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VOLUME 16 NO.2 - December 2004

TRANSESTERIFICATION OF PALM OIL: EFFECT OF REACTION PARAMETERS

CHOO YUEN MAY

The most practical and suitable method for industrial production of methyl esters of palm oils with negligible free fatty acids (e.g. neutralized palm oil and refined, bleached and deodorized palm oil) is methanolysis of the glycerides catalyzed by sodium hydroxide. Several parts including the type of catalyst, oil /alcohol ratio, temperature, stirring speed and free fatty acids content, have been found to influence the transesterification of palm oil. Optimum reaction conditions were obtained with a molar ratio of methanol-to-oil at 10:1 and a reaction time of 7 min at ca. 65°C. The rate of reaction was optimized at a stirring speed of 150 rpm. The minimum amount of methanol required to achieve total conversion was 233% (excess methanol) (a methanol-to-oil molar ratio of 10:1). The catalyst used should not exceed 0.5 mole/kg oil as otherwise it would cause solidification of the reaction mixture due to soap formation. For a large number of glyceride oils containing <5% free fatty acids, transesterification to methyl esters can be readily effected using additional sodium hydroxide to neutralize the free fatty acids. Glycerol from the transesterification process was purified from 80%-85% to more than 96% with a yield of not less than 75%.

MULTIPLICATION OF OIL PALM SUSPENSION CULTURES IN A BENCH-TOP BIOREACTOR (2 LITRE)

TARMIZI, A H; NORJIHAN, M A and ZAITON, R

Oil palm suspension cultures were multiplied in a B-Braun Biostat® B' 2L version 1.0 bioreactor. An initial experiment using the original system was not successful as most of the culture aggregates lodged between the baffle cage and inner wall of the vessel and also between the blades of the impeller. This damaged the aggregates. Some modifications were then made to the bioreactor by replacing the impeller, baffle cage and microsparger. After modification, the cultures showed good proliferation with about 10- to 14-fold weight increment after 50 to 80 days. Thus, the B-Braun bioreactor with slight modification has the potential for large scale multiplication of oil palm suspension cultures

OPTIMIZATION OF THE SWEEP CO-DISTILLATION CLEAN-UP METHOD FOR THE DETERMINATION OF ORGANOCHLORINE PESTICIDE RESIDUES IN PALM OIL

HALIMAH MUHAMAD; MD. PAUZI ABDULLAH, TAN YEW AI and SOH SHIAU CHIAN

The optimum conditions were developed for the quantitative recovery of organochlorine pesticide residues in palm oil using a commercial sweep co-distillation apparatus. Under the optimum conditions (245oC distillation temperature, 250 ml min-1 nitrogen flow rate, 45 min sweep time) and using a trap packed with sodium sulphate and partially deactivated Florisil, the recoveries of 14 organochlorine pesticide residues at ppm and ppb levels in a spiked oil matrix were >80%, with coefficients of variation ranging from 5.6% - 9.9%. However, the recovery for endrin ketone was below 80% with a coefficient of variation of 8.5%. The cleaned-up extracts were quantified by gas chromatography using a micro-electron capture detector with a fused silica capillary column containing a non-polar bonded phase.

SYNTHESIS OF 2-SUBSTITUTED 4(R)-HYDROXY-2-CYCLOPENTEN-1-ONE, A PROSTAGLANDIN INTERMEDIATE WITH METHYL OLEATE FROM PALM OIL

MUHAMMAD NOR O and HAMILTON R J

Methyl oleate 1 was obtained from palm methyl esters through removal of saturated esters in a urea complex formation followed by silver nitrate impregnated silica gel column chromatography. The oleate was then reacted with 2,3-O-isopropylidene-D-glyceraldehyde 2, to form an aldol compound which, after lactonization, formation of tosylate and cyclic cyanohydrin, and oxidation of the double bond afforded 2-(6-carbomethoxyhexyl)-4(R)-hydroxy-2-cyclopenten-1-one 11, a prostaglandin intermediate.

