Influence of soil compaction on oil palm yield

Abstract

The threat of soil compaction is greater today because of the marked increase in the size and weight of machinery used in oil palm plantations. Concern has grown on their direct effects on soil physical properties and indirect effects on crop yield. Therefore, the objective of this study was to determine the influence of soil compaction on yield of oil palm planted on a clay-textured Bernam soil series (Typic Endoaquepts). Compaction treatments were imposed for six consecutive years with combination treatments of trailer weights and transportation frequencies. Although soil compaction was expected to reduce the oil palm yield, the results showed that an increase in soil bulk density (BD) and reduction in total porosity (TP) were beneficial to the oil palm. The fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, bunch number, and bunch weight were significantly increased by about 8%-11%, 7%-9%, and 2%-3% respectively, in the compacted plots as compared to control. The three rounds (3R) per month transportation frequency resulted in higher FFB yield and bunch numbers for all compaction treatments. Thus, compaction may not be a problem to oil palm planted on Bernam soil series, but further study needs to be carried out on other soil series.