Ipni Guía de Campo Vivero (Ingles)

Field Handbook
Oil Palm Series Volume 1
Nursery
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Objectives
Standards
Equipment
Materials
Procedures
Frequency
Timing
Task
Records
Environment
Safety
Notes
Ian Rankine and Thomas Fairhurst

Field Handbook
Oil Palm Series Volume 1
Nursery
I. R. Rankine
T. H. Fairhurst
Copyright © 1998
Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada (PPIC) and
4T Consultants (4T).
All rights reserved. No part of this handbook may be reproduced for use in any other form
by any means – graphic, electronic, or mechanical (including photocopying or any information
storage or retrieval systems known or to be invented). For information on obtaining
permission to produce reprints and excerpts, contact the Potash & Phosphate Institute.
Type setting by Ian Rankine and Thomas Fairhurst.
Notice of liability
Although the authors believe the information contained in this handbook is correct at the
time of printing, it is impossible to cover all situations. The information is distributed on an
‘as is’ basis, without warranty. Whilst the authors have taken every precaution in the
preparation of this handbook, neither the authors, PPI, PPIC nor 4T shall have any liability
to any person or entity with respect to any liability, loss or damage caused or alleged to
have been caused directly or indirectly by the guidelines contained in this handbook.
ISBN 981-04-1333-5
First edition 1998

Second edition 1999
Printed by Oxford Graphic Printers Pte. Ltd. - Singapore.

SECTION TOPICS PAGE
USING THIS HANDBOOK .......................................................................................... v

10.0 GENERAL INFORMATION ........................................................................ 1
12.0 NURSERY TYPES ..................................................................................... 5
12.1 SINGLE-STAGE NURSERY ....................................................................... 6
12.2 DOUBLE-STAGE NURSERY ..................................................................... 9
14.0 SITE SELECTION .................................................................................... 12
16.0 SITE PREPARATION ............................................................................... 16
20.0 NURSERY LINING ................................................................................... 19
22.0 POLYBAG FILLING AND PLACEMENT .................................................. 22
24.0 IRRIGATION ............................................................................................. 27
26.0 SEED SUPPLIES ..................................................................................... 33
28.0 PLANTING ............................................................................................... 37
28.1 NURSERY TRANSPLANTING ................................................................. 40
30.0 SEEDLING SHADE .................................................................................. 44
32.0 SEEDLING MULCHING ........................................................................... 47
34.0 WEED CONTROL .................................................................................... 49
36.0 PEST CONTROL ..................................................................................... 53
38.0 DISEASE CONTROL ............................................................................... 58
40.0 MANURING (FERTILIZING) .................................................................... 62
40.1 PRENURSERY MANURING .................................................................... 65
40.2 MAIN NURSERY MANURING ................................................................. 66
40.4 NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS ................................................... 68
41.0 MONITORING SEEDLING PERFORMANCE .......................................... 71
42.0 CULLING .................................................................................................. 75
42.2 SEEDLING DISORDERS ......................................................................... 78
44.0 CENSUS .................................................................................................. 83
46.0 SANITATION AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE ....................................... 85
50.0 SEEDLING DESPATCH ........................................................................... 87
iii
APPENDIX
A1 SUMMARY OF TASK RATES .................................................................. 91
A2 SPRAY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE .................................................... 94
A3 CALIBRATION OF SPRAY EQUIPMENT ................................................ 98
A4 NUTRIENT CONVERSIONS .................................................................. 103
A13 FIELD AUDITING CARD ........................................................................ 105
A14 AGRONOMY AUDITING CARD ............................................................. 107
FURTHER INFORMATION .................................................................... 109
iv
Introduction
Over the past 40 years, the area planted to oil palm in Malaysia, Indonesia and the Pacific
Region has increased from 145,000 ha to 5,000,000 ha, in response to a large increase in
the world demand for vegetable oils. During this period, estates have become larger as the
potential for economies of scale in plantation management have been exploited. Plantation
staff at all levels are now expected to manage much larger areas, in an era of unprecedented
technological change. As a result of the rapid expansion in the oil palm industry, there is
presently a shortage of qualified and experienced planters in all oil palm areas.
Meticulous attention to detail in nursery and plantation development, field management as
well as scrupulous care in the use of resources (land, labour, equipment and materials) is
required if potential profitability is to be achieved in the present economic climate. The pace
of change today means that managers have to gain and implement knowledge to achieve
best planting practices much more rapidly than ever before. The trend of accelerated
technological and information change will continue in the future, making change and rapid
response to market economics an integral part of oil palm management. However, in order
to attract quality personnel, plantation owners must convince new recruits that they are
entering a profession that they can develop and thrive in. Clearly, this requires an investment
in training and development.
During visits to plantations, we meet staff at all levels of management, who are in search of
a set of consistent guidelines containing all the essential information required to implement
each field operation properly. Frequently, managers have to repeat instructions, because
an agreed set of standards and procedures is lacking. We also sense that junior staff
frequently make mistakes in the field, not because they lack motivation, but because they
are not properly informed of what is expected of them.
In the past, each planter went through a time-honoured process of training, starting as a
cadet in charge of a small number of staff and area of oil palm. It was common for a newly
appointed estate manager to have already accumulated 15 years of experience. Modern
managers are expected to acquire the necessary knowledge and experience more rapidly,
and this series of handbooks, released to coincide with 150 years of commercial oil palm
planting in South East Asia, aims to contribute to this requirement. The Oil Palm Series
draws on the wealth of experience and knowledge available and has been designed to
contain all the essential information for each aspect of management in a clear, consistent
and user-friendly layout. Each job is clearly described in terms of the objective, standard,
equipment and materials, frequency, timing and task applicable for each task, as well as
important aspects of safety and environmental husbandry.
The handbooks form part of a suite of information, training and software aids for the oil palm
industry, available from the Potash & Phosphate Institute.

September 1999
i
Acknowledgements
Every oil palm planter who has participated in this dynamic industry over the past 150 years
has made a contribution to these handbooks, through their example and search for improved
field practices. We hope these handbooks will help estate managers to develop innovative
and attractive management systems for oil palm plantations.
We would like to thank the following:
• Canpotex (Singapore) Pte. Ltd. who provided financial assistance for the preparation of
these handbooks.
• The Potash & Phosphate Institute, and in particular Ernst Mutert, for his support and for
access to personnel and information, and Tham Sin Chee for skilled and thoughtful
proof-reading.
• Helmut von Uexküll, Teo Leng (Eastern Plantations Management Sdn. Bhd.) and Goh
Kah Joo (Applied Agriculture Research Sdn. Bhd.) for helpful comments and criticism.
• Dami Oil Palm Research Station and New Britain Palm Oil Limited for the use of their
photographs of seedling culling.
• Bah Lias Research Station and PTPP London Sumatra for the use of their photographs
of vegetative leaf measurements and helpful comments and criticism.
We would also like to thank Clive Taylor, Roger Benzie and William Griffiths of Pacific Rim
Plantations Ltd. for constructive criticism and helpful suggestions during the preparation of
this revised edition.
Finally to Bronwyn and Joan and our respective progeny for their support during the
preparation of these handbooks.
ii
USING THIS HANDBOOK
The Oil Palm Series of PPI Field Handbooks have been specifically prepared for practical
usage in everyday oil palm management. The handbooks are an integral part of the PPI
commitment to provide quality products, information and training to managers and industry
personnel.
This handbook is printed on water-resistant paper for field durability, and to allow managers
to make notes and diagrams in each section. The handbook is also spiral-bound so that it
opens flat at any page for quick reference.
A standard format has been followed, and each job or topic is detailed as follows:
OBJECTIVE O
States why the job or operation is necessary, and what the final outcome should be.
STANDARDS S
Specifies the quality of work required and a ‘benchmark’ to check work progress.
EQUIPMENT E
Lists the equipment required to complete the operation to the required standard, and provides
a checklist for line managers.
MATERIALS M
Lists the consumables and other materials required to complete the operation to the required
standard, and provides a checklist for line managers.
PROCEDURES
Outlines the actions that are undertaken in order to complete the task to the required standard
(i.e. how the job is to be done).
FREQUENCY P
Provides a guide to how often the operation should be carried out.
TIMING »
Indicates when the operation should be scheduled and completed.
TASK (Workrate) ¥
md/ha ✘ ✔ ✔✔
Operation Low Average Optimum

Gives an indication of work rates expected for the operation and provides a range of values
to allow for budgeting and planning. For some operations, task rates will vary according to
v
the field conditions. The handbook provides space to allow managers to note the task rates
established in their plantation.
RECORDS 2
Outline of those records that should be kept and updated for each field operation. In addition
to the data type (data input) and the area or time basis for recording data (frequency), raw
data entry requirements (data) and calculated data units (calculation) are also shown. For
example:
Data input Frequency Data Calculation
Fertilizer Block kg kg/ha, kg/palm

Labour Block md md/ha
ENVIRONMENT ý
Provides guidelines on appropriate measures for environment protection. Sound
environmental practice is an integral part of meeting International Standard Organization
(ISO) targets.
SAFETY ⊕
Workers’ safety should always be a key concern of the Field Manager. General safety
precautions are given and specific safety guidelines for different tasks are presented as
icons. A key is provided below.
Hearing protection to be worn during Safety boots to be worn during operation (e.g.
operation (e.g. chainsaw, heavy equipment). chainsaw, heavy equipment).
Safety glasses to be worn during operation Safety gloves to be worn during operation
(e.g. chainsaw). (e.g. herbicides, pesticides).
Hard hat protection to be worn during Read product label and instructions before
operation (e.g. chainsaw, heavy equipment). use (e.g. herbicides, pesticides).
Full safety face shield to be worn during Wash hands after use (e.g. herbicides,
operation (e.g. herbicides, pesticides). pesticides).
Dust mask (large particle) to be worn during Do not smoke during operation (e.g.
operation (e.g. herbicides, pesticides). herbicides, pesticides).
Respirator to be worn during operation (e.g. Do not eat or drink during operation (e.g.
some herbicides, pesticides). herbicides, pesticides).
Full safety overalls to be worn during May cause serious injury (e.g. heavy
operation (e.g. chainsaw). equipment, chainsaw, herbicides, pesticides).
Apron or smock to be worn during operation May cause death (e.g. heavy equipment,
(e.g. herbicides, pesticides). chainsaw, herbicides, pesticides).
vi
NOTES ✍
Each section includes additional information relevant to the operation to assist the manager
Each section has additional information relevant to the operation included to assist the
manager in achievement of best plantation practice. There is also space for managers to
enter their own notes relating to the job.
O S E M P » ¥ 2 ✍ ý ⊕
The symbols are to allow easy cross-reference to the Pocket Guides which link to the Field
Handbooks. The Pocket Guides are smaller to allow line managers to carry a ready reference
to the field.
vii
10.0 GENERAL INFORMATION
OBJECTIVES
To produce high quality seedlings that will be available when preparations for field planting
have been completed.
Poorly managed nurseries will result in a reduced out- Well-managed nurseries provide a reliable supply of
turn of plantable seedlings. quality seedlings for field planting.
SEED
Pregerminated seeds must be purchased from a reputable supplier.
Seeds are packed in plastic bags (200 seeds/bag) and these bags are packed inside strong
insulated boxes (approximately 15 bags/box).
The boxes are filled and lined with foam chips to prevent overheating and bruising.
A 'batch' normally contains 10,000 seeds.
Seeds must be kept cool, moist and out of direct sunlight until they are planted.
Seeds should be planted as soon as possible after delivery, and must not be stored for
longer than five days.
POLYBAGS
The size of polybags to be used depends on the duration that seedlings are to be held in the
nursery (refer to Section 22.0).
Main Nursery Polybags
Black, UV-stabilized polybags with four rows of holes punched alternately 5 cm apart from
the bottom of the polybag are used. Gussetted bags are recommended (500-gauge).
Quality is of utmost importance – cheap, inferior quality polybags will not last for the 10- to
14-month period until transplanting. The cost of replacing faulty polybags will far exceed
the higher initial cost of purchasing premium quality bags.
Oil Palm Nursery 1

To check quality, hold the polybag up to
bright sunlight and check for weak,
translucent or ‘light’ patches in the material.
Cut the seam of 10 bags from each 'batch'
and open the bag out. Grasp the bag firmly
with both hands and stretch the plastic. If it
breaks or stretches unevenly, the quality is
inferior. Also check the seams for weakness
by pulling them or by filling ten bags with
soil and dropping them from a height of 2 m
onto a hard surface.
Poor quality polybags will break, and resulting in
Before changing suppliers, test a small increased seedling losses.
number of the new bags in the nursery for
one complete seedling generation. Main nursery polybags must be able to withstand 18
months’ exposure in the nursery without becoming brittle or splitting.
Generally, 95% of the nursery should be planted in standard 40 cm x 45 cm bags, with the
remaining 5% in larger 50 cm x 60 cm bags to provide plants for ‘supplies’.
Advanced Planting Material (APM) polybags are 60 cm x 75 cm (refer to Section 22.0).
SOIL
Only quality topsoil should be used for nurseries.
The required properties for a nursery soil are as follows:
a) Free-draining, friable loam with a sand content ≤ 60%. Do not use sand or clay to fill
polybags.
b) Free from contaminants (solvents, old refuse, chemicals and disease inoculum).
Soil must first be sifted to remove debris, stones, sticks and large clods (>1cm in diameter).
Peat must not be used to fill nursery polybags.
Do not use soil with large amounts of un-decomposed organic matter.
Do not use soil that has been affected by high temperatures (e.g. burning).
Summary of nursery soil properties
Property Range
pH in water >4.5
Sand content (%) 30–60
Clay content (%) 25–45
Organic carbon (%) 2–3
Total N (%) 0.15–0.20
Total P Bray I (mg/kg) >25
Exchangeable K (cmol/kg) >0.2
Exchangeable Mg (cmol/kg) >0.4
2
STORAGE
Construct a strong, lockable store for parts,
tools and equipment.
Additional security patrols may be
necessary to prevent pilfering, interference
with pumps and equipment, or theft of
seedlings.
It is advisable to have a separate lockable
store for chemicals and fertilizers (near a An adequate nursery storeroom for pesticides, fertilizers
water supply). and spare parts. However, the seedlings are too close
and should be re-spaced to prevent etiolation.
To prevent contamination or incorrect
chemical selection/mixing, herbicides (weed killers) must be clearly marked and stored
separately from pesticides (insecticides, fungicides) and foliar fertilizers.
CHEMICALS
Always follow the recommendations given on the product label.
Fresh water, and hydrated lime (in case of spillage), must be available for workers to wash
their hands and faces after applying chemicals.
Workers applying chemicals must wear adequate safety equipment and observe estate
and product safety guidelines.
Herbicides are mixed in containers clearly marked ‘HERBICIDES ONLY’ with red paint.
Pesticides are mixed in containers clearly marked ‘PESTICIDES ONLY’ with blue paint.
Foliar fertilizers are mixed in containers clearly marked ‘FOLIAR FERTILIZERS ONLY’
with blue paint.
IRRIGATION
If the irrigation water contains large amounts of sediment, install intermediate settling ponds
and suitable filtration equipment.
Keep an adequate supply of parts on hand for immediate repairs and maintenance.
Monitor outlet pressures and report any significant reductions in pressures.
Also refer to Section 24.0.
EQUIPMENT
Check pumps and outlet pressures daily.
Lubrication and maintenance schedules should be kept up to date. Advise the Nursery
Manager immediately of any problems.
The Nursery Manager should check irrigation efficiency as follows:
Oil Palm Nursery 3

1. Select 10 polybags at random from each ‘batch’.
2. Using his finger, probe the soil at different levels through the polybag holes to ascertain
that the irrigation is wetting all the soil in the polybag.
3. He should also check for waterlogging.
If the irrigation is conducted on a 24-hour cycle, make sure that the night Nursery Supervisor
has the means to make contact or seek assistance at all hours.
The Nursery Manager should also check that standards have been maintained for irrigation
done during the night.
Always confirm that the equipment is installed, handled and repaired carefully. This will
minimize damage, contamination or delays in watering.
ENVIRONMENT ý
Refer to each section for specific notes on environmental considerations.
SAFETY ⊕
All pesticides, fertilizers and fuel products should be kept in approved, lockable stores.
Do not allow unauthorized personnel into the nursery.
Refer to each section for specific safety precautions.
NOTES ✍
✍ All seedlings > 6 months are root-pruned once a month, to prevent root growth into the
ground.
✍ Always use seed purchased from a reliable source. Cheap seed or seedlings from an
unproven source invariably lead to costly field problems that are often impossible
to correct until replanting.
✍ Never compromise standards in the nursery stage as it will reduce profits later.
✍ Plant only healthy, quality seedlings in the field as this will reduce time to maturity and
improve profits.
4
12.0 NURSERY TYPES
OBJECTIVES
To establish a nursery best suited to the environmental conditions and management
procedures of the estate.
RECORDS 2
Nursery Map with irrigation, with 'batch' and progeny sections marked.
Nursery Daily Diary.
ENVIRONMENT ý
Observe and follow the environmental guidelines recommended throughout this handbook.
SAFETY ⊕
Observe and follow the safety guidelines recommended throughout this handbook.
NOTES ✍
✍ Nursery records that have been kept properly provide useful quantitative information on
the comparative performance of different nursery types.
✍ The two main types of nursery systems are single-stage (refer to Section 12.1) and
double-stage (refer to Section 12.2). In general, the advantages of a double-stage
nursery make it the preferred nursery system in most plantations.
✍ Seedling age at planting is important, and 10–14 months is optimal. Planting seedlings
that are too young (<7 months) may result in reduced yield because root and frond
development at this age is not yet sufficient for field planting. At 7 months, seedlings are
old enough to permit efficient culling.
✍ Etiolated seedlings are more susceptible to transplanting shock, compared to ‘normal’
seedlings. During the first two years of production, yield losses resulting from planting
etiolated seedlings may be as high as 20%.
✍ A rule of thumb when culling at transplanting is, ‘If in doubt, leave it out.’
Advanced Planting Material (APM)
✍ APM seedlings are planted in extra large nursery polybags to be used as late supplies.
The nursery husbandry is the same.
✍ APM is often confused with ‘over-aged’ seedlings. APM is planned and planted into
large polybags that have been spaced widely, to allow unimpeded growth until field
planting. ‘Over-aged’ seedlings, on the other hand, are often malnourished, root-bound,
etiolated seedlings in normal sized polybags, and as a result, their vigour suffers.
✍ APM is not a general practice at present. It may be used in particular situations, e.g.
when secondary, delayed supply planting is required.
Oil Palm Nursery 5