KINETICS STUDY ON TRANSESTERIFICATION OF PALM OIL

CHOO YUEN MAY; MA AH NGAN; CHUAH CHENG HOCK and CHENG SIT FOON

The kinetics of base-catalyzed transesterification of palm oil based on parameters such as oil and alcohol ratio, catalyst concentration and temperature were investigated to optimize the conversion rate. Our findings showed that both sodium hydroxide and sodium methoxide had high kinetic constants depicting fast formation of palm oil methyl esters with conversions above 99%. Fast formation of palm oil methyl esters with a rate constant of 0.163 litre mole.min-1 was obtained when the reaction parameters were: molar ratio of oil to methanol, 1:10; catalyst concentration, 0.125 mole kg-1 oil; and temperature, 60°C.

DEGUMMING AND BLEACHING: EFFECT ON SELECTED CONSTITUENTS OF PALM OIL

CHOO YUEN MAY; MA AH NGAN; CHUAH CHENG HOCK and PUAH CHIEW WEI

Degumming and bleaching are essential processes in palm oil refining. The purpose is the removal of gums, trace metals, pigments, peroxides, oxidation products and other breakdown products in the crude oil by adsorption on the active surface of the bleaching earth to improve colour and stability of the final oil. This paper aims to study the effect of degumming and bleaching using neutral and acid-activated clays to achieve the aforementioned objectives. It was found that valuable palm minor components, i.e. tocols (tocopherol and tocotrienols), were retained; no significant changes occurred in the total phytosterols, squalene, composition of acylglycerols (i.e. mono-, di- and triacylglycerols) and free fatty acids by using both acid-activated and neutral clays up to 1.0%. However, acid-activated clay reduced the carotene content. Both clays gave markedly improved oxidative stability with induction period >30 hr at 120oC. Impurities such as pro-oxidant iron, copper and phosphorus were reduced by both clays. The bleaching effect of neutral clay was relatively poor compared to acid-activated clay in the removal of unwanted compounds.

SEASONAL VARIATION IN YIELD AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES IN AN OIL PALM DENSITY TRIAL ON A PEAT SOIL 1. YIELD AND BUNCH NUMBER COMPONENTS

IAN E HENSON and MOHD. TAYEB DOLMAT

Bunch production in an oil palm density trial on a peat soil in Perak, West Malaysia, displayed a regular annual cycle that was highly synchronized across densities. The phase of the cycle differed from that displayed for West Malaysia as a whole but resembled those at some other sites. Annual cycles were found in both bunch number and mean bunch weight and in the proportion of palms that yielded bunches in any one month. While the long-term trends in bunch numbers and single bunch weights were negatively correlated, in the short-term there was a highly significant positive correlation between the two.
The variation in mean bunch weight was also reflected in the variation in the main bunch components. There were also seasonal variations in the ratios of bunch components.

In addition to yield, regular annual cycles were also apparent in the rates of frond emission, male and female inflorescence production and sex ratio, and in inflorescence abortion. While the phases of bunch and female inflorescence cycles could be matched using physiologically meaningful lag periods, the cycles of frond emission and total inflorescence production, and of frond emission and female inflorescence production could not, giving rise to non-significant or negative correlations.
Abortion rates were low throughout the trial and while a regular sex ratio cycle became apparent from the eighth year, this was not the main determinant of bunch number cycling. Rather, variation in the rates of inflorescence development may be the crucial factor in causing the yield cycles.
Other external and internal factors that might contribute to the yield cycles are discussed.

