Fertility status of peat soils after 15, 20 and 25 years of oil palm (Elaeis Guineensis) plantation operation / Azhari Baharin

The fertility status of peat soil changed after being planted with oil palm tree for several years. This study intends to compare the nutrient status of peat soils planted with oil palm tree after 15, 20 and 25 years of operation. In this study, soil samples of peat soils were collected at FELCRA Berhad Sungai Manila, Perak by using random sampling method. 30 samples were taken from different areas of 15 years, 20 years and 25 years planting oil palm tree and it’s were analyzed for their physical and chemical properties. The results showed that the colors between the three areas are similar which is very darks greyish brown (10YR 3/2). Soil bulk density is considered low (0.35 g/cm³) at area 15 years planting oil palm tree compared to others area. Area of 25 years is more acidic compared to other areas and it is have high of phosphorus content compared. Based on this study, it is suggested that management of plantation must considered all factors such as applying fertilizer to grow oil palm tree for proper management at peat lands

Nanofibre network rooted from the alkaline peroxide treatment of oil palm empty fruit bunches

The increasing popularity of the oil palm empty fruit bunches (EFB) as a source of non-wood fibre has prompted a variety of research on processing and utilisation of the material. In an attempt to define the characters, reusability and end-of-life, oil palm EFB was processed by the alkaline peroxide variable treatment (APVT) systems. Low synergy between alkaline peroxide (AP) chemical and mechanical fibrillation through fibrillation (CMR synergy) revealed the yield of segments of EFB vascular bundles while heightening the mechanical forces further, generated more uniform but a mixture of fiber and segments of fibre bundles. An intermediate CMR synergy generated fibres forming a more well-defined but a rough resultant fibre network due to partial fibrillation of the vascular bundle. Applying maximal CMR synergy was found to generate higher yield of network strengthening fibrous cells. These were later identified as nanoscale fiber network or nanoscan, consisting of 10-80 nm diameter fibers arranging themselves in a systematic network. Analysis of the polarity of fibers harvested from the APVT systems manifests the systematic construction of nanofibrils winding in helical manner to form arrays of nanofibres that glue themselves together as micro-fibrils. Interconnections between fibers and other gluing elements led to the vascular bundle known as the EFB biomass that was once dross and that can now be marvelled as an alternative source of nanofibers for the nanoindustry sector