Information about

oil palm nutrition

Magnesium, potassium and boron

three important nutrients for oil palm
2
 Nutrient requirement by oil palm
3

Magnesium and potassium are two important This brochure will attempt to clarify and visuali-
nutrients in the oil palm production. The target ze the role of Mg, K, S and boron for oil palm
of high palm oil yields cannot be realized with respect to soil/plant interactions, stressing
without adequate supply of these essential on yield responses to Mg application and its
macronutrients. interaction with other cations on FFB and oil
formation.
The growth cycle of oil palm which lasts for
about 25 years is characterized by different
stages which each has its specific requirement
regarding nutrition. During the initial three
years after planting, there is a gradually
increase in K and Mg uptake by the oil palm.
After 3-5 years onwards, the nutrient uptake is
stabilized on a high level.

Potassium and magnesium are important

for oil palm nutrition

Nutrient requirements for the oil palm

300

250
K

200
N
150
uptake (kg ha-1)

100

50 Mg
P

0
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
years from planting

Source: Ng, 1977

 Fertilizers used for oil palm
4

For the plant nourishment, the fertilizer industry
provides the oil palm plantations with mineral
fertilizers. Mineral nutrients are inorganic
elements that have essential and specific
functions in plant metabolism.
Potash and magnesium products are repre-
sented on the market through K+S KALI
GmbH. This company extracts potash and
magnesium crude salts from six mines in
Germany, transforming them into a wide
variety of high-grade mineral fertilizer pro-
ducts and intermediate products for further
processing for technical, commercial and
pharmaceutical purposes.
K+S KALI GmbH is the fourth largest potash
producer worldwide and the leader in Europe.
In the field of potassium sulphate and magne-
sium sulphate speciality fertilizers (mainly
ESTA® Kieserite and Epsom Salt), K+S KALI
GmbH occupies the leading position worldwide.

name formula content comments

Nitrogen

Ammonium chloride NH4Cl 28 % N Acidifying

Ammonium sulfate (NH4)2SO4 21% N, 24 % N Acidifying

Urea CO(NH2)2 46 % N Acidifying

Phosphorus

Triple superphosphate Ca(H2PO4) 2H2O 41 – 50 % P2O5

(TSP) 12 – 20 % CaO, 1.4 % S

Rock phosphate Ca3(PO4)2 25-39 % P2O5 Very slow-acting

46-50 % CaO
Potassium

Potassium chloride* KCl 60 % K2O Muriate of Potash (MOP)

Potassium sulfate* K2SO4 50 % K2O, 18 % S Sulphate of Potash (SOP)

Magnesium

Kieserite* MgSO4 H2O 27 % MgO, 22 % S Soluble, quick-acting

Dolomite MgCO3 + CaCO3 30-47 % CaO Slow-acting, varying

2-18 % MgO content of Ca and Mg

Boron

Borax Na2B4O2 10H2O 11%B Soluble, quick-acting

* K+S KALI GmbH products

Potash and Magnesium fertilizers from
K+S KALI GmbH are products of nature
5

The elements potassium and magnesium occur
widely in our natural ecosystem. They are
essential nutrients for plants, animals and
humans. The discovery of potash and magnesi-
um fertilizer deposits has made it possible to
correct deficiencies of these nutrients in agri-
culture.
In Germany, these natural deposits were for-
med some 230 million years ago resulting from
the solar evaporation of seawater during the
Zechstein period. The water from salt water
lagoons (3) which were cut off from the ocean
(1) by shallow bars (2), evaporated (4) and cry-
stallized.
Specific conditions during the solar evaporation
phase resulted in the formation of deposits not
only rich in potash minerals but also containing
magnesium sulphate. K+S KALI GmbH mines
these unique crude salts and transforms them
into quality fertilizers containing potassium,
magnesium and sulphur with the help of envi-
ronment-friendly physical means, e.g. electro-
static separation, solution and re-crystallisation
processes.

