Browsing articles from "January, 2012"

Nursery: Summary of Recommendations

The selected area for a nursery should be on flat to gently undulating terrain, accessible with good road conditions and not prone to flooding.

The preparation of nursery area should be carried out through proper designing of nursery, clearing, fencing and lining.

The ordering of seeds should be scheduled appropriately over a period of time to ensure that adequate labour is available to handle each batch of seeds received and for field planting.

The selection of single or double stage nursery should be decided based on the area to be planted and the size of the nursery.

The nursery practices/maintenance including watering manuring, culling, pest and disease control and weeding should be closely supervised to ensure that all operations are on time and correctly implemented.

Herbicides and equipment for herbicides spraying should be clearly marked and stored separately from pesticides and foliar fertiliser to prevent contamination or incorrect chemical selection. Mistakes in this operation are usually costly and difficult to undo hence should be avoided at all costs.

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Nursery: Maintenance

Watering

The most important factor in achieving good success in the nursery is the availability of sufficient water to ensure optimum growth of the seedlings. More often than not inadequate watering is the root of pest and disease problems in the nursery as the seedlings would be at a weaken stage and therefore more prone to pests and diseases. A good indication of inadequate watering in the nursery is the incidences of collante and blast disease.

Poor or uneven coverage of the irrigation system may also lead to seedlings of poor uniformity. This is a very common fault in nurseries. Watering must be done daily including holidays.

With the current technology of irrigation system in the nursery either by overhead sprinkler system (OSS) or lay flat sprinkler tubes (e.g. Sumisansui, photo 5 & 6), the watering should be carried out twice a day for 45 minutes each time, to supply 8mm of water daily. A rain gauge may be used to check whether the amount of water supplied is sufficient.

Manuring

It is well established that the fertiliser rates for nurseries require adjustment to varying management practices and according to different soil types (Hew & Toh, 1973). However the recommendations and system described in this paper are based on sandy clay loam, inland soils for general usage and on conventional fertilisers or controlled/slow release fertilisers.

Manuring programme based on conventional fertiliser

Fertilisers are not required until one complete new leaf has appeared (4 -5 weeks after planting). Use of conventional fertiliser should preferably be confined to small nurseries for field plantings of less than 50 ha or areas with adequate labour. The programme is given in Table 2 below:

	Seedling age		Table 2. Conventional fertiliser manuring programme
	(Weeks)	(Months)	Table 2. Conventional fertiliser manuring programme
Pre nursery stage	5-8	2	Weekly drench with a soluble foliar fertiliser (formulation of 22:22:10:1) at 15 g in 4 litres water for 100 seedlings.
Pre nursery stage	9-12	3	Weekly drench with a soluble fertiliser (formulation of 22:22:10:1) at 15 g in 4 liters water for 25 seedlings.
Main nursery stage	13 – 16 (transplanting)	4	Mix 100g RP/bag in soil medium for large bags. After transplanting no solid fertiliser application for 4 weeks but continue weekly fertiliser drench as for 3^rd month
	20	5	5 g CCM45/bag. If seedlings are chlorotic, continue weekly foliar drench as for 3^rdmonth. Drench with HGFB solution*
	24	6	10 g CCM45 and 10 kieserite/bag
	28	7	15 g CCM45. Drench with HGFB solution*
	32-39	8-9	20 gm CCM45
	40-47	10-11	30 g CCM45
	48	12	35 g CCM45
	>52	>13	30 g CCM45 + 15 g kieserite

*Dissolve HGFB48 at 1 g/10 litres water for 7 months old and younger seedlings. For seedlings of 8 months and older, use a rate of 3g /10 litres water. The seedlings should be drenched with the HGFB solution at a rate 500ml/seedling.

Fertiliser application

For foliar application, the drenching of the seedlings with foliar fertiliser solution should be carried out early in the morning or late afternoon. As far as possible, the whole seedlings should be wetted and no watering of the seedling should be carried out for the day of application. However High Grade Fine Borate Compound ( HGFB ) solution application for large polybags should be done after normal watering.

For solid application, the compound fertiliser should be weighed to obtain the correct rates, and calibrated applicators (e.g. scoop, spoon, etc.) given to the workers to ensure that the correct rates are applied. The fertiliser should be evenly distributed on the surface of the polybag soil at least 2-4 cm away from the base of the seedlings. The application of solid fertiliser should be carried out when the seedlings are dry, i.e. in the morning before watering, or in the afternoon after the morning watering.

Good supervision of all fertiliser applications is necessary to obtain full benefits from the inputs.

Manuring programme based on slow release fertilisers

There are many types of slow release fertiliser (SRF) currently available in the market. The SRF selected for use should supply the required nutrients at the right time and amount to the seedlings for good growth.

Fertiliser rate

The general recommendation for use of SRF in the nursery is provided in Table 3 .

Seedling age		Table 3. Slow release fertiliser (SRF) manuring programme
(Weeks)	(Months)	Table 3. Slow release fertiliser (SRF) manuring programme
1 – 12 (Pre-nursery stage)	3	Follow manuring programme for conventional fertilizer or 7.5g SRF per seedling
16 (Main nursery stage)	4 (at transplanting)	75 g SRF per seedling
20	5	15 g kieserite. Drench HGFB at 5th & 7 month.
40 – 48	10 – 12 (or earlier)	30 g CCM45/seedling/mth.

Fertiliser application

The SRF should be spread evenly and buried at 10 cm below the soil surface.

Supplementary fertilisers should be applied from the 9^th month onwards or even earlier if the seedlings show symptoms of deficiencies like yellowing, etc.

Corrective fertiliser application

With the use of SRF, it is essential to monitor the colour and growth of the seedlings regularly due to the long interval without any other fertiliser application. In cases of wrong or inadequate application as indicated by seedling colour and vigour, fertiliser supplementation is required as per conventional fertiliser programme for the appropriate seedling age provided in Table 2.