12.1 SINGLE-STAGE NURSERY
OBJECTIVES
To establish a single-stage nursery capable of producing healthy seedlings for field planting,
by planting seed directly into a main nursery without a prenursery stage.
STANDARDS
The nursery must be capable of producing
a final seedling out-turn ≥70%.
EQUIPMENT
Small tractor (75–85 HP), excavator or
bulldozer to prepare nursery soil.
Wheelbarrows, spades for drainage work.
Irrigation equipment (refer to Section 24.0). Overhead irrigation in a properly laid out single-stage
nursery.
MATERIALS
Section
Polybags 22.0
Mulch (palm kernel shell) 32.0
Herbicides (for weed control) 34.0
Pesticides (for insect & disease control) 36.0, 38.0
Fertilizers 40.0
PROCEDURES
In locations where suitable areas of land, reliable irrigation facilities and experienced staff
are available, a single-stage nursery may be used. Germinated seeds are planted directly
into main nursery polybags that have been properly spaced.
Advantages
a) Less handling of seedlings.
b) Nursery transplanting shock is avoided.
c) Smaller labour requirement because prenursery transplanting is not required.
d) Prenursery infrastructure and equipment is not required.
Disadvantages
a) A larger area is required for a given seedling production rate (seedlings/ha/year),
and each batch is in the main nursery for a longer period.
b) More irrigation resources (materials, equipment and labour) and water are required.
6
c) Greater losses may be incurred due to irrigation failures. In a prenursery, hand-
watering can done if necessary during the critical 4-week period following planting.
d) Culling is more difficult and time-consuming. The option to cull during transplanting
from prenursery is also not available.
e) Closer supervision is required during the first four weeks of growth.
f) Each seedling must be shaded until the four-leaf stage of growth.
The procedures for nurseries are detailed in the following sections.
Section
Nursery lining 20.0

Polybag filling and placement 22.0
Weed control 34.0
Pest control 36.0
Disease control 38.0
Manuring (fertilizing) 40.0
Culling 42.0
FREQUENCY P
Refer to individual sections.
TIMING »
Seedlings are held in the main nursery for 10–14 months before field-planting.
Seedlings may be held in the nursery for up to 24 months if:
1. large polybags are used (refer to Section 22.0), and
2. nursery management (e.g. spacing, irrigation and fertilizer) is adjusted accordingly.
Also refer to Section 12.0 for additional information on APM.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Nursery Map with irrigation, 'batch' and progeny sections marked.
Seed Batch Out-turn % useable seedlings
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 7

SAFETY ⊕
Heavy machinery may cause injury or death if used improperly or without sufficient
precaution. Always operate machinery according to the guidelines provided by the equipment
manufacturer.
Do not allow unauthorized persons to enter construction sites or ride on heavy equipment.
Heavy equipment
NOTES ✍
✍ If the nursery area is frequently subject to water shortages, a water storage area must
be constructed.
✍ During the first three months after planting, great care must be taken to prevent the
seedling roots from drying out.
✍ Nursery weeding must be carried out regularly but care must be taken not to disturb
young roots of the seedling when weeding the polybag.
✍ Seedling shade is essential – check that there is an adequate supply of suitable nipah
frond materials and that the shade is applied when seed is planted out.
✍ Assuming that high quality seed is used and nursery management is up to standard,
the final seedling, out-turn should be ≥70% of seedlings planted.
Healthy seedlings (%) ✘ ✔
Nursery out-turn <70% >75%
8
12.2 DOUBLE-STAGE NURSERY
OBJECTIVES
To establish a double-stage nursery capable of producing healthy seedlings for field planting,
by first planting seeds into a prenursery and then transplanting seedlings into a main nursery
for further development.
STANDARDS
The prenursery and main nurseries must be capable of producing a final seedling out-turn
of ≥70%.
EQUIPMENT
Small tractor (75–85 HP), excavator or bulldozer to prepare nursery soil.
Wheelbarrows, spades for drainage work.
Irrigation equipment (refer to Section 24.0).
MATERIALS
Section
Polybags 22.0
Herbicides (for weed control) 34.0
Pesticides (for insect and disease control) 36.0, 38.0
Fertilizers 40.0
PROCEDURES
Double-stage nurseries are generally preferred because seedlings can be given intensive
care and attention during the critical early growth period (one month after planting). Resource
requirement for main nurseries is also smaller.
In a double-stage nursery system, the germinated seed is first planted into small polybags
(15 cm x 23 cm). These are placed close together in special ‘prenursery’ beds and held 10–
14 weeks, before being transplanted into larger polybags in the main nursery.
Advantages
a) Smaller initial main nursery area required – each ‘batch’ occupies the main nursery
for a shorter period.
b) Less irrigation water required.
c) Early upkeep is easier.
d) Supervision during the first four weeks of growth is easier.
e) Lower maintenance costs in the early stage (during the first four weeks).
f) Lower cost incurred (polybags, labour, etc.) for culled seedlings and other casualties.
Oil Palm Nursery 9

g) Allows the flexibility of holding over seedlings if there is a delay in seedling despatch
from the main nursery.
h) Doubletons can be split at the time of transplanting.
i) A primary cull can be carried out at the time of transplanting to the main nursery.
Disadvantages
a) More handling of seedlings.
b) Increased weeding and maintenance required in two nursery sections.
c) Risk of transplanting shock during transfer of seedlings from prenursery to main
nursery.
d) Prenurseries are more susceptible to pests, diseases and the effects of poor
management practices.
e) Additional infrastructure is required (prenursery shadehouse and associated watering
system).
Prenursery preparation
Careful preparation for the arrival of seedlings is essential. The following points are relevant:
1. Choose a level site.
2. Ensure that drainage is adequate.
3. Check both the quality and quantity of polybags in stock.
4. Prenursery polybags should be filled one month before planting.
5. Check the measurements and layout of the prenursery bed. Insist that poorly constructed
boxes are repaired and that wrongly placed polybags are rearranged.
6. Check for adequate stocks of pesticides and fertilizers.
7. Check all irrigation equipment, filters and associated spares.
8. Conduct a test-run of the watering system to check all engines, filters and piping. This
should be done at least two weeks before the expected seed delivery date.
FREQUENCY P
Refer to individual sections.
TIMING »
Seedlings are held in the prenursery for 10–14 weeks before being transplanted to the
main nursery.
Seedlings are held in the main nursery for 8–11 months prior to field-planting.
Seedlings may be held in the nursery for up to 24 months if:
1. large polybags are used (refer to Section 22.0), and
2. nursery management (e.g. spacing, irrigation and fertilizer) is adjusted accordingly.
For additional information on Advanced Planting Material (APM), refer to Section 12.0.
10
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Nursery Map with irrigation, 'batch' and progeny sections marked.
Seed Batch Out-turn % useable seedlings
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
Heavy machinery may cause injury or death if used improperly or without sufficient
precaution. Always operate machinery according to the guidelines provided by the equipment
manufacturer.
Heavy equipment
NOTES ✍
✍ The prenursery should always be located within the main nursery or as close as possible
to it.
✍ If supervision or security is required, personnel should be scheduled for these tasks.
✍ Transplanting shock is more likely if prenursery seedlings are transported over long
distances to the main nursery.
Healthy seedlings (%) ✘ ✔
Prenursery out-turn <80% >85%

Main nursery out-turn <70% >75%
Oil Palm Nursery 11

14.0 SITE SELECTION
OBJECTIVES
To select a suitable location for the nursery for the production of quality oil palm seedlings.
STANDARDS
The nursery should be located close to the centre of the proposed plantation.
The site must have:
a) good all weather road access,
b) protection from flooding, waterlogging and strong winds,
c) a reliable source of clean, unpolluted water that is suitable for irrigation, and
d) an adequate supply of quality unpolluted nursery soil.
EQUIPMENT
None.
MATERIALS
None.
PROCEDURES
1. Location
The selection of a suitable nursery site is a prerequisite for the production of high quality
seedlings.
In new plantations, it is essential to first map the proposed estate development plan, and
then locate the nurseries in central positions so that transport distances and times are
minimized.
A centralized location will also assist with daily supervision and security.
The site should be gently sloping to provide adequate drainage, but the gradient should not
exceed 15% (approximately 1:7).
The shape of the site should be as close to as possible to a square (or rectangle), so that an
efficient irrigation system can be designed and installed.
The site should be well-protected against intrusions from humans and wild animals.
The nursery site must not be shaded by nearby plantations or jungle. A clear area of at
least 20 m surrounding the nursery is advisable.
12
2. Access
Bridges and waterway crossings should be built high and be strong enough so that the
nursery is not isolated from the surrounding area for extended periods in the event of flooding.
Access roads should be sufficiently wide (to allow vehicles to pass during peak planting
periods), well-drained, and have a suitable surface covering of gravel or laterite. Road
surface preparation should follow main estate practice.
To avoid unnecessary trauma to young palms during transportation to the field, the hand
carry-distance from nursery bed to despatch road should not exceed 50 m.
3. Drainage
The site should not be prone to flooding (which causes damage to seedlings and buildings)
or waterlogging (which may lead to seedling stress and nutrient imbalances).
Select an elevated site, located away from major watercourses. Sufficient outlet drains
must be in place to service the internal drainage system.
4. Water
Water requirements (quantity and quality) must be determined before site preparation.
If there is doubt as to the quality of the water, samples should be analyzed for the sediment
content, and the presence of pollutants and other contaminants. Sediment and contaminants
block irrigation outlets, and pollutants can damage to or kill the seedlings. It is also useful
to determine the nutrient content of the irrigation water (mg/l N, P, K, Mg, Ca, B, Cu, Zn).
Pump equipment should have sufficient capacity to maintain working pressures and volumes.
If possible, a backup system should be considered, particularly in areas of lower or unreliable
rainfall, and in isolated locations.
Generally, one hectare of seedlings in the main nursery will require 70,000 l water/day.
5. Soil
The soil at the bag-filling site must be of
suitable quality and sufficient depth to
enable up to three rounds of bag-filling for
the whole nursery (refer to Section 10.0).
The soil must develop a firm bole (clod)
when the seedling bag is cut open at
transplanting or field planting.
Excessively sandy soils should be avoided
as a firm bole will not form – the soil will fall Polybags have become waterlogged because a heavy
apart when the polybag is removed or during clay soil was used for bag filling.
handling of seedlings.
Heavy clay soils should also be avoided – seedlings will not develop a healthy root system
and may be affected by waterlogging. Clay soils are also difficult to handle when bag-filling
or transplanting.
Do not use compacted soil.
Oil Palm Nursery 13

Care must be taken if there are variations in the soil type and soil horizons at the source. A
suitable soil source is homogenous and provides for uniform seedling growth rates.
For recommendations on nursery planting soil, refer to Section 10.0.
For recommendations on mixing phosphate fertilizer with nursery soil, refer to Section 40.0.
Conduct a soil survey on new nursery sites by taking core samples (at the 0–20 cm and 20–
40 cm depths) for every 10 m on a systematic grid pattern. Examine the structure of samples
and mark any ‘problem’ areas that are to be avoided. After bulking the samples, a 200-g
subsample should be air-dried and sent for physical and chemical analysis.
The analysis should be done six months before bag-filling is scheduled, in case it becomes
necessary to relocate the nursery site.
6. Area
The nursery area must be large enough to accommodate sufficient seedlings for the main
planting and supply planting programme.
The required nursery area is dependent upon a number of factors:
a) Size of the area to be planted.
b) Annual seedling requirements – varies depending on the area to be developed,
and the availability of labour and other resources.
c) Seedling planting age – varies (8–16 months) but the optimum is 10–14 months.
APM may be held in the nursery for up to 24 months.
d) Field planting density – varies from 120–160 palms/ha.
e) Quality of nursery soil and nursery practices – suitable soils produce field plantable
seedlings more rapidly.
f) Type of nursery – single-stage nurseries require a larger area.
An example of how to estimate the required nursery area is shown below (actual figures
from individual estates should be substituted where applicable).
Assume that 5,000 ha is to be planted at 136 palms/ha, with 1,000 ha planted in the first
year, and 2,000 ha in each of the following two years.
1. Seedling requirement for planting 5,000 x 136 = 680,000
2. 5% supplies 5% of 680,000 = 34,000
3. 15% culling 15% of 680,000 = 102,000
Total seedling requirement for 5,000 ha 816,000
Seedling requirement
Seedling requirement (Year 1) - 1,000 ha 816,000 ÷ 5 = 163,000
Area required in Year 1
Seedling spacing in nursery (90 cm x 90 cm, 14,260 seedlings/ha) 11.4 ha
Additional area needed for prenursery, shed, roads etc. 1.9 ha
Total nursery area required (Year 1) 13.3 ha
14
Total area required
Year 1 13.3 ha
Years 2–3 13.3 ha
Reserve area (doubletons, supplies and APM) 5.0 ha
Total nursery area required 31.6 ha
FREQUENCY P
The site is selected once, before the preparation of each nursery.
TIMING »
Identification of a suitable site and the soil and water analyses should be completed six
months before the nursery is required.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Nursery Map showing roads, topography and irrigation layout.
ENVIRONMENT ý
The site and drainage should be planned to minimize runoff of contaminated water to
surrounding areas or waterways.
Nursery disposal pits should be located in a stable soil type, away from residential areas
and waterways.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 15

16.0 SITE PREPARATION
OBJECTIVES
To prepare and maintain a nursery site with unimpeded access and hygienic conditions for
maximum seedling growth and minimal incidence of pests and disease.
STANDARDS
The site, surrounding area and drains must be completed and free from refuse before seed
planting begins.
EQUIPMENT
Heavy machinery (e.g. bulldozers, graders).
Knapsack spray equipment (e.g. Solo type with an AN2 nozzle set at low pressure).
Spade, hoe (wide-blade type).
Bushknives or grassknives.
Safety equipment for workers mixing and spraying chemicals.
MATERIALS
Paint, pegs.
Chemicals and surfactant, clean water.
PROCEDURES
Prenurseries
The site must be cleared, drained and levelled before any bed preparation.
Prenursery beds should be 1.2 m wide x 10 m long. Up to four beds can be laid end-to-end
to make a ‘section’ of 1.2 m x 40 m.
Approximately 100 prenursery polybags will fit per metre bed-length (i.e., a bed-length of
10 m accommodates 1,000 polybags; 40 m accommodates 4,000 seedlings, etc.).
The base should be raised ~5 cm (for drainage), with an access path 75 cm wide between
each ‘section’ of seedlings.
Workers must be able to reach over the beds comfortably for weeding and other maintenance
operations.
‘Sections’ should be held upright – use 15 cm x 2.5 cm hardwood planking, with corner and
side pegs for support.
Additional hardwood planks may be required to separate progenies and batches, or to
support a partially-filled prenursery bed.
16
The prenursery area should be shaded to provide 50–60% shade initially. Palm fronds or
shade cloths placed on a frame at a height of 2–3 m allows unimpeded access for workers,
sufficient air movement to minimize disease, and sufficient early morning and evening sunlight
penetration.
The prenursery shade should be gradually reduced to expose the seedlings to more sunlight.
This is essential to ‘harden off’ the seedlings to direct sunlight before transplanting (refer to
Section 30.0).
Prenurseries are never sprayed with herbicides.
Other site preparation operations are as described for main nurseries.
Main nurseries
All vegetation and debris must be cleared from the site. Undulations that impede access or
drainage must be levelled.
If the site has been used previously, all torn polybags, culled seedlings, fronds and other
debris must be removed and burned. Piles of soil from emptied polybags should be raked
flat.
Drains that have been dug during the last generation of seedlings must be straightened and
cleared.
Drains must follow a symmetrical pattern, and must not be dug haphazardly. The area
must drain effectively, i.e. within two hours following irrigation or heavy rainfall.
The site should be sprayed with the following chemical mix to control weeds:
Chemical Amount/20 l water
Gramoxone 250 ml
Surfactant 20 ml
The Nursery Supervisor must oversee all spraying operations, and care must be taken to
prevent spray drifting on to any seedlings in the nursery.
FREQUENCY P
Once at the beginning of operations in the area to be planted.
TIMING »
Four weeks before the arrival of seed.
TASK ¥
md/ha ✘ ✔ ✔✔
Ground spraying 1.5 1.0 0.5
Oil Palm Nursery 17

RECORDS 2
Daily Progress of Work Form.
ENVIRONMENT ý
Earthworks during site preparation should be done in a way that minimizes erosion and
earth slippages.
SAFETY ⊕
Bushknives and grassknives are sharp cutting instruments and must be handled with care.
Heavy machinery may cause injury or death if used improperly or without sufficient precaution.
Always operate machinery according to the guidelines provided by the equipment
manufacturer.
Heavy equipment Sharp handtools Chemical use Chemical mixing
Chemical spraying
NOTES ✍
✍ Diuron may affect germination and growth of oil palm seedlings. It should not be used
in oil palm nurseries because soil from the nursery area is sometimes used to ‘top up’
polybags.
18
20.0 NURSERY LINING
OBJECTIVES
To space the polybags evenly within the nursery so that:
1. all seedlings have equal access to sunlight, and
2. usage of the costly irrigated area is optimized.
STANDARDS
Polybags are lined in a triangular pattern at distances that optimize growth space for each
seedling.
All seedling rows must be straight, along three axes at 60º to each other, with one axis
parallel to irrigation lines and roads.
EQUIPMENT
Tape measure (100-m length).
Lining wire with lead or metal markers welded at the correct spacings (refer to Notes in this
section).
MATERIALS
Nursery Map.
Marker pegs.
Estate planting plan with estimated planting dates (and seedling times in the nursery).
PROCEDURES
The following procedure and diagram is based on 0.9 m triangular spacings, but the same
principles apply for all spacings. (Refer to Notes in this section for suitable spacings based
on seedling age.)
1. Mark in a base line at right angles to the lateral irrigation lines. The base line should be
near a main access road.
2. Mark in a ‘first bag’ line 0.6 m from the lateral irrigation line, on both sides of the box.
3. Mark in a ‘centre bag’ line.
4. Fill in 60º lines between the base lines using lining wire.
5. Mark each polybag site with a peg.
It may be necessary to dig small ‘divots’ for the polybags particularly if they are of the non-
gussetted type, to prevent the seedling polybags from toppling over.
0.9 m (polybag spacing) x 0.866 = 0.78 m between polybag rows.
Oil Palm Nursery 19