Formation of potash and magnesium deposits in Germany

(Shallow-barrier-theory)

Evaporation

Ocean Bars
Lagoon

Potash and Kieserite bed

 ESTA® Kieserite fine and gran.
a natural product from Germany
6
ESTA® Kieserite fine
Kieserite 27 + 22
27 % MgO water-soluble
magnesium oxide
22 % S water-soluble sulphur
ESTA® Kieserite fine
l is a sulphate based magnesium and sulphur
fertilizer especially suited to balance nutrition
in intensive farming systems aiming at both
high yield and high quality production.
l is the result of extracting the naturally
occurring mineral kieserite (MgSO4 H2O)
through the environment-friendly electro-
static separation process (ESTA®) from
salt deposits in Germany.
l contains the nutrients magnesium and
sulphur in an immediately plant-available
(water-soluble) form.
l is an efficient Mg and S source for all crops
in all soil types regardless of soil pH.
The Kieserite crystal
crystal: monocline-prismatic
hardness: 3.5
density: 2.57 g cm-3
ESTA® Kieserite gran.
Kieserite 25 + 20
25 % MgO water-soluble
magnesium oxide
20 % S water-soluble sulphur
ESTA® Kieserite gran.
l is the granulated form of ESTA® Kieserite
fine containing 25 % MgO and 20 % S as
magnesium sulphate.
l is suitable for all types of soil owing to its
high solubility regardless of soil pH.
l has excellent spreading properties due to
the hardness of the granules and the appro-
priate particle size distribution.
l is ideally suited for bulk blending.
l is mined from naturally occurring deposits
and cleared for use in organic farming
systems according to the EU-regulations
EC 2092/91.
Muriate of Potash
standard in oil palm nutrition
7

Muriate of Potash standard Muriate of Potash gran.

Potassium chloride 60 Potassium chloride 60

60 % K2O water-soluble potassium oxide 60 % K2O water-soluble potassium oxide

Muriate of Potash standard Muriate of Potash gran.

l is a highly concentrated single-nutrient l is the granulated form of Muriate of Potash

fertilizer containing 60 % K2O as potassium standard ideally suited to bulk blending
chloride. and mechanical spreading due to its highly
uniform and solid granules.
l is the universal potash fertilizer suitable for
all chloride tolerant crops and applicable
for all types of soils.

l is a fine crystalline product virtually free of

particles smaller than 0.16 mm.
MOP standard is used for both:
the manufacture of compound fertilizer
and for straight manual application in
oil palm. The MOP structure

structure: cubic
appearance: pink, crystalline solid
density: 1,987 g cm-3
 Korn-Kali® Korn-Kali®+B
more than MOP more than just Korn-Kali
8

Korn-Kali® Korn-Kali®+B

Potassium Chloride with Magnesium 40 (+6+3+4) Potassium Chloride with Magnesium 40 (+6+3+4)

40 % K2O water-soluble 40 % K2O water-soluble

potassium oxide potassium oxide
6 % MgO water-soluble 6 % MgO water-soluble
magnesium oxide magnesium oxide
4% S water-soluble sulphur 4% S water-soluble sulphur

3 % Na water-soluble sodium 3 % Na water-soluble sodium

0.8 % B2O3 boron

Korn-Kali® Korn-Kali®+B

l is a combined potassium, magnesium and l is a combined fertilizer with:

sulphur fertilizer with 40% K2O as potassium
chloride, 6 % MgO and 4 % S as magnesium
sulphate (ESTA® Kieserite).
l contains potassium, magnesium and sulphur,
all in the water-soluble form; thus, the
nutrients are immediately available to the
plant irrespective of soil pH.
- potassium in the form of MOP
- magnesium and sulphur in the form
of ESTA® Kieserite
- boron in the form of sodium borate
l contains all nutrients in a fully water-soluble
form which are therefore directly available to
the plants independent of soil pH.

