UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCH AND ITS DECOMPOSITION IN THE

FIELD

WINGKIS RABUMI

FP 1998 3

CHENIICAL CONIPOSITION OF OIL PALM EMPTY

FRUIT BUNCH AND ITS DECOMPOSITION IN THE

FIELD

WINGKIS RABUMI

MASTER OF AGRICULTURE SCIENCE

UNIVERSITI PUTRA MALAYSIA

1998

CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF OIL PALM EMPTY

FRUIT BUNCH AND ITS DECOMPOSITION IN TIlE

FIELD

by:

WINGKIS RABUMI

Thesis Submitted in Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Agriculture Science

in the Faculty of Agriculture

UNIVERSITI PUTRA NIALAYSIA

January 1998

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Alhamduldlah, fIrSt of all I would like to express my utmost thanks and

gratitude to Almighty Allah S \Vf who has given me the will and strength to

complete this project and salawat and salam to His righteous messenger, Prophet

Muhammad SAW.

I would also like to express my most sincere appreciation and deepest

gratitude to Dr. Rosenani Abu Bakar, the chairman of my Supervisory

Committee, for her kind assistance, advice and guidance during the course of this

study and in the preparation of this thesis. I am also grateful to other members of

the Supervisory Committee, Dr. Che Fauziah Ishak and Associate Professor. Dr.

Zaharah Abdul Rahman, for their supervision and comments.

I would like to acknowledge the fmancial support provided by the

Dean the Faculty of Agriculture, U.P.M and to iV1r.Lim Kim Chiew. Guthrie

Chemara for their a...;;sistance and permission to use their facilities.

Last but not least, I wish to express my deepest gratitude to my beloved

parent, husband and my child for their endless encouragement, patience and

sacrifices which had helped me in my undertakings and in completing this

research project.

1

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Page

ACKNOW LEDGEMENTS ...... .... ........... ... .... ...... ... ................. ....... 1 LIST OF TABLES............................................................................ tV LIST OF FIGURES ........ .... .. .. . . .. ............ .... ........ .. .. ... .. . . . . ... ..... . ..... .. v LIST OF PLATES............................................................................ V111 ABSTRACT .. ...... .......... .... . . ........ ... . .......... ......... ... ..... . ........ .......... . . . IX ABSTRAK . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . xiii

CHAPTER

I GENERAL INTRODUCTION ............................ ..... ....... 1

II REVIEW OF LITERATURE ......... ..... ...... . ..................... 4 Oil Palm Industry in Malaysia.............................................. 4 Current Trend in Utilisation ofEFE .................................. 5

Production of EFB .......... ..... . . . . ................. ....... ....... 5 Utilisation of EFE .......... . . ..... ............ ................... ... 5

Decomposition and Mineralization of Organic Matter ....... ... 8 Factors affecting rate of decomposition .. ............ ....... 11 Nutrient availability of organic matter..................... 20 Effects of organic matter decomposition on soil characteristics .... ... ..... ....... .. ... ................ ............ ...... 29

Earlier Studies on Decomposition of EFB and Effect of EFB Mulching on Soil Characteristics ............................... ........... 30 Conclusion.......................................................................... 36

III CHEMICAL COMPOSITION OF EFB ........... ... ..... . ... ... . 37 Introduction.......................................................................... 37 Nlaterial and Methods ....... .............. .... .. .... ..... .................... .. 38

Collection ofEFE samples ....... ........... ... . .. ................. 38 Preparation ofthe EFB samples .............................. ... 38 Chemical analysis of EFB tissue .... ....... .............. ....... 39

Results .. .. .. ... ............................. .... .... ......... .......... ..... ... ... .... 43 Discussion .... ..................... ................ ............. ... .......... ........ 47 Conclusion.......................................................................... 50

IV FIELD DECOMPOSITION OF EFB AND NUTRIENT

RELEASE.......................................................................... 51 Introduction ........ ............. . . .................. ..... .................... .... .. 51

n

Material and Methods ........... .............................. ................. . Background of experimental site .......... ...... ....... . ........ .. . Experiment layout ...... ... . . .. .... . . . . ..... . . ... .. .... ... . . . . .. . .. . . . . . . .