FREQUENCY P
Lining has to be checked and realigned for each ‘batch’.
Some managers prefer to line smaller areas 5–6 weeks before the arrival of a 'batch' to
allow unobstructed access for maintenance until seed planting or seedling transplanting.
TIMING »
The area must be lined two weeks before bag placement and must be checked by the
Nursery Manager.
TASK ¥
Prenursery Two men can construct and level about four sections of prenursery
seedling beds per day.
Main nursery Not applicable.
20
RECORDS 2
Nursery Map.
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ Irrigation and maintenance operations
are expensive, so correct nursery lining
is essential to make best use of the
nursery area.
✍ Use a correctly calibrated wire (i.e. with
markers or pegs welded at the correct
spacings) when doing nursery lining.
Do not use a rope or string.
✍ Do not estimate seedling points or lines
‘by eye’.
✍ The nursery polybag spacing must be In a properly lined nursery, each seedling is provided
adjusted based on the age of seedlings with an equal amount of space for growth.
to be planted, so that area utilisation is
optimized.
Age Spacing Density
(months) (cm) (seedlings/ha)
8–10 80 18,040
10–12 90 14,260
12–14 100 11,550
>14* 120 8,020
APM** (up to 24 months) 180 3,560
* About 5% of the seedlings (to be used as supplies) are planted in larger polybags (50 cm
x 60 cm layflat) and spaced at 120 cm.
** The reduced nursery density (i.e. fewer palms per hectare) is one reason why APM is not
common nursery practice.
Oil Palm Nursery 21

22.0 POLYBAG FILLING AND PLACEMENT
OBJECTIVES
To fill the polybags correctly with suitable soil, position them in the nursery at the correct
spacings, and top up the soil four weeks before planting.
STANDARDS
Polybags, filled to within 2 cm of the rim, are placed in nursery beds at least four weeks
ahead of planting to allow for settling, topping up and preplanting irrigation.
Only the best soil available should be used in any nursery (refer to Section 10.0).
Polybags must be filled with soil that has been sifted to This soil contains too much undecomposed organic
remove stones and other debris to within 2 cm of the rim. matter.
Prenursery
a) All polybags must be in the upright position.
b) Polybags must be arranged in a triangular pattern at accurately marked distances
(refer to Section 20.0).
c) Nursery sections must be adequately watered and well-drained.
d) Nursery layout must follow estate guidelines and the Nursery Map.
e) Infrastructure must be well-maintained.
f) Progenies and batches must be demarcated and kept separate.
Prenursery seedling beds are normally 10 m long x 1.2 m wide and hold 1,000 seedlings
(100 bags long x 10 wide).
Main nursery
a) All polybags must be the upright position.
b) Each row of polybags must be in a straight line along the three 60° lines-of-sight
(refer to Section 20.0.)
c) Bag must be ‘topped-up’ with soil to within 2 cm of the rim.
d) The soil used to fill the polybags must be free of weeds, stones and debris.
22
EQUIPMENT
Spades or trowels.
Mesh (5-mm) (to sift soil).
Tin cans (sizes 350–500 ml) to scoop soil for filling and topping up polybags.
MATERIALS
Polybags
Prenursery 15 cm x 23 cm (6” x 9”) layflat, black, UV-stabilized, gussetted (250-gauge),
with two rows of drainage holes.
Main nursery 40 cm x 45 cm (16” x 18”) layflat, black, UV-stabilized, gussetted (500-
gauge), with four rows of drainage holes.
Supply palms 50 cm x 60 cm (20” x 24”) layflat, black, UV-stabilized, gussetted (500-
APM 60 cm x 75 cm (24” x 30”) layflat, black, UV-stabilized, gussetted (500-
Stockpile of topsoil (refer to Section 10.0).
Suitable phosphate fertilizer (e.g. TSP, SP36, rock phosphate).
PROCEDURES
1. Prenursery
Soil mixture
Also refer to Section 10.0.
If there is doubt with regard to past soil hygiene (e.g. if there were garden plots at the
source previously), find an alternative soil source.
Phosphorus is not mobile when applied to the surface of the soil – it must be premixed in
the bag soil to provide optimum P availability throughout the rooting zone of the seedling.
Prepare a slurry of SP36 or equivalent (500 grams per 10 litres of water) and water the
stockpiles with 10 litres of slurry per cubic metre of soil. Mix the soil during and after
watering and leave for four weeks before use.
Polybag filling
1. Sift the soil to remove stones, large clods (>1 cm) and other debris. Use the tin cans to
fill the polybags to within 2 cm of the rim.
2. Agitate or ‘bump’ the polybags gently to consolidate the freshly added soil.
3. Filled polybags should be left under shade, topped and watered daily until planting.
Filled and ‘topped-up’ polybags must be ready at least four weeks before planting.
Oil Palm Nursery 23

One tonne of soil fills ~1,200 prenursery
polybags. Refer to Notes in this section for
additional information on polybag filling.
Polybag placement
‘Sections’ of seedlings should be kept
upright using 15 cm x 2.5 cm hardwood
planking with corner and side pegs for
support (refer to Section 16.0).
Polybags should be placed in rows of 10’s,
but additional bags may be placed to pack Prenursery beds with good access and properly placed
them closely together so that they do not polybags.
fall over.
Polybags must be accessible from the paths.
Check that the top edge of polybags do not fold inwards during settling.
All polybags should be 'topped-up' promptly as soon as settling occurs.
2. Main nursery
Soil mixture
For recommendations on soil types, refer to Section 10.0.
Phosphorus is not mobile when applied to the surface of the soil – it must be premixed in
the bag soil to ensure P availability. Broadcast a suitable P fertilizer (1.0 t/ha TSP, or 1.5 t/
ha SP36, or 2.0 t/ha of rock phosphate) over the intended nursery soil area. Some cultivation
may be necessary to incorporate the P fertilizer. The area is then cultivated in opposite
directions using a set of offset disc harrows, with a bulldozer or loader assisting to push the
soil into bands in front of the discs. Leave the soil for four weeks before use.
Polybag filling
1. Use gussetted polybags as they are easier to handle and stand upright when filled. If
non-gussetted polybags are used, turn them inside out and then turn in the corners to
make a flat base. Non-gussetted polybags should only be used if gussetted ones are
not available.
2. Fill the polybags to 75% with sifted soil.
3. Agitate or ‘bump’ polybags to consolidate the soil before placing them in the main nursery.
Filled and 'topped-up' polybags must be ready at least four weeks before planting.
One tonne of soil fills ~80 main nursery polybags.
Polybag placement
Place the 75%-filled polybags in the nursery. Polybags must be straightened and lined
correctly (refer to Section 20.0).
The polybags are then 'topped-up' to within 2 cm of the rim of the polybag, irrigated and
allowed to settle for at least four weeks before planting.
24
Filled and 'topped-up' polybags may require additional topping up after a period of settling.
FREQUENCY P
Once per 'batch’, before planting.
TIMING »
Polybag filling must be completed at least four weeks before planting.
TASK ¥
Prenursery
bags/md ✘ ✔ ✔✔
Polybag filling 800 1,000 1,200

Polybag placement 800 1,000 1,200
Filling and placement 400 500 600
Topping 6,400 8,000 9,600
Main nursery
Polybag filling 240 300 360

Polybag placement 240 300 360
Filling and placement 120 150 180
Topping 800 1,000 1,200
RECORDS 2
Labour Batch Bags, md polybags/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ Simple soil measures can be made from empty tin cans, or by cutting 10-cm Ø PVC
piping to the required length and gluing a stopper at one end.
✍ Do not fill polybags with wet soil as the soil will compact and restrict root development.
Oil Palm Nursery 25

Nursery polybags are filled from the base of the soil Bags have been correctly placed and are standing
stockpile. upright in straight rows.
✍ Do not stand or work on top of the soil stockpile as this will compact the soil.
✍ Workers filling polybags must take soil from the base of a vertical face at the soil stockpile.
26
24.0 IRRIGATION
OBJECTIVES
To provide each seedling in the nursery with sufficient moisture to ensure unimpeded growth
and prevent seedling dehydration.
STANDARDS
The soil in all polybags in the nursery must be thoroughly moistened without any dry patches.
The soil in polybags must not be allowed to dry out (refer to Section 32.0).
Irrigation must be capable of applying 6.5 mm water to each ‘batch’ per day.
EQUIPMENT
All irrigation system designs and installations are coordinated by the Nursery Manager who
must approve any proposed modifications to the system.
The irrigation system is not required to water the entire nursery in one session. The usual
practice is to divide the nursery into a number of sections, each one being watered in se-
quence by opening and closing stop-cocks on the main lines. However, the installation must
have sufficient capacity to water the entire nursery once in less than 24 hours.
One rain-gauge should be located on the perimeter of the nursery to measure rainfall, and
another placed inside the nursery to check irrigation application.
Consultation with a nursery irrigation specialist is recommended for all new installations, or
for major alterations to existing nurseries.
Common irrigation systems
a) Overhead sprinkler systems (OSS)
OSS may utilize underground mains with aboveground laterals, but more commonly use
aluminium mains and laterals with snap or camlock fittings. OSS sprinkler outlets at 1.5 m
above ground level ensures even coverage.
OSS outlets 1.5 m above ground level ensure even Bags may topple over if soil is eroded from under the
coverage. bags.
Oil Palm Nursery 27

OSS can be taken up or moved after
nurseries have been emptied, or for
maintenance and drainage operations.
OSS are easy to maintain but require a
substantial pump setup.
Advantages
a) An even distribution of water.
b) Little disruption to watering caused
by growing seedlings.
c) Relatively trouble-free operations.
Overhead irrigation may cause polybag erosion, but
correct pressures and mulch will minimise damage.
Disadvantages
a) More expensive to set up compared to layflat systems.
b) The large droplets may cause surface erosion in the polybags and in the nursery.
b) Lay-flat sprinkler tubes
This system is well suited to large temporary nurseries.
The most popular brand is Sumisansui which is manufactured by Sumitomo Chemical Co.
in Japan.
The upper surface of the tubes has two rows of holes. When the tube is pressurized, a fine
mist is sprayed to ~2 m height at opposite angles. The tubes deflate when not in operation.
Tubes are laid in alternate polybag interrows.
The nursery surface must be level.
Debris and other sharp objects that may puncture the tube must be removed.
Filtration may be required to prevent dirty water and debris from blocking the small
outlet holes.
Advantages
a) Lower initial setup costs.
b) No erosion in the polybags as a fine mist is produced.
Layflat tubes should be installed in alternate rows. As Layflat tubing produces an even, fine mist which does
this nursery has tubes every 4 rows, half the seedlings not cause polybag erosion.
may not receive sufficient irrigation water.
28
Poor maintenance of layflat tubing will result in leaks Hand watering gives uneven coverage in main nurseries
and areas where watering is insufficient. and should only be used in pre-nurseries and in
emergencies.
c) Quick installation as the tubing is very lightweight.

Disadvantages
a) The amount of water applied may be insufficient to fully wet the polybag soil.
b) Watering may not be efficient as seedlings >1 m high will prevent an even spray
distribution. This is why installation in alternate rows rather than every fourth row is
recommended.
c) Tube damage and outlet hole expansion results in leaks and lower line pressures.
c) Handwatering
Handwatering systems are labour-intensive and should only be used in small nurseries (<1
ha) or in small areas where there are problems with the main system.
The main disadvantage is that a lack of uniform watering may lead to uneven seedling
growth (which makes culling more difficult).
Watering cans may be used (in very small nurseries), but usually the system consists of a
reinforced hose-pipe (12-mm or 20-mm Ø) with a sprinkler rose attached. Pressure is
regulated at the outlet.
d) Travelling irrigators
The irrigation water is supplied through a large flexible hose under pressure.
The forward movement is provided by the water pressure and the machine is normally
guided by a wire rope anchored to a tractor or post. The irrigator tracks are designed to
coincide with nursery access roads.
This irrigation method is not commonly used. A major disadvantage is that the variation in
droplet sizes and the high water velocity can cause erosion in polybags and on the soil
surface.
Initial setup costs are higher than the layflat sprinkler system.
MATERIALS
Water.
Oil Palm Nursery 29

PROCEDURES
Prenursery
In small nurseries, seedlings may be handwatered using a 12-mm or 20-mm Ø hose-pipe
fitted with a fine rose.
Main nursery
The general procedure for daily nursery
Check rain
irrigation is outlined in the diagram below. gauge
As a guide, irrigation systems run for three

< 10 mm rainfall > 10 mm rainfall
hours per valve section during the wet
season, and 4–5 hours per valve section
Set valves to No irrigation
during the dry season. This varies required area
between locations but seedlings require
approximately 6.5 mm water/day, Start pump
equivalent to about 0.3 l water/polybag.
Layflat tubes that are damaged should be Check and mark
faulty outlets
replaced as they are not costly. Attempts
to repair tubes inevitably lead to more leaks Change or
replace faulty
and poorly watered seedlings. It is more components
important to prevent damage to tubes via
proper installation and careful handling. Restart pump Return faulty
outlets to workshop
Mainline filters must be cleaned daily.
Supply seedling
Installation of filters that enable ‘back water
washing’ will minimize cleaning time. requirement
Do not change sprinklers, pipes or tubes or Procedure for operation of nursery irrigation system
try to effect repairs while the irrigation pump
is running. Sprinklers should never be repaired whilst they are attached to risers. Faulty
sprinklers, rain-guns and fittings should be repaired at the nursery workshop.
The Nursery Supervisor should check that:
a) irrigation is not causing erosion in the polybag soil and exposing the seedling roots,
b) seedlings are not being ‘overwatered’,
c) all areas are being watered evenly, and
d) rain-gauges are checked, recorded and emptied once each day.
The irrigation operator is responsible for checking the following every day:
a) Irrigation of all planted sections in the nursery.
b) Pumps and filters.
c) Sprinkler operations.
d) Correct timing of application.
e) Soil moisture in polybags (check 20–30 bags per valve area).
f) Irrigation machinery and equipment maintenance.
30
FREQUENCY P
Refer to the diagram under Procedures in this section.
TIMING »
Irrigation events are timed so that a full nursery cycle can be completed in 24 hours or less.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Irrigation times and quantities should be recorded daily in the Nursery Daily Diary.
Notes must be made of any checks made on distribution using rain gauges.
Water use Day mm water mm/day
TASK ¥
seedlings/md ✘ ✔ ✔✔
Hand watering
Prenursery 32,000 40,000 48,000
Main nursery 2,400 3,000 3,600
ENVIRONMENT ý
Do not over-irrigate as it may result in excessive runoff.
All waste fuel, oils and lubricants from pump stations must be disposed of properly.
SAFETY ⊕
Do not remove or repair any part of the irrigation system whilst it is pressurized. Stop the
pump and disconnect the part before attempting repairs.
NOTES ✍
✍ The Nursery Supervisor should note the usage of outlets and parts and advise
management if the stock of spare parts are running low.
✍ Fuel and lubricant stocks for all engines and pumps must be checked daily.
✍ Irrigation must be designed with adequate capacity to apply at least 6.5 mm water/day
to each seedling (approximately 78,000 l/ha).
✍ Generally, the slower the rate of application, the better the soil absorption.
✍ Apply 3–10 mm/hour, depending on environmental conditions.
Oil Palm Nursery 31

✍ Check all installations for an even appli-
cation pattern by placing calibrated con-
tainers at various points in the nursery
to measure the output (mm/hr).
✍ Always test and run the irrigation system
prior to the intake of a 'batch' of seed-
lings.
✍ Pressure gauges (or couplings to accept
gauges) should be installed at various
points in the nursery (particularly the
sections farthest from the pump). Line A main nursery using an OSS immediately after
and outlet pressures should be irrigation. Not that all excess water has drained away.
monitored on a weekly basis and
recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
✍ The Nursery Manager should check irrigation efficiency – select 10 polybags at random
from each ‘batch’ to determine whether the irrigation is uniformly wetting all the soil in
the polybag. He should probe the soil at different levels with his finger, through the
holes in the polybag. He should also check for waterlogging, the presence of pests and
diseases, and poor work practices in the nursery.
32
26.0 SEED SUPPLIES
OBJECTIVES
To secure a timely supply of quality nursery seed in sufficient quantity.
To provide healthy seedlings so that the field planting programme is completed on time.
STANDARDS
Seed requirement, delivery schedules and transport logistics must be planned and
coordinated with other nursery and estate operations.
Insist on the best quality planting material, whether it is seed, pregerminated seed or clonal
ramets.
The seed order (including transport and delivery details) must be completed no later than
nine months before nursery planting is scheduled. If the estate planting programme is
planned to continue for many years, orders can be programmed up to four years in advance.
All planting material must be purchased from a reputable supplier and be free of diseases
and pests. The progeny details and origin should also be known.
EQUIPMENT
Suitable vehicle (with cover, if possible) to take delivery of the seed.
Cool storage area.
Supply of distilled water.
MATERIALS
Recording sheets for seed consignment details.
PROCEDURES
Germinated seed is normally consigned in
lots of 3,000 seeds per box (15 plastic bags
containing 200 seeds each), packed in
strong wooden boxes.
Ensure that the supplier packs the seeds
properly to prevent bruising, damage,
overheating or chilling. Unless it has been
packed properly in insulated boxes, the seed
will chill in the cargo hold of most modern Quality seed is sorted into progeny groups and ages.
Inferior seeds are removed before packing for
jet aircrafts. despatch.
Oil Palm Nursery 33

