CO2 soil emission under different methods of oil palm replanting

Abstract

Colombian oil palm plantations have started a large-scale replanting phase. The replanting process has an effect on the disposal of biomass, plant health management, and agro-ecological conditions due to the disturbance that is generated. This document addresses soil respiration (CO2 flux) as a response variable of crop replanting. Seven renovation methods used in Colombia were tested. The measurements were taken over time after the disturbance and planting of the new crop. This study was carried out in the municipality of Tumaco between August of 2009 and June of 2011 using 7 methods of renovation and 4 stages of crop development. The CO2 flow was measured at 12 points in each plot. There were no significant differences for the CO2 emission among the replanting methods. The average value for respiration was 929 mg CO2 m-2 h-1 (± 270.3); however, significant differences were found over time. This response was not related to fluctuations of soil temperature and moisture; therefore, there should be an associated response to biotic factors (microbial organisms) not established in this study. The values suggested that the soil of the plots under a replanting process emitted considerable quantities of carbon into the atmosphere, but the emissions declined over time and, in turn, were offset by the photosynthesis of the new crop (14 μ CO2 m-2s-1 ± 1.4, data not shown), creating an overall positive carbon balance.

Palm Oil on the Edge

“…As well as having a great potential for carbon capture, it requires little water for cultivation, characteristics that favor its sustainability. Assessments conducted in an African palm ( E. guineensis ) plantation in the Colombian municipality of Barrancabermeja found that the daily posting of carbon per hectare (Ha) was 29 kg [22]. The rate of CO 2 fixation per kg of oil yield is quite high, and although calculated by Ha is less than that of sugar cane, with about 44 kg/Ha/day, it is well above other major crops such as corn or sugar beet.…”

Preliminary Results of Relationship between Oil Palm Harvest Losses and Harvest Interval in Riau and West Kalimantan, Indonesia

“…Moreover, the development of the palm oil industry with the largescale land expansion is considered not in line with the principles of sustainable development (Krishna et al, 2017). Therefore, closing this yield gap is deemed essential to achieve the dual objective of meeting global demand for palm oil without further expansion of agricultural land to avoid deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions (Bayona Rodríguez et al, 2015;Austin et al, 2017;Monzon et al, 2021), as well as strengthening rural economies through higher incomes for smallholders (Monzon et al, 2021;Santika et al, 2019). These require solution that will increase palm oil production in existing plantation without increase environmental impacts, especially due to expansion of plantation environment (Monzon et al, 2021;Oil Palm, 2021).…”