Recording of fresh weight of EFB and EFB tissue sampling ...... . EFB tissue analysis ....................... .. ............................. . Soil sample collection and preparation ................ . ......... . Soil analysis ...... ......................... . .. .............. .......... ...... .

Results .. . ........... ..... . . .. ... . ................. ........... . . .. ... . . ....... . . . .. .... . ... . Decomposition of EFB ......................... . ............ ......... . Nutrient release pattern during EFB decomposition ....... . Changes in some of the chemical soil characteristics during EFB decomposition . ........ . ... ... . ....... . .... . ........ . ... .

Discussion ............................................................. ................ . Decomposition of EFB in the field ..... ........ . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . .. . Release of nutrients during EFB decomposition and nutrient availability ..................................................... . Changes in the soil properties as influenced by EFB decomposition.. .. . . . . . . . ..... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Conclusion ....... .. ... . . . ..... ....... . .... . ..... ......... . . . .......... . .............. . .

V GENERAL CONCLUSION ................................................ .

BIBLIOGRAPHY .............................................................................. .

APPENDICES .................................................................................... .

VITAE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . . . . . . .

ill

Page

52 52 52 55 57 57 58 64 64 70

80 98 98

100

106 108

111

113

131

218

LIST OF TABLES

Table Page

1 Chemical Composition of Unprocessed EFBs from Different

Ages of Palms . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ... ..... . . .. ... . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 44

2 Average Chemical Composition of Unprocessed EFBs and

EFBs from the N1ill ( Average of Core and Spikelet )................... .. 45

3 Physico - Chemical Properties of Bungor Soil in Experimental

Site . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53

4 Fertiliser Supplied in Tanah Merah Estate Field 95, A 4

division.. ... .. ... ...... .................. .... ....................................... .... .... ... 54

5 Effect of One Cycle of EFB Application on Soil Characteristic ..... 98

IV

LIST OF FIGURES

Figure Page

1 Changes in Dry Matter Weight of EFB Remaining During

Decomposition.......................................................................... 65

2 Rainfall in the Tanah Merah Estate Station During the One -

year Experiment ( July 1995 until June 1996 ) ........................ 65

3 Changes in CIN ratio of EFB during decomposition .............. .

4 Changes in Lignin Content of EFB Remaining During

67

Decomposition ...................................................... . .. . ............... 67

5 Changes in Per cent Cellulose Remaining in the EFB During

Decomposition ............ ........... . . .. ......... . ................... . . . ........ ...... 69

6 Changes in Per cent Soluble Polyphenolics of EFB Remaining

During Decomposition .............................................................. 69

7 Changes in Per cent Nitrogen in EFB During Decomposition ..... 71

8 Changes in Amount of Nitrogen (mg NI bunch) Remaining

in EFB During Decomposition .... ......... . . ...... . . .. . . . ..... . . . . . .. . . ... .... .. 71

9 Changes in Per cent Phosphorus in EFB During Decomposition... 73

10 Changes in Amount of Phosphorus ( mg P ! bunch ) Remaining

in EFB During Decomposition .................................................. 73

11 Changes in Per cent Potassium in EFB During Decomposition...... 75

v

12 Changes in Amount of Potassium ( mg K / bunch ) Remaining

P.age

in EFB During Decomposition ................................................... 75

13 Changes in Per cent Calcium Concentration in EFB During

Decomposition ............ ............................................................. 77

14 Changes in Per cent Calcium in EFB Remaining During

Decomposition " ...................................................................... 77

15 Changes in Per cent Magnesium Content in EFB During

Decomposition ........ ........... ................................... ,. .. ................ 79

16 Changes in Amount Magnesium ( mg Mg / bunch ) Remaining

in EFB During Decomposition .................................................. 79

17 Changes in the total Mineral N Content in the Top Soil During

EFB Decomposition... ............................................................... 83

18 Changes in the Amount of N1--L + - N in the Top Soil During

EFB Decomposition ................................ . ...... . ...... ..... ........... . .. 83

