Quantification of oil palm biomass and nutrient value in a mature plantation. I. Above-ground biomass.

’ Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia. P.O. Box 10620. 50720 Ku& Lumpur. Malaysia. ” Dopmtment of Biological Sciences. Univenity of Exetar, U.K. 0 il palm biomass in a mature plantation u~as quantified and the auailability of its nutrient contents and values ulas estimated. In the present study, the nutrient stocks of above-ground standing oil palm biomass and the contribution of each palm component were quantified and measured directly in order to obtain more precise values. The total above-ground biomass amounted to about 85t ha.’ and the trunk contributed the major portion to about 48% of oil palm standing biomass. The total nutrient stocks of aboveground biomass produced at felling of old stands based on per hectare basis are 577kg N, 50kg P, 1255kg K. 141kg Mg and 285kg Ca which could be recycled in the plantation both as organic matter and savings in monetary value worth about RM 2550 ha-‘. Removal of this biomass for other value-added products has implications forplantation management in terms of losses of nutrients and organic matter to maintain soil fertility. Appropriate management of this biomass could enable its carry-ouer of nutrients necessary to support the growth of the following rotation of crop.