Seed is normally ordered in lots of 30,000–50,000, depending on the field planting programme
and resources (e.g. labour) available. Smaller, more frequent consignments may be ordered
if:
a) planting can continue on a year-round basis, and
b) the reliability of the supplier and lead times are favourable.
Seed quality monitoring
The seed planted in the nursery must have the genetic potential to produce a tenera palm
in the field (this information is contained in the embryo). The seed itself will be thick-shelled
as it is harvested from a dura seed production palm. Take the following percautions to
avoid planting falsified seeds in the nursery.
1. Crack open a sample of seeds. Proper seed must be of the thick-shelled ‘dura’ type.
• Thin-shelled ‘tenera’ type seed is almost certainly derived from loose fruit collected
under commercial palms and will produce unviable seedlings.
• Thick-shelled ‘dura’ types may have been unofficially and illegally collected from
‘dura’ palm seed gardens.
2. Collect all seed consignments in person from the supplier .
3. Ask the seed supplier to strap seed delivery boxes with a security band.
Plant seeds in the nursery in identified progeny blocks so that inter-progeny variation may
be taken into account when culling three months after seed planting.
Example of seed requirements to plant 136 palms/ha (data should be adjusted according
to local conditions and experience):
Original seed order 185
Less 10% germination and culling losses from prenursery -19 166
Plus 5% gained from "doubletons" +8 174
Less 2% planting failures and other causes -3 171
Less 12% culling failures in main nursery -20 150
Available for planting 136
Reserve for supplies (10% of planting density) 14
Total 150
Seedling age from germination (days). Seedlings which Seedlings at acceptable growth stages at the time of
are younger than 6 days or older than 24 days may be delivery and planting in the nursery.
difficult to plant correctly and without damage.
34
The seed order may have to be adjusted if difficult areas are being planted and supply
planting rates are likely to be >10%.
FREQUENCY P
Once per nursery generation.
Large plantations can order seed and plan deliveries on an ongoing basis throughout the
year.
TIMING »
An initial seed request should be lodged with the seed supplier at least one year before the
required delivery date, unless standing orders have been established.
Seed should be delivered 10–14 months before the scheduled field planting (24 months in
the case of Advanced Planting Material).
All preparations for seed delivery must be completed two weeks before the scheduled nursery
planting. Due consideration must be given to delays in communication, seed preparation
and transportation. These must be written into the schedules.
Government regulations must also be considered and appropriate actions taken to avoid
unnecessary delays.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
All documents relating to actual orders, waybills and delivery notices must be completed
and filed correctly.
Seed must be counted upon delivery. Progenies, their condition, and any other relevant
information which may be relevant to seedling survival (e.g. weather conditions at delivery)
should be recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
Any damage, delays in delivery, and loss must be recorded in detail.
Photographs should be taken of poor consignments to support compensation claims.
Seed Batch No. received % ordered
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
Oil palm planting seeds must not be used for human or animal consumption, or processed
Oil Palm Nursery 35

for use in feedstuff, as they have been treated with chemicals to prevent insect and disease
transmission. Surplus seeds that are not planted should be destroyed.
NOTES ✍
✍ It is advisable to visit the seed production unit to discuss breeding programmes and
view mature field palms which represent progeny lines on offer.
✍ Progeny mixes should be discussed at this stage so that the supplier can conduct the
appropriate seed production programme in the future.
✍ If the nursery out-turn cannot be predicted (e.g. in a new area with inexperienced
nursery staff), order 25% more seed than required to ensure that adequate seedlings
are available for field planting. This ‘precautionary excess’ can be reduced as more
experience is gained.
✍ Seed ordered from another country should be washed with a suitable fungicide (e.g.
0.2% Thiram solution + 0.1% wetting agent) at each of the following stages:
a) After de-pericarping and before heat treatment.
b) During soaking to induce germination.
c) Just before despatch.
d) Upon arrival at the destination.
This is usually done by the supplier and a phytosanitary certificate is sent with the
consignment.
✍ If there is risk of insect transmission, a suitable insecticide should be added to the
fungicide treatment. This treatment is also usually carried out by the supplier and
included on the phytosanitary certificate.
✍ Agitation during soaking should be vigorous, to promote penetration of the solution into
all fibres remaining on the seed.
✍ Seeds should be planted as soon as possible after delivery.
✍ Undifferentiated seedlings (seeds where the root (radicle) and shoot (plumule) are difficult
to distinguish) should be retained in the plastic bag in a cool store (~25 ºC) until they
have developed sufficiently (5–6 days).
✍ Seeds should be carefully inspected upon delivery. Any defects and the extent of
damages should be recorded and discussed with the supplier, to minimize future losses.
✍ Typical defects and damage symptoms are:
a) Brown germ – stubby radicle with lesions.
b) Broken radicle or plumule.
c) Overgrown seedlings – characterized by a leaf sheath on the plumule and adventitious
roots on the radicle. Radicles should be not be longer than 1.5 cm at planting.
d) Chill damage – brown tips on the radicle and plumule, and the interior of the boxes
are cold upon delivery.
e) Variations in seed size or age.
f) Rotting or diseased seedlings – these must not be given to planters for planting in
the nursery. They must be reported to the Nursery Manager.
36
28.0 PLANTING
OBJECTIVES
To plant seed correctly and quickly in order to promote optimum growth and an acceptable
nursery out-turn.
STANDARDS
Seeds must be planted:
a) with root (radicle) pointing
downwards, and shoot (plumule)
upwards,
b) at the correct depth (shoot tip 1 cm
under the soil surface),
c) without damage to the root or shoot,
and
A badly planted seedling in a poorly prepared polybag.
d) with frond shade (refer to Section
30.0).
EQUIPMENT
Trays for seed storage during planting.
Carrying trays (for planters to transport seeds to the nursery).
Shaded area for seed storage.
MATERIALS
Pregerminated seed.
Shade fronds (nipah palm fronds are the most suitable).
Clean water.
PROCEDURES
If a single-stage nursery is used, a number
of seeds are planted in a small prenursery
to provide supplies for in-filling in the main
nursery.
Each progeny and 'batch' must be planted
separately.
Planting procedures are the same for both
main and prenurseries. Seedbags must be handled carefully to minimize
damage to the emerging roots and shoots. Check and
record contents when the bags are opened.
Oil Palm Nursery 37

Keep seed boxes in the shade at all times.
Care must be taken when removing seed bags from the box. The sealed seed bags should
be numbered and placed in a tray of water (10 cm deep) to keep them cool. Seeds in the
seed bags should not be flooded with water from the box (i.e. leave the seed bags sealed
until the seeds are required for planting).
Before handing them to the planters, open the seed bags and moisten the seeds with
distilled water. Bags should be ‘rolled’ open to allow easy access to seeds for planting. The
progeny identification code and other details should be recorded.
Planting teams work in pairs – one to place the seed (seedhandler), and one to plant the
seed (planter). Each team should be given ~400 seeds, in the original bags.
The seedhandler starts ahead of the planter and places a seed on the soil surface beside
each polybag. The seedhandler should work not more than five polybags ahead of the
planter.
Constant checking is required by all management staff. A supervisor must be present at all
times during the planting operation. The Nursery Manager should also check the operation
frequently.
The planter follows the seedhandler and plants the seed as described below.
Seed placement in the polybag
1. Seeds must be planted in the polybags
at ~2 cm depths, with the root (radicle)
pointing downwards. The root can be
identified because it has a ‘cap’.
2. The seeds should then be covered with
soil carefully, levelled and tamped firmly
with the palm of the planter’s hand. (The
shoot (plumule) should be ~1 cm below
the soil surface.) Do not press the soil
too hard. A 21-day old seedling showing the root (radicle)
(pointing downwards) and the shoot (plumule) pointing
3. Diseased or rotten seeds must not be upwards.
planted. Abnormal, broken or rotten
seeds should be retained in the seed bag.
4. When all healthy seeds have been planted, return the seed bags to the recording staff
(with the reject seeds inside, if any) for recording.
5. Seedlings must be irrigated immediately after planting is completed.
FREQUENCY P
Once per generation of seedlings.
TIMING »
In most oil palm areas, seed is nursery-planted 10–14 months before the optimum field
planting period, which typically coincides with the beginning of the wet season.
38
Management is responsible for allocating sufficient labour to plant each 'batch' before midday
so that heat damage is minimized.
TASK ¥
Planting
Prenursery 1,300 1,500 1,750
Main nursery 300 500 600
Ten teams (i.e. 20 workers) can plant a 'batch' of 10,000 seeds in one day.
RECORDS 2
The Nursery Supervisor records the total number of seeds planted ('batch', progeny, bag
number, planter and row number) for each day that planting takes place, and submits the
records to the Nursery Manager.
Rows are labelled with progeny numbers, and date planted.
Nursery Daily Diary, Nursery Map (updated regularly).
Labour Batch md seed/md

Seed Batch Total seed
Seed Batch Healthy seed % healthy
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ Culling losses are recorded for each progeny and the information is used to decide
which progenies to order from the suppliers.
✍ Make sure that planting standards do not decline due to worker fatigue.
✍ Do not plant if the temperature exceeds 45ºC or if the weather is very hot, dry and
windy.
✍ A team of experienced planters should be retained in the nursery to do other tasks
between seed deliveries. Retraining nursery planters for each 'batch' is time consuming,
intensive and reduces seedling out-turn rates.
✍ Prenurseries are normally not mulched (refer to Section 32.0).
Oil Palm Nursery 39

28.1 NURSERY TRANSPLANTING
OBJECTIVES
To transplant seedlings from the prenursery to the main nursery at the optimum time with
no transplanting shock, so that growth is not impeded.
To conduct a preliminary cull of seedlings that show unacceptable abnormalities or growth
patterns.
STANDARDS
Prenursery seedlings are transplanted when they reach the four leaf stage (usually 10–14
weeks after planting).
Progenies and batches must be kept separate and clearly identified at all stages of
transplanting.
The seedling soil bole must be moist and must not be disturbed during transplanting.
Doubletons are separated before transplanting.
EQUIPMENT
Small trowels.
Trays for the prenursery seedlings.
Wheelbarrows to transport polybags to the main nursery.
A sharp blade (e.g. sharpened hacksaw blade) to slit prenursery polybags.
MATERIALS
Mulch material (e.g. palm kernel shell), clean water.
PROCEDURES
1. Prenursery seedlings should be gradually ‘hardened off’ under 75–90% full sunlight in
the 2–3 weeks prior to transplanting (refer to Section 30.0).
2. Check that all the large polybags in the main nursery are filled and properly spaced
3. Using the trowel, dig a hole in the main nursery polybag soil, ~25 cm deep. Alternatively,
a cylindrical core cutter, with a diameter slightly larger than the prenursery seedling and
marked at the required depth, can be used. (These can easily be made out of aluminium
irrigation pipes or 100 mm Ø PVC pipes, and provide the advantage that planting holes
are of a consistent and correct size.)
4. Transplanting teams work in pairs. One worker moves ahead and places the prenursery
seedling beside the prepared main nursery polybag, and prepares the transplanting
hole. He should not be more than five polybags ahead of the planter.
40
5. The prenursery polybag should be slit down the side with a sharp blade and the seedling
removed. The planter then plants the seedling ‘plug’, using the soil removed from the
main polybag to fill any gaps.
6. The soil is lightly tamped and compacted so that the seedling stands firmly upright, with
the seedling collar ~2 cm below the rim of the polybag.
7. A nipah frond shade should be placed over each seedling immediately after planting out
8. The seedlings must be irrigated immediately after transplanting has been completed for
the day.
9. The seedlings should be mulched as soon as possible (and certainly no later than two
weeks) after transplanting (refer to Section 32.0).
Doubletons
A doubleton is a seed from which two
seedlings have emerged.
1. At the time of transplanting to the main
nursery, all doubletons should be placed
in a separate section of the prenursery.
2. Prenursery polybags with doubletons
should be moistened thoroughly and
then slit down the centre (through the
doubleton) with a razor blade to give two
A normal seedling (left) and a doubleton (right) before
halves, each containing a seedling and transplanting from the prenursery.
a bole of moist soil.
3. Each of the separated sections is then immediately transplanted to main nursery
polybags.
4. Separated doubletons are more susceptible to transplanting shock, and should be kept
in a separate section of the nursery for observation and special care.
5. Doubletons in a single stage nursery can also be separated in a similar manner at 10
weeks but the seedling bole is removed from the polybag with a large ball of soil prior to
separation. Ensure that a soil ball is maintained around the roots of each separated
seedling, and that the seedlings do not dry out.
6. Separated doubletons will need more frequent watering for the first four weeks after
transplanting, and their growth will be slightly slower than singleton seedlings.
FREQUENCY P
Once per generation of seedlings, if a double-stage nursery is used.
In a single-stage nursery, transplanting is confined to separation of doubletons and supply
planting to fill gaps in the main nursery.
Oil Palm Nursery 41

Careless transplanting and insufficient watering results These prenursery seedlings are over-aged and certain
in poor seedling growth or seedling death. to be affected by transplanting shock on transfer to the
main nursery.
TIMING »
Transplanting should be carried out when prenursery seedlings have reached the four-leaf
stage (10–14 weeks after planting).
TASK ¥
Transplanting
Seedlings/team 600 1,000 1,500
Additional labour may be required to transport seedlings from the prenursery to the main
nursery.
Do not insist on high task rates – insist on quality transplanting!
RECORDS 2
The date of transplanting must be recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
The number of transplanted seedlings, nursery location and progenies must be recorded
accurately.
Each row, 'batch' and section must be clearly labelled.
Labour Batch md seedlings/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
Waste polybags should be collected and reused or disposed of properly.
42
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ The Nursery Supervisor should check
that planters remove the polybag
completely, instead of just cutting a
section from the bottom of the small
polybag to save time during planting.
✍ The soil around the roots of the
prenursery seedling (bole) should not be
disturbed during transplanting.
✍ Supervisors should check the quality of
transplanting by gently pulling a few
seedlings to confirm that they are firmly
planted.
✍ Avoid planting too deep or too shallow.
✍ Delayed transplanting may lead to yield Sufficient soil must be retained on the seedling roots at
transplanting.
losses of up to 40% in the first three
years of production.
Oil Palm Nursery 43

30.0 SEEDLING SHADE
OBJECTIVES
To protect young seedlings from excessive exposure to sunlight and minimize frond drying
and sunburn, both of which reduces vegetative growth and may even kill the plant.
STANDARDS
In prenurseries, exposure to sunlight at midday should not exceed 75% until the last two
weeks before transplanting (refer to Section 28.1).
In the main nursery, the seedlings should not be exposed to more than 50% sunlight until
the four-leaf stage, when shade should be progressively removed.
EQUIPMENT
Shade house for the prenursery.
Vehicle to transport shade fronds.
MATERIALS
Coconut or nipah palm fronds (i.e. palm fronds with wide pinnae).
Shade cloth for prenursery if available at reasonable cost.
PROCEDURES
Prenursery
1. A wooden frame or permanent structure should be built over the prenursery beds. Fronds
are placed on the structure to initially allow 60% sunlight penetration at midday. When
the fronds have dried out, the final sunlight penetration should be about 75%.
2. The frame should be 2–3 m high to allow unimpeded access to workers, adequate air
circulation, and sufficient early morning and evening sunlight penetration. The covering
may be layered fronds or shadecloth.
3. Two weeks before transplanting, the shade over the respective 'batch' should be gradually
removed so that by the time the seedlings are transplanted they have been exposed to
90% sunlight for one week and properly ‘hardened off’.
Main nursery
1. Immediately after planting (or transplanting from prenursery) in the main nursery, a
single nipah frond pinnae (~50 mm wide) should be arched over the seedling and tucked
into the sides of the bag. The provision of frond shade after transplanting is to minimize
exposure to sunlight and transplanting shock.
2. The frond should be orientated east-west so that the seedling is protected for the whole
day but still receives indirect sunlight in the north and south sides.
44
3. The frond must be long enough to form
an ‘arch’ ≥ 30 cm high in the centre so
that it does not impede seedling growth.
4. When the seedlings have 5–6 fully
opened fronds, the western end of the
frond should be pulled out of the bag and
adjusted so that the seedling gets full
sunlight in the afternoon.
5. One week later, the shade frond should
be removed completely so that the
seedling receives full sunlight all day.
6. The old shade fronds should be removed
from the nursery and burned.
This frond shade arch is too low and may restrict
seedling growth.
FREQUENCY P
Single-stage nursery Once per seedling generation – at planting.
Double-stage nursery Once per seedling generation – at transplanting.
TIMING »
Seedlings should be ‘hardened off’ gradually when they have 5–6 fully opened fronds.
TASK ¥
Placing frond shade 2,400 3,000 3,600

Frond opening 4,000 5,000 6,000
Frond removal 8,000 10,000 12,000
RECORDS 2
Labour Batch bags, md polybags/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 45

NOTES ✍
✍ It may be necessary to construct ventilated ‘walls’ or windbreaks along the sides of the
prenursery to reduce wind damage.
✍ Similarly, it may be necessary to plant windbreaks along exposed boundaries of the
main nursery. However, there should always be slight windflow through the nurseries to
prevent overheating and to reduce humidity.
✍ The use of layers of fronds as shade covering for the prenursery allows better
manipulation of sunlight levels than a single covering of shadecloth.
✍ Oil palm fronds should not be used because of the risk of introducing pests or diseases.
46
32.0 SEEDLING MULCHING
OBJECTIVES
To provide soil conditions that are conducive
for palm growth, by:
a) minimizing loss of soil moisture,
b) suppressing weed growth in the
polybag, and
c) preventing erosion due to irrigation
and rainfall that may expose the
seed.
STANDARDS
An even layer of mulch is applied,
completely covering the surface of the soil
in the polybag, around but not touching the
seedling. These seedlings have been properly mulched with
kernel shell.
Mulch washed out by rainfall or irrigation is
promptly replaced.
EQUIPMENT
Containers or bags to transport mulch to the nursery.
MATERIALS
Clean, disease-free mulch (e.g. oil palm kernel shell).
PROCEDURES
Prenurseries are normally not mulched.
The mulch should be spread around the seedling in a 2.5 cm deep layer covering the soil
surface. The mulch material is not allowed to come into contact with the seedling.
The mulch must be levelled to prevent ‘washing’ into the centre of the bag.
FREQUENCY P
Single-stage nursery Once per seedling generation – at planting.
Double-stage nursery Once per seedling generation – at transplanting.
Oil Palm Nursery 47

TIMING »
Mulch is applied when one frond is fully opened.
TASK ¥
Mulching
Prenursery 12,000 15,000 18,000
Main nursery 1,500 2,000 2,400
RECORDS 2
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ Waste fibre from the palm oil mill (or similar fibre) must not be used as it forms a ‘mat’
and prevents effective water penetration.
✍ The Nursery Manager must advise the Mill Manager when kernel shell is required, and
provide trucks to collect the material on time to prevent disruption at the mill.
✍ Do not use dirty or contaminated material for mulch.
✍ Fresh sawdust is not a suitable mulching material as it results in the immobilization of
soil nitrogen due to its wide C:N ratio.
48
34.0 WEED CONTROL
OBJECTIVES
To keep the polybags completely free of
weeds, which compete with oil palm
seedlings for nutrients, moisture and
sunlight.
Ground weeds are controlled to provide
hygienic conditions and to assist drainage.
Weeds in drains are controlled to allow rapid
flow of excess water out of the nursery after
Weeds in the nursery inhibit seedling growth and
irrigation or rainfall. harbour pests and diseases.
STANDARDS
Polybags, nursery, paths, drains and surrounding areas must be completely free of weeds.
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack spray equipment fitted with nozzle shield.
Containers (20-l), clearly marked ‘HERBICIDES ONLY’ with red paint.
Measuring jug, and a stick or paddle (to mix chemicals).
Bushknife or wide hoe (to remove large weeds).
Used fertilizer bags or wheelbarrows (to transport weeds out of nursery).
Safety equipment for workers doing mixing and spraying.
MATERIALS
Herbicides and surfactant, clean water.
PROCEDURES
Ground-spraying with chemicals
Herbicides are never used in prenurseries.
Ground-weed control using chemicals is preferred in main nurseries because hand-digging
or slashing is often ineffective and may encourage more weed growth.
Guidelines for control of ground weed using chemicals are shown below:
Gramoxone 250 ml
Surfactant 20 ml
Oil Palm Nursery 49

