Yield gaps in oil palm: A quantitative review of contributing factors

Review: Omics and Strategic Yield Improvement in Oil Crops

“…The understanding of the biological processes behind yield limiters can be achieved by combining omics technologies and high throughput phenotyping in crop improvement. Hoffmann et al [178] and Woittiez et al [179] gave a comprehensive review on the magnitude, main causes, and management of these yield gaps, focusing on oil palm. These yield gaps are influenced by the potential yield, the water-limited and nutrient-limited yield, and the actual yield.…”

“…These yield gaps are influenced by the potential yield, the water-limited and nutrient-limited yield, and the actual yield. The potential yield of a crop is determined by yield-defining factors such as ambient temperature, the atmospheric concentration of carbon dioxide, photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) and characteristics of planting materials [179]. Different crops have differing requirements for temperature and concentration of carbon dioxide.…”

“…PAR plays a major role since solar radiation is used as a source of energy for photosynthesis [183]. In Asia, where the sunshine hours per day are relatively high, the potential yield of oil palm will theoretically increase compared to regions in America and Africa [179,184,185]. Improved planting materials from specific crossing programs of elite male and female palms and the production of clonal palms derived from superior ortets are some of the current approaches to improve yield potential [186][187][188][189].…”

Oil palm and biodiversity: a situation analysis by the IUCN Oil Palm Task Force

“…Already, average yields in Africa have proven lower than expected -sometimes half of that in Southeast Asia (466,468). This appears to be due to water deficits, different soil composition, and limited sunlight, because of excessive cloud cover (411), and the use of unselected plant materials (466). Many African farmers grow oil palm as a cash crop and produce "red oil" that is locally consumed (472).…”

“…However, if intensification generates higher profits, it may also generate a paradoxical "rebound effect" or increase in expansion beyond what was expected in the absence of intensification (D Figure 38). Land sparing approaches (see Box 21 in Chapter 4), including initiatives that promote closing yield gaps (410,411), could result in this backfire effect. Whether land will be spared for conservation will largely depend on the strength and effectiveness of environmental governance in the industry (412).…”