l is effective in all types of soils and is suitable
for all chloride tolerant crops.
l is a granulated product with excellent
spreading characteristics.
l due to the convenient particle size distribution
Korn-Kali® is extremely suitable for bulk
blending.
l ensures efficient uptake and utilization of K,
Mg and B by crops because of a more even
distribution of all nutrients in each application.
l is a granulated product with excellent
spreading characteristics. Due to the
convenient particle size distribution
Korn-Kali® +B is extremely suitable for bulk
blending.
Quality management
for consistent product quality
Before K+S KALI products reach our
customers they undergo very stringent quality
controls. Based on DIN/ISO 9000-9004 K+S KALI
has introduced QUALITY MANAGEMENT,
aiming at constant monitoring and perfecting
the quality of products through-out the whole
production chain, from the mine through the
refinery to the warehouse. This is an essential
part of the company’s philosophy, safeguarding
the confidence of our customers in our
products and hence future development.
Quality management covers all our activities
and is vital in the dedication of all employees
to optimize products and services according
to the market demand. Besides the internal
quality management, independent laboratories
take samples from all products and analyse
the fertilizers in terms of purity, nutrient
content, granulometry, flow and anti-dust
characteristics before delivery.
Professional logistic facilities guarantee an optimal and save
fertilizer transport to our overseas customers
9
Being one of the largest potash producer,
K+S KALI GmbH has sales branches and
affiliates all over the globe. In close co-operation
with local and regional representatives a
world-wide distribution network has been
formed to satisfy the quantitative and
qualitative requirements of our customers.
Furthermore, the K+S KALI GmbH has an
agricultural advisory department where
specialized agronomists support the local
representatives with their knowledge.
From the mining and processing sites in
Germany, the K+S KALI products are supplied
to growers all over the world. Within Germany
and Europe, trucks, railway and small vessels
are the predominant means of transport used.
The overseas destinations are reached by
large sea vessels. Our up-to-date technology
in logistics and professional handling serves
as a sound foundation. Shipped through our
own fertilizer docks in Hamburg port, reliable
and punctual deliveries to our overseas cus-
tomers are guaranteed.
 Magnesium in the plant
10

Magnesium has many functions in the metabo- Magnesium and its most important
lism of oil palm. The most prominent function of function in plants
Mg in plants is its role as the central atom of
the chlorophyll molecule, the green pigment in
leaves which captures the light energy required
for photosynthesis.

Functions of magnesium in the plant

Besides being part of the chlorophyll, Mg is

also involved in the carboxylase reaction of the
photosynthesis, namely as a coenzyme in the
fixation of CO2. Mg is needed in all processes
that require energy, e.g. starch, protein and
vitamin synthesis, assimilate transport to leaves
and fruit bunches and it is required in many
enzymes concerned with fatty acids and oil
biosynthesis.
Magnesium in the soil
11

Mg is absorbed by plants as Mg2+ from the soil Impairment of root growth as

solution. The absorption depends on the Mg2+ in affected by soil pH
the soil solution, soil pH, the % Mg saturation
on the cation exchange capacity (CEC) and
the quantity of other exchangeable cations
(Ca2+, K+, Na+ and NH4+). The Mg2+ in the soil
solution is in equilibrium with the exchangeable
Mg which is absorbed at the negative sides of
clay minerals and humus. The absorption of
Mg2+ is very prone to competition with other
cations. High ratios of Ca/Mg at the exchange
complex or the continued use of high-calcic
liming materials which may increase the Ca/Mg
ratio induce Mg deficiency on certain crops.

In acid mineral soils, Al3+ becomes the dominant

cation of the exchange complex, forming
soluble toxic species which impair root growth.
This Al induced root growth depression can
be alleviated by adequate magnesium supply.

Mg alleviates Al induced root

growth depression
 Potassium in the plant
12

Potassium is needed by the plant in large
quantities for the production of high yield
(bunch size and bunch number) and improved
crop quality. In contrast to many other essen-
tial elements, K is not a firm constituent of
organic compounds. Potassium is present in
all plant organs and cells and has many
functions in the plant:
l Potassium plays an important role in the
conversion of light into biochemical energy
during photosynthesis.
l Potassium speeds up the flow of assimilates
from leaves (source) to other plant organs
(e.g. fruit bunches and roots).
l Potassium promotes the storage of assimilates
as a result of increased production and
improved translocation of carbohydrates.

l Potassium increases the nitrogen use

efficiency through a faster conversion of
nitrogen to proteins.

l Plants abundantly supplied with K can utilize

the soil moisture more efficiently than
K-deficient plants.

Plant ash over a wide range of plant species

contains on average 42 % potassium

80 %
water

24%
20% oxygen 7% chloride
dry matter 42%
potassium 7% silicon
5% phosphorus
5% calcium
4% magnesium
Dry matter is composed of:
4% sulfur
30 % crude fibre
1% sodium
12 % protein
1% trace
48 % N-free-extracts elements, iron,
4% fat zinc, manganese,
6 % ash opper, boron,
molybdenum
Potassium in the soil
13

In the soil, four categories of potassium are
usually distinguished:
l potassium as a component of soil minerals
l non-exchangeable potassium (fixed K)
l exchangeable potassium (bound on the
surface of soil clays and organic matter)
potassium in the soil solution
Potassium is taken up actively by palm roots as
K+ ion mainly from the soil solution. Most of the
potassium needed by the plant is transported
by mass flow (with the water moving to the
plant root) and by diffusion. The effectiveness
of K+ from the soil solution for the crop
nourishment is influenced by the presence of
other cations, particularly calcium (Ca2+) and
magnesium (Mg2+).

