Phosphorus deficiency-Oil Palm

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Nutrients

Oil Palm - Deformation

Symptoms
Phosphorus deficiency often does not produce leaf symptoms in oil palm. The trunks of affected palms are narrow and tapered (pyramid shape).

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Unlike nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), there are often no easily recognizable leaf P deficiency symptoms in oil palm.

Oil Palm - Deformation

Symptoms
Phosphorus deficiency often does not produce leaf symptoms in oil palm. The trunks of affected palms are narrow and tapered (pyramid shape).

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Unlike nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), there are often no easily recognizable leaf P deficiency symptoms in oil palm.

Oil Palm - Size reduced

Symptoms
Flower initiation and bunch size are reduced and lead to decreased yields.

Reasons
Phosphorus deficiency Unlike nitrogen (N), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg), there are often no easily recognizable leaf P deficiency symptoms in oil palm.

Phosphorus deficiency made worse by

Acidic or very alkaline (calcareaus) soils
Low organic matter
Cold or wet conditions
Crops with a poorly developed root system
Soils with low P reserves
Soils with a high phosphate capacity
Iron rich soils

Phosphorus is important for

Essential for root development, especially in early growing stages
Involved in growth processes and plant development like leaf formation and expansion, shoot growth, flower initiation and bunch size
Sustained optimum yield

Yara recommended fertilizers for Phosphorus

YaraMila 10-10-30 +1.5MgO +0.2B

Oil palm: Mature phase, (4-8 years palm), 7.5kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications, (9 years and above), 9kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications

Read more about YaraMila 10-10-30 +1.5MgO +0.2B

YaraMila 13-11-21 +2MgO +0.2B

Oil palm: Immature phase, (2nd year), 4.5kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications, (3rd year), 6.0kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications. Mature phase, (4-8 years palm), 7.5kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications, (9 years and above), 9kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications

Read more about YaraMila 13-11-21 +2MgO +0.2B

YaraMila 16-16-16

Oil palm: Immature phase, (1st year), 3.0kg/palm/year, split into 3 applications