Control recommendations are a guide only, and local recommendations may differ based
on site-specific research.
Knapsack spray equipment settings
Nozzle type AN 2.0

Pressure Low
Flow rate 1.2 l/sec
Walking speed 1.0 m/sec
The nozzle should be held so that the edge of the spray pattern just touches the polybags.
The operator sprays the space between the polybags as he moves down the interrow. The
spray fan must be aligned across the rows. In between polybags, the spray pattern extends
to the outside line of the polybags, giving an effective spray overlap when the next interrow
is sprayed.
Every interrow is sprayed.
If there is a danger of drift due to wind, spraying should be stopped immediately.
The knapsack spray equipment must be calibrated and well-maintained (refer to Section
A3). The operator must not allow any chemical drips or drifts onto the palms.
Nursery spray operators must exercise great care when ground-spraying, to minimize
damage to seedlings. A shielded nozzle assembly is preferred.
Spray operators should walk at a constant speed down each interrow so that an even band
of herbicide is applied. The spray head must not be ‘waved’ from side to side but held
steadily, in front of the operator, at the correct height.
Manual weeding
All remaining weeds are pulled out and put into wheelbarrows or used fertilizer bags, to be
taken to the nursery disposal pit for burning.
Weeding and digging may disturb the soil surface and actually result in increased weed
germination. Therefore consideration should be given to the application of herbicides,
followed by cleanup rounds of manual weeding.
Polybag-weeding
Weeds growing inside polybags must not
be sprayed with herbicide.
All weeds in polybags must be carefully
pulled out. The soil and mulch must be
replaced and levelled.
Drain-weeding
1. Slash all large weeds. Debris must be
collected and delivered to the nursery
disposal pit for burning.
2. Drains are sprayed with chemicals after Seedlings cannot compete with vigorous weed growth in
manual weeding. the first few weeks following transplanting.
50
3. Guidelines for control of drain weeds using chemicals are shown below:
Gramoxone 250 ml
Surfactant 20 ml
Control recommendations are a guide only, and local recommendations may differ based
FREQUENCY P
Ground-weed control should be done as often as necessary (usually once every two months).
Polybag-weeding should be done on a continuous basis until all weeds have been removed.
TIMING »
Rounds should be completed every two months.
TASK ¥
l/md ✘ ✔ ✔✔
Ground-spraying 160 200 240
Manual ground-weeding 1,000 2,000 3,000

Polybag-weeding 3,000 5,000 6,000
RECORDS 2
Chemical Round l, md l/md

Labour Round bags, md polybags/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
Use herbicides responsibly. Do not attempt to create completely weed-free conditions by
spraying excessively.
Do not dispose of surplus mixture, chemicals, or containers infield. Refer to label
recommendations and corporate policy for handling, storage and disposal guidelines.
Do not allow waterways or foodcrops to be contaminated with herbicides.
SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of herbicides.
Oil Palm Nursery 51

Fresh water must be available for workers to wash their hands and faces.
Do not use empty chemical containers to store drinking water or foodstuffs.
Chemical use Chemical mixing Chemical spraying
Sharp handtools Knapsack maintenance
NOTES ✍
✍ Fronds may show orange spots or dead patches within two days following careless
spraying. Seedlings will usually recover and grow out of slight paraquat damage.
However, translocated herbicides (e.g. glyphosate) are not used for ground weed control
in nurseries, because seedlings may be killed even if a small amount of chemical drifts
onto the fronds.
✍ Nursery managers must repeatedly check for careless spraying. Action must be taken
immediately if workers are not following guidelines or if damage is detected (e.g. due to
drift).
✍ Check spray drift by observing applications in the early morning, looking towards the
sunrise. The spray pattern and any drift will be clearly visible.
✍ A nursery disposal site must be designated near the nursery (a pit is preferable). The
waste should be burned once every week, to reduce the risk of disease, insect or rodent
buildup.
52
36.0 PEST CONTROL
OBJECTIVES
To implement effective monitoring and control measures so that seedling damage caused
by insects and other pests is minimized.
STANDARDS
Pest infestations and outbreaks must be detected early and treated promptly and effectively.
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack spray equipment (e.g. Solo type with TX4 hollow cone nozzle set at high pressure).
Containers (20-l), clearly marked ‘PESTICIDES ONLY’ with blue paint.
Measuring jug, and a stick or paddle (to mix chemicals).
Traps and electric fences for vertebrate pests (e.g. wild boar).
MATERIALS
Pesticides, clean water.
PROCEDURES
Careful inspections of seedlings (including the underside of fronds and the unopened spear)
is a responsibility of all nursery personnel.
Insects and pests should be identified before control measures are undertaken.
A specimen of the insect or pest should be shown to the Nursery Manager for identification.
Insects
Pest Latin Name
Tussock moth Oria commentaris

Armyworm Spodoptera litura
Bagworm Mahasena corbetti
Aphids Cerataphis spp.
Oregma spp.
Hysteroneura spp.
Thrips Thrips sp.
Red Spider Mite Tetranychus piecei
Olygonichus sp.
Locust Chortiocetes sp.
Oil Palm Nursery 53

Pest Latin Name
Grasshopper Acridoidea sp.

Crickets Brachytrupes spp.
Acheta spp.
Gryllus spp.
Cockchafers Apogonia spp.
Adoretus spp.
Mealy bugs Dysmicaccus spp.
Vertebrates
Pest Latin Name
Rats Rattus spp.

Wild boar Sus spp.
Porcupine Hystrix brachyura
Monkeys Macaca spp.
Squirrel Callosciurus notatus.
Domestic animals Various
A summary of control measures is shown in the Notes in this section.
FREQUENCY P
As often as indicated by nursery census.
TIMING »
Control measures should be started as soon as the pests are observed.
TASK ¥
Handpicking 3,000 4,000 5,000

Insect spraying 4,000 5,000 6,000
Soil treatments 4,000 5,000 6,000
RECORDS 2
Identification of pests and pesticide applications must be recorded in the Nursery Daily
Diary.

Labour Round Bags, md polybags/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
Use pesticides responsibly and only for the control of the intended target pests.
54
Do not dispose of surplus pesticide mixture or chemical containers in the field. Refer to
product label recommendations and corporate policy for chemical handling, storage and
disposal guidelines.
Do not allow waterways and nontarget areas to be contaminated with pesticides.
SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of pesticides.
Do not use empty chemical containers to store drinking water or foodsfuffs.
Knapsack maintenance
NOTES ✍
✍ Pesticides must be stored separately from herbicides to avoid contamination.
Summary of pest damage symptoms and control measures
Key
Name of pest Control Measures

Summary of symptoms.
Tussock moth A, B
Holes in fronds, and the presence of caterpillars.
Armyworm A, B
Patches of the frond surface appears to have been ‘scraped’ and upon closer
examination, the clusters of armyworm can normally be seen.
Bagworm A, B
Holes in fronds, and a distinctive pupal ‘bag’ hanging underneath the frond.
Grasshopper A, E
Damage to edges of fronds. ‘Hoppers’ can easily be seen feeding on palm fronds in the
nursery.
Oil Palm Nursery 55

Locust A, E
Damage to edges of fronds. Locusts tend to fly more than grasshoppers.
Aphid C
Can be seen upon close examination of the frond axis. Aphids are not normally a
problem, but can cause frond distortion if present in large numbers. The presence of
ants often indicates the presence of aphids, because ants feed on the honeydew
produced by aphids.
Thrips C
Similar to damage by aphids, but thrip infestations are more widely spread on the fronds.
Thrips are small whitish insects.
Red spider mite C

Profuse tiny orange-yellow lesions or general discoloration of the fronds. Large
infestations will produce symptoms similar to magnesium deficiency. Red spider mite
feed on the underside of fronds, and may cause downward ‘cupping’ of frond tips.
Cricket E, F
More common in the prenursery, where seedlings are more closely packed. Feeds on
soft seedling tissue and roots at or below the soil surface. Evidence of soil disturbance,
ridging or burrowing on the polybag soil surface.
Cockchafers E, F
Damage often confined to seedlings at the edges of the nursery. Significant frond damage
and holes. Presence of frass (faeces) on frond surfaces. These insects are nocturnal
feeders, so application of pesticides at night will be more effective.
Mealy bugs C, D
Similar to damage by aphids. Insects are larger than aphids and may have a ‘fuzzy’
coating.
Rats G
Rats are not usually a problem in nurseries. Young palms after field planting are at risk.
Rats gnaw through the lower fronds and bole to eat the soft inner bud tissues. Seedling
death almost always occurs, either from the initial damage or from secondary infection
of the damaged area.
56
Wild pigs H, I
Wild pigs disturb the soil when looking for insects and worms. Polybags may be toppled
and soil scattered. Seedlings may also be chewed. If there are wild pigs in the vicinity,
workers should inform the Nursery Supervisor.
Porcupine I
Similar to damage by rats. Damage is normally greater if the nursery is situated close
to the jungle. Porcupines may drag seedlings for some distance whilst feeding, unlike
rats.
Domestic animals H, I
Horses, cattle, dogs, chickens and other domestic animals can cause damage in a
nursery. A well-constructed fence will normally prevent incursions. If large animals
such as elephants are a problem, consult the local Wildlife Department for assistance.
Key to control measures:

A Manual removal (handpicking).
B Bacillus thuringiensis (BT) (e.g. Dipel) @ 10 grams per 20 litres water + surfactant.
C Dimethoate 40% (e.g. Rogor 40) @ 20 millilitres per 20 litres water + surfactant.
Spray to runoff especially undersides of fronds.
D Trichlorphon (e.g. Dipterex 90SP).
E Malathion (e.g. Malathion 25EC) – apply with a mist blower under strict supervision.
F Chlorpyrifos granules (e.g. Suscon) – apply to soil surface only.
G Refer to Field Handbook (Oil Palm Series) Mature – Section 222.0 for method of
baiting.
H Construction of an electric fence or boundary fence around the nursery.
I Shooting and trapping.
Examples of pesticides have been given. As new products are constantly being developed,
product advice should be sought locally.
Also refer to Field Handbook (Oil Palm Series) Mature – Section 224.0
Oil Palm Nursery 57

38.0 DISEASE CONTROL
OBJECTIVES
To detect and control diseases in the nursery promptly so that seedling growth is not impeded.
To provide disease-free planting material to the field so that early growth is maximized.
STANDARDS
Timely, effective detection and control of disease outbreaks.
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack spray equipment fitted with a TX4 hollow cone nozzle.
Containers (20-l), clearly marked ‘PESTICIDES ONLY’ with blue paint.
Measuring jug, and a stick or paddle to mix chemicals.
MATERIALS
Fungicides, clean water.
PROCEDURES
Diseases should be identified before control measures are undertaken. A specimen should
be taken to the Nursery Manager for identification.
If in doubt, consult an agronomy advisor before proceeding.
Disease Latin Name
Early leaf diseases Glomerella cingulata.

Botryodiplodia spp.
Melanconium spp.
Blast Pythium spp.
Curvularia blight Curvularia sp.
Corticum leaf spot Corticum sp.
Helminthosporium Helminthosporium spp.
Spear or bud rot Fusarium spp.
Knapsack spray equipment settings
Nozzle type TX4

Pressure High
Flow rate 2.4 l/sec
Walking speed 0.5 m/sec
58
Preventive spray
Weekly application of a protectant fungicide (e.g. Thiram 80WP), starting at the six-leaf
stage.
Irrigation should not be applied for 12 hours following spray application.
Curative spray
Curative sprays are applied to eradicate the disease problem after symptoms have appeared
on seedlings. Following identification of a disease, a suitable systemic fungicide (e.g.
Benlate 80WP) is applied weekly, replacing the preventative spray until control is achieved
or until the Nursery Manager advises otherwise.
Irrigation should not be applied for 12 hours following spray application.
Other treatments
a) Nursery management practices often play a major role in the emergence of diseases.
Proper water, fertilizer, mulching and weed management will reduce disease
incidence. Overwatering is a major factor in disease emergence, particularly in
prenurseries.
b) If seedlings are obviously destined to be culled, they should be removed and burned
so that they do not become disease sources. Diseased tissue that has been removed
and seedlings that have died are also removed and burned.
c) Do not have potential sources of disease in or near the nursery – old fruit bunches,
fronds and other rotting vegetation should be cleared up and burned.
d) If diseases are still not under control one week after a curative application of fungicide,
consult the Nursery Manager for alternative treatments.
FREQUENCY P
One fungicide spray to be applied weekly unless the Nursery Manager advises otherwise.
TIMING »
Preventive disease control measures are implemented when seedlings have four fully
opened fronds.
Curative disease control measures are implemented when disease symptoms are observed.
Weekly prophylactic sprays will be necessary until sufficient experience has been gained
to enable the implementation of an integrated pest and disease programme.
TASK ¥
Disease spraying 4,000 5,000 6,000
Oil Palm Nursery 59

RECORDS 2

ENVIRONMENT ý
Use fungicides responsibly and only for the control of the intended target disease.
Do not dispose of surplus pesticide mixture or chemical containers in the field. Refer to
product label recommendations and corporate policy for chemical handling, storage and
disposal guidelines.
Do not allow waterways and nontarget areas to be contaminated with fungicides.
SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of fungicides.
Do not use empty chemical containers to store drinking water or foodsfuffs.
NOTES ✍
✍ A weekly census should be taken, to monitor disease levels in the nursery.
✍ Disease control is most effective when regular preventative spraying is carried out.
✍ Control recommendations are a guide only. Local recommendations may differ based
Summary of disease symptoms, and preventive or corrective action
Key
Name of disease
Symptoms.
Preventive or corrective action.
60
Early leaf diseases
Small, pale spots turning brown with a pale margin. In severe cases, frond tips may
become necrotic. Occurs mainly in prenurseries, where conditions are warmer and
more humid.
Reduce excessive shade, allow adequate air movement, apply fungicide sprays.
Blast
Root disease causing necrosis (death) of older fronds, younger fronds become dull,
olive-green with necrotic tips.
Ensure correct watering. Check that the polybag soil contains sufficient moisture.
Mulch the polybag soil surface.
Curvularia
Small, dark brown spots with a distinct yellow or brown
‘halo’. Occurs primarily in main nurseries and affects
only older seedlings with poor vigour. In severe cases,
the entire leaf dries up.
Apply preventive fungicides. Remove and destroy
weak or diseased seedlings.
Seedling affected by curvularia blight
Corticum
Older fronds show rows of brown lesions that dry out, leaving grey to greyish-white
fronds with a purplish margin. A disease of the main nursery.
Apply preventive fungicides. Remove and destroy weak or diseased seedlings.
Helminthosporium
Dark brown spots surrounded by a chlorotic ‘halo’ that turns yellow. Leaves dry up from
the margin. A disease of older seedlings when nursery conditions become crowded.
Apply preventive fungicides. Ensure seedling spacings are correct and open air
channels if seedlings are densely packed. Remove and destroy diseased seedlings.
Spear or bud rot

The spear and newly opened fronds become yellow and eventually turn black (affected
spears and fronds can easily be pulled out by hand). The affected basal area of the
frond often has a foul smell. Rarely occurrs in well-managed nurseries.
Badly affected palms should be destroyed. At the first sign of disease, drench the
growing point with Thiram 80 weekly for four weeks. If the palm recovers, it should
be clearly marked and its future development monitored closely. If subsequent
growth is poor, cull the seedling and destroy it.
Oil Palm Nursery 61

40.0 MANURING (FERTILIZING)
OBJECTIVES
To provide seedlings with an adequate supply of nutrients so that growth is maximized.
STANDARDS
Fertilizer applications must be made according to the established nursery programme.
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack spray equipment (e.g. Solo type with TX4 hollow cone nozzle set at high pressure).
Containers (20-l), clearly marked ‘FOLIAR FERTILIZERS ONLY’ with blue paint.
Calibrated measuring tins.
Measuring jug, and a stick or paddle to mix chemicals.
MATERIALS
Fertilizers, clean water.
PROCEDURES
Nursery fertilizer recommendations vary according to soil type, location and local practices,
so the advice of a qualified agronomist or experienced manager should be sought.
Phosphorus P is not mobile in the soil, therefore surface applications of P fertilizer are not
very effective. To ensure an adequate supply of phosphorus to nursery seedlings, the
phosphate fertilizer must be evenly distributed in the polybag soil (refer to Section 22.0).
Incorrect application of an excessive amount of urea will Application of granulated fertilizer in a prenursery. This
damage seedling’s root system. is not usually recommended as it may cause frond
scorch.
62
Prenursery
If quality topsoil is used, manuring is not required in the prenursery because during the first
six weeks, the young palm derives part of its nutrient requirements from the seed kernel.
If the top soil is substandard, one tablet of ‘Nursery Ace’ should be placed ~10 cm below
the soil surface before seed planting.
In rare cases where the prenursery seedlings lack vigour, a compound foliar fertilizer should
be applied (refer to Section 40.1). Prenursery seedlings should be sprayed thoroughly
until the mix runs off the fronds.
Do not apply foliar fertilizers during very hot or dry conditions, or to seedlings that are under
moisture stress.
Main nursery
Plastic spoons or calibrated tins are used to measure the correct amount of fertilizer, which
is then sprinkled in a circle ~5 cm from the base of the seedling.
Fertilizer should not touch any part of the seedling.
The Nursery Supervisor must check that every seedling has been fertilized correctly.
Fertilizer applications should cease one month before field planting.
FREQUENCY P
As indicated by the nursery fertilizer programme.
It is always more effective to apply small amounts of fertilizers frequently, than to
apply large amounts less frequently.
Fertilizer applications may need to be reduced if vegetative growth is too vigorous and if
there is a risk that seedlings are ready before field preparations for planting have been
completed.
TIMING »
Prenursery Refer to Section 40.1
Main nursery Refer to Section 40.2
TASK ¥
Prenursery spraying 32,000 40,000 48,000

