorosis and desiccation of the older (lower) fronds and pyramiding of the palm trunks (lowering the potential number of bunches a palm can carry). In addition, while bunch numbers per palm may be normal, the average bunch weights are much lower than normal. This situation is normally encountered when Available P soil nutrient reserves are less than 10 ppm, but these symptoms are very pronounced where soil Avail P is less than 5 ppm. However, the oil palm is a very efficient extractor of P (even from rock sources such as Rock Phosphate on acidic soils), and correction of the P status of the palms can be achieved in a relatively short period of 3 years by application of P fertilizers. However, should P corrective measures be taken when the trunks have already pyramided to an extent that the potential number of FFB's that can be accommodated at the crown base is limited, it would not be possible to easily increase FFB yields through increase in bunch numbers. Increase in FFB yields will then only occur through increase in average bunch weights (which can occur as fast as 1 kg/bunch/yr i.e. roughly 1.0 to 1.5 t FFB/Ha/yr when average bunch number per palm per year is 8 to 10). Note that although a planting may have very low soil P reserves and exhibit the above described P deficiency symptoms, it is possible (and sometimes common) for foliar analysis to indicate normal P levels of 0.16% and above (due to concentration effects). However, if foliar analysis also indicates that the palm is deficient in P with levels less than 0.15%, it is a strong reconfirmation of the poor P status of the palms. Note also that palms that are severely stressed (from other nutrient deficiencies or prolonged water logging) may exhibit very high foliar P levels (above 0.26%) due to dry matter breakdown i.e. death of plant tissue.

Causes
P deficiency occurs more commonly in tropical mineral soils newly opened to cultivation where soil P reserves are normally low (usually less than 5 ppm).
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Soils whose top soils have been eroded may also have low soil P levels. Volcanic or base rich and Peat / Organic soils also generally have a very low P content.

Prevention
On normal acidic soils, increase soil reserves to 20 to 30 ppm for the longer term through the use of phosphate from rock sources (a relatively insoluble source). On high pH soils, in addition to RP, a more soluble source of P such as TSP may need to be applied to raise soil P reserves to at least 30 ppm.

Treatment
Fertilizer application rates for mature oil palms ranging from 0.5 to 2.0 kg RP / palm / year (RP = 15% P) are normally made and have proven to be able to raise soil P reserves to about 30 ppm (adequate level) from less than 10 ppm in about 3 years - on non high pH soils. For immature oil palms (< 4 years), rates applied are somewhat lower (although a basal RP application of 0.5 to 0.75 kg/palm in the planting hole is recommended prior to field planting). In cases of severe P deficiency, TSP may also be temporarily used to complement RP application to effect a faster short term correction. On soils of high pH, RP should also be supplemented by a more soluble source of P such as TSP (at rates of 0.50 to 1.50 kg/palm/yr).

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Confluent Orange Spotting K deficiency

K Deficiency Description
Potassium deficiency is visually identified by the presence of confluent orange spotting on foliar tissues and the frond rachis (chlorotic spots, changing to yellow-orange, and then enlarging and developing a necrotic center). In addition, the frond rachis would tend to have an orange colouration. Such symptoms are seen where soil Exch. K levels are less than 0.25% meq and is more common when soil K reserves are less than 0.15% meq. Although a planting may have very low soil Exch K reserves and exhibit the above described K deficiency symptoms, it is possible for foliar analysis to indicate normal K levels of 1.00% and above (due to concentration effects). However, if foliar analysis also indicates that the palm is deficient in K with levels less than 0.90%, it is a strong reconfirmation of the critically poor K status of the palms.

Causes
K deficiency occurs most commonly where the soils have very low K reserves of less than 0.15% meq. However some deficiency may still be present on soils whose soil K reserves are less than 0.25% meq. Since the oil palm exports high amounts of K in FFB production, soils get depleted of K unless replacement K fertilization is practiced.

Prevention
Increase soil K reserves to 0.25 to 0.30 % meq (should the soils' CEC allow for it) through the use of K fertilizers such as MOP. Also replace all K that is taken up by the palms and exported in crop harvests.

Treatment
Fertilizer application rates for mature oil palms ranging from 1.5 to 3.5 kg MOP / palm / year (MOP = 50% K) are normally made and have proven to be
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able to sustain the K status. For immature oil palms (< 4 years), the rates applied are somewhat lower.

