Oil palm and soil fertility: challenges and approaches for sustainability

摘要: Since the first large-scale plantations were established in Sumatra early 1900s, oil palm has become one of largest and most rapidly expanding crops tropics. Given sufficiently high temperature it can be profitably cultivated across a variety soils climates but, as for any crop, soil management good or bad. One year after international workshop on Sustainable Management Soil Oil Palm Plantings, we discuss three challenges. 1. Assessing communicating state soil. spatial variability at tree scale large temporal nutrient carbon fluxes ~25-year planting cycle. Indicators fertility that are useful growers must take this into account. 2. Devising implementing practices maintain improve fertility. Peat, acid sulfate steep slopes pose particular difficulties ideally avoided. In environment, crop establishment phase is vulnerable, when irreversible damage done. Throughout cycle, productivity environment both benefit from reduce erosion, acidification, compaction, loss organic matter, nutrients, emission greenhouse gases build-up contaminants pathogenic organisms. 3. Comparing alternative land uses. Expansion industry inevitable but optimal futures depend thorough comparison use options. Life cycle assessment production alternatives, including effects soil, desirable complex.