Main nursery application 1,600 2,000 2,400
Oil Palm Nursery 63

RECORDS 2
Fertilizer Round grams g/polybag

ENVIRONMENT ý
Do not allow waterways and groundwater to be contaminated with fertilizers and other
residues. It is better to apply small amounts of fertilizers frequently, than to apply large
amounts less frequently.
Do not dispose of surplus fertilizer, bags or packaging in the nursery. Reuse or recycle
empty fertilizer bags and other polybags (e.g. for loose fruit collection).
SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of fertilizers.
Fertilizers may cause irritation to eyes and open wounds. Personal protection measures
should be implemented to minimize this risk.
Fertilizer bags are heavy (~50 kg). Lifting and carrying should be done with care (i.e. bend
the legs at the knees.
NOTES ✍
✍ Nursery supervisors must regularly check for careless fertilizer application. Action must
be taken immediately if workers are not following guidelines or if frond scorch damage
is detected.
64
40.1 PRENURSERY MANURING
FOLIAR FERTILIZERS
Foliar fertilizers should be only be mixed in containers marked ‘FOLIAR FERTILIZERS’.
If deficiency symptoms are observed, the Nursery Manager should recommend
supplementary fertilizer applications.
Approximately 500 seedlings can be treated with 20 l of spray mixture.
Do not over-fertilize in an attempt to obtain better seedling growth. Excessive doses of
foliar fertilizers may have the opposite effect, causing frond scorch and retarded growth
TIMING »
Applications should be made in the afternoon (after irrigation) and left for 12 hours before
the next irrigation application.
Do not apply foliar fertilizers during very hot or dry weather, or when seedlings are stressed.
ENVIRONMENT ý
Refer to Section 40.0.
SAFETY ⊕
NOTES ✍
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 65

40.2 MAIN NURSERY MANURING
COMPOUND FERTILIZERS
Granular compound fertilizers are often used and provide all the necessary nutrients in a
single application. There are many brands available on the market, but only reputable
fertilizer brands should be used.
Compound fertilizers are preferred in the nursery because fewer applications are required
and there is less risk of missed nutrient applications.
The two most frequently used compound fertilizer mixes are
A 15-15-6-4 (N-P-K-Mg).
B 12-12-17-2+TE (N-P-K-Mg+Trace elements).
Compound fertilizers application rates.
Age* Quantity** Type N P2O5 K2O MgO
1 5 A 0.8 0.8 0.3 0.2

3 7 B 0.8 0.8 1.2 0.1
5 7 A 1.1 1.1 0.4 0.3
7 10 B 1.2 1.2 1.7 0.2
10 10 A 1.5 1.5 0.6 0.4
13 10 B 1.2 1.2 1.7 0.2
16 15 A 2.3 2.3 0.9 0.6
19 15 B 1.8 1.8 2.6 0.3
22 20 A 3.0 3.0 1.2 0.8
25 20 B 2.4 2.4 3.4 0.4
28 20 B 2.4 2.4 3.4 0.4
32 25 B 3.0 3.0 4.3 0.5
10 Kieserite 2.7
36 25 B 3.0 3.0 4.3 0.5
20 MOP† 12.0
40 25 B 3.0 3.0 4.3 0.5
44 30 B 3.6 3.6 5.1 0.6
48 30 B 3.6 3.6 5.1 0.6
20 Kieserite 5.4
52 30 B 3.6 3.6 5.1 0.6
56 30 B 3.6 3.6 5.1 0.6
30 Kieserite 8.1
Total 404 41.9 41.9 62.7 24.0
*
Weeks from transplanting into the main nursery - if a single-stage nursery is used, use
prenursery recommendations.
**
g/seedling
†
MOP muriate of potash.
66
The total requirement for compound fertilizers for a batch of 10,000 seedlings is as follows:
Fertilizer g/seedling kg Bags (50 kg)
15-15-6-4 57 570 11
12-12-7-2+TE 277 2,770 55
Kieserite 60 600 12
MOP 20 200 4
Total 414 4140 82
SINGLE FERTILIZERS
Granular compound fertilizers are more expensive than single fertilizers. If suitable topsoil
is used, healthy seedlings can be produced using the single fertilizers commonly available
in the plantation. Stocks of these fertilizers are generally available, therefore ‘special’ fertilizer
orders (and stocks) can be avoided.
The nutrient applications should be equivalent to the amounts stated in the ‘Compound
fertilizers application rates’ table. A nutrient conversion table is provided in Appendix A4.
SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZERS

Compacted, slow-release fertilizers in tablet form are expensive in terms of the nutrient unit
cost, and the benefits may not justify general usage in the main nursery stage.
TIMING »
Refer to ‘Compound fertilizer application rates’ table.
ENVIRONMENT ý
SAFETY ⊕
NOTES ✍
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 67

40.4 NUTRIENT DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS
NOTES ✍
✍ Nutrient deficiency symptoms should not be observed in the nursery if suitable soil has
been used and nursery management (including fertilizer use) is efficient.
✍ It is important not to confuse genetic abnormalities (e.g. genetic orange-spotting) with
nutrient deficiencies (e.g. K deficiency).
✍ Nursery soil should be analyzed for nutrient content and texture each year and whenever
the soil source is changed. Fertilizer programmes should be adjusted according to the
soil analysis results.
✍ In many cases, ‘deficiencies’ are actually due to incorrect irrigation, incorrect
fertilizer application, herbicide damage or insects/pathogens feeding on the foliage.
✍ It is the Nursery Supervisor’s job to check for abnormal growth and seek assistance
from the Nursery Manager if necessary.
Refer to:
1. Rankine, I. and Fairhurst, T.H. (1998) Field Handbook (Oil Palm Series Volume 3) –
Mature. Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Potash and Phosphate Institute of Canada
(PPIC) & 4T Consultants, Singapore.
2. Fairhurst, T. (1998) Pocket Guide – Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms and Disorders in
Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). Potash & Phosphate Institute (PPI), Singapore.
✍ Deficiencies symptoms may appear under certain conditions. These are summarized
below.
Key
Nutrient
Deficiency symptoms.
Probable cause.
Corrective action.
Nitrogen (N)
Uniform paling or yellowing of the entire leaf area of the seedling.
Insufficient N fertilizer. Waterlogging – excessive water ‘lying’ in the polybag or on
the ground, causing water saturation of the polybag soil. Intensive solar radiation –
removal of shade usually causes temporary ‘N deficiency’. Insufficient watering. N
volatilization caused by the application of urea without sufficient irrigation.
Adjust the N fertilizer rate. Make sure that the site has been properly prepared, and
that irrigation equipment has been installed and maintained properly. Install additional
68
drainage if necessary. If the polybags become waterlogged, the irrigation schedule
should be adjusted. It may be necessary to change the source of nursery soil.
Ensure that seedling shade is managed correctly (refer to Section 30.0) . Check
irrigation schedules and individual valves to verify correct and full watering.
Phosphorus (P)
No specific symptoms. Poor root development and as a result, the height and girth
increments are reduced. Seedlings appear to be stunted. Refer to Section 22.0.
Nursery soil source is P deficient (Ultisols or red-yellow podzolic soils, Oxisols,
Andisols). Test the nursery soil by growing an ‘indicator’ plant such as Pueraria
phaseoloides in a polybag of nursery soil.
P deficiency should not occur if nursery soil has been prepared correctly (refer to
Section 22.0).
Potassium (K)
Not usually evident in properly managed nurseries and where suitable soil has been
used. Deficiency shows as small, olive green spots that later turn bright orange-yellow
and transmit light. Affected palms have a ‘flat top’ appearance.
Very sandy soil containing insufficient K has been used to fill polybags. Seedlings
held in nursery too long. Soils which contain 2:1 clay minerals which ‘fix’ K (e.g.
soils derived from marine alluvium).
If symptoms are observed, consider changing the source of nursery soil. Genetic
orange spotting may be evident on some clones or progenies and is not due to K
deficiency.
Magnesium (Mg)
Can be identified by the appearance of bright orange discoloration of the older fronds.
Shaded fronds do not show the deficiency symptoms.
Nursery soil source contains insufficient amount of Mg. Mg deficiency occurs most
commonly in sandy textured soils and soils that contain small amounts of organic
matter. Intensive solar radiation can also contribute to Mg deficiency. Excessive
application of other nutrients (especially N and K) may induce Mg deficiency.
Check source of nursery soil. Use a quality compound fertilizer which contains Mg.
Ensure that the observed frond symptoms are not due to chimera genetic
abnormalities.
Copper (Cu)
Chlorotic speckles appear on the edge of the youngest open frond. Affected pinnae
turn yellow starting at the distal end of leaves. Severe stunting. Pinnae may show
Oil Palm Nursery 69

desiccation and necrosis in the affected area. Rare in nurseries unless applications of
N or P are excessive or uneven, or if peat soils have been used to fill polybags.
Soil used is severely deficient in Cu, or deficient in K. Excessive N availability.
Large application P without sufficient K. Large applications of Mg fertilizer.
Do not use peat or soils with very high organic matter to fill polybags. Nursery
seedlings can be treated with a 0.05% solution of CuSO4. This can be mixed with
the foliar fertilizer applications for four consecutive applications.
Boron (B)
Boron deficiencies such as ‘hook leaf’, ‘wrinkle leaf’ and ‘whisker’ occur in older palms,
but rarely in nursery seedlings.
Symptoms such as ‘hook leaf’, ‘wrinkle leaf’ and ‘whisker’ in nursery seedlings are
usually due to genetic abnormalities.
If frond abnormality is severe or growth poor, the seedlings should be culled.
Application of boron fertilizers in nurseries is not recommended.
70
41.0 MONITORING SEEDLING PERFORMANCE
OBJECTIVES
To determine whether seedling growth and nutrient uptake is sufficient to produce healthy
seedlings ready for transplanting at 10 months from seed planting.
To determine whether the nutrient status of seedling palms is adequate at the field planting
stage.
To determine whether suitable seedlings can be produced from the seed source.
To assess the effectiveness of the nursery fertilizer programme and identify the need for
improvements and adjustments.
STANDARDS
Vegetative measurements are taken in each batch at 4, 6, 8 and 10 months from seed
planting.
Leaf samples are taken for analysis at 8–10 months from seed planting.
250 100 200 20
Green fronds/seedling
175
200 80
150 15
Height (cm)
PCS (mm2)
Bole (mm)
150 60 125
100 10
100 40 75
50 5
50 20
25
0 0 0 0
6 8 10 12 6 8 1012 6 8 1012 6 8 1012
Month Month Month Month
Typical values for four vegetative characteristics of oil palm seedlings measured at 6, 8, 10 and 12 months after
seed planting.
Critical leaf nutrient content (10 m from planting, % dry matter)

N P K Mg Ca
Frond #3 3.3-3.5 0.19-0.21 1.5-2.0 0.5-0.6 0.3-0.4
EQUIPMENT
2 m steel rule or carpenter’s rule.
Vernier calliper (micrometer).
Sharp knife.
Oil Palm Nursery 71

Measurement of leaf height Measurement of petiole cross- Measurement of bole diameter. Two
increment. section on Frond #3 using a vernier measurements are taken at right
calliper. angles to each other
MATERIALS
Standard recording form for nursery monitoring.
PROCEDURES
Ten normal, healthy seedlings are randomly selected for each batch and marked with orange
paint, to monitor vegetative growth and leaf sampling for nutrient status.
The same palms are used for measurements taken at 4, 6, 8, and 10 months after seed
planting.
Height increment: Grasp the five centre fronds, hold them in a vertical position and measure
the distance (cm) from the base of the seedling bole to the leaf tip of the longest frond.
Bole diameter: Place the vernier callipers firmly across the widest part of the seedling bole
and measure (mm). Calculate the mean of two measurements taken at right angles to
each other.
Petiole cross section (PCS): This measurement is taken on Frond #3 at the insertion point
of the first rudimentary leaflets. Measure the width and depth of the rachis using vernier
callipers.
PCS(mm2) = petiole depth x width
Count the number of green fronds – do not count old, dead leaves.
Leaf samples for nutrient analysis are taken from Frond #3. Remove four adjacent leaflets
from each side of the leaf at the point on the rachis where the flat top changes to angular
(i.e., as for field palms). Sample each of the 10 marked palms to prepare a bulk sample.
The sampled leaves from the 10 seedlings are dried and prepared for the laboratory in the
usual way (refer to Field Handbook (Oil palm Series) Mature – Section A6).
72
These seedlings have grown very Seedlings that have been properly There may be considerable variation
tall (etiolation) because they have identified as runts should be in growth between seedlings within a
been left too long in the nursery at a destroyed immediately. Do not keep batch, due to genetic variability,
close spacing. If it is necessary to runts back in ‘hospitals’ in the hope uneven fertilizer application, poor
keep seedlings back, rearrange that they will recover. irrigation management, or variability
them at a wider spacing. in nursery soil.
FREQUENCY P
Vegetative measurements are taken four times over the duration of each seedling batch.
Leaf analysis is carried out once per seedling batch.
TIMING »
Seedling measurements are taken at 4, 6, 8, and 10 months after seed planting.
Leaf samples are taken for nutrient analysis 10 months after seed planting.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
The following data is recorded for each batch:
Petiole cross section Batch width, height mm2

Bole diameter Batch mm mm/month
Height Batch cm/seedling cm/month
No. fronds Batch number fronds/month
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 73

SAFETY ⊕
Sharp handtools
NOTES ✍
✍ Monitoring seedling performance using simple vegetative measurements is a simple
method for checking the quality of seed purchased. Falsified seed is usually composed
of seed extracted from loose fruit collected from mature palms (refer to Section 26.0).
Such seed will show great variability in terms of vegetative growth characteristics in the
nursery stage due to genetic differences between seeds.
✍ When general nursery practice (e.g. fertilizer application, irrigation, weeding) has been
carried out uniformly in a seedling batch, great variability in vegetative characteristics
within the sample of 10 measured palms may indicate poor quality seed.
✍ Seed sources vary in terms of vigour. Less vigorous seedlings do not necessarily produce
less productive palms. Compare the results of local vegetative measurements with
data provided by the seed producer. Draw up benchmark graphs for seedling growth
performance in consultation with the seed producer.
✍ Seedling may become etiolated due to the effects of inter-seedling competition in
nurseries where seedlings have been placed too close to each other.
✍ Vegetative growth measurements provide a reliable indication of seedling vigour in the
nursery. Poor growth rates may be due to:
a) insufficient application of mineral fertilizers,
b) insufficient soil moisture due to incorrect nursery irrigation scheduling,
c) effect of competition from weeds on seedling growth,
d) effect of pest and diseases on seedling growth,
e) waterlogging in polybags where unsuitable soil has been used for polybag filling,
f) transplanting shock during transplanting from the prenursery to the main nursery,
g) spacing in the main nursery is too close resulting in inter-seedling competition for
light and seedling etiolation (i.e. excessive height increment), and
h) use of poor quality seed.
74
42.0 CULLING
OBJECTIVES
To minimize the number of poor quality seedlings planted in the field and ensure that all
seedlings which are planted in the field become productive palms.
STANDARDS
All abnormal seedlings which may reduce the future yield are culled and destroyed.
Total culling rate in a well-managed nursery that uses planting material from a reputable
source should be about 15–25%. In some cases, it may be greater (up to 45%) in order to
achieve high quality field planting material.
EQUIPMENT
Bushknife.
MATERIALS
Paint (blue, red), paint brushes.
PROCEDURES
Prenursery
Seedlings that are obviously unhealthy or abnormal should be clearly marked (for disposal
at transplanting) as a daily nursery routine.
A thorough culling of all abnormal seedlings should be carried out at the time of transplanting
from the prenursery (refer to Section 42.2).
If quality planting material has been used and the prenursery is well-managed, the prenursery
culling rate should be ≤10%.
All culled seedlings should be destroyed. Otherwise they may provide a host for pests and
a source of inoculum for diseases.
Main nursery
Three rounds of culling inspections and
marking should be done – on the 3rd month,
6th month, and just before loading for
dispatch to the field. Seedling older than
10 months are difficult to cull and may have
to be left until the seedlings are due for
despatch.
If quality planting material has been used
and the prenursery is well-managed, the
Destroy all culled seedlings!
Oil Palm Nursery 75

main nursery culling rate should be ≤20% in a double-stage main nursery, and ≤30% in a
single-stage main nursery.
Refer to Section 42.2 for typical seedling abnormalities.
1. At 16 weeks, the Nursery Manager or his assistants should proceed down each interrow
and ‘scan’ for any seedlings with non-typical appearance.
2. These should be examined more closely, and if they are abnormal in any way they
should be marked with blue paint on one side of the polybag.
3. The Nursery Manager should be advised when the first marking and census has been
completed. He should then conduct a preliminary inspection to confirm that initial cull
identification has been done correctly.
4. The above procedure should be repeated eight weeks later (~24 weeks after planting)
but this time, the Nursery Manager or his assistants should proceed from the opposite
direction so that they cannot see the blue marks made previously.
5. Any abnormal seedlings should be marked with red paint.
Seedlings with a double mark (blue and red) are definite culls but some seedlings with a
red or blue mark may also be culled.
The Nursery Manager should be advised when the second marking and census has been
completed. He should then conduct a second inspection to confirm that the second culling
round has been done correctly.
The culling procedure should be completed three weeks before despatch. The Nursery
Manager or his assistants should examine all the ‘double-marked’ seedlings and order all
definite culls to be destroyed with bushknives, and removed from the seedling ‘batch’.
Seedlings with a single mark will be closely re-examined by the Nursery Manager, who will
indicate whether or not the marked seedlings should be destroyed. The Nursery Manager
should not delegate this work to others.
At the time of despatch, a final cull should be undertaken to destroy any abnormal seedlings
that have escaped the previous culling rounds. Therefore, the Nursery Supervisor should
always be present when seedlings are loaded for despatch to the field (refer to Section
50.0).
The soil from the culled seedling polybags should be emptied inside the nursery area and
raked flat at a later date. Polybags that at not damaged should be reused for new planting
or for reinforcing polybags that have split. Culled seedlings, damaged polybags and
other rubbish should be removed from the nursery area and taken to the nursery
disposal area for burning.
FREQUENCY P
Four separate operations, as outlined above.
TIMING »
Prenursery cull At transplanting from prenursery.
(Not applicable in single-stage nursery).
First cull marking (blue) 3–4 months after planting.
76
Second cull marking (red) 6–7 months after planting.
Final Cull At time of loading for despatch.
TASK ¥
Prenursery culling 32,000 40,000 48,000