Exchangeable and non-exchangeable K are in

equilibrium with each other and with the K in
the soil solution. Potassium transfers easily
between these pools.

Potassium cycle in the soil*

Fertilizer

Plant
uptake

Soil exchangeable Non- Mineral

exchangeable
solution K K K K

Leaching

* Modified from Sparks and Huang (1985); Mutscher (1995)

 The importance of potassium
in oil palm production
14

In accordance with the extremely high growth

rate of the oil palm, its requirements in nutrients
are enormous. Of all major plant nutrients,
potassium is taken up in the largest amount.
Therefore, potassium plays an important role in
plant nutrition and is known as the most
important cation in plant physiology.

Nutrient removal for 25 t FFB (kg ha-1)

Yield t ha-1 N P2O5 K2O MgO S

25 t FFB 190 60 300 100 30

Potassium is involved in a high number of bio-

chemical functions and affects yield positively
on many soils (bunch size and bunch number).
In addition with nitrogen, potassium causes
synergistic effects improving growth, bunch
yield and oil/bunch ratio.

For most soils, the normal K content in frond

No. 17 is between 0.9 % and 1.3 % depending
on palm age, soil moisture or total leaf cations.

Effect of increased potassium fertilization on FFB yield and K-leaf content

treatment yield relative K-leaf content

FFB ha-1 year-1 yield % of dry matter

K0 15.82 100 0.87

K1 18.36 116 1.10

K2 19.38 123 1.16

K1: 1.5 kg MOP palm-1 year-1

K2: 3.0 kg MOP palm-1 year-1

source: after Taniputra and Panjaitan, 1981

The importance of sulphur
in oil palm production
Just as magnesium, sulphur belongs to the
six macro-nutrients and is usually taken up
by plants in the same order of magnitude as
phosphorus and magnesium. The total
sulphur content in plants varies between
0.2 % and 0.5% of the dry matter. Sulphur is
involved in numerous metabolic processes of
the plant, e.g. the photosynthesis, sugar and
starch, amino acid and protein formation as
well as oil and fat synthesis.
Sulphur exists in organic and in inorganic
forms in the soil. Around 90 % of the total S in
most non-calcareous soils exists in organic
forms. The inorganic forms are solution SO42-,
absorbed SO42-, insoluble SO42- and reduced
inorganic S compounds.
Sulphur is taken up by palm roots as SO42- ion
from the soil solution which is transported by
diffusion and mass flow to the roots.
Sulphur deficiency symptoms in coconut-pinnae
15
Another source of sulphur in the soil is from
the atmospheric deposition of SO2 which,
particularly in industrial countries, was for
many years an important nutrient source but
also a strong environmental burden.
Therefore, anti air pollution technology has
been employed so that today this source
of sulphur has been drastically reduced
and S deficiency in agriculture has become
widespread.
Sulphur deficiency symptoms are similar with
these of nitrogen. In the beginning the pinnae
are pale and small and under acute deficiency
they show small brown necrotic spots.
Sulphur deficiency symptoms are rarely in oil
palm because sufficient S is normally applied
through Ammonium Sulfate (AS) and/or
ESTA® Kieserite.
 The importance of boron
in oil palm production
16

Compared to magnesium and potassium, Boron deficiency is the most widespread

boron is the most important micro-nutrient in oil
palm nutrition. Mature palms accumulate up to
0.5 kg B ha-1 in above ground biomass.
Boron exists in four forms in the soil:
l bound in rocks and minerals
l adsorbed on surfaces of clays
micronutrient disorder in oil palm. Boron
deficiency occurs on sides where B could be
leached out easily (high rainfall, in sandy soils
and in peat soils).
Typically B deficiency symptoms are well
known under “crinkle leaf”, “fishbone leaf”,
“hook leaf” and “little leaf”.

l combined with organic matter

l as free non-ionized boric acid (H3BO3)

and B(OH)4- in the soil solution

The general understanding of the boron uptake

by plants appears to be still incomplete. The
undissociated boric acid may be the most
effective form, which is transported in the soil
solution by mass flow and/or diffusion. Plant
uptake of boron is a passive process where
H3BO3 moves in response to its concentration
gradient in the xylem to sites of greatest water
loss.