SELECTION FOR PARTIAL RESISTANCE IN OIL PALM PROGENIES TO Ganoderma BASAL STEM ROT

IDRIS A S; KUSHAIRI, A; ISMAIL, S and ARIFFIN, D

The development of Elaeis guineensis progenies resistant to Ganoderma may provide the ideal long-term solution to basal stem rot, a major disease of oil palm in Malaysia and Indonesia. A study was conducted to select different oil palm progenies for resistance to G. boninense infection. In this study, 12-month-old seedlings from 23 progenies, namely, three DxD, six DxP, three OxO, one OxP, five TxP and five TxT were inoculated with G. boninense using the root inoculation technique. External foliar symptoms developing on seedlings were recorded for a period of 12 months. Twelve months after inoculation, all the seedlings were examined for internal symptoms based on the length of inoculated root lesioned, number of primary roots infected and extent of stem bulb tissues lesioned. Based on reisolation of G. boninense from inoculated seedlings, it was shown that all 23 progenies from the different oil palm crosses were infected by G. boninense. The uninoculated seedlings for each of progenies did not show any signs of disease symptoms or lesions and G. boninense was not present. Some 25.6% of the inoculated seedlings were dead due to G. boninense infection, and there were significant differences between the progenies tested for the severity of foliar symptoms measured. For internal symptoms, there was no significant difference in the length of inoculated roots lesioned. However, the number of primary roots infected and extent of stem bulb tissues lesioned were significantly different. Of the 23 progenies, the most susceptible progeny was PK 2724 (DxD, Deli (Elmina) x Deli (Elmina)), whilst a partially resistant progeny was PK 2567 (DxP, Congo x Cameroon). Partial resistance is expressed by low severity of foliar symptoms and slow progress of Ganoderma infection in the roots and stem tissues.

IMMIGRATION AND ACTIVITY OF Oryctes rhinoceros WITHIN A SMALL OIL PALM REPLANTING AREA

NORMAN KAMARUDIN and MOHD BASRI WAHID

The pheromone of the rhinoceros beetle (Oryctes rhinoceros) has been used for mass trapping and monitoring, integrated with biological control agents. In the current study, pheromone traps were used to monitor the immigration and activity pattern of Oryctes adults within a 4.5 -ha replanting block. Trapping was initiated after about five months of replanting, for a period of 24 months. The relationships of the trap captures with the heap population, palm damage, rainfall and moon phases were also studied. Infestation of the block occurred almost simultaneously with replanting. The core region of the block was infested between the fourth to seventh month after completion of felling and chipping. It was noted that female beetles were trapped consistently more at the fringes than in the core of the replanting block. There was a significant relationship between the number of adult females trapped (at about 40-60 days before monitoring the population in the heaps) and the number of second instar larvae. There was an increase in the flight activity of the beetle (based on trap captures) during wet weather, likely due to their search for moist breeding sites. Male beetles were more active during the full moon, likely navigating for food and searching for suitable habitats before mating. Cumulative captures of each individual trap and the damage levels of adjacent palms were significantly related. A high proportion (92%) of females captured in the traps was gravid, with a mean of 16 eggs per female. Based on trap captures, there were indications that adult populations were coming from the adjacent mature plantings. This information can be exploited for more effective and targeted control of the pest.

THE EFFECTS OF OILS ON GERMINATION OF Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) VUILLEMIN AND ITS INFECTION AGAINST THE OIL PALM BAGWORM, Metisa plana (Walker)