Main nursery culling 8,000 10,000 12,000
RECORDS 2
Standard Nursery Report Form (including Census) is completed and submitted not later
than the third working day of the month.
All data is recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
Labour Batch Bags, md polybags/md
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
Bushknives are sharp cutting instruments and should be used and maintained with care.
Sharp handtools
NOTES ✍
✍ Never compromise on culling!
✍ Never retain poor quality seedlings in an attempt to achieve a higher nursery out-turn.
Change the seed supplier if the culling rate exceeds 35%.
✍ Culling rates of 40% or greater have been observed under certain circumstances, e.g.
where experienced planters have insisted upon high quality field planting material from
nurseries planted with poor quality seed. However, the additional nursery costs are
recovered many times over in terms of increased yield and homogenous palm stands.
✍ The consequences of planting poor seedlings include reduced yields, incomplete stands,
increased supply planting rates, poor canopy development, and reduced profits.
✍ Culling is to be supervised personally by the Nursery Manager, with four workers to
mark and destroy the abnormal seedlings.
✍ Seedling vigour is not closely correlated with fruit bunch yield. Do not cull seedlings
merely on the basis of size.
Oil Palm Nursery 77

42.2 SEEDLING DISORDERS
NOTES ✍
Not all seedlings affected by the disorders listed below must be culled. However, if the
symptoms are such that palm growth and yield potential are likely to be affected, the seedling
should be culled.
Abnormal seedlings do not produce an economic yield and must never be despatched for
field planting.
Key
Description of disorder
Symptoms most commonly observed.
Probable cause and notes on the condition.
Normal seedling
Healthy leaf growth. No leaf abnormalities (Photo 1 and 2).
Seed planted correctly (right way up). Proper fertilizer application. No herbicide
damage. Proper and timely weeding. Proper culling in both pre- and main nursery.
Twisted shoot
New shoot is bent or twisted, and may appear from the soil at an angle to the vertical
(Photo 3).
Seed planted incorrectly (usually upside down). May also be due to contamination
with hormone-based herbicides. Cull if the fronds remain twisted or seedling growth
is severely affected.
Collante
Fronds are ‘puckered’ (Photo 4).
Irregular watering. Cull the seedling if vigour does not improve after the watering
problem has been corrected.
Narrow (grass) leaf

Lamina (lemma) is narrow and ‘grass like’ (Photo 5).
Genetic disorder. May be due to moisture stress. Cull if seedling vigour does not
improve after the watering problem has been corrected.
78
Crinkled leaf
Frond is disfigured by lines of transverse corrugations (Photo 6).
Slight cases may be due to incorrect nursery practice or insect attack during early
frond development. Severe cases are usually of genetic origin and must be culled.
Rolled leaf
The frond rolls in on itself, giving the appearance of a ‘spike’ (Photo 7).
Slight cases may be due to incorrect nursery practice, insect attack during early
frond development, or moisture stress. Severe cases are usually of genetic origin
and must be culled.
Dwarfs
Seedlings resemble normal palms but lack vigour and remain small (Photo 8).
Seedlings which lack vigour may be more susceptible to leaf diseases (e.g. Curvularia
spp). Severely stunted seedlings are culled.
Upright palms
Seedling fronds set at a narrow angle to the main stem so that the palm has a very
upright appearance. Often taller than surrounding seedlings (Photo 9).
Genetic disorder. Can only be identified after six months growth. Often results in
sterile (non-yielding) palms if planted out. Cull all upright palms.
Flat top
Newly produced fronds are progressively shorter, resulting in a ‘flattened’ appearance
(Photo 10).
Genetic disorder. May only be identified at second cull or at time of dispatch. Cull all
flat-topped seedlings. May be due to severe K deficiency.
Juvenile form
The pinnae remain undivided until the palms are 5–6 months old (Photo 11).
The palms should be marked. If the condition persists, it may indicate sterility and
the palms must be culled.
Short internode
The distance between pinnae on the rachis is small giving the appearance of frond
compression (Photo 12).
Genetic origin. Cull all short internode seedlings.
Oil Palm Nursery 79

1. A healthy prenursery seedling. 2. A healthy mainnursery seedling. 3. Twisted shoot caused by planting
the seed upside down.
4. Collante(puckered fronds). 5. Narrow (grass) leaf. 6. Crinkled leaf.
7. Rolled leaf seedling. 8. Dwarf seedling (right) compared 9. Upright seedling.

with a normal seedling on the left.
80
10. Flap-top seedling. 11. Juvenile seedling. 12. Short internode seedling.
13. Wide internode seedling. 14. Narrow pinnae seedling. 15. Chimera seedling in a main
nursery
16. Normal seedling (top) and 17. Palms affected by crown 18. Herbicide damage symptoms
raksaksa or giant seedling palm disease are easily identified in the may resemble nutrient deficiency
(bottom). Note difference in petiole nursery and should be destroyed. symptoms (top) or incorrect seed
base width and colour. planting (bottom).
Oil Palm Nursery 81

Wide internode
The distance between the pinnae is abnormally long. Seedling has a very ‘open’
appearance (Photo 13).
Genetic origin. Do not confuse with etiolation, which is usually caused by
overcrowding in the nursery. Cull all wide internode seedlings.
Narrow pinnae
Pinnae are narrow and sharply pointed (due to rolling) and the angle of insertion between
the pinnae and rachis is small (Photo 14).
Genetic origin. Cull all narrow pinnae seedlings.
Chimera
Seedling fronds display stripes or sections of whitish, chlorotic tissue (Photo 15).
Fronds are lacking in chlorophyll resulting in reduced photosynthetic rate. Affected
seedlings should be culled.
Giant palm
Wide and white petiole base (Photo 16 bottom). Very large bole and ‘upright’ fronds.
Giant palms grow into vegetatively vigorous but unproductive ‘sterile’ pisifera palms.
The condition is evident at 6–8 months in the nursery (Photo 16 top and bottom).
Cull all giant seedlings.
Diseased palms
The most common is crown disease. Young fronds are twisted and bent. Often leads
to spear rot. Difficult to detect until seedlings are 8-10 months old.
All affected seedlings should be culled.
Herbicide damage
Similar symptoms to crown disease. Scorched patterns on fronds.
Usually seedlings will grow out of the damage, but if symptoms persist, affected
seedlings should be culled. Prevent occurrence by careful management of spraying
operations.
82
44.0 CENSUS
OBJECTIVES
To monitor seedling numbers and conditions for accurate planning of future planting areas.
STANDARDS
Census figures must be accurate and the Nursery Manager must check the quality of census
data before reports are submitted to the Plantation Manager.
EQUIPMENT
One tally counter per person.
MATERIALS
One census record form per person.
PROCEDURES
1. Seedling population is recorded using the tally counter. The totals should be recorded
for each row.
2. Whole ‘batches’ are to be completed before moving to a different 'batch'.
3. Record the following:
a) Number planted.
b) Number of culls.
c) Number dead or missing.
d) ‘Batch’ identification and seedling totals.
e) Progenies.
The data (monthly and cumulative) must be submitted to the Nursery Manager each
month.
Census for other information requested by the Nursery Manager (e.g. pest and disease)
are carried out using a procedure similar to the one outlined above.
FREQUENCY P
A monthly census of each 'batch' of seedlings must be completed and the data submitted to
the Nursery Manager no later than two working days after the end of the month.
Other census frequencies will be at the discretion of the Nursery Manager.
TIMING »
Census are completed and report submitted by the end of the month. ‘Spot’ census as
requested by the Nursery Manager should start as soon as the request is received.
Oil Palm Nursery 83

TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Nursery Census Forms must be filled out after each inspection and cull and submitted
promptly to Nursery Manager.

Seedlings Batch Planted %/batch
Seedlings Batch Culled %/batch
Seedlings Batch Dead %/batch
Seedlings Batch Missing %/batch
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
None.
NOTES ✍
✍ Use nursery census results to determine which progenies produce the largest seedling
out-turn rates.
84
46.0 SANITATION AND GENERAL MAINTENANCE
OBJECTIVE
To prevent buildup of debris, weeds, insects or diseases in the nursery.
To allow unimpeded access at all times.
To repair irrigation equipment, buildings, drainage, etc. through an ongoing preventive
programme, so that costly and damaging breakdowns are minimized.
STANDARDS
All rubbish, damaged polybags, culled
seedlings and other refuse must be
transported to the nursery disposal pit and
burned.
A repair workshop area should be set up and
equipped with a bench, vice and basic tools
so that repairs can be done on-site and
without delay.
Leaks and faulty equipment should be repaired
All maintenance schedules must be kept up immediately.
to date.
PROCEDURES
Cleanup operations should be carried out frequently so that the nursery and surroundings
are kept clean and tidy.
The Nursery Supervisor must be trained to pay meticulous attention to the maintenance of
equipment and the nursery site. He must note any potential equipment problems and
advise the maintenance crew to repair them promptly.
Broken irrigation and pump parts should be replaced or repaired to enable continuous
operation of the irrigation system. Old parts should be repaired if possible to be used as a
backup. A spare main pump unit, compatible with the existing couplings and mountings,
should be kept on stand-by.
Larger and complex repairs should be referred to maintenance staff or specialist maintenance
contractors.
Water filters and knapsack sprayers require regular maintenance.
Oil Palm Nursery 85

FREQUENCY P
The entire nursery and all stores should be tidied once each month.
Equipment maintenance and servicing are ongoing activities.
TIMING »
Nursery maintenance should be conducted monthly.
When the seedlings from a batch have been despatched, the nursery section is cleared
and prepared for the next batch (refer to Section 16.0).
Repairs and maintenance are ongoing procedures but should be based on preventive
maintenance. The Nursery Manager should make it a daily routine to inspect the key areas
of the nursery (e.g. the main pump) for potential problems.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
All problems and observations should be recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
SAFETY ⊕
Do not attempt to repair irrigation systems whilst under pressure. Stop the pump before
undertaking repairs.
NOTES ✍
✍ Do not ignore even the smallest problem – attend to it immediately.
✍ Staff will produce a better standard of work in a clean and tidy environment!
86
50.0 SEEDLING DESPATCH
OBJECTIVES
To plan seedling ‘supply and demand’ effectively so that healthy seedlings are ready for
planting at the correct time.
To ensure that seedlings are treated with care during transport to the field so that transplanting
shock is minimized.
STANDARDS
The timing of despatch must be coordinated with field planting preparations.
The seedlings must be healthy and at the correct age for planting out.
Seedlings must have been ‘hardened off’ (refer to Section 30.0), watered and prepared
correctly for transplanting into the field.
The seedlings must be handled with care and transported carefully to the planting site to
prevent any damage or stress.
Field planting should not be delayed due to a shortage of seedlings!
EQUIPMENT
Trucks with flat body trays and sides (preferably with a high canopy).
Bushknives to trim any roots which may have grown through the polybag and into the
nursery soil.
MATERIALS
Shade cloth may be required to make a temporary truck canopy if seedlings are to be
transported over long distances.
Clean, used polybags and string for wrapping split seedling polybags.
PROCEDURES
1. Planning for seedling despatch,
transport and planting should start 3–4
months before field planting. Nursery
and field staff should consult frequently
with each other in the months leading
up to planting. The despatch schedule
is based on the field planting
programme.
2. The correct age for transplanting to the
field varies. Under optimal nursery These seedlings have been delivered to the field in good
condition.
Oil Palm Nursery 87

conditions, the seedlings may be ready at 8 months, but usually the seedlings are ready
for field planting after 10–14 months. (Older seedlings are preferred when field planting
is likely be affected by pests (e.g. wild pigs) or where seedlings are used for supply
planting. Older seedlings are also recommended when field conditions are less than
optimal.)
4. Under normal conditions, seedlings that are 8–10 month old suffer less from transplanting
shock, but are more vulnerable to pest and animal damage.
5. Three to four weeks before field planting, rotate the polybags 180º to sever any roots
that may have penetrated through the polybag into the nursery subsoil (a bushknife
may be necessary to cut the roots).
6. Water the seedlings thoroughly before loading for transport to the field. The Nursery
Manager should confirm this with the Field Manager.
7. A watering frame, to apply a final watering to seedlings, is recommended in large nurseries
or when long delivery distances are required. (The truck passes beneath the watering
frame.)
8. Upon delivery to the field, seedlings should be unloaded in a shaded area and planted
on the same day. Any palms that are not planted on same day should be watered
thoroughly, or returned to the nursery if lengthy delays to planting are likely.
9. Seedlings which are taller than 1.5 m must be trimmed back to 1.2 m before despatch.
This is necessary for the following reasons:
a) To reduce the transpiring leaf area, and therefore palm water loss, immediately after
planting when the root system is not yet able to supply the palm with its water
requirements.
b) For ease of seedling handling and transportation, and to minimize damage to
seedlings during transport to the field.
Handling of seedlings for transport
1. All the care and attention given in the nursery will be
wasted if seedlings are handled roughly during transport
to the field.
2. Rough handling, dropping, incorrect lifting and throwing
can result in broken polybags, damaged fronds, and
loss of nursery soil which will expose the tender roots
to dehydration or damage.
3. Seedlings should be handled by the polybag (with one
hand underneath) and ‘placed’ - not thrown on the
trucks.
4. Weak or abnormal seedlings should not be taken to the
field.
FREQUENCY P
Once per seedling generation – at the end of the nursery
phase (approximately 10–14 months after planting).
Seedlings should be carefully
transported to the field to minimize
damage.
88
Overgrown seedlings left over in the Seedlings dumped in the field will always be affected by transplanting
field will certainly be affected by shock.This is not an encouraging sight for the Nursery Manager and her
transplanting shock. staff!
TIMING »
Root pruning (by rotating the polybags) is done every month for seedlings >6 months old.
Seedlings are usually prepared for despatch when 10–14 months old.
Fertilizer application should be stopped one month before despatch unless directed otherwise
by the Nursery Manager.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
All seedling dispatches must be recorded in the Nursery Daily Diary.
The date and time of despatch, quantity, progeny numbers, truck driver and destination
details are recorded.
The Field Supervisor must check deliveries and inform the Nursery Supervisor of the condition
that all seedlings arrive in the field.
Seedlings Batch Planted % out-turn

ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 89

SAFETY ⊕
Take care when lifting seedlings to avoid thorn injuries.
Lift the larger supply seedlings by bending at the knees to avoid back strains.
Sharp handtools
NOTES ✍
✍ It is important to conduct a final cull at the time of despatch to remove any abnormal
seedlings which have been missed out during the initial culls.
✍ Polybags that are one 'batch' older than six months should be rotated (root pruned)
once every month to prevent the roots from anchoring into the ground. This
helps to reduce transplanting shock when seedlings are planted out.
✍ Never stack seedlings on top of each other in trucks.
90
A1 SUMMARY OF TASK RATES
Key Work performance

✘ ✔ ✔✔
Section
Task (units) Low Average Optimum
n/a = not applicable
Section ✘ ✔ ✔✔
12.0 Nursery types n/a n/a n/a

14.0 Site selection n/a n/a n/a
16.0 Site preparation (md/ha)
Initial site prep. n/a n/a n/a
Ground spraying 1.5 1.0 0.5
20.0 Nursery lining n/a n/a n/a
22.0 Polybag filling and placement
Prenursery (bags/md)
Polybag filling 800 1,000 1,200
Placement 800 1,000 1,200
Fill + place 400 500 600
Topping 6,400 8,000 9,600
Main nursery (bags/md)
Polybag filling 240 300 360
Placement 240 300 360
Fill + place 120 150 180
Topping 800 1,000 1,200
24.0 Irrigation (seedlings/md)
Hand watering
Prenursery 32,000 40,000 48,000
Main nursery 2,400 3,000 3,600
26.0 Seed supplies n/a n/a n/a
28.0 Planting (seedlings/md)
Prenursery 1,300 1,500 1,750
28.1 Transplanting (seedlings/md)
Per team 600 1,000 1,500
Oil Palm Nursery 91

Section ✘ ✔ ✔✔
30.0 Seedling shade (seedlings/md)

Placing fronds 2,400 3,000 3,600
Opening fronds 4,000 5,000 6,000
Frond removal 8,000 10,000 12,000
32.0 Seedling mulching (bags/md)
Prenursery 12,000 15,000 18,000
Main nursery 1,500 2,000 2,400
34.0 Weed control (l/md)
Ground spraying 160 200 240
Weed control (bags/md)
Manual ground 1,000 2,000 3,000
Bag weeding 3,000 5,000 6,000
36.0 Pest control (seedlings/md)
Hand picking 3,000 4,000 5,000
Spraying 4,000 5,000 6,000
Soil treatment 4,000 5,000 6,000
38.0 Disease control (seedlings/md)
Spraying 4,000 5,000 6,000
40.0 Manuring (seedlings/md)
Prenursery spray 32,000 40,000 48,000
Main nursery 1,600 2,000 2,400
42.0 Culling (seedlings/md)
Prenursery 32,000 40,000 48,000
Main nursery 8,000 10,000 12,000
92
Knapsack spray equipment assembly.
Oil Palm Nursery 93

A2 SPRAY EQUIPMENT MAINTENANCE
OBJECTIVES
To enable safe, effective, and accurate application of herbicides and pesticides.
CDA spray equipment produce a more uniform, low volume droplet pattern and provide
more effective application than knapsack spray equipment.
A. KNAPSACK SPRAY EQUIPMENT
STANDARDS
There should be no leaks from any point on the knapsack spray equipment, and the
mechanism and pressure controls must be set and working correctly.
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack spray unit, spare parts.
Screwdriver set and small adjustable spanner.
MATERIALS
Clean water.
Correct spare parts for the spray unit.
PROCEDURES
Particular attention should be given to worn-out ‘O’ rings, washers and diaphragms.
The knapsack spray equipment is equipped with three filters:
a) Under the knapsack lid.
b) In the trigger valve assembly.
c) In the nozzle assembly.
A 50 mesh filter is used with AN2 nozzles (flood type).
A 100 mesh filter is used with TX4 nozzles (hollow cone type).
Check that the nozzle is clean and free of obstructions. Never use a wire to clean blocked
nozzles – use a soft toothbrush or airjet. Nozzles producing an uneven spray output should
be replaced.
An AN2 nozzle should have an output of 0.92 l/min at low pressure.
A TX4 nozzle should have an output of 0.45 l/min at high pressure.
Constant checking of knapsacks throughout the day is required.
94
Knapsack spray units used solely for spraying herbicide are permanently adjusted to run at
low pressure by modifying the pressure control cap (if a pressure adjustment is fitted).
Knapsack spray equipment testing
1. Fill knapsack with clean water.
2. Pump until the pressure release mechanism sounds.
3. Start spraying.
4. Check all connections. Check that an even spray pattern is being produced.
5. Nozzles are replaced as soon as the spray pattern is distorted or uneven.
B. CONTROLLED DROPLET APPLICATOR (CDA)
STANDARDS
There should be no leaks from any point on the CDA, and the spray head should rotate
freely and at the correct speed.
EQUIPMENT
CDA spray unit.
Screwdriver set and small adjustable spanner.
Optional: Handheld tachometer (e.g. Vibratach™) to check disc rotation speeds.
MATERIALS
Clean water.
Correct spare parts for the spray unit.
PROCEDURES
The two screws securing the nozzle to the spray head are removed to allow easy removal
and cleaning of the nozzle in the field.
A blue nozzle dispenses 100 ml/minute.
The spray outlets are checked daily.
Check that the outlet is clean and free of obstructions. Never use a wire to clean blocked
outlet – use a soft toothbrush or airjet. Outlets producing an incorrect output should be
replaced.
Never allow spray mixture to run into the head when the motor is switched off as this may
result in damage to the electric motor.
CDA spray equipment are cleaned with water every afternoon after use. Do not allow the
electric motor and switches to become wet!
Oil Palm Nursery 95