Boron is essential for root elongation,

carbohydrate and cell wall formation, affecting
the protein synthesis and the regulation of
nucleic acid synthesis.

A typical B-deficiency symptom: crinkle leaf on oil

palm pinneae

B deficiency, from left to right: blind leaf, hook leaf, hook leaf.
Potassium deficiency
in oil palm
In tropical regions, more soils are poor in
plant available potassium than in temperate
regions.
In oil palm, potassium is the nutrient which is
required in the largest quantity during the year
after planting. The K content of fruit bunches
is about 0.65 % of the bunch weight and the
K content in vegetative dry matter is constant
over the life cycle (around 1.0-1.3 %).
K deficiency occurs where soils contain very
small amounts of soil-exchangeable K.
Especially in sandy soils and in peat soils,
potassium deficiency is widespread because
of high leaching losses caused by high rainfall.
Furthermore, K deficiency occurs where roots
are not able to penetrate the soil to deeper
soil layers because of an impermeable soil
horizon.
Confluent orange spotting
17
A variety of symptoms have been found to be
associated with potassium deficiency in
mature oil palms. Confluent orange spotting
is the most common K deficiency symptom
characterised by small, initially pale green
spots which gradually turn yellow to yellowish
orange and enlarge both between and across
the leaflet veins.
A second symptom is called “white stripes”
and point out K deficiency often together with
an imbalance between K and N and probably
a lack of boron. These white, pencil-like stripes
occur on both sides of the mid-rips and have
a transparent look.
White stripes
 Magnesium deficiency
in oil palm
18
Magnesium as a fertilizer has long been
neglected in oil palm plantations in the past
which led to widespread magnesium deficiency.
Mg deficiency occurs where soils contain very
small amounts of exchangeable Mg and where
the topsoil has been eroded. Furthermore,
leaching losses from soils which due to their
advanced stage of weathering were inherently
poor in magnesium led to further accelerated
soil depletion of this nutrient. High and over-
fertilization with K and Ca containing fertilizers
cause Mg deficiency because of the
antagonistic effect and uptake imbalance
between these nutrients.
The unbound Mg is highly mobile within the
plant and is easily retranslocated from older
to younger leaves and tissues, e.g. grains,
fruits etc. Mg deficiency symptoms in oil palm
Mg deficient oil palm
are characterised by uniform discolouration of
leaflets and of the older fronds, ranging from
yellow to bright orange-yellow. Strongest
expression of magnesium deficiency occurs
during the dry season at high solar radiation
and exposure to the sunlight. Therefore,
among planters the symptoms are often called
heat induced sunburn and are rarely associated
with Mg deficiency. The causal effects, however,
are that under dry conditions Mg mobility in
the soil and hence uptake is reduced. Low
Mg supply leads to impaired retranslocation
and accumulation of starch in leaves and the
activation of O2 resulting in toxic radicals,
being responsible for the chlorosis and necrosis
of pinnae. “Sunburn” is hence an expression
of latent Mg deficiency under high light
intensities.
Mg deficiency on pinnae
Magnesium sources
decide on oil palm productivity
19

Since the sustained plant availability of Mg is

crucial for high FFB yield and oil extraction
rates, it is absolutely necessary to pay attention
to the nutrient release characteristics from the
magnesium fertilizer sources to provide the oil
palm continuously with this essential nutrient.

In principle, there are three different forms in

which magnesium can be applied to the soil:

l the oxide form

(magnesium oxide and fused lime stone)

l the carbonate form

(in magnesite and dolomite)

l the sulphate form (ESTA® Kieserite and

other magnesium sulphates).

