• Are there yield gaps in smallholder oil palm fields?
  • We assessed yield gaps in smallholder oil palm fields using a crop model, survey data, and field measurements. Average farmer yield was low, representing 42% of the attainable yield as determined by local weather and soil. Among management practices, nutrients, harvest interval, weeds control, and pruning have largest influence on yield gaps.
  • Does oil palm production have a large yield gap?
  • Our study adds value to these previous studies by showing the prevalence of large yield gaps across the oil palm production region in the country, using field-level data collected across many sites and years using consistent protocols, and rigorously screened to avoid biases due to reporting errors or inaccuracies in field size.
  • What factors affect oil palm growth?
  • Yield-determining factors in oil palm systems: potential yield (Yp). A minimum of 15 MJ m ?2 day ?1 total solar radiation (equivalent to ¡«7.5 MJ m ?2 day ?1 PAR) or 5.5 h day ?1 of sunshine is optimal for oil palm growth, indicating a lesser yield potential in parts of Africa and the Americas ( Paramananthan, 2003 ).
  • What causes low production of palm trees?
  • Supply and abnormal palms accounted for most of the low productive palms, with only four fields showing significant incidence of Ganoderma sp (> 5% palms). In contrast, 80% of fields had visual evidence of severe weed infestation.
  • What challenges do oil palm crops face?
  • Oil palm crops face many other challenges, including emerging threats from climate change and the likelihood of new pests and diseases, that require more effective international collaboration. The influential players in the industry need to interact with the key organizations and countries now fully committed to reducing climate change.
  • Does oil palm affect other vegetable oil crops?
  • Our Review highlights that although substantial gaps remain in our understanding of the relationship between the environmental, socio-cultural and economic impacts of oil palm, and the scope, stringency and effectiveness of initiatives to address these, there has been little research into the impacts and trade-offs of other vegetable oil crops.