19 Changes in the Amount of NOJ' - Nand N02' -N in the Top

Soil During EFB Decomposition ................ .......... .............. ....... 84

20 Changes in the Moisture Content in the Top Soil During EFB

Decomposition ..................................... . . ............ . ........... . .. ........ 84

21 Changes in Exchangeable Potassium in the Top Soil During

EFB Decomposition .................. ............... . ............ . . . . .. . ............. 86

vi

22 Changes in Sub Sample pH (H2O) of Soil During EFB

Page

Decomposition ......................................................................... .. 87

23 Changes in Sub Sample pH (KCl) of Soil During EFB

Decomposition ..... . . . . ...... . . . . ......... . ...... ......... . .. . . . . . .. . . . . . . . . .. .. .. . . ... . . 87

24 Changes in Water Extractable Carbon Content in the Top Soil

During EFB Decomposition......................................................... 91

25 Changes in Light Fraction in the Top Soil During EFB

Decomposition . .. ................ . . .... ........ . . ........ . ........ . . . ... ... . ... . .. . ... . . . . 91

26 Correlation Between Lignin Content and Dry Matter Weight

(DMW) .... ...... .. .. ..... . . .. .... ....... .... ..... ............ ....... . . . . .. ... . . .. .. . ... .. .. . 205

28 Correlation Between Cellulose Content and DMW of EFBs ... .. . .. 206

29 Correlation Between Soluble Polyphenols Content and DMW of

EFBs . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 207

30 Correlation Between Nitrogen Content and DMW of EFBs . . ....... . 208

31 Correlation Between Phosphorus Content and DMW of EFBs..... . 209

32 Correlation Between Potassium Content and DMW of EFBs . .. . . ... 21 0

33 Correlation Between Calcium Content and DMW of EFBs . . . . . . . . .. . 211

34 Correlation Between Magnesium Content and DM\V of EFBs .... . . 212

w

LIST OF PLATES

Plate Page

1 EFB From the l\1ill After Removal of the Fruitlets... . .. . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 214

2 Application of EFBs in Circle Around a Young Palm Sharing

Plastic Netting Placed Under Three Bunch per Palm to Facilitate

Weighing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 5

3 Remaining EFBs 317 days affter Decomposition. ......................... 216

V11l

Abstract of the Thesis Presented to the Senate of Universiti Putra Malaysia in Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Degree of Master of Agriculture Science.

CHKMICAL CONIPOSITION OF OIL PALNI ENIPTY FRUIT BUNCH

AND ITS DECOMPOSITION IN THE FIELD

By

WINGKIS RABUMI

January 1998

Chairman : Dr. Rosenani Abu Bakar.

Faculty : Agriculture

In palm oil milling process, a large quantity of stripped or empty fruit

bunch ( EFB ) is produced and have been used for mulching. Research work

was mainly on oil palm yield response to EFB application in field trials. Very

little data and information were documented regarding EFB decomposition and

nutrient release and effect on the soil characteristics. Thus, this study was

conducted with the aim of determining the composition of EFBs from different

palm of different ages and investigating EFB decomposition and nutrient release

in the field over a 1 cycle EFB application period.

IX

For the EFB composition study, ten EFBs from different ages were taken

for analyses from the Dusun Durian estate in Banting, Selangor Darul Ehsan.

The initial fresh fruit bunches ( FFBs) were chosen from palms of eight, twelve

and eighteen years old ( 10 EFBs from each age group ). The fruitlets were

removed, and the EFBs were analysed for the chemical composition. A batch of

10 FFBs were also taken from the mill ( after processing ) for comparison. The

EFBs were analysed for organic and nutrient composition. A field experiment was

then conducted in the Tanah Merah Estate, Negeri Sembilan for about 11

months to investigate the decomposition process of EFB and nutrient release in a

one application cycle. The treatments involved in this study were ( i ) Chemical

application ( fertiliser) or the control, ( ii ) EFB application alone, ( iii ) EFB and

chemical fertiliser application ( EFB + fertiliser). The treatments were given just

after planting. Effect of the EFB application on the soil characteristics was also

studied. Six pahns were randomly selected from each treatment plot . The EFB

at a rate of 170 kg / palm, were placed in a circle, around the base of the young

oil palm. Recording of EFB fresh weight and sampling of EFB tissue were done

every 4 weeks for analyses of nutrient contents. Soil samples were taken

collected every 1 - 2 months for analyses of mineral N and other soil

characteristics.