CDA spray equipment testing
1. Fill container with clean water.
2. Start motor.
3. Allow spray mixture to run to CDA head.
4. Start spraying.
5. Check the disc rotation and spray pattern.
6. Stop flow of spray mixture to head.
7. Turn off motor (always stop the water flow before switching the motor off).
C. ALL SPRAY EQUIPMENT
FREQUENCY P
Spray equipment are checked daily.
Remove faulty units for servicing and repair. Spray equipment should be calibrated after
servicing or repairs (refer to Section A3).
Nozzles are replaced as soon as the spray output is uneven or distorted, if cleaning does
not correct the problem.
TIMING »
Maintenance of spray equipment is a routine procedure. Units must be checked continually
by managers and staff.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Keep a record of the unit number, repairs carried out and parts used. This allows timely
ordering of parts and identification of units which are worn out.
Properly kept records also allow identification of workers who deliberately damage spray
equipment.
ENVIRONMENT ý
Use herbicides and pesticides responsibly and do not spray excessively.
Do not dispose of surplus mixture, chemicals or containers in the field. Refer to label
recommendations and corporate policy for chemical handling, storage and disposal
guidelines.
Do not allowwater ways or foodcrops to be contaminated with chemicals.
96
SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of herbicides and
pesticides.
Follow label recommendations at all times.
Do not use empty chemical containers to store drinking water or foodstuffs.
NOTES ✍
✍ Workers are required to clean knapsack spray equipment with clean water each afternoon
after work.
✍ The batteries in CDA spray equipment must be regularly checked and replaced if faults
are detected or if the spray pattern is affected byt the disc rotation speed.
✍ Always maintain a stock of good quality batteries for the CDA spray equipment.
Oil Palm Nursery 97

A3 CALIBRATION OF SPRAY EQUIPMENT
OBJECTIVE
To calibrate spray equipment so that the correct quantity of chemical and water is applied to
the spray target.
STANDARDS
Spray output must be calibrated to ensure correct application rates.
All spray equipment must be properly maintained. Leaks or faults that may reduce the
efficiency of application or endanger the operator must be repaired (refer to Section A2).
EQUIPMENT
Knapsack and CDA spray equipment.
Service kit with spare ‘O’ rings, seals and nozzles (batteries for CDA).
2-l graduated measuring jug.
Wristwatch with a second hand, stopwatch or clock.
100-m tape measure.
4 marker pegs.
MATERIALS
Clean water.
Marker dye or water-sensitive paper (if applicable).
PROCEDURES
Use clean fresh water for testing equipment. Check that the spray equipment is not
contaminated before the start of calibration.
1. Equipment check
Before calibrating, inspect all equipment for leaks, cracks, blocked filters and nozzles, and
unauthorized modifications. This should be carried out in the field by the supervisor as a
routine procedure.
2. Flow rate
If possible, check the working pressure at the nozzle.
A lightweight pressure gauge with male and female fittings can be assembled by the
supervisor and inserted between the lance and the nozzle of knapsack spray equipment to
check outlet pressures.
The pressure gauge can be removed after calibration or after field checks are completed.
98
Hydraulic spray units (e.g. knapsack spray equipment)
1. Bring the unit to the recommended working pressure.
2. Place the nozzle inside the top of the measuring jug.
3. Spray for exactly one minute and then measure the volume.
4. Repeat this process five times and average the recordings.
5. Remember to record the details of pressure and nozzle type.
CDA spray equipment and mistblowers
1. Remove the supply tube and metering nozzle from the spray head.
2. Hold the spray head and supply tank at the same position as they would be held in the
field whilst spraying.
3. Place the spray head inside the top of the measuring jug.
4. Run the spray head for exactly one minute and then measure the volume.
5. Repeat this process five times and average the recordings.
6. Remember to record the details of pressure and outlet type.
3. Bandwidth
Knapsack and CDA spray equipment
1. The procedure for determining bandwidth (coverage) is the same for handheld knapsack
and CDA spray equipment.
2. Ensure that the test equipment and nozzles are in proper working condition.
3. While operating the spray equipment at normal pressure and height above the ground
(as they would be used in the field), spray water over some dry soil or concrete.
4. Measure diameter (or width) of the wetted area to determine the bandwidth.
5. The droplet size and volume from CDA units may be very small, so it may be necessary
to purchase some water-sensitive paper and place this on the ground to test bandwidth.
Mistblowers
1. The equipment operating height, pressure and motor RPM should simulate field operation.
2. Set out water sensitive paper ‘patches’ (25 mm x 25 mm) at 50 cm intervals, in a line
which is perpendicular to the direction of travel.
3. Leave a small gap in the centre of the line of sensitive paper to guide the operator as he
walks between the papers.
4. Walk at the correct speed through the line of ‘sensors’ and then examine them to
determine how wide the spray angle is.
5. The density of droplets on the water-sensitive paper is important. Approximately 50
droplets per square centimetre is required for effective coverage when using insecticides
and fungicides. Herbicides should never be applied with a mistblower.
Oil Palm Nursery 99

4. Walking speed
All spray equipment
1. Mark out a straight line approximately 100 m long using pegs and measuring tape.
2. Leave the tape on the ground along the pegs, with the marks (measurements) upwards.
3. The operator holds and operates the equipment as he would in the field and walks for
one minute alongside the pegs and measuring tape.
4. After one minute, the operator stops and the distance is read from the tape.
Calculations
Measurement Abbreviation Units
1. Output delivered in a given time O (l/min)

2. Area coverage rate A (m2/min)
3. Application rate R (l/ha)
4. Bandwidth B (m)
5. Walking speed W (m/min)
Step 1
Output (O)
The flow rate of the spray equipment is measured five times and an average is calculated.
Example:
Test No. Output (l/min)
1 4.0
2 3.5
3 3.5
4 3.8
5 5.2
Total 20.0
20 ÷ 5 = 4.0
O = 4.0 l/min
Step 2
Area (A)
a) Distances in metres covered (walked) in one minute (W).
Example:
Time to walk 100 m = 125 seconds
Walking speed = 0.8 m/sec x 60 = 48 m/min
W = 48 m/min
100
b) Bandwidth in metres (B)
Example:
Bandwidth (B) is 1.2 m wide. B = 1.2 m.
c) Area (A) sprayed in one minute = W x B
Example:
48 x 1.2 = 57.6 m2/min.
A = 57.6 m2/min.
Step 3
Calculate application rate in l/m2 (R)
Example:
Application rate (R) = Output/Area = O ÷ A
From the example above,
O = 4.0 l/m and A = 57.6 m2/min.
R = 4.0 l/min / 57.6 m2/min.
= 0.07 l/m2.
To calculate output per hectare multiply by 10,000.
Example: 0.07 l/m2 x 10,000 = 700 l/ha.
Application rate (R) in hectares = 700 l/ha.
FREQUENCY P
Once every month, as a routine procedure.
New spray equipment and those that have been serviced or repaired must be calibrated
before being issued to workers.
TIMING »
Calibration should be carried out in the afternoon after field work has been completed.
TASK ¥
Not applicable.
RECORDS 2
Normally, no formal records are kept of calibrations but it may be useful to record the date
of calibration on the spray equipment reservoir using a marker pen.
ENVIRONMENT ý
None.
Oil Palm Nursery 101

SAFETY ⊕
Refer to company guidelines on the safe storage, handling and use of herbicides.
NOTES ✍
✍ Output per area is the sprayed area. When calculating resource and material
requirements, the area sprayed (in hectares) must be used (i.e. not the area planted).
✍ There are many nozzle types available with different output rates, bandwidths and droplet
patterns for knapsack spray equipment. The desired application rate and pattern can
be achieved by using different nozzles.
Nozzle output
There are many types of nozzles available. Manufacturers’ recommendations and data
sheets should be consulted for specific nozzle performance.
Examples of nozzles given in this Field Handbook are:
a) AN2 (anvil/flooding type) Spray angle 115 degrees, Filter size 50 m mesh, Bandwidth
1.0 m.
Output per hectare at different pressures and walking speeds:

Pressure (bar) Flow (l/min) Walking speed (m/min)
33 50 66
2 kph 3 kph 4 kph
1.0 0.92 279 184 139
1.5 1.13 342 226 171
2.0 1.31 397 262 198
b) TX4 (Hollow cone type) Spray angle 110 degrees, Filter size 100 mesh, Bandwidth
0.4 m.
Output per hectare at different pressures and walking speeds:

Pressure (bar) Flow (l/min) Walking speed (m/min)
33 50 66
2 kph 3 kph 4 kph
5 0.50 379 250 189
7 0.79 599 395 299
10 0.93 705 465 352
102
A4 NUTRIENT CONVERSIONS
From To Factor
Nitrogen
N NO3 4.427
NO3 N 0.226
N NH3 1.216
NH3 N 0.822
N (NH4)2SO4 4.717
(NH4)2SO4 N 0.212
N NH4NO3 2.857
NH4NO3 N 0.350
Phosphorus
P P2O5 2.291
P2O5 P 0.436
P2O5 Ca3(PO4)2 2.185
Ca3(PO4)2 P2O5 0.458
Potassium
K K2O 1.205
K2O K 0.830
KCl K2O 0.632
K2O KCl 1.580
Magnesium
Mg MgO 1.658
MgO Mg 0.603
MgO MgSO4 2.986
MgSO4 MgO 0.335
MgO MgSO4.H2O 3.432
MgSO4.H2O MgO 0.291
MgO MgCO3 2.092
MgCO3 MgO 0.478
MgSO4.7H2O MgO 0.164
Sulphur
S SO2 1.998
SO2 S 0.501
S SO3 2.497
SO3 S 0.400
S SO4 2.996
SO4 S 0.334
S MgSO4.H2O 4.316
MgSO4.H2O S 0.232
S MgSO4.7H2O 7.687
MgSO4.7H2O S 0.130

From To Factor
S (NH4)2SO4 4.121
(NH4)2SO4 S 0.243
Calcium
Ca CaO 1.399
CaO Ca 0.715
CaO CaCO3 1.785
CaCO3 CaO 0.560
Copper
Cu CuO 1.252
CuO Cu 0.799
CuO CuSO4.5H2O 3.132
CuSO4.5H2O Cu0 0.319
Cu CuSO4.5H2O 3.930
CuSO4.5H2O Cu 0.255
Boron
B Borax (Na2B4O7.5H2O) 8.810
Borax (Na2B4O7.5H2O) B 0.114
B B2O3 4.299
B2O3 B 0.233
B2O3 Borax (Na2B4O7.5H2O) 2.049
Borax (Na2B4O7.5H2O) B2O3 0.488
104
A13 FIELD AUDITING CARD
The plantation field audit provides a crosscheck to assess standards of plantation

management. The auditor must be able to gauge standards of implementation against
defined bench marks for each activity assessed. Standards for each field operation are
detailed in each section of the handbook and reference to respective sections is given in
the audit form.
Unless the activity was not checked (NC) the auditor scores each activity as follows:
1 Remedial action required
2 Below standard
3 Up to standard
4 Better than the required standard
Based on these scores the auditor provides written recommendations for remedial work or
corrective action to the plantation manager.
Estate Division
Block Date
Section Operation 1 2 3 4 NC
14.0 Site selection
16.0 Site preparation
20.0 Nursery lining
22.0 Polybag filling and placement
24.0 Irrigation
26.0 Seed supplies
28.0 Planting
28.1 Nursery transplanting
30.0 Seedling shade
32.0 Seedling mulching
34.0 Weed control
36.0 Pest control
38.0 Disease control

Section Operation 1 2 3 4 NC
40.2 Main nursery manuring
41.0 Monitoring seedling performance
42.0 Culling
44.0 Census
46.0 Sanitation and general maintenance
50.0 Seedling dispatch
Appendix
A2 Sprayer maintenance
A3 Sprayer calibration
A9 Agronomy information storage
106
A14 AGRONOMY AUDITING CARD
The plantation agronomy audit focuses on specific aspects of management that must be
maintained to proper standards in order to achieve maximum economic returns. The auditor
indicates ‘yes’ where standards have been reached and ‘no’ if follow up action is required.
The plantation manager should be provided with a short written report containing
recommendations for followup action and techniques to solve the field problems detected.
Estate Division
Block Date
Plantation inspactor
Agronomic problems are scored as follows: 1=widespread incidence; 2=slight

incidence; 3=none; NC=not checked.
Agronomic problem 1 2 3 NC
Have polybags been misaligned?
Have polybags been incompletely filled?
Any polybags not properly irrigated?
Is there evidence of poor quality seed?
Have seeds been planted upside down?
Have seeds been planted too deep?
Are there any polybags that have not been mulched?
Are there weeds in any polybags?
Are there any cockchafers present in the nursery
Are there any red spider mites present in the nursery
Have you observed curvularia in the nursery
N deficiency sympsomts detected?
K deficiency sympoms detected?
Mg deficiency symptoms detected?
B deficiency symptoms detected?

Agronomic problems are scored as follows: 1=widespread incidence; 2=slight
incidence; 3=none; NC=not checked.
Agronomic problem 1 2 3 NC
Mg deficiency symptoms detected?
B deficiency symptoms detected?
Cu deficiency symptoms detected?
Is seedling vegetative growth up to standard?
Is seedling leaf nutrient status up to standard?
Have standards for vegetative growth been obtained from

the seed supplier?
Have abnormal seedlings been dispatched to the field?
Is there uncollected rubbish lying around the nursery?
108
FURTHER INFORMATION
Suggested reading:
Duckett, J. E. (1989) A Guide to Oil Palm Nurseries. 2nd ed. The Incorporated Society of
Planters, Kuala Lumpur, 109p.
Hartley, C.W.S. (1988) The Oil Palm. (Tropical Agriculture Series), 3rd ed. Longman Scientific
and Technical, Harlow, 761p.
Fairhurst, T.H. (1997) Nutrient Deficiency Symptoms and Disorders in Oil Palm - Pocket
Guide. Potash and Phosphate Institute, Singapore, 31p.
Morris, J.M. (1990) Earth Roads: a practical manual for the provision of access for agricultural
and forestry projects in developing countries. Cranfield Press, Cranfield, UK, 242p.
Turner, P.D. (1981) Oil Palm Diseases and Disorders. Oxford University Press. Kuala
Lumpur, 280p.
Turner, P.D. and Gillbanks, R.A. (1974) Oil Palm Cultivation and Management. The
Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur, 672p.
von Uexkull, H. R. and Fairhurst, T.H., (1991) Fertilizing for High Yield and Quality - The Oil
Palm. International Potash Institute, Bern, Switzerland. 79p.

Handbook adapted by PPI and 4T for:
Pacific Rim Plantations Ltd.

1st Floor, CDC Haus, Port Moresby
Tel. +(675) 321 3300
Fax. +(675) 321 2418
For further information about this booklet or other

matters relating to tropical crop production and
plant nutrition, contact:
Potash & Phosphate Institute
Potash & Phosphate Institute of Canada
East & Southeast Asia Program
126 Watten Estate Road
Singapore 287599
Tel +65 468 1143
Fax +65 467 0416
E-mail tfairhurst@ppi-ppic.org
This booklet was produced in co-operation with:
4T Consultants Pty. Ltd.
4
44
4T
Management and Training Consultants
P.O. Box 1946, Emerald, Australia 4720.
Tel +61 7 498 24282
Fax +61 7 498 24282
E-mail fourt@tpgi.com.au
ISBN : 981-04-1333-5

Ipni Guía de Campo Vivero (Ingles)

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Field Handbook

Oil Palm Series Volume 1

Ian Rankine and Thomas Fairhurst

First edition 1998

Printed by Oxford Graphic Printers Pte. Ltd. - Singapore.

USING THIS HANDBOOK .......................................................................................... v

Ian Rankine and Thomas Fairhurst

Ian Rankine and Thomas Fairhurst

Operation Low Average Optimum

Fertilizer Block kg kg/ha, kg/palm

Oil Palm Nursery 1

Oil Palm Nursery 3

Oil Palm Nursery 5

Nursery lining 20.0

Seed Batch Out-turn % useable seedlings

Oil Palm Nursery 7

Nursery out-turn <70% >75%

Oil Palm Nursery 9

Seed Batch Out-turn % useable seedlings

Prenursery out-turn <80% >85%

Oil Palm Nursery 11

Oil Palm Nursery 13

Oil Palm Nursery 15

Ground spraying 1.5 1.0 0.5

Oil Palm Nursery 17

Oil Palm Nursery 19

Oil Palm Nursery 21

Oil Palm Nursery 23

Polybag filling 800 1,000 1,200

Polybag filling 240 300 360

Labour Batch Bags, md polybags/md

Oil Palm Nursery 25

Oil Palm Nursery 27

c) Quick installation as the tubing is very lightweight.

Oil Palm Nursery 29

As a guide, irrigation systems run for three

Water use Day mm water mm/day

Oil Palm Nursery 31

Oil Palm Nursery 33

Seed Batch No. received % ordered

Oil Palm Nursery 35

Oil Palm Nursery 37

Labour Batch md seed/md

Oil Palm Nursery 39

Oil Palm Nursery 41

Labour Batch md seedlings/md

Oil Palm Nursery 43

Placing frond shade 2,400 3,000 3,600

Labour Batch bags, md polybags/md

Oil Palm Nursery 45

Oil Palm Nursery 47

Labour Batch bags, md polybags/md

Oil Palm Nursery 49

Nozzle type AN 2.0

Ground-spraying 160 200 240

Manual ground-weeding 1,000 2,000 3,000

Chemical Round l, md l/md

Oil Palm Nursery 51

Sharp handtools Knapsack maintenance

Tussock moth Oria commentaris

Oil Palm Nursery 53

Grasshopper Acridoidea sp.

Rats Rattus spp.