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Insect Attack Susceptibility Ca deficiency

Ca Deficiency Description
Calcium deficiency (undiscoloured foliar tissue of short and narrow pinnaes with prominent veins) - is generally not observed in the field as the palms can develop normally with only minor quantities of Ca. Foliar calcium levels of the oil palm generally range from 0.35% to 0.55% for Frond 17. Levels of Ca above 0.55% of Frond 17 indicates that the rate of frond production by the palm (normally 1 frond every 2 weeks) has slowed down (or older fronds were sampled). Palms artificially subjected to Ca deficiency develop large / wide pinnaes that are susceptible to attacks by caterpillars (due to this cell walls that contain calcium pectate).

Causes
Calcium deficiency has not been encountered in the field, only being induced in pot culture experiments.

Prevention
Calcium deficiency if encountered, can be easily corrected by the application of lime or dolomite.

Treatment
Apply lime at rates of about 0.50 to 2.0 kg/palm/yr.

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Orange Fronds Mg deficiency

Mg Deficiency Description
Magnesium deficiency is often clearly visible as yellowing (chlorosis) of the lower (older) fronds in palms - while the upper (younger) fronds are dark green. Such symptoms are more common where soil Exch. Mg levels are less than 0.20 to 0.25% meq. Although a planting may have very low soil Exch Mg reserves and exhibit the above described Mg deficiency symptoms, it is possible for foliar analysis to indicate normal Mg levels of 0.20% and above (due to concentration effects). However, if foliar analysis also indicates that the palm is deficient in Mg with levels less than 0.17%, it is a strong reconfirmation of the poor Mg status of the palms. Note that it is possible for soils to have sufficient or even high soil Exch Mg reserves and still have palms showing Mg deficiency (and low foliar Mg levels). This may arise during periods where soil moisture is limited (as Mg needs relatively more water to be taken up by palm roots), or where the abundance of other base cations (K and Ca) in the soil impinges on Mg uptake (as often seen on the base rich volcanic soils). Note that P deficient palms may also cause chlorosis on the end of lower fronds as frond dessication takes place - and this is somewhat similar to Mg deficiency.

Causes
Mg deficiency occurs most commonly where the soils have very low Mg reserves of less than 0.15% meq. However some deficiency may still be present on soils whose soil Mg reserves are less than 0.30% meq.

Prevention
Increase soil Mg reserves to 0.25 to 0.30 % meq (should the soils' CEC allow for it) through the use of Mg fertilizers such as Dolomite and/or Kieserite. The

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use of Dolomite on the more high pH soils would however have a more limited effect.

Treatment
To raise soil Mg reserves on acid soils (young and older plantings), Dolomite should be used at 0.75 to 2.0 kg/palm/yr. To effect a correction in the nutrient status of a planting, Kieserite may be applied to mature oil palms at rates ranging from 0.5 to 1.0 kg Kieserite / palm / year (Kieserite = 20% Mg). Kieserite has proven to be able to raise (and sustain) the Mg status of oil palms. For immature oil palms (< 4 years), the rates applied are somewhat lower.

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Pale Fronds S deficiency

S Deficiency Description
Sulphur deficiency (like Calcium deficiency) is also generally not observed in the field as soils normally have sufficient quantities of S - especially acidic tropical soils. Foliar sulphur levels of the oil palm generally range from 0.20% to 0.35% for Frond 17. Only when levels of S fall below 0.15% in Frond 17 can S deficiency symptoms appear as paling of the palms foliar tissues (somewhat similar to N deficiency symptoms in young palms).

Causes
Sulphur deficiency has not been encountered in the field, only being induced in pot culture experiments.

Prevention
Sulphur deficiency if encountered, can be easily corrected by the application of ammonium sulphate - often used an a N source.

Treatment
The application of S/A for N nutrition would provide sufficient S to the oil palm. However, most acidic tropical soils already have a sufficiently high S content for good oil palm growth. NOTE: Younger palms of Age 3 to 5 often exhibit a sudden deterioration in their appearance with single / multiple deficiency symptoms as this is the period when a sharp increase in nutrient demand by the palm occurs due to quickly rising yields. Efficient (timely and adequate) manuring during this period is thus very critical to the long term growth rates of the palms.
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Hook / Crinkle Leaf B deficiency

B Deficiency Description
Boron deficiency is identified mainly by the dark green, brittle and misshapen or wrinkled leaflets / fronds - referred to as "hook / crinkle leaf". Also, in young palms, the pinnaes hang down and appear limp. Being a micro-nutrient, its deficiency is difficult to identify from foliar (or soil) analysis alone, the visual observations of symptoms being the best indicator of deficiency. However, a foliar analysis value of less than 10 ppm B would indicate the possibility of B deficiency.