Analysis of EFB samples for chemical composition showed no significant

differences between the core and spikelet, and between the ages of the palms.

Therefore, on the average, the EFBs had a chemical composition of CIN ratio

x

70.9 - 90.1, 25.0 - 29.9% lignin, 16.2 - 21.3% cellulose, 1.52 - 2.46% soluble

polyphenols, 0.76 - 0.96% nitrogen, 0.13 - 0.19% phosphorus, 1.21 - 3.20%

potassium, 0.36 - 0.60% calcium, and 0.22 -0.51 % magnesium.

In the field trial for the decomposition of EFB, 50% dry matter weight

( DMW ) loss was recorded after 90 days in both the treatments ( EFB alone

or EFB + fertiliser). The CfN ratio of the EFBs decreased to 20 after 180 days

in both the treatments. Lignin decomposition was found to be significantly

accelerated by the addition of fertiliser to the EFBs, and this narrowed down the

C to N ratio of the EFB.

During EFB decomposition, the concentrations of N, P,Ca and Mg in the

EFB tissue increased with time. There were gradual releases of N, P, Ca and

Mg from the EFB up to the 317th day ( end of study). However, K

concentration in EFB tissue decreased with time, and was released very rapidly to

the soil. Fifty percent of the K in the EFB was released in 20 days, in both the

treatments. By the 112th day, 90% of the EFB - K was released. Exchangeable

K+ in soil also increased in the top soil in the first 54 days coinciding with EFB -

K release but it decreased at a later stage, indicating leaching of K from the

topsoil. Decomposition of EFBs caused an increase in mineral N in soil. There

was also occurrence of nitrification as indicated by high N03' - N concentration

throughout the period.

xi

The study also shows that the first application cycle of EFB had

already influenced some of the soil properties. After 317 days there was an

increase in the cation exchange capacity (CEC ) from 4.30 to 10.42 cmol (+)/kg

for EFB applied alone and from 4.20 to 10.89 cmol(+)/kg for the treatment of

EFB + fertiliser. Exchangeable C a++ in the top soil increased from 0.55 to 0.64

cmol(+)/kg for EFB applied alone and from 0.53 to 0.88 cmol(+)1kg for treatment

of EFB + fertiliser. Exchangeable Mg++ in the top soil increased from 0.13 to .

1.70 cmol(+)lkg for EFB applied alone and 0.12 to 1.70 cmol(+)1kg for the

treatment of EFB + fertiliser, respectively. Exchangeable K+ in the topsoil also

increased from 0.08 to 1.05 cmol(+)1kg for EFB applied alone and 0.08 to 1.07

cmol (+)Ikg for the treatment of EFB + fertiliser. Initially, there was a high

increase in exchangeable K+ ,but towards the later stage it decreased

tremendously, possibly due to uptake by plant and leaching loss of K+. The pH

of the soil had also increased by almost 1.0 unit . The bulk density of the soil had

decreased after 317 days ( end of study) from 2.66 for control to 2.39 for EFB

applied alone and to 2.14 for the treatment ofEFB + fertiliser.

xii

Abstrak Tesis yang dikemukakan kepada Senat Universiti Putra Malaysia sebagai Ivlemenuhi Syarat untuk ljazah Ivlaster sains Pertanian.