RAMLE MOSLIM; MOHD BASRI WAHID;SITI RAMLAH AHMAD ALI and NORMAN KAMARUDIN

This study reports the effects of oils on the conidial germination of four strains of Beauveria bassiana (Balsamo) Vuillemin (F1, F5, F8 and F10) and their infectivity against the larvae of the oil palm bagworm, Metisa plana Walker. The effects of the oils and age of the conidia on the germination of the conidia were examined in the first experiment. Of the five oils tested, soyabean oil and paraffin gave the highest germination for both two - and four- week-old conidia. Palm and corn oils completely inhibited the conidial germination. Germination was influenced by the age of conidia with the mature conidia germinating better than the younger conidia. The pathogenicity of all the four strains of B. bassiana conidia formulated in soyabean oil against the larvae of M. plana revealed that more than 95% mortality at 10 days after treatment. Although Strain F5 produced the lowest LT50 (2.6 days), based on the mortality rate and percentage infection, Strain F10 was the more pathogenic. The short (254 nm) ultraviolet radiation was more detrimental to the conidia compared to the long (365 nm) ultraviolet radiation. Soyabean oil and paraffin gave a similar level of protection to the conidia but oil with 1% (w/v) sunscreen gave significantly better protection. Strain F10 was more stable than Strain F5 to both wavelengths of ultraviolet radiation. B. bassiana conidia formulated in oil plus 1% sunscreen and oil alone caused about 12 and 15 times higher mortality against the larvae of M. plana than the water formulation. The advantages of using oil over water for the formulation of B. bassiana to control M. plana in the field are discussed.

LIFE CYCLE OF Sycanus dichotomus (Hemiptera: Pentatomidae)-A COMMON PREDATOR OF BAGWORM IN OIL PALM

ZULKEFLI, M; NORMAN, K and BASRI, M W

The life cycle of Sycanus dichotomus (Hemiptera: Reduviidae) was studied with two types of prey, Corcyra cephalonica and Plutella xylostella in a controlled environment room. The eggs hatched after 11 to 39 days with each cluster having 15 to 119 eggs. Five nymphal stages were recorded. The mean longevity of each nymphal stage was 24.35, 16.95, 20.35, 25.32, and 43.51 days when fed with C. cephalonica and 16.72, 15.78, 14.88, 24.03 and 46.84 days when fed with P. xylostella. 193.44 ±2.41 and 203.91± 2.77. days were the period of development from eggs to adult when fed with C. cephalonica and P. xylostella. The mean longevity for male and female adults fed with P. xylostella was 83.47±4.37 and 87.64 ±3.31days respectively. The longevity of male and female adults fed with C.cephalonica was 63.99 ± 2.92 and 61.61.86 ± 2.96 days. Lower mortality was recorded on the S. dichotomus fed with P. xylostella

SEASONAL VARIATION IN YIELD AND DEVELOPMENTAL PROCESSES IN AN OIL PALM DENSITY TRIAL ON A PEAT SOIL 2. BUNCH WEIGHT COMPONENTS

IAN E HENSON and MOHD. TAYEB DOLMAT

Short-term changes in bunch weight were found to contribute to seasonal yield cycles in an oil palm density trial on a peat soil in Perak, West Malaysia. Unusually, the cycle in bunch weight was in phase with that in bunch number. The results of bunch analyses carried out over a 10-year period were examined to identify whether cycles also occurred in bunch components and to examine the effects on oil and kernel yields. The analysis showed that total fruit weight per bunch fluctuated more than the weight of the bunch frame, while within the fruit, the mesocarp showed a greater variation in weight per bunch than the nut. However, while the seasonal changes in fruit-to-bunch (F/B) on a mean monthly basis over years were significant, there were no comparable significant changes in the other bunch component ratios.
There was some evidence based on changes in single fruit weight and fruit number that the changes in F/B might be due to variation in pollination efficiency.
The variation in mesocarp weight per bunch was attributable to variation in both the oil and water contents with little change in the fibre. Similarly, within the nut, the larger shell component tended to vary more than the kernel.
The contribution of bunch weight variation to the variation in total yield and its relationship to bunch number are discussed.

SELEECTING THE IDEAL OIL PALM: WHAT YOU SEE NOT NECESSARILY WHAT YOU GET!