The physicochemical properties of Mg fertilizers

are crucial for their use in oil palm plantations. Magnesium Solubility in
Mg oxides and carbonate (dolomite) have a very source water g/l
slow solubility (compared to ESTA® Kieserite)
releasing the Mg at rates inadequate for high ESTA® Kieserite 417
crop uptake. (MgSO4 H2O)
Dolomite can be used partly to maintain Mg
levels on acid soils but because of its low Dolomite 0.034
solubility it is not as effective as ESTA® (CaCO3 MgCO3)
Kieserite to correct Mg deficiency and to
supply plants adequate with Mg. Magnesium oxide 0.0062
(MgO)

ESTA® Kieserite as a natural Mg source

dissolves gradually and independent of the
soil pH and provides oil palms continuously
with both essential nutrients (Mg+S).
Attention should be paid to other MgSO4
fertilizers. These MgSO4 fertilizer materials are
chemically produced and are a by-product of
the industry. They are characterised by a
variable Mg content, a poor structure (powder)
and are partly polluted with heavy metals.
 Magnesium and surface application
20

Oil palm roots active in nutrient uptake are
mostly located in the first 50 cm of the soil
profile whereas the highest quantities are
located in the first 30 cm. The incorporation
and mixing of fertilizers with the soil to improve
its dissolution is usually not feasible because
the upper root network will be destroyed and
nutrient uptake will be inhibited.
The effect of a typical surface application
of two Mg carriers (ESTA® Kieserite and
dolomite) on soil exchangeable Mg was
studied in oil palm. The results show that
dolomite, owing to its poor solubility, only
increased exchangeable Mg contents in the
upper soil layers, whereas substantial Mg
from ESTA® Kieserite penetrated to lower
soil depths.

The effect of bunch ash (BA) and magnesium source (ESTA® Kieserite
and dolomite (GML)) on soil exch. Mg (cmol kg-1)*

0 - 15
soil depht (cm)

15 - 30

30 - 60

60 - 90

0 1 2 3
cmol Mg kg-1

Control BA+ESTA® Kieserite BA+GML

Soil: Sedu Soils, typic BA = 8.0 kg palm-1 bunch ash

Sulfaquept ESTA Kieserite = 3.0 kg palm-1 ESTA® Kieserite
®

GML = 5.0 kg palm-1 dolomite

Source: Singh (1989)

 Magnesium and surface application
21

The effect that Mg from ESTA® Kieserite
penetrated deeper into the soil than Mg from
dolomite (after a surface application) has a
significant effect on root growth. The effect
of an improved root growth was studied with
forest trees on an acid soil in Germany. The
observation of this experiment was that
dolomite owing to its slow release of
magnesium only benefited the roots in the
top 10 cm whereas in the lower soil horizon
root growth was even reduced after dolomite
application compared to the control. The
explanation of this effect may be in the
promotion of root growth in the more
favourable environment with higher Mg and
Ca availability, whereas penetration into the
acid subsoil did not occur. On the other hand,
Kieserite owing to its solubility independent
on the pH and deeper penetration into the soil
profile, benefited also the roots at the lower soil
dephts. This is an important feature of soluble
magnesium in form of ESTA® Kieserite,
improving root growth to enhance uptake
of N, P, K and Mg also from the subsoil.

Distribution of feeder roots (<2 mm) of Norway spruce on

an acid forest soil (pH 3.7) as affected by Mg nutrition

325
0-5 557
477
oil extraction rate (%)

145
5 - 10 253
271

181
10 - 20 325
80

152
20 - 30 217
36

0 100 200 300 400 500 600

root concentration (mg I-1)

Control Dolomite ESTA® Kieserite

Source: Schaaf and Zech (1991)

 Magnesium and oil extraction rate
22

For a long time, the oil palm industry has
emphasized yield in form of harvested FFB in
tonnes by neglecting oil extraction rate. In
recent years, the industry goal was to enhance
the oil formation in oil palm to define new
performance parameters in case of production
and profitability. The importance of magnesium
for oil production is evident from the fact that
it promotes oil formation.
Mg in the form of ESTA® Kieserite influenced
positively oil production. Tayeb (2005) repor-
ted that on top an extra 1.57 t ha-1 yr-1 oil was
achieved through consistent application of
1.5 kg palm-1 yr-1 ESTA® Kieserite. Over the
whole experiment, an extra 0.57 t ha-1 yr-1 oil
was achieved per year.