KOMPOSISI KIMIA TAN DAN KOSONG KELA PA SAWIT (EFB)

DAN PEREPUTANNYA DI LA DANG

Oleh

WINGKIS RABUMI

January 1998

Pengerusi: Dr. Rosenani Abu Bakar

Fakulti Pertanian

Semasa pemprosesan kelapa sawit dikilang, tandan kelapa sawit kosong

( empty fruit bunch -EFB ) dikeluarkan dalam kuantiti yang ban yak. Walaupun

EFB telah digunakan sebagai sungkupan, sehingga kini, kajian penyelidikan

ladang yang utama adalah keatas kesan penggunaan EFB terhadap hasil kelapa

sawit. Maklumat dan data berkenaan penguraian EFB dan pelepasan nutrien dan

kesannya terhadap eiri - em tanah adalah kurang. Keadaan ini berlaku kerana

kurangnya penyelidikan asas tentang penguraian EFB. Oleh yang demikian, kajian

ini telah dijalankan dengan tujuan untuk melihat komposisi kimia EFB pada umur

pokok yang berlainan umur dan penguraian EFB serta pelepasan nutrien di

ladang untuk satu kitaran penambahan EFB.

XU1

Pada peringkat pennulaan ia itu kajian komposisi EFB, 10 tandan

buah segae ( FFB) yang berbeza umur telah diambil untuk dianalisis dari estet

Dusun Durian, Banting, Se1angor Darul Ehsan. Tandan kelapa sawit ini dipilih

dari pokok berusia lapan, dua belas dan lap an belas tahun ( 10 FFB bagi setiap

kumpulan umur). Buahnya diasingkan dari tandan dan EFB diambil untuk

dianalisis. Sepuluh tandan EFB juga diambil dari kilang ( selepas pemprosesan )

untuk tujuan perbandingan. Dalam kajian ini EFB tersebut telah dijalankan

dianalisis komposisi organik dan nutriennya. Kemudian satu lagi kajian telah

dijalankan di estet Tanah Merah, Negeri Sembilan selama 11 bulan untuk

mengkaji proses penguraian EFB dalam satu kitaran penambahan dan pe1epasan

nutriennya. Rawatan yang digunakan dalam kajian ini, adalah ( i) Baja kimia

( control ), ( ii) EFB, (iii) EFB + baja. Rawatan ini dimulakan sebaik sahaja

se1epas penanaman. Kawasan yang dipilih merupakan kawasan yang barn

ditanam semula. Enam pokok ke1apa sawit telah dipilih secara rawak dan EFB

ditambah pada kadar 170 kg / pokok yang diletakkan disekeliling pokok ke1apa

sawit yang muda itu. Proses merekod herat basah EFB dan pengambilan sampel

tisu EFB dilakukan setiap 4 minggu untuk analisis kandungan nutrien. Sampel

tanah diambil setiap 1 - 2 bulan untuk analisis kandungan N mineral dan cm - em

lain tanah.

Keputusan statistik menunjukan tidak terdapat perbezaan nyata dalam

komposisi diantara tangkai buah dan teras buah dan diantara umur pokok. Oleh

itu secara amnya, komposisi kimia EFB ialah nisbah elN 70.9 - 90.1, lignin 25.0

xiv

29.2% , selulosa 16.2 - 21.3%, polifenol larut 1.52 - 2.46% , nitrogen 0.76 -

0.96% , kalium 1.21 - 3.20% , kalsium 0.36 - 0.60% dan magnesium 0.22 -

0.51%.

Kajian ladang menunjukan penguraian EFB berlaku dan kehilangan 50%

berat kering ( BK) selepas hari ke 90 pada dua rawatan. Nisbah CIN bagi

rawatan EFB menurun sehingga 20 selepas 180 hari penguraian EFB berlaku

pada kedua - dua rawatan. Penguraian lignin didapati meningkat dengan

penambahan baja kepada EFB. Ini te1ah merendahkan nisbah CIN untuk EFB.

Semasa penguraian EFB kepekatan N, P, Ca dan Mg dalam tisu EFB

meningkat berkadar terns dengan masa. Pembebasan N, P, Ca, Mg adalah

perlahan. Walau bagairoanapun kepekatan K berkadar songsang dengan masa dan

K dibebaskan dengan cepat. Sepanjang tempoh kajian, didapati kepekatan N03- -

N adalah tinggi , ini menunjukan berlakunya proses nitrifikasi. Lima puluh

peratus K dalam EFB dibebaskan selepas 20 hari penguraian berlaku. Pada hari

ke 112, lebih daripada 90% EFB - K telah dibebaskan. Selain dari pembebasan K

dari EFB, K+ tukarganti dalam tanah lapisan atas juga meningkat dalam 54 hari

yang pertama, tetapi kemudiannya menurun kerana proses larutlesap.