Causes
Low concentration of Boron in soil.

Prevention
Fertilization on a one time basis with Boron.

Treatment
Treatment is based on the frequency of palms within a planting showing B deficiency symptoms. Severely affected palms may require a corrective application of 150 g Borax/palm (in 3 applications) - applied in the palm circle and close to the palm trunk. For less severely affected palms, a one time application of 25 50 g Borax/palm may be effected.

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Other Disorders White Stripe, Peat Yellows

Other Deficiencies Description

White Stripe (N/K Imbalance)
White stripes running the entire lengths of pinnaes and occurring on both sides of the mid-rib. The width of the stripe increases with the severity of the condition. This is thought to be due to N-K imbalance where the N:K ratio (% element in leaf dry matter) is more than 2.5 (ex N > 2.5% and K < 1.0%). Treat by appropriately balanced N-K fertilization.

Peat Yellows (Cu deficiency)

Peat Yellows is usually seen on peat and is identified by the pale green to whitish yellow interveinal chlorotic streaking of the pinnae of the youngest fully opened fronds. It is commonly observed on soils whose Cu concentration is low (< 5 ppm). Treat by application of 25-50 g/palm of copper sulphate on a one time basis.

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Fertilizer Type &

Nutrient Contents

Fertilizer SolubSource ility N P/P2O5 K /K2O Ca /CaO Mg/ MgO ____________________________________________________________ Nitro-26 Urea - (NH3)2CO v sol v sol 26 46

Sulphate of Ammonia - SOA - (NH4)2 SO4 v sol Rock Phosphate - RP p sol Triple Super Phosphate - TSP m sol Muriate Of Potash - MOP - KCl v sol

21 15 / 34.5 20 / 46 50 / 60 / 30-35 10 / 15-18 20 / 27

Ground Magnesium Limestone - GML p sol Kieserite - MgSO4 v sol

Others: DiAmmonium Phosphate - DAP 18 Sulphate Of Potash - SOP K2SO4 Limestone - CaCO3

20 / 46 / 26 /9

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Conversion Notes:
P2O5 to P: multiply by 0.437 K2O to K: multiply by 0.83 MgO to Mg: multiply by 0.60

Conversion of Fertilizer Dosage Rates (from a per plant to per Ha basis):

The zone of application in oil palm (for example) is the weeded circle with areas ranging from 14 to 17m2 (approximately) i.e. 3.14 (2m)2. At the rate of 1kg /palm Urea, the effective rate is: 10,000m2 / 17m2 x 1kg Urea = 588 kg/Ha Urea (46% N) or 270 kg/Ha N.

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Soil Physical Characteristics

Soil Particle Density: Sand, Silt and Clay: 2.60 - 2.75 g/cm3 (or 2600 - 2750 kg/m3) Organic Matter: 1.20 - 1.50 g/cm3 Sandy soils: Clayey soils: Compact soils: (Bulk density / 1.20 - 1.80 g/cm3 1.00 - 1.60 g/cm3 2.00 g/cm3 Particle density) x 100

Soil Bulk Density:

% Soil Space

Soil Water Reserves (SWR) / Soil Water Content (SWC)

SWRt = SWRt-1 + RFt - Leacht - Runofft
where, t = time (day or month) SWR = Soil Water Reserve RF = Rainfall Leach = Leaching Runoff = Runoff Evap = Evaporation Trans = Transpiration

- Evapt - Transt

1 ml RF or SWR = 10,000 liters/Ha water or 1 liter/sq m. (1 Ha = 10,000 sq m) 1 % SWC (by wt) = ie

-a Loam textured soil at Field Capacity (SWR = 200mm) would have a max. SWC of 40%. -a Clay Loam textured soil at Field Capacity (SWR = 180mm) would have a max. SWC of 36%. - a Sandy Clay textured soil at Field Capacity (SWR = 125mm) would have a max. SWC of 25%. - a Sandy textured soil at Field Capacity (SWR = 100mm) would have a max. SWC of 20%.

approx. 5 mm SWR

at Field Capacity, Soil Water Potential = -0.001 MPa (or -0.01 bars) at Permanent Wilting Point, Soil Water Potential = -1.5 MPa (or -15 bars)

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ARAB

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH & ADVISORY BUREAU

Planters Grounds, 3 miles Kajang-Serdang Road, Kajang 43000, Selangor, Malaysia Tel: +60 (03) 8736-8490 Fax: +60 (03) 8736-8491/92 Email: arabis@po.jaring..my URL: www.arabis.org
ARAB 2000.

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