Treatment last trial year combined years (1-5)

(t ha-1) (t ha-1)

N+P+SOP 4.35 6.00

N+P+SOP+1.5 kg
ESTA® Kieserite 5.92 6.54

source: Tayeb, PIPOC, 2005

Beside the essential nutrient Mg, it seems
to be that also the Mg source of fertilizers
(e.g. ESTA® Kieserite (MgSO4) and dolomite
(MgCO3) plays an important role on oil forma-
tion because of differences in solubility and
nutrient release pattern. This may explain
The effect of two different Mg
fertilizer (ESTA® Kieserite and
dolomite) on oil extraction rate
30
28
oil extraction rate (%)

results where the oil extraction rate was 8 %

higher compared to the dolomite treatment.
26

24

22

20
30 42 48
age of palms (month)

ESTA® Kieserite Dolomite Control

Source: Ditschar, 2006

Fertilizer management in oil palm
23

Oil palm belongs to the ten most heavily
fertilized crops worldwide and therefore, the
fertilizer costs are considerable. At times of
a high oil price, the fertilizer management
seems to be easier because of a higher profit
whereas at times of a low oil price the quantity
of fertilizer used is reduced.
In perennial crops (oil palm), such fertilizer
reductions during one or two years could have
drastic consequences in yield performance for
the next years. A constant fertilizer application
is essential to supply the oil palm continuously
with nutrients to guarantee good yield
performance over years.
Innovative products and an improved product
quality can help to minimize fertilizer costs.
Through Korn-Kali®+B, a combination of
MOP, ESTA® Kieserite and Borax, it is
possible to ease the fertilizer application and
to reduce labour costs compared to the
traditionell straight fertilizer application. The
application of 5 to 6 kg Korn-Kali®+B per
palm splitted in two or three applications will
satisfy the annual requirements of K, Mg and
B in mature oil palms. The even distribution of
all nutrients in each application ensures high
yield performances over years.

The K+S KALI fertilizers (ESTA® Kieserite,

Korn-Kali®, Korn-Kali®+B) support the oil
palm industry with high-quality fertilizer to
ensure and to provide high yield performance.
K+S KALI fertilizers are established in the
oil palm industry worldwide and are part of
the straight fertilizer program on oil palm
plantations.

High FFB yield with K+S KALI products.

 Best Management Practise
for Maximum Economic yield in oil palm
24
Following on the success of a Best
Management Practise (BMP) project with PT
Asiatic Persada in Jambi (Indonesia), the
regional Southeast Asia Program* of the
newly established International Plant Nutrition
Institute (IPNI) initiated a second BMP project
at larger scale. The new project began in
2006 with six collaborating oil palm plantations
located in the key oil palm growing areas of
Sumatra and Kalimantan in Indonesia.
The K+S KALI GmbH, a founding member of
the IPNI, is a partner of the new BMP project
in support of the Southeast Asia Program and
the oil palm industry in Indonesia and Malaysia.
There is an increasing global demand for
vegetable oils such as palm oil but an evident
need to increase productivity. Oil palm yields
have largely stagnated in the last 20 years,
but substantial opportunities exist to increase
yield in existing plantations while minimizing
negative effects on the environment through
improved management practices including
better plant nutrition. The BMP approach
provides estate managers with a concept and
guiding principles on how to evaluate current
management practices compared to improved
BMP implemented in selected trial block. The
aim is to maximize yield and minimize fruit
losses but the individual BMP components
are tailored by the estate management to
site-specific conditions. A continuous dialogue
between estate managers and agronomists
during site visits are an integral part of the
BMP concept and helps addressing upcoming
problems during the implementation.
*www.ipni.net/seasia
The BMP approach is based on crop and
nutrient management principles:
l decision making based on relevant
information
l development of management units based
on soil and plant surveys
l best management practise (BMP) for
optimal economic yield
l plant-based determination of nutrient
needs
l ‘need-based’ fertilizer use for effective use
of nutrients
Apart from improved nutrient management
principles, best management practises are
characterised by:
l complete crop recovery through collection
of all fruits
l short harvesting rounds (7 days) and a
good access for the harvester
l adequate pruning and the removal of
unproductive palms
l optimal root function and nutrient uptake
by palms through adequate moisture
availability (drainage, water conservation)
l optimal nutrient use through complete
utilization of crop residues (empty fruit
bunches etc.)
l optimal access and erosion control through
contour paths
l optimal fertilizer use efficiency through
weed-free platforms around trees and
correct fertilizer placement
 25

Inter-row-fertilizer-application
between oil palms (on old,
properly stacked fronds)
increases fertilizer efficiency.