SOH AIK CHIN

Yield is the most important selection trait for the ideal plant. Yield selection on single plants from segregating populations in the early selection cycle is unreliable genotypes, low heritability and differential plant competitive abilities. Yield selection is best done in later cycles when sufficient quantities of the selected stable genotypes are available for replicated larger plot yield trials conducted over different locations and agronomic treatments. Breeding progress for yield in major crops has been generally slow at 1%-2% per year but nevertheless significant. Methods, e.g. breeding, physiological, biotechnological, to improve selection efficiency and shorten the selection cycles are not likely to substantially reduce the cultivar development time because of the mandatory extended cycles of yield testing. A smaller erect canopied palm with high harvest index that can tolerate higher density planting would be the oil palm ideotype for efficient yield enhancement. Such cultivars are unlikely to be available for the next 15 years. Nevertheless, plantations should accelerate replanting as improved cultivars particularly with better oil content are continuously being produced, and coupled with the simultaneous implementation of improved agro-management practices, larger quantum yields can be achieved. Existing planted materials already have high genetic yield potential, and the onus lies with the agronomist and manager to implement the prescribed agro-management practices to achieves the yield potential of the site and thus, narrow the gap between potential and realized yields.

VOLUME 16 NO.1 - June 2004

EVALUATING UREA FERTILIZER FORMULATIONS FOR OIL PALM SEEDLINGS USING THE 15N ISOTOPE DILUTION TECHNIQUE

ABDUL RAHMAN BAH and ZAHARAH ABD RAHMAN

High N volatilization severely limits the use of urea in oil palm cultivation. Urea-based compound formulations incorporating K, Ca and/or Mg have the potential for enhancing urea-N utilization, but information on their efficacy is scanty. Compound and bulk blended urea-based NPK and a bulk blend of gypsum urea were evaluated for oil palm at the main nursery stage on an ultisol (Rengam series). The normal recommended N rate and half of it were used for the urea NPK fertilizers, and only the normal rate for the gypsum urea blend. Nitrogen uptake and utilization from the fertilizers were quantified by the 15N isotope dilution technique. Dry matter yield was not significantly different between the fertilizer treatments irrespective of the rates applied. Percent N utilization was markedly greater at half the normal rate of application (60% versus 33%-38%). Much higher N concentration, uptake and N utilization efficiency (%NUE) were obtained with gypsum urea, probably because the Ca2+ added by this material minimized the volatilization of urea-N. Thus, gypsum urea has greater potential than the compound and bulk blended urea-based NPK fertilizers as a source of N for oil palm seedlings.

PROPERTIES OF OIL-PALM-SHELL-BASED PHENOL WOOD ADHESIVES COMPARED WITH PETROLEUM-BASED PHENOL WOOD ADHESIVES

F N ANI; WONG, C C and H M NOR

A study was carried out to test the properties of oil-palm-shell-based wood adhesives compared with petroleum-based wood adhesives. Shear strength tests for both dry and wet conditions were done. Besides that, apparent cohesive wood failure tests were also performed to compare the performance of wood bonding between these mentioned adhesives. For the dry test, the bonding performance became better when the formaldehyde to phenol (F/P) ratio increased. For all three different F/P ratios, the petroleum-based adhesives showed the best bonding performance. However, the wood bonding performance of oil-palm-shell-based adhesives was comparable with that of the petroleum-based adhesives. Meanwhile, for the wet test, the bonding performance became better when the F/P ratio increased and the best bonding performance was given by the petroleum-based adhesives with F/P ratios = 1.2 and 1.5. However, it was obvious that the performance of 50% oil-palm-shell-based adhesives was better than that of the petroleum-based adhesives at F/P ratio = 2.0. For apparent cohesive wood failure, the F/P = 2.0 group of samples and the petroleum-based adhesives gave the highest wood failure for all the compositions of adhesives. The commercial potentiality of this research is very high as the oil-palm-shell-based adhesives can replace the petroleum-based adhesives.