Culling

Culling is one of the most important procedures to be carried out in the nursery to ensure that only the most uniform and vigorous palms that are likely to give the highest yields are planted in the field.

Four rounds of culling are recommended during the nursery period. In addition, a final round of selection should be done just before field planting.

Culling in the pre-nursery stage

Culling at the pre-nursery stage is carried out at month 2 and prior to transplanting the main nursery at around month 3 to 4.

This is one of the main advantages of the double stage nursery system where the first stage culling of undesirable palms can be done stringently and quickly over large number of young seedlings. The main types of undesirable seedlings (should be culled) at this stage are as follows: narrow (grass leaf), rolled leaf, twisted leaf, crinkled leaf, collante and stunted or weak (runts) palms. Allow for 10 to 20% culling at this stage.

Culling in the main nursery

Culling in the main nursery should be carried out when the seedlings are 7 months and 9 months old while the fronds of neighbouring palms have not started to overlap and etiolation not set in to mask the runts. The typical characteristics of abnormal seedlings in the main nursery are as follows: –

Erect, flat top, broad pinnae, narrow pinnae, wide internodes, juvenile (slow to pinnate), weak and slow growing (runts), crinkled leaf, collante, chimaera, badly diseased (helminthosporium, curvularia, blast, crown disease) and palms badly damaged by chemicals.

The final round of selection based on uniformity and vigour should be carried out just before the seedlings are being loaded onto lorries/tractors for transport into the field. If planting is delayed the final round of culling must be carried out before etiolation sets in. Allow for 5 to 10% culling and selection for the main nursery.

Timely culling rounds will ensure the unnecessary keeping of unwanted seedlings and reduce costs in the nursery.

Recording

Accurate records of discarded seedlings are necessary to ensure that adequate seedlings are available for field planting and supplies.

Pests and Disease Control

This is another important aspect in oil palm nursery management. Pest infestations and disease infections can cause alarming damage and losses if not recognized at an early stage and brought under control quickly. Most pest and disease problems can be avoided by correct agronomic and management practices, but where they are unavoidable, early detection and prompt control measures are crucial.

Common pests and diseases in the nursery

Common pests in nursery are red spider mites, leaf-eating caterpillars, cockchafers, grasshoppers and rats. The common diseases are mainly fungal leaf diseases like curvularia, cercosporium and helminthosporium.

Pest and disease control

There are a number of measures which if implemented can assist in reducing the incidence and severity of pest and disease attack in the nursery. The key to good P and D control is vigilance and prompt action to contain the problem.

Prophylactic spraying

Routine prophylactic spraying is not necessary if the seedlings are growing vigorously and the nursery is well managed.

However, where nursery palms are sub-optimal in growth and vigour, fortnightly prophylactic spraying of fungicides and insecticides may be carried out until palms return to normal growth.

Pesticides may be mixed with foliar fertilizer mixtures in a single application but these should be confirmed with the supplier if in doubt.

Spraying should preferably be carried out in the evening after the last watering.

Training of nursery workers in pest and disease recognition

It is certainly worthwhile to train nursery workers to recognise the symptoms of common pests and diseases in the nursery and report them. This outbreak reports by people who are working full-time in the nursery will provide an “early warning” system to the management.

Weeding

Weeds in the nursery area should be eradicated since some weeds may harbour pests or are hosts for diseases. It is necessary to keep the polybags completely free of weeds that would compete for nutrients, moisture and sunlight. Ideally the nursery should be weed-free.

Weeding in the pre-nursery stage

In the pre-nursery where seedlings remain for only 12-16 weeks, very little weeding is required. When necessary, hand weeding in the inter-bed paths and within the small polybags should be carried out monthly.

It is generally recommended that all herbicides be avoided at this stage in view of the fact that any error can lead to serious seedling damages or losses.

Weeding in the main nursery stage

Mulching with palm kernel shells can greatly suppress the growth of weeds in the large polybags and any weeds appearing can be quickly and easily hand-weeded.

However, weeds on the ground and surrounding nursery area should be eradicated through chemical spraying as and when required. Only contact herbicides eg. paraquat should be used.

Storage of Chemicals and Equipment

The control of chemicals in the nursery is of the greatest importance. Many instances have occurred of herbicides being incorrectly utilised by mistaking them for insecticides or fungicides. In view of this problem it is strongly recommended that the estate have a separate nursery store and within the store, herbicides are kept separated from pesticides/foliar fertilizers in lockable cupboards. It is also important that nursery equipment used for spraying pesticides and herbicides be also clearly marked and kept apart in separate storage compartments to avoid costly mistakes of cross contamination. They should only be used in the nursery. Empty herbicide and pesticide containers should be discarded and not reused.

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Nursery: Set-up

The decision to have a single stage or double stage nursery will be a matter of personal choice depending on the specific situation encountered e.g. a double stage nursery is advisable for a large scale planting (>500 ha).

The Single Stage Nursery

This system utilises only large polybags and the germinated seeds are planted directly into the bags in the same manner as planting out in the pre-nursery polybags as described in section on planting germinated seeds into the large polybags.

Some of the advantages of this system are:-

once the seed has been planted, there is no further movement until field planting so that the root system is not disturbed and therefore establishment and growth is faster.
one can dispense with all the requirements in terms of layout, equipment and labour of the pre-nursery.

However this system has a number of disadvantages: –

it is necessary to have the full nursery infrastructure ready from the initial seed delivery.
it requires greater volume of water and additional engine fuel, wear and tear for the first two or three months.
it also requires more soil since all the culling is done at the large polybag stage.
it is more difficult to observe and supervise when the seedlings are spread over a large area.
there will be no space for receipt of the following year’s seed delivery in case of delays in any one year’s planting programme unless the nursery is enlarged.
culling and seedling replacement is cumbersome.
it is not advisable for large scale planting which requires a very large area to prepare and also involves high cost.
difficulty in providing proper shading to the germinated seedlings at planting.

