Okpamen SU, 2Uwumarongie-Ilori EG, 3Orhue ER, 4Suilaman-Ilobu BB, 5Eneje RC and 6Efetie-Osie A
A study of the influence of Climatic factors on soil reaction, nutrient application and yield of oil palm in soils of oil palm belts (Edo State) in Nigeria was carried out in NIFOR (Nigeria Institute for Oil palm Research). The study compares oil palm fresh fruit bunches weight harvested on soils of the main station of the Institute and those from two oil palm estates on Typic/rhodic paleudults soil with climatic parameters such as solar radiation, rainfall and sunshine intensities, relative humidity, and temperature within past thirty years. Info-nutrient application data on recent fertilizer requirements for oil palm was arrived at from several fertilizer trials that were conducted in the Institute main-station and the two private oil palm estates (Okomu and Presco oil palm plantations). These were used in the various tables of correlations, which ranges from 0.45-4.5 kg palm-1, for macronutrient only. The Oil palm requirements of major fertilizers in oil palm belts of the South and marginal areas of Nigeria according to National Fertilizer Regulation Commission are given as follows; North Central areas requirement is Sulphate of Ammonia, 21.5-24.9 kg ha-1; Edo-Delta areas requirement is MOP, 90 kg ha-1mature and NK, 30 kg ha-1young at 20; 0; 20. While in the South Eastern states NK, 40 kg ha-1 mature at 20: 0: 20 and NK, 1: 1: 0.5 (N K + Ca, Mg, SO4 in 1: 1: 0.5). These were rates recommended and used for Oil palm in the 1960s to early 80s. Due to constant changes in weather resulting in climate change, fertilizer requirements and rates of application are being revisited based on current fertilizer trials conducted. A number of trials in this regard states as low as 0.45 kg/palm to as high as 4.5 kg/palm for different range of fertilizers since 1980 till date, even with the improved high yielding, early maturing and disease tolerant popularized Elite Hybrid Tenera known as the Extension Work Seed (EWS) by N.I.F.O.R.
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