Preliminary results from two plantations in
North Sumatra, Indonesia, showed bunch
yield increases between 7 % and 13 %,
respectively, in blocks with BMP after 6
months compared with the reference blocks
under standard management (see table below).
The yield increase was mainly related to an
increase in bunch weight (+8 %) as a result of a
better crop recovery due to shorter harvesting
rounds, i.e. every palm was visited every
seven days. With shorter harvesting intervals,
rounds increased by 38 % and 82 % in the
two plantations, respectively, because of the
more frequent visits by harvesters. The gross
benefit with BMP was 105 USD ha-1 and 132
USD ha-1 in the two plantation, respectively.
Because of higher costs for the BMP imple-
mentation a detailed economic analysis is
necessary to show the net revenue of BMP. A
preliminary economic analysis indicated addi-
tional costs for the implementation of BMP of
only about 50 USD ha-1 so that there is a sig-
nificant positive net benefit with BMP. A more
thorough analysis is expected after one year.
The BMP project clearly shows that a slight
investment in management practises can
result in a significantly higher productivity and
profitability.

Initial effects of BMP on harvest round, fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, average bunch weight
and gross benefit compared to reference blocks in two plantations in North Sumatra.

Project Harvest FFB yield Avg bunch Gross value of extra

rounds (kg ha-1) weight (kg) BMP yield difference

Estate A +38% +7% +8% +105 USD

Estate B +82% +13% +8% +132 USD

Contact: IPNI Southeast Asia Program, e-mail seasia@ipni.net

 All out of one hand
26

ESTA® Kieserite fine

®
Kieserite 27 +22
ESTA Kieserit
fine
27 % MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide
22 % S water-soluble sulphur

ESTA® Kieserite fine has been used in oil

palm production worlwide and is generally
regarded as the standard magnesium fertilizer. Produced by
K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel

The reason for this is that it is a highly Germany

A K+S Group Company

concentrated Mg and S carrier and contains

both nutrients in the water-soluble form.

ESTA® Kieserite gran.

®
Kieserite 25 +20 ESTA Kieserit
gran.
25 % MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide
20 % S water-soluble sulphur

ESTA® Kieserite gran. is the granulated form

of ESTA® Kieserite fine containing 25 % MgO
and 20 % S as magnesium sulphate. Produced by
K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel
Germany
A K+S Group Company

Korn-Kali®
®
Potassium chloride with magnesium 40 (+6+4+3)
Korn-Kali
40 % K 2O water-soluble potassium oxide
6% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide
4% S water-soluble sulphur
3% Na water-soluble sodium

Korn-Kali® is a combined potassium, magne- Produced by

K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel

sium and sulphur fertilizer with 40 % K2O as Germany

A K+S Group Company

potassium chloride, 6 % MgO and 4 % S as

magnesium sulphate (ESTA® Kieserite)
 27

Korn-Kali®+B

Potassium chloride with magnesium 40 (+6+4+3)

Korn-Kali+B
®

40 % K 2O water-soluble potassium oxide

6% MgO water-soluble magnesium oxide
4% S water-soluble sulphur
3% Na water-soluble sodium
0.8% B 2O 2 water-soluble boric oxide
Produced by
K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel

Korn-Kali®+B is a well balanced K, Mg, S and Germany

A K+S Group Company

B fertilizer for oil palm and ensures efficient

uptake and utilization of these nutrients.

Muriate of Potash standard

Potassium chloride 60 MOP standard

60 % K2O water-soluble potassium oxide

Muriate of Potash (MOP) is a highly concen-

trated single-nutrient fertilizer containing
60 % K2O as potassium chloride. MOP is the
universal potash fertilizer suitable for all Produced by
K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel

chloride tolerate crops. Germany

A K+S Group Company

Muriate of Potash gran.

Potassium chloride 60
MOP gran.
60 % K2O water-soluble potassium oxide

Muriate of Potash (MOP) gran is the granulated

form of MOP standard containing 60 % K2O
as potassium chloride.
Produced by
K+S KALI GmbH
34111 Kassel
Germany
A K+S Group Company
 ® = Registered trademark of K+S KALI GmbH

K+S KALI GmbH

P.O. Box 10 20 29 · 34111 Kassel · Germany
Phone +49 (0)561 9301-2316 · Fax +49 (0)561 9301-1416
6677/0407/A

kaliagro@kali-gmbh.com · www.kali-gmbh.com

A K+S Group Company