The Double Stage Nursery

The double stage nursey system involves planting of the germinated seeds in small pre-nursery polybags packed closely together in a very small area for the first two to three months. The seedlings are then planted out in the large polybag nursery where they remain for a further 7-9 months before field planting. This system has a number of advantages over the single stage nursery such as:

only a small section of nursery is required for the first 2 to 3 months.
less irrigation required for the first 2 to 3 months.
easier to observe seedlings and supervise nursery work during the critical early stage (2 to 3 months after planting).
culling can be carried out very quickly and easily at the first stage before planting into large bags.
the double stage nursery also has some disadvantages namely:
an “extra” operation is created which is very labour intensive.
possible slower growth compared to the single stage especially with poor shade management.
poor transplanting technique from small to large polybags could give rise to severe transplanting shock.

NURSERY SET-UP (Double Stage Nursery)

Since the double stage nursery is commonly adopted in most of the estates, only this type of nursery is described.

The Pre-Nursery Stage

Polybag filling and placement

Polybags must be filled with soil up to the bag rim and placed in the nursery beds at least four weeks before the planting date to allow settling, topping up with soil and pre-planting irrigation.

Only the best topsoil available should be used in any nursery. The soil must be free draining, friable, sandy clay loam (eg. Rengam, Serdang, Bungor) and free from contaminants (chemicals etc.). Rock phosphate (RP) (@ 10 kg/1000 small polybags of 15 cm (6 in) x 21 cm (9 in) x 250 gauge) must be premixed into the soil prior to filling to ensure adequate P availability.

The polybags should be turned inside out before filling so that they sit upright. Hoppers or funnels may be used to facilitate filling. The filled polybags should be arranged in beds of 10 bags width and of a convenient length. The beds should have wooden side frames to prevent bags from toppling over. The arrangement of polybags at pre-nursery stage is shown in photo 1.

Shading

At this critical stage it is necessary to shade the plants either with palm fronds on frame, or with shade netting of 70% shade. If oil palm fronds are used as shade it is necessary to pre-spray the fronds with a pesticide to ensure that they are not instrumental in introducing any pests or diseases. The shade should be gradually reduced after the first month and should be totally removed by the end of the second month. The shading in the pre-nursery stage using oil palm fronds and netting is shown in photos 2 and 3 respectively.

Planting germinated seeds into the polybags

It is essential to ensure that polybags are well watered just prior to the commencement of planting. Planting of germinated seeds should be completed as soon as possible, preferably not later than 1 day after receipt.

Care must be taken to ensure that the workers can differentiate between the plumule (shoot) and the radicle (root) to avoid planting the seeds upside down. The seed should be planted at 1 cm depth with the radicle pointing down and lightly covered with soil. Planting holes can be made with a stick.

Where the germinated seeds are consigned as identified families and labelled accordingly by the seed producer (as for AA DxP seeds), they are to be planted according to the same families and properly labelled right to the main nursery. This is to facilitate nursery culling, as the seedlings from the each family would be more uniform and the off-types readily spotted. However in the field planting, the seedlings are to be planted as mixed families.

Once the planting is completed, the identification tag must be stapled to the edge of polybag.

The Main Nursery

Polybag filling

Again, only the best topsoil is to be used in the large polybags . Prior to polybag filling, a basal application of 100g RP/polybag must be thoroughly mixed with the soil before filling.

Filling of the polybags should commence at least a month prior to the transplanting. Bags should be filled to the rim and set aside for a few weeks to allow for settling and soil topping up where necessary.

The large polybag of 38 cm (15in) x 45 cm (18in) x 500 gauges should be turned inside out before filling, to give the filled bag a stable and level base.

Hopper or funnels may be used for more efficient filling especially in large-scale nurseries.

Spacing of bags

Spacing of polybags in the nursery is done to minimise light competition between palms and for easy access to the palms for pest and disease control, weeding and manuring. The spacing and placement of seedlings at main nursery stage is shown in photo 4. The spacing of seedlings depends on the duration seedlings are expected to be kept in the nursery. The recommended spacing for various seedling ages at field planting is given in Table 1.

Table 1: Recommended polybag spacing in the nursery for various seedling ages at field planting
Age of seedling at field planting (months)	Triangular spacing of polybags in the nursery
Age of seedling at field planting (months)	(m)	(ft)
09-11	0.75	2.5
11-13	0.91	3
13-18	1.25	4

Transplanting from pre-nursery into large polybags (main nursery)

Prior to transplanting the seedlings to the large polybags, workers should prepare the planting holes within the bags. These holes can be prepared using core-borers. The pre-nursery seedlings should be given a thorough watering before the transplantings. To minimize disturbance of the roots, the bags should be cut open with a small blade and the seedling removed gently without disturbing the soil. The detached seedling together with the soil is placed in the planting hole of the large polybag, and the soil gently but firmly compacted around the root mass. Care must be taken to ensure that the planting is level with the pre-nursery soil level. A good watering should follow immediately. Mulching of the soil surface should be done with oil palm kernel shells.

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Nursery: Ordering of Seeds

Placing of Orders

Seeds are usually ordered well in advance of requirement. It is normal to place tentative orders at least one year before delivery subject to confirmation at a date closer to delivery. Delivery must be spread out to provide time for planting out at the optimum age.

Source of Seeds

All germinated seeds, or any other planting materials, should only be purchased from reputable suppliers. Wherever possible seeds should be purchased direct from SIRIM registered producers to be ensured of legitimate and good quality seeds .

Quantity to Order

In determining the quantity to be ordered , the culling rates and various losses (in the nursery and field) will have to be considered in addition to the total palms required in the field. Based on general experience, 175 germinated seeds (27% more) per hectare are sufficient if the field stand is 138 palms per hectare. For a stand of 148 palms/ha, the requirement would be 186 germinated seeds.