Kajian ini juga menunjukkan babawa pengurcuan EFB te1ahpun

mempengaruhi kepada sifat kimia kandungan tanab. Selepas 317 hari terdapat

peningkatan kepunyaan penukaran kation ( KPK) dari 4.30 kepada 10.42

xv

cmol(+)/kg untuk penggunaan EFB sahaja dan daripada 4.20 kepada 10.89

cmoI( + )/kg untuk rawatan EFB + baja. Tukarganti Ca ++ pada lapisan tanah atas

bertambahan daripada 0.55 hingga 0.69 cmoI(+)/kg untuk pengunaan EFB sahaja

dan daripada 0.53 hingga 0.88 cmol(+)/kg untuk rawatan EFB + baja. Tukarganti

Mg++ pada Iapisan tanah atas bertambah daripada 0.13 bingga 1.70 cmoI(+) / kg

untuk penggunaan EFB sahaja dan 0.12 hingga 1. 70 cmoI( +) / kg untuk rawatan

EFB+ baja. Tukarganti K+ pada lapis an tanah atas daripada 0.08 hingga 1.05

cmol(+)1kg untuk penggunaan EFB sahaja dan dari pada 0.08 kepada 1.07

cmoI( + )/kg untuk rawatan EFB + baja. Pada peringkat permulaan, kepekatan K+

dalam tanah meningkat dengan cepat, tetapi semakin mengurang dengan

peningkatan masa. Ini menunjukkan K+ telah diambil oleh tanaman dan mungkin

hilang akibat larutlesap. Didapati juga pH tanah meningkat sehingga 1.0 unit

berdasarkan pelepasan bes tukarganti daripada EFB. Sifat fizik tanah turut

berubah, ketumpatan pukal tanah menurun selepas 317 hari daripada 2.66 kepada

2.39 untuk penggunaan EFB sahaja dan 2.14 untuk rawatan EFB + baja.

XV1

CHAPTER I

GENERAL INTRODUCTION

Malaysia is today the world' s largest producer and exporter of palm oil,

accounting for some 60% of world production. However, it is facing serious

competition in the international edible oil market, not only from other major palm

oil producing countries such as Indonesia, put also from producers of other oils

and fats ( Tiong , 1992). In 1991, palm oil accounted for 5.3% of the

country's total export, making it the largest contributor among agricultural

commodities and second only to petroleum among all the commodities exported

( Ram1y , 1993). Export of palm oil from Malaysia in 1991 was valued at

RM 5.03 billion, an increase of about 14% from the previous year ( Anon,

1991). Malaysian crude palm oil ( CPO) production in 1996 was estimated to

7.7 - 7.8 billion tonnes ( Chow and Jamaludin, 1995). The palm trunks and

fronds, empty fruit bunches ( EFB), pressed fruit fibres ( mesocarp fibres ),

shells and palm oil mill effluent ( POME ), which are produced at the palm oil

mill, have economic values. In the past, these products of oil palm were not

effectively utilised and in many instances had caused severe pollution problems

( Ahmad, 1994 ).

2

The EFBs are part of the oil palm waste which were thrown away from

the oil palm mills (Singh et aI., 1989). In the paJm oil milling process, one

tonne of fresh fruit bunches ( FFB ) produce about 0.22 tonne of EFB. With

the present stringent Department of Environment ( DOE ) regulation on air

pollution, much of the EFB produced by palm oil mills are used for mulching the

oil palm plant. The nutrient contents of EFB is quite variable. It contains on

the average of 0.65 - 0.94%N, 0.18 - 0.27% P20S, 2.0 - 3.9% K20, 0.15 -0.48%

CaO and 0.25 - 0.40% MgO on dry weight basis ( Singh et al.,1985). It has

been shown to be valuable for nutrient recycling back to the oil palm crop

( Loong et a1.,1987 ). Khoo et at, ( 1982 ) noted that one tonne of EFB applied

as mulch is equivalent to 7 kg of Urea, 2.8 kg of Christmas Island Phosphate

Rock ( CIPR), 19.3 kg of Muriate of Potash ( MOP) , 4.4 kg of Keiserite. The

EFB as an organic manure and mulch has since became popular until now.

