The study, titled “Quantifying Plant Nutrient Requirements in Oil Palm,” emphasizes that a more precise understanding of nutrient demand is essential to improve fertiliser efficiency and global palm oil productivity.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a major tropical crop and a leading source of vegetable oil used in food, cosmetics, cleaning products, and biodiesel.

According to OECD/FAO (2023), oil palm is cultivated on around 30 million hectares globally, mainly in Southeast Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, and Latin America.

Large Dataset from Major Producing Countries

The research compiled 669 observations from plantations in Indonesia, Malaysia, and Ghana between 2000 and 2022—representing 71% of global oil palm area and 88% of production.

Nutrient Distribution Varies Across Plant Organs

The study found that nutrient concentrations differ significantly across plant organs. Nitrogen and magnesium were highest in fronds, while potassium was most concentrated in the trunk. Phosphorus levels were relatively stable across all plant parts.

Strong Link Between Yield and Nutrient Uptake

The analysis confirmed a strong correlation between FFB yield and nutrient accumulation, particularly nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium, and magnesium.

“This study establishes a generic relationship between FFB yield and nutrient accumulation, providing a stronger scientific basis for understanding oil palm nutrient requirements,” the researchers stated.

The findings are expected to support more precise fertilisation strategies, improving productivity while maintaining efficiency in fertiliser use.