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Nursery: Site Selection and Preparation

SITE SELECTION

The selection of the area for a nursery is critical and it should be sited as centrally as possible to the field(s) to be planted. In addition, the following should also be considered:

Topography (Terrain)

The selected area should be flat to gently undulating with slopes between 0 and 3⁰ and preferably, with a reliable/permanent source of water supply for irrigation purpose.

Water Supply

Water requirements (quality and quantity) must be determined prior to starting site preparation. The easiest source of water is where there is a large natural pond or lake whereby all that is required is to place an intake pipe to connect with a pump unit. A back-up system should be considered, particularly in isolated areas or areas of lower or unreliable rainfall.

Drainage

The site chosen should not be prone to flooding, which will damage seedlings and buildings (stores).

Area

To achieve good growing conditions with minimal risk of etiolation, a main nursery planting density of 13,800 polybags per ha with 0.91m(3ft) x 0.91m(3ft) D planting is recommended excluding allowance for accessibility. The spacing should be increased by another 0.15m (0.5ft) if the seedlings are anticipated to be kept in the nursery for longer than 12 months.

Accessibility and Nursery Roads

Roads within the nursery and their alignments will need to be carefully planned and laid out depending on the placement distance of the polybags and the type of irrigation to be utilised. Access roads to the nursery should be sufficiently wide to allow vehicles to manoeuvre during peak planting periods to facilitate supervision and movement of materials.

SITE PREPARATION

The preparation of the area for a nursery is important to allow optimum seedling growth, maintenance of nursery site, unimpeded access and to provide hygienic conditions for plant growth. Four main activities are involved in preparing a site for nursery, namely nursery design, clearing, fencing and lining.

Nursery Design

A well-designed nursery allows for access of many vehicles during evacuation of seedlings for field planting especially for large-scale plantings. This objective can be achieved through the drawing up of a plan to show all paths, roads and irrigation points. An example is shown in Figure 1.

Clearing

With the boundaries determined, felling and clearing should be carried out at least 2 months before the arrival of the seeds. Once clearing is completed, proceed to fence the area, fill the polybags and install the irrigation system.

Fencing

The major types of fences utilised for nurseries are the conventional barbed wire fence and the electric fence.

The Conventional Fence

The specifications for the conventional fence depend on the species of animals that it is required to keep out. For example, a four-strand barbed wire fence, with wires spaced at 0.3, 0.6, 0.9 and 1.2 m from ground should be adequate to control cattle and goats.

Electric Fencing

Where there is threat of wild mammalian pests, an electrical fence is possibly the best form of defence. Wires of 250-300 kg breaking strain have been found to be the most suitable. The heights at which the electrified wires are placed above ground level are critical, being dependent on the mammalian pests to be kept out, e.g. 10 cm to repel porcupines.

Lining

Lining is carried out to space the polybags evenly in the nursery, so that seedlings have good and uniform access to sunlight and to achieve the most cost effective irrigation system .

Polybags are lined at 0.91m (3 ft) x 0.91m (3 ft) triangular spacing to give each seedling the optimum growth space. All seedling rows must be straight along the axis at 60^o to each other and parallel to irrigation lines.

In the Sumisansui irrigation system, MK II tubes are laid down between the polybags at every 4 rows, a 1 m wide path is provided at every 8 rows for easy access. When the seedlings are about 7 – 8 months old, additional MK II tubes are added between the existing MK II tubes to give a final layout of 1 tube for every 2-seedling row. This is illustrated in Figure 2.

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Oil Palm: Nursery

NURSERY PRACTICES FOR PRODUCTION OF SUPERIOR OIL PALMPLANTING MATERIALS

Introduction
Site selection and preparation
Ordering of seeds
Nursery set-up
Nursery maintenance
Summary of recommendations

INTRODUCTION

The oil palm is a very precocious crop, which comes into maturity at 25 months or earlier from field planting, with peak yield realized at four or more years thereafter.

As early bearing and high yields in the field are mainly dependent on production of uniformly good and healthy seedlings from a nursery, it follows that good nursery management would be required to achieve the latter.

The production of superior oil palm planting materials is fully dependent on attention to details at all stages in the nursery management and this entails following closely, proven standards and procedures.

Oil palm has an economic productive life span of 20 years or more and any shortcomings in the planting material will have long term consequences on yield. As such, the grower must select and plant only the best in his field in order to maximize his yields.

Reference
Heriansyah and Tan C.C. 2005. Nursery practices for production of superior oil palm planting materials. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 81 (948) : 159-171

Note: The full list of references quoted in this article is available from the above paper.

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Goh Kah Joo (GKJ)

