Preprints
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2017-60
https://doi.org/10.5194/se-2017-60
26 Jul 2017
 | 26 Jul 2017
Status: this preprint was under review for the journal SE but the revision was not accepted.

Formation and characteristics of an Ultisol in Peninsular Malaysia utilized for oil palm production

Arolu Ayanda Fatai, Jusop Shamshuddin, Che Ishaq Fauziah, Othman Radziah, and Mohsen Bohluli

Abstract. Most of the soils in the upland areas of Peninsular Malaysia are classified as Ultisols. Oil palm production on these soils is usually limited by their inherent low soil productivity. However, the crop is cultivated successfully on most of the soils following right soil management practices. A study was conducted in Bera, Malaysia to determine the characteristics and fertility of an Ultisol cropped to oil palm for many years continuously. In this study, the soil in the plantation was sampled, analyzed and classified. The soil under study was formed under tropical environment with udic moisture regime on fine-grained sedimentary rocks mixed with tuffs of Permian age. Due to very long exposure to the condition of high temperature and high rainfall throughout its development, the soil in the area was reddish in color, clayey, deep and highly weathered. The study found that the clay fraction of the soil was dominated by kaolinite, hematite, goethite and gibbsite; hence, the CEC and basic cations were low. Besides, soil reaction was acidic in nature with soil pH slightly below 5, but the exchangeable Al was more than 1 cmolc/kg soil. However, it was believed that these inherent characteristics were not expected to significantly affect the production of oil palm grown on the soil. With proper agronomic practices, the area can be utilized for oil palm production sustainably.

Publisher's note: Copernicus Publications remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims made in the text, published maps, institutional affiliations, or any other geographical representation in this preprint. The responsibility to include appropriate place names lies with the authors.
Arolu Ayanda Fatai, Jusop Shamshuddin, Che Ishaq Fauziah, Othman Radziah, and Mohsen Bohluli
 
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Status: closed
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Status: closed
Status: closed
AC: Author comment | RC: Referee comment | SC: Short comment | EC: Editor comment
Printer-friendly Version - Printer-friendly version Supplement - Supplement
Arolu Ayanda Fatai, Jusop Shamshuddin, Che Ishaq Fauziah, Othman Radziah, and Mohsen Bohluli
Arolu Ayanda Fatai, Jusop Shamshuddin, Che Ishaq Fauziah, Othman Radziah, and Mohsen Bohluli

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Latest update: 05 Dec 2024
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Short summary
The study was conducted in an oil palm plantation in Malaysia and it seeks to understand why Oil palm performs better on the majority of Malaysian soil and perhaps the tropical environment at large despite the inherently low nutrient capacity of the soils. The study shows how tropical soils are formed and the condition under which they exist in and the criteria to select a suitable soil for Oil palm cultivation. The study emphasizes adequate management as a means of improving Oil palm yield.