Due to the high nutrient content in EFB, it is now utilised as a mulch and as

a nutrient source in the field. Another advantage of using EFB as mulch is its

non - polluting nature. Application of EFB in the oil palm fields is done in

various methods. They are placed in a circle around the base of the young palm.

F or matured palms, EFBs are placed in a heap on the ground in between 2

palms. It is also placed in the palm row or in the middle of 4 palms in alternate

interrows of palms. Although, EFBs have been used for mulch, research work

was mainly concerned with oil palm yield response to EFB application in the field

trials. Very little data and information are documented regarding EFB

3

decomposition and nutrient release, and its effects on the soil characteristics.

For more efficient utilisation of EFBs, it is crucial to study the decomposition

rate of EFBs in the field and the release patterns of nutrients. Therefore, the

objectives of the present study were to investigate:

a) The inorganic and organic composition of EFBs from different ages of

oil palms.

b) The decomposition of EFB in the field, its nutrient release, and its

contribution to soil organic matter and soil chemical characteristics.

CHAPTER. II

REVIEW OF LITERATURE

Oil Palm Industry in Malaysia

The oil palm in Malaysia was first introduced in the year 1917. Planting of

the oil palm crops at the commercial scale started in the year 1961, when

Malaysia was conducting large-scale program of cultivating various commodity

crops. The purpose of this effort was to reduce the country's dependency on

traditional based rubber and iron-ore industries ( Zakaria, 1991 ).

Malaysia, now has about 2.3 million hectares of land under oil palm

plantation, mostly in Peninsular Malaysia. However, future expansion should

occur more in the East Malaysian states of Sabah and Sarawak, where land

suitable for oil palm plantation is s� abundant. The planted area is expected to

exceed 2.8 million hectares by the year 2000, by which time the oil production

should already exceed 8 million tonnes ( Ahmad, 1994 ).

4

5

Current Trend in Utilisation of E FB

Production of E FB

The EFB is one of the major products from the processing of palm oil at

the mills. For every 100 tonnes of fresh fruit bunches ( FFBs ) processed, 20 -

25 tonnes of EFB is produced. It was estimated that by the year 2000, the EFB

production will increase up to 9.5 million tonnes ( Singh et aI., 1989 )

Utilisation of E FB

a) EFB as fuel

EFB from oil palm were initially utilised as fuel. It has a moisture content

of 60 - 65%. Before it can be used as a fuel for the boilers, the moisture

has to be reduced to 40% or less. This is achieved through the use of a

special screw press, which presses out the moisture from the EFB.

According to Lim and Ratnalingam ( 1980), EFB can produce total energy

as much as 2568 calorielkg ( screw pressed EFB ), if used a fuel. Since the

discovery of high contents of nutrients, EFB is now, no longer used as

fuel.

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b) EFB as bunch ash

Initially EFBs were used as bunch ash due to its high potassium

content of about 25% - 33% and a high pH of 5.2 ( Chan et a1. 1981 ).

However, the bulk of nutrient content like nitrogen and organic matter are

lost during this ashing process. Therefore, the utilisation ofEFB as bunch

ash is no longer implemented.

c) EFB as industry material

Empty fruit bunches are also used as industry materials for the production

of pu1p and paper, compact fuel and chemical materials such as, ethanol

and fulfural ( Abdul, 1987 ).

d) EFB as mulch

Agronomic benefits of EFB as mulch

Although the agronomy and economic benefits of EFB mu1ching in

the oil palm plantations are well known, information on the processes of

nutrient release is still lacking. As the demand for EFB mulch in oil palm

plantations has increased, it is necessary to apply EFBs more efficiently.

The utilisation of fresh EFBs as mu1ch has increased extensively,

especially in oil palm, rubber and cocoa estates. The practice of placing

EFBs on the soil surface has brought economic benefits as it enhance

vegetative growth and increased production (Yeow et al., 1985 ).