Personal Details

Name	GOH KAH JOO (GKJ)
Education	University Pertanian Malaysia (UPM) B.Sc. in Agriculture, 1982University of York, UK M.Sc. in Biological Computation (Distinction), 1992
Job experience	Tutor, University Pertanian Malaysia (1982 – 1983) Assistant Agronomist, Taiko Plantations S/B (1983 – 1986) Assistant Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research S/B (1986 – 1989) Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research S/B (1990 – 1993) Senior Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research S/B (1994 – 1999) Principal Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research S/B (2000 – 2006) Section Head, Information Management Section (1995 – 2006) Deputy Head of Advanced Agriecological Research, Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd. (2006 – 2007) Deputy Director of Research, Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd. (2007 – 2011) Director of Research, Advanced Agriecological Research Sdn. Bhd. (2012 – Present)
Specialty of work	Oil palm and cocoa agronomy in particular to attain the site yield potential at the lowest possible cost through better management practices, taking into consideration the environment and land ecology. Fertiliser and agronomic recommendations of oil palm and cocoa; Soil survey and crop feasibility assessment (including jungle soil survey); Crop modelling, expert system, artificial intelligence and decision support system (towards precision farming); Advanced applied statistics and experimental design; Currently technical advisor to oil palm and cocoa estates in Boustead Estates Holding Bhd. and Kuala Lumpur Kepong Bhd., two of the largest plantation companies in Malaysia; Conduct research on perennial crops as shown by the research projects and publications.
Professional activities and societies	Committee member of MSSS (1990 – 91; 1993 – 94) Secretary of MSSS (1995 – 1996) Vice President of MSSS (1996 – 1998) Treasurer of MSSS conference 1991 (1991 – 99) Committee member of SOILTECH (1992 – 98 ) Committee member of National Science Quiz (1993 – 95) Member of O/B committee, MPOA (2001 -2002 ) Paper committee member of International Conference on “Management of soil resources for sustainable agriculture in East and South-east Asia” (1993 – 95) Observer of COMSSSEM (1992 – 97) Member of PORIM – Industry Agronomists’ meeting (1990 – 99); Currently as alternate member to KKK (2000 – ) Secretary of Editorial and Publication subcommittee, ISOPA (1994 – 2000) Secretary of MSSS Sub-committee on Soil Classification and Management (1996 – ) Secretary of ISSS Soil Tour in Malaysia, 2002 (1999 -2002) Committee members and paper committee member of MSSS Annual Conference (1993, 1996, 1998, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004 and 2006) Reviewer for The Planters and Malaysian Society of Soil Science Journal Member of Malaysian Soil Science Society (MSSS) Member of Soil Science Society of America (SSSA) Member of Agronomy Society of America (ASA) Member of Malaysian Plant Protection Society (MAPPS) Member of International Society of Oil Palm Agronomists (ISOPA)
Current research projects	Nutrient requirement, balance and cycling of oil palm and cocoa; Yield limiting factors in oil palm and cocoa cultivations; Evaluation of sources of fertiliser for oil palm and cocoa; Study on nutrient and organic matter dynamics in oil palm agroecosystem including nutrient losses; Study on the impact of fertilisers on soil and quality of crops; Study on soil and nutrient losses in oil palm agroecosystem; Study on the effect of slope and soil physical, chemical and biological properties on the growth and yield of oil palms; Study on water flow, balances (including hydrology and 3D modelling of water flow) and impact on palm growth and yield, and the environment; Land evaluation and oil palm and cocoa yield potential; Modelling the oil palm growth, yield and nutrient requirement including 3D modelling and visualization; Development of decision support system for oil palm; Experimental techniques and design for agronomic trials on perennial crops; Spatial and multivariate data analysis; Pattern recognition methods
External research funding and collaborative work	Title: Evaluation of phosphate rocks for oil palms Fund: RM 240000/year for 6 years (2004 – 2009) Sponsor: IMPHOS Collaborators: Universiti Pertanian Malaysia (UPM), Golden Hope, Felda, Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB), Tradewinds Title: 3-D Modelling the oil palm canopy and photosynthesis Fund: RM 200000 for 3 years (2003 – 2005) Sponsor: Malaysian government under IRPA priority research and Felda Plantations Collaborators: UPM and MPOB Title: Development of the best fertilizer management practices for oil palm seedlings Fund: RM 16000 for 1 year (2004) Sponsor: Sumitomo and Union Harvest Collaborators: – Title: Evaluation of P sources for cocoa Fund: RM 10000 for 2 years (1988 – 1989) Sponsor: ICI (M) Collaborators: – Title: Greenhouse gas emissions and nutrient dynamics of tropical peat Fund: – Sponsor: – Collaborators: Department of Sarawak and University of Hokkaido, Japan Title: 3D visualization of oil palm root growth and architecture Fund: – Sponsor: – Collaborators: UPM
Papers published	To date, I have authored or coauthored 120 publications, 190 internal technical reports, 35 soil survey and crop suitability reports and 3 advisory circulars.
Miscellaneous	Conducted courses on soil survey and management for oil palm (1995 and 2002) Conducted lecture on precision agriculture, GIS/GPS and remote sensing to MSC students on Plantation Management at University Putra Malaysia (1999). I have supervised two MSc students on oil palm nutrition

Awards

Gold medal (Best Student In Faculty),Faculty of Agriculture, University Pertanian Malaysia (1982)
Gold medal (Best Soil Science Student),Malaysian Society of Soil Science (1982)
BIOSIS award (Best Academic Student),University of York (1992)
Won a number of poster awards from the Malaysian Society of Soil Science (see publication list)
Won first prize poster award at the 15th International Plant Nutrition Colloquium, Beijing, 2005 (see publication list)

Publications

Journal

Shahbuddin, M. F. and Goh, K.J. (1983). Interactions of soil amendments and complex fertilisers. I: Effects on soil properties and nutrient uptake by cocoa seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.). Pertanika 6(2): 15 –22Shahbuddin, M.F. and Goh, K.J. (1983). Interactions of soil amendments and complex fertilisers. II: Effects on the growth of cocoa seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.). Pertanika 6(3): 6-11.Goh, K.J. and Jamal, T. (1984). Soil loss and erosivity index of Padang Besar soil series (Petroferric Tropudult). I: Possible application of Cate-Nelson methods, Anderson-Nelson method and simplified ANOVM for the determination of critical value. Pertanika 7(2): 5-12.Goh, K.J. and Samsudin, A. (1993). The root system of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.) I: A modified soil core method for root study. Elaeis 5(1): 1-11.Goh, K.J. and Samsudin, A. (1993). The root system of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.). II: Indirect estimations of root length, diameter and surface area. Elaeis 5(2): 75-85.Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1995) Investigation into manganese deficiency in mature oil palm (E. guineensis) in Malaysia. Fert. Res. 40: 1-6

Melling, L., Hatano, R. and Goh, K.J. (2005). Soil CO2 flux from three ecosystems in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. Tellus 57B: 1-11.

Melling, L., Hatano, R. and Goh, K.J. (2005). Methane fluxes from three ecosystems in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. Soil Biology and Biochemistry 37 : 1445 – 1453.

Melling, L., Hatano, R. and Goh, K.J. (2005) Global Warming Potential of Tropical Peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. Phyton – Annales Rei Botanicae 45(4): 275-284.

Soh, A.C., Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (2006) Research and innovation towards sustainable palm oil production. Journal of Oil Science and Technology in the Tropics Vol 2 No 2 : 77-98.

Melling, L., Hatano, R. and Goh, K.J. (2006) Short-term effect of urea on CH4 flux under the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) on tropical peatland in Sarawak, Malaysia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 52: 788-792.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E, Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2006) The effect of leaf shape on the interception of solar radiation. Journal of Tropical Plant Physiology Vol 1 : 12-27.

Melling, L., Hatano, R. and Goh, K.J. (2007) Nitrous oxide emissions from three ecosystems in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. Soil Science and Plant Nutrition 53: 792-805

Anuar, A.R., Goh, K.J., Tee, B.H. and Ahmed, O.H. 2008. Transforming spatial-temporal yield maps to classified management zone maps for efficient fertilizer management of oil palm. Am. J. Applied Sciences 5(10): 1392-1396.

Anuar, A.R., Goh, K.J., Tee, B.H. and Ahmed, O.H. 2008. Spatial-temporal yield trend of oil palm as influenced by nitrogen fertilizer management. Am. J. Applied Sciences 5(10): 1376-1383.

Anuar A.R., Goh K.J., Tee B.H. and Ahmed O.H. 2008. Spatial variation of soil inorganic N in a mature oil palm plantation in Sabah, Malaysia. American Journal of Applied Sciences 5 (9) : 1239-1246.

Petronella G. A., Mohd, K. Y., Nik, M. M., Goh, K. J. and Gan, H. H. 2009. Effect of N and K Fertilizers on Nutrient Leaching and Groundwater Quality under Mature Oil Palm in Sabah during the Monsoon Period. American Journal of Applied Sciences 6 (10): 1788-1799.

Edited/Refereed Articles
Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Teo, C.B. (1994). Commercial yield performances of oil palms in Sabah, Malaysia. The Planters 70(824): 497-507.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., Heng, Y.C., Tey, S.H. and Gan, H.H. (1997). Developing decision support systems for plantations: A new role for agronomists. The Planter, Vol. 73 (No. 861): 687-695.

Chew, P.S., Soh, A.C. and Goh, K.J. (1997) Notes on revitalising plantation agriculture in Malaysia. The Planter 73 (854): 247-253.

Patrick Ng., Chew, P.S., Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (1999). Nutrient requirements and sustainability in mature oil palms – an assessment. The Planter, K.L. 75 (880): 331-345.

Chiu S. B. and Goh K.J. (1999). Green Manuring of Oil Palm – A ‘Green’ Alternative. The Planter, Vol. 75, No. 885, December 1999: 685-686

Rhainds, M. and Goh, K.J. (2000). Inter-generation distribution of bagworms (Lepidoptera: Psychidae) in oil palm plantations: A case study using geostatistical analysis. The Planter 76 (897): 753-762.

Goh KJ, Kee KK, Chew PS, Gan HH, Heng YC and Ng HCP (2002) Concept of site yield potential and its applications in oil palm plantations. Malaysian Oil Science and Technology Vol. 11 (2): 57 – 63.

Books, booklets and book chapters
Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (1994). K nutrition for mature oil palms in Malaysia. IPI Research Topics 17: 36 pp.

Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1995). Managing soils for plantation tree crops. I. General soil management. In: Course on Soil Survey and Managing Tropical Soils (ed. Paramanathan, S.). MSSS and PASS, Kuala Lumpur: 228-245.

Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1995). Managing soils for plantation tree crops. II. Managing Problem Soils in Malaysia. In: Course on Soil Survey and Managing Tropical Soils (ed. Paramanathan, S.). MSSS and PASS, Kuala Lumpur: 246-256.

Chew, P.S., Kee, K.K. and Goh, K.J. (1999). Sustainable field practices: Cultural practices and their impact. In: Gurmit, S., Lim, K.H. and Teo, L. (eds) Oil palm and the Environment – A Malaysian Perspective, Chapter 4. Malaysian Oil Palm Growers’ Council, Kuala Lumpur: 55-80

Goh K.J. and Rolf Härdter (2003) General oil palm nutrition. In: Thomas Fairhurst and Rolf Hardter (eds). Oil palm: Management for large and sustainable yields. Potash & Phosphate Institute and International Potash Institute: 191-230

Goh K.J., Rolf Härdter and Thomas F. (2003) Fertilizing for maximum return. In: Thomas Fairhurst and Rolf Hardter (eds). Oil palm: Management for large and sustainable yields. Potash & Phosphate Institute and International Potash Institute: 279-306

Soh, A.C., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Ang, B.N. and Ooi, L.H. (In press) Oil Palm. In: Janick, J. (ed). Encyclopedia of fruits ans nuts. CABI International.

Melling, L., Osaki, M. and Goh, K.J. (In press) Peatlands in Borneo.

Fauziah, I., Shamshuddin, J., Zin, Z.Z., Zauyah, S.D., Goh, K.J., Jalloh, M.B., Osumanu, H.A. and Rosazlin, A. (2006) Proc. of Soils 2006 on Strategies for Enhanced Soil and Crop Quality, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 255 pp.

Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (2007) Mucuna bracteata – A Cover Crop and Living Green Manure. Agricultural Crop Trust (ACT), Kuala Lumpur: 183 pp.

Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H. and Patrick Ng, H.C. (2007) Agronomy of Mucuna bracteata under oil palm. In: Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (Eds) Mucuna bracteata – A Cover Crop and Living Green Manure. Agricultural Crop Trust (ACT), Kuala Lumpur: 45 – 84.

Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (2007) Mucuna bracteata, a cover crop and living green manure under the oil palm: future work and a generalized policy for its establishment. In: Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (Eds) Mucuna bracteata – A Cover Crop and Living Green Manure. Agricultural Crop Trust (ACT), Kuala Lumpur: 143 – 164.

Goh, K.J. (2007) The cultivation of Mucuna bracteata – A pictorial guide. In: Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (Eds) Mucuna bracteata – A Cover Crop and Living Green Manure. Agricultural Crop Trust (ACT), Kuala Lumpur: 165 – 170.

Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H., Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (2007) Boron requirement and distribution in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and some implications on manuring practices. In: Xu, F.; Goldbach, H.E.; Brown, P.H.; Bell, R.W.; Fujiwara, T.; Hunt, C.D.; Goldberg, S.; Shi, L. (Eds.) Advances in Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition, Proceedings of the third International Symposium on All Aspects of Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition, Springer, The Netherlands: 189 – 202

Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (2007) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia

Soh, A.C., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Ang, B.N. and Ooi, L.H. 2008. Elaeis guineensis, Oil palm. In: Janick, J. and Paul, R.E. (ed). Encyclopedia of fruit and nuts. CABI International, United Kingdom: 118-127.

Editor
Goh, K.J. (Ed) Seminar on Managing Oil Palm For High Yields: Agronomic Principles. 11th July 2000, Lumut, Perak. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur (published in 2000)

Goh, K.J., Paramananthan, S. and Tee, B.H. (Eds) Proc. Annual Soil Science Conf. 1996, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur (published in 2002).

Hawa, Z.J., Umi Kalsom, M.S., Goh, K.J., Zakaria, Z.Z., Fauziah, C.I., Yew, F.K., Radzali, M.M., Yusoff, M.M. (Eds.). SOILS 2002: Applications of modern tools in agriculture. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2002, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur (published in 2002)

Eusof, Z., Fauziah, C.I., Zakaria, Z.Z., Goh, K.J., Malik, Z. & Abdullah, R. (Eds). SOILS 2003: Towards maximum land use and productivity. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2003, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur.

Zakaria, Z.Z., Balasundram, S.K., Goh, K.J., Hanafi, M.H., Izham, A., Fauziah, C.I. & Halimi, M.S. (Eds). Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2004, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur.

Conferences, seminars and workshops (Published)
Goh, K.J., Shahbuddin, M.F. and Alias, H. (1984). Mineralisation of N and growth response of cocoa seedlings (Theobroma cacao L.) from two slow release complex fertilisers. (Ed. Chew, P.S. et al.) Proc. Sem. Fert. In Malaysian Agric., Kuala Lumpur, 1983: 69-87.

Lee, A.K. and Goh, K.J. (1990). Yields trends of cocoa in Sabah. In: Proc. of the MCGC/Malaysian Cocoa Board Workshop on Cocoa Agricultural Research, 1989. Malaysian Cocoa Growers’ Council, Kuala Lumpur: 242-270.

Thong, K.C., Goh, K.J., Leong, C.W., Nawi, C.Y. and Yew, C.C. (1990). Yield trends of cocoa on inland soils of Peninsular Malaysia. In: Proc. of the MCGC/Malaysian Cocoa Board Workshop on Cocoa Agricultural Research, 1989. Malaysian Cocoa Growers’ Council, Kuala Lumpur: 223-241.

Ooi, L.H. and Goh, K.J. (1990). A survey of the precision of some cocoa progeny and agronomy trials in Malaysia. In: Soh, A.C., Rajanaidu, N. and Mohd. Nasir, H.B. (eds) International Symp. Application of Statistics to Perennial Tree Crops Research, Kuala lumpur, PORIM: 28-40.

Chew, P.S., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Quah, Y.T., and Tey, S.H. (1994). Fertiliser management in oil palms. In: B. Aziz (chief ed.) Proc. Int. Conf. On Fertilizer Usage in the Tropics (FERTROP, 1992), MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 43-67.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Teo, C.B. (1994). Maximising and maintaining oil palm yields on commercial scale in Malaysia. In: Chee, K.H. (ed) ISP Planters’ Conference on Managing Oil Palms for Enhanced Profitability, ISP, Kuala Lumpur: 121-141.

Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Tey, S.H. (1994). An integrated site specific fertilliser recommendations system (INFERS) for high productivity in mature oil palms. In: Chee, K.H. (ed) ISP Planters’ Conference on Managing Oil Palms for Enhanced Profitability, ISP, Kuala Lumpur: 83-100.

Chew, P.S., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J. and Tey, S.H. (1994). Further advances in agronomic management of oil palm plantations. In: Goh, S.H., Chin, A., Tang, T.S., Khor, H.T., Soon, T.K., Ooi, C.K. and Tay, C.S. (eds). Int. Congress on Oils and Fats: Meeting the needs for oils and fats in the 21st century. Malaysian oil science and Technology Association (MOSTA) and Trans-event Sdn. Bhd., Lumut, Perak, Malaysia: 214-222.

Chew, P.S., Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Quah, Y.T. and Tey, S.H. (1994). An integrated fertiliser management system for oil palms. In: Isherwood, K.S. and Soh, K.G. (eds) IFA-FADINAP Regional Conf. For Asia and the Pacific 1994, IFA_FADINAP, Kuala Lumpur: 17 pp.

Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1995). Effects of NK fertiliser on soil pH and exchangeable K status on acid soils in an oil palm ecosystem in Malaysia. In: Date, R.A., Grundon, N.J., Rayment, G.E. and Probert, M.E. (eds) Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: Principles and Management. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences Vol. 64, Kluwer Academic Publ., The Netherlands: 809-815.

Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1995). Direct application of phosphates to plantation tree crops in Malaysia. In: Workshop on Direct Application of Phosphate Rocks and Appropriate Technology Fertilisers in Asia: What Hinder Acceptance and Growth. IFDC, Kandy, Sri Lanka: 59-76.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Kee, K.K. (1996). Spatial soil fertility in mature oil palm agroecosystem and its implications on fertiliser management. In: Aminuddin, B.H., Ismail, A.B., Ahmad, A.R. and Ghazali, M.Z. (eds) Proc. of the Soil Science Conf. of Malaysia 1995 in Langkawi, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 80-90

Chan, K.S. and Goh, K.J. (1997). Characterisation of phosphate rock reactivity and implication on management practices in Malaysia. In: Aziz, B. and Hawa, J. (eds) Proc. Soil Science Conf. of Malaysia 1994 on Managing Soil Resources Efficiently. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Selangor, Malaysia: 89-97.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Gan, H.H. (1997). Quantitative land evaluation for sustainability of oil palm plantations. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed). Proc. 1997 Int. Planters’ Conf. on Plantation Management for the 21st Century. Incorporated Soc. of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 311-322.

Hor, T.Y., Soh, A.C., Chan, K.S., Chew, P.S. and Goh, K.J. (1998). Studies of oil palm bunch characteristic effects on OER. In: Rajanaidu, N., Henson, I.E. and Jalani, B.S. (eds) Proc. Int. Conf. on Oil and Kernel Production in Oil Palm – A Global Perspective, 1996. ISOPB and PORIM, Kuala Lumpur: 229-255

Goh, K.J., Kee, K.K. and Chew, P.S. (1998). Soil fertility status of some common soils in Sabah, Malaysia. In: Aziz, B. and Husni, A. M.S. (ed) Proc. Annual Soil Science Conference, 1993. Malaysian Soc. Soil Science, Penang: 1-16

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (1999) Ground magnesium limestone as a source of magnesium for mature oil palm on sandy soil in Malaysia. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds) Proc. 1998 Int. OP Conf. on Commodity of the Past, Today and Future, 1998. IOPRI, Bali, Indonesia: 347-362.

Teo, C.B., Chew, P.S. Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (1999). Optimising return from fertiliser for oil palms: An integrated agronomic approach. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds) Proc. 1998 Int. OP Conf. on Commodity of the Past, Today and Future, IOPRI, Bali, Indonesia: 335–345.

Teo, C.B., Chew, P.S. Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (1999). Optimising return from fertiliser for oil palms: An integrated agronomic approach (revised version). In: IFA Regional Conf., Hong Kong. Proc. ’98 IFA Conf for Asia & the Pacific: 37-52.(Original version presented at IOPRI Oil Palm Conference at Bali, 1999 and MOSTA Symposium 5, Lumut)

Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S., Gan, H.H. and Goh, K.J. (1999). Validation of a site yield potential model for oil palms in Malaysia. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds) Proc. 1998 Int. OP Conf. on Commodity of the Past, Today and Future, IOPRI, Bali, Indonesia: 150-163

Chew, P.S., Soh, A.C., Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (1999). Role of private sector research in oil palm crop production. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds) Proc. 1998 Int. OP Conf. on Commodity of the Past, Today and Future, IOPRI, Bali, Indonesia: 133-144.

Paramananthan, S. and Goh, K.J. (2000) The classification of deep soils with an argillic/kandic horizon over sedimentary rock in Malaysia. In: Zauyah, S., Rosenani, A.B. and Saud, H.M. (eds) Proc. Soil Science Conference 1999, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: 44-56.

Goh, K.J. (2000) Climatic requirements of oil palm for high yields. In: Goh, K.J. (ed) Seminar on Managing Oil Palm For High Yields: Agronomic Principles. 11th July 2000, Lumut, Perak. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 1-17.

Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (2000) A Lecture note on agronomic requirements and management of oil palm for high yields in Malaysia. In: Goh, K.J. (ed) Seminar on Managing Oil Palm For High Yields: Agronomic Principles. 11th July 2000, Lumut, Perak. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 39-73.

Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (2000) Water cycling and balance in mature oil palm agroecosystem in Malaysia. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed) International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 251-275.

Kok, T.F., Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., Gan, H.H., Heng, Y.C., Tey, S.H. and Kee, K.K. (2000) Advances in oil palm agronomic recommendations. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed) International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 215-232

Ng, P.H.C., Chew, P.S., Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H. and Heng, Y.C. (2000) Planters toolbox in the 21st century. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed) International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 717-737

Paramananthan, S., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (2000) Towards a practical framework for land evaluation for oil palm in the 21st century. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed) International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 869-885

Tey, S.H., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (2000) Digital elevation model (DEM) for site-specific management in plantation crops. In: Pushparajah, E. (ed) International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 739-754

S. M. F. D. Syed Mustapha, S. T. Bong and Goh, K.J. (2000) Measuring Performance of Probabilistic Inferencing and K-Nearest Neighbor for the Best Month Fertilizer Application. In: M. K. Hamza (Ed.): Artificial Intelligence and Soft Computing, July 24-26, 2000, Banff, Alberta, Canada, IASTED/ACTA Press: 380-385

Goh, K.J. (2002). ASSIST: An expert system to identify soil series in Peninsular Malaysia. In: Goh, K.J., Paramananthan, S. and Tee, B.H. (Editors) Proc. Annual Soil Science Conf. 1996, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 196-211

Paramanathan, S. and Goh, K.J. (2002). Variation of the Kumansi soil family, Sabah. In: Goh, K.J., Paramananthan, S. and Tee, B.H. (Editors) Proc. Annual Soil Science Conf. 1996, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 276-288

KK Kee, KJ Goh and AