Ghana Oil Palm Development Corporation-GOPDC. Kwae plantation. Mission from 13th to 21st June 1990. Part one: mineral nutrition and clones
Reasons beyond our control prevented us writing up this report on our June 1990 visit sooner. In order to avoid repetition in the report on our November 1990 mission, which is currently being written, we shall only discuss mineral nutrition, clones and Phase II (nursery, planting), leaving the following aspects for the November report: planting, production, production costs and budget, marketing and training. As regards mineral nutrition, it was decided, at the request of the IDA supervisory mission, not to apply fertilizers in 1990 (except on young plantings). The 1989 LA results show an almost universal imbalance, across NES, SH and OG, of phosphate nutrition in relation to nitrogen nutrition, leading to a P deficiency which has to be corrected by fertilizer applications, a K deficiency of varying severity on TKO series soils and satisfactory nutrition in terms of the other elements (N, Ca, Mg and Cl). The results of the trials show that TSP applications increase production on Nzima, although they do not significantly improve the N/P imbalance, whereas on Temang, the imbalance is improved but there is no impact on production. In addition, potassium nutrition on Nzima is satisfactory, whereas despite higher KCl rates, it is deficient on Temang, and rates have no effect - at present - on production. In conclusion, KCl fertilizer rates can be reduced on NB series soils and maintained at higher levels on TKO, as a precautionary measure. TSP or RP rates should be increased on both NB and TKO. Schedules were drawn up and recommendations made for the NES based on these data. They will be revised in accordance with the 1990 LA results, but could be used as a basis for 1991, particularly for fertilizer orders. They correspond to an average rate of 1.8 kg per tree. In addition, since a large proportion distributed to the OG are not applied, that distribution be limited to the with subsequent supplies being on a cash-only basis. Similarly, LAs will only be carried out every other year. The 1988 clones are developing well and are precocious. The most noteworthy at present is LMC 043, with 7.7 bunches/tree on average. Harvesting is due to begin in January 1991. The 1989 planting (1.8 ha) has suffered a few losses, due to grasscutters. The 1990 plantings were set up from 7th to 15th May; the plantings cover 13.5 ha and include 9 clones and a control produced from seed. Tree development is good, but certain zones will have to drained more effectively. 785 ha were planted in 1990 under Phase II, split between 702 ha of new farms, 23 ha of extensions and the equivalent of 60 ha of replacements. A total of 3,750 ha will have been set up by outgrowers between 1986 and 1990. The comparative trial (IRHO and OPRI planting material shows a very high mortality rate (grasscutters, rodents, but above all drought); the OPRI material is more severely affected (59%) than the IRHO material (35 %). There are doubts as to whether it is worth continuing this trial.
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Format: | monograph biblioteca |
Language: | eng |
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CIRAD-IRHO
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Online Access: | http://agritrop.cirad.fr/605672/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/605672/1/ID605672.pdf |
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Summary: | Reasons beyond our control prevented us writing up this report on our June 1990 visit sooner. In order to avoid repetition in the report on our November 1990 mission, which is currently being written, we shall only discuss mineral nutrition, clones and Phase II (nursery, planting), leaving the following aspects for the November report: planting, production, production costs and budget, marketing and training. As regards mineral nutrition, it was decided, at the request of the IDA supervisory mission, not to apply fertilizers in 1990 (except on young plantings). The 1989 LA results show an almost universal imbalance, across NES, SH and OG, of phosphate nutrition in relation to nitrogen nutrition, leading to a P deficiency which has to be corrected by fertilizer applications, a K deficiency of varying severity on TKO series soils and satisfactory nutrition in terms of the other elements (N, Ca, Mg and Cl). The results of the trials show that TSP applications increase production on Nzima, although they do not significantly improve the N/P imbalance, whereas on Temang, the imbalance is improved but there is no impact on production. In addition, potassium nutrition on Nzima is satisfactory, whereas despite higher KCl rates, it is deficient on Temang, and rates have no effect - at present - on production. In conclusion, KCl fertilizer rates can be reduced on NB series soils and maintained at higher levels on TKO, as a precautionary measure. TSP or RP rates should be increased on both NB and TKO. Schedules were drawn up and recommendations made for the NES based on these data. They will be revised in accordance with the 1990 LA results, but could be used as a basis for 1991, particularly for fertilizer orders. They correspond to an average rate of 1.8 kg per tree. In addition, since a large proportion distributed to the OG are not applied, that distribution be limited to the with subsequent supplies being on a cash-only basis. Similarly, LAs will only be carried out every other year. The 1988 clones are developing well and are precocious. The most noteworthy at present is LMC 043, with 7.7 bunches/tree on average. Harvesting is due to begin in January 1991. The 1989 planting (1.8 ha) has suffered a few losses, due to grasscutters. The 1990 plantings were set up from 7th to 15th May; the plantings cover 13.5 ha and include 9 clones and a control produced from seed. Tree development is good, but certain zones will have to drained more effectively. 785 ha were planted in 1990 under Phase II, split between 702 ha of new farms, 23 ha of extensions and the equivalent of 60 ha of replacements. A total of 3,750 ha will have been set up by outgrowers between 1986 and 1990. The comparative trial (IRHO and OPRI planting material shows a very high mortality rate (grasscutters, rodents, but above all drought); the OPRI material is more severely affected (59%) than the IRHO material (35 %). There are doubts as to whether it is worth continuing this trial. |
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