BIODEGRADABILITY AND ECOTOXICITY OF PALM STEARIN-BASED METHYL ESTER SULPHONATES

RAZMAH GHAZALI and SALMIAH AHMAD

The biodegradability of palm stearin-based methyl ester sulphonates (MES) was studied and compared with that of linear alkylbenzene sulphonate (LAS). Palm-based MES was readily biodegradable, degrading faster than LAS. The length of its carbon chain affected its biodegradability - the longer the chain, the lower the biodegradability. The acute fish toxicity of palm-based MES was determined using Tilapia nilotica (a local fish) and compared with LAS and sodium lauryl sulphate (SLS). The toxicity of MES was found to be comparable to those surfactants. The acute toxicity of MES increased with its carbon chain length. Palm-based MES's biodegradability and acute fish toxicity are comparable to or better than the current, high volume anionic surfactants and can provide for their replacement in the future.

EFFECT OF TRIETHANOLAMINE ON THE PROPERTIES OF PALM-BASED FLEXIBLE POLYURETHANE FOAMS

NORIN ZAMIAH KASSIM SHAARI; OOI TIAN LYE and SALMIAH AHMAD

This paper describes the effect of triethanolamine (TEA) on the properties, especially the strength properties, of flexible polyurethane foams produced from two palm-based polyols and modified methylene diphenyl diisocyanate (MDI). A commercial sample (visco elastic foam, CF1) was used as the control.
The properties evaluated were tack free time, density, percentage open-cell content, relative energy absorption, compressive stress and tear strength. The results were compared to a commercial sample. Incorporation of TEA improved the tack free time, percentage open-cell content and softness of the foams but not the tear strength. The foams formulated from polyol RD-PG31 had better properties than those from mixed polyol (50:50 RD-PG31:RD-PG51). The palm-based visco elastic foams are suitable for applications which require good dampening but in which strength is not of paramount importance, such as packaging and shock-absorption.

WATER USE OF IRRIGATED OIL PALM AT THREE DIFFERENT ARID LOCATIONS IN PENINSULAR INDIA

JOSE KALLARACKAL; P JEYAKUMAR and SUMAN JACOB GEORGE

The water requirement of irrigated oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in the three Indian states of Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka and Maharashtra were estimated using the Penman-Monteith equation. Microclimate parameters measured using an automated weather station showed that the three geographically separated sites had climatic differences also. The temperature at the study sites ranged between 12ºC and 35ºC and the vapour pressure deficit (VPD) of the atmosphere ranged between 0.3 and 4.5 kPa. Stomatal conductance measured on fully irrigated plants showed a maximum of 500 mmol m?2s?1. The stomatal conductance was highly correlated with the VPD. Closure of stomata started when the VPD was greater than 1.0 kPa. The stomatal conductance was severely reduced when the VPD reached values >1.9 kPa.
All the sites had a prolonged dry season. At none of the sites could oil palm be grown as a rain-fed crop. Water loss by transpiration as estimated for a dry day (without rain) ranged from 2.0 to 5.5 mm. The transpiration/evaporation ratio was approximately 0.8 at all the three locations.

STUDY OF MINERAL NUTRIENT LOSSES FROM OIL PALM EMPTY FRUIT BUNCHES DURING TEMPORARY STORAGE

SLOAN SALÈTES; JEAN-PIERRE CALIMAN and DASRIZAL RAHAM

Depending on the operational organization adopted by a plantation, empty fruit bunches (EFB) fresh from the mill are sometimes stored for a few days, either at the mill exit or on plot edges, before being spread in the field. Exposed to rainfall this way, the heaps are subject to substantial leaching of mineral nutrients. The trial conducted studied the dynamics of mineral nutrient release from a heap of fresh EFB stored in an open area and exposed to the elements. Watering was carried out to top up the rainfall and reach the rainfall levels defined by the protocol. Different storage times were studied over a period of two weeks.
Mineral nutrient release was rapid, especially for potassium, magnesium and boron. The release rates varied substantially depending on the nutrient and EFB position in the heap, with a wide range between the top and bottom of the heap, associated with the degree of mineralization. The released mineral nutrients accumulated in the EFB at the bottom of the heap. The most surprising result was the speed with which potassium, the main nutrient contained in EFB, was released: a fortnight into the trial, 73% of the potassium initially contained in the EFB in the upper part of the heap had been released (48% for magnesium and 60% for boron), as opposed to 16% for the EFB at the bottom of the heap.
A rapid estimation of financial losses cumulated over a year's production of EFB indicated the foregone earnings for the plantation and revealed the merits of returning EFB to the field immediately on leaving the mill. Any delay in application leads to a significant drop in the agricultural value of fresh EFB.

A PERFORMANCE OF SOME PISIFERAS OF BINGA, EKONA, URT AND ANGOLAN ORIGINS: PART 2 - FRUIT BUNCH YIELDS, VEGETATIVE GROWTH AND PHYSIOLOGICAL TRAITS

TEO, K W; RAO, V; CHIA, C C and LIM, C C

Pisiferas of Binga (Congo), Ekona (Cameroon) and URT origins were progeny tested with Deli, African and African x Deli duras in two trials. The widely used AVROS pisiferas were included as controls. In the first trial, the DxP progenies of an AVROS pisifera gave the highest fruit bunch and oil yields. Two Ekona and one Binga pisifera gave DxP progenies with estimated oil equivalent yields, or EOE (palm oil yield plus 60% of the kernel yield) within 10% of, and not significantly lower than AVROS. The other Binga and all the URT pisiferas tested gave poorer DxP progenies, with generally lower fresh fruit bunch (FFB ) yield or bunch oil content or both. In the poorer environment of the second trial, the four best pisiferas were two from Ekona and one each from Binga and URT.
For vegetative growth, URT DxP were the smallest - short with fewer and shorter fronds of small leaf area. The Ekona DxP progenies were the opposite with longer fronds of larger leaf and petiole cross-sectional areas. Although the latter produced similar numbers of fronds in both trials, their rankings by pisiferas differed considerably. The AVROS DxPs were the tallest palms, confirming widespread observation of this characteristic of AVROS. The DxP of the different Binga pisiferas differed considerably for height, trunk diameter, rachis length, and petiole cross-sectional and leaf areas but not for frond production for which they were the highest. This intra origin variation was also observed, albeit to a lesser extent, in all the origins but for different traits.
The DxP of Ekona pisiferas produced the most dry matter, whether vegetative or reproductive, those of URT the least while those of Binga varied considerably. Though both the Ekona and AVROS DxP progenies had similar leaf areas, the former with their large petioles had more dry matter supporting it. The progenies of URT pisiferas were low and those of Binga average for leaf area index and leaf area ratio.

THE OIL PALM AND ITS SUSTAINABILITY

YUSOF BASIRON and CHAN KOOK WENG

As the palm oil industry progresses, its many aspects, such as economic, environmental and social benefits, from its production are reviewed. More recently, sustainability has received great attention with efforts to integrate it into the palm oil business strategy. In the sustainability framework, the economic (financial), environmental and social aspects are reviewed for their impacts in both the short- and long-terms. The three-pronged strategy of high income, value addition and zero waste is scrutinied as part of the journey towards corporate sustainability. Doing so has once again demonstrated the benefits of the crop in supplying oil to the world.

The paper also puts together the evidence, firstly, that the oil palm can be used as a vehicle for rural poverty eradication in Malaysia and perhaps be used as a model for other countries with similar soils, climate and labour availability. Secondly, that it is a steady supplier of affordable food, non-food, biocomposites, nutritional and pharmaceutical products. And thirdly, that it is a showcase for environmental improvement. For the latter, palm oil mills are fast becoming generators of renewable energy from their biomass and biogas. R&D in these areas have provided new angles for increasing its economic sustainability, moving the industry beyond the current business of just producing palm oil.
Further, new business ventures based on new R&D findings are being set up to look at product sustainability. They include businesses such as in bioplastics, greenness of energy production, savings in fossil fuels, reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and production from several new best developed practices, thereby helping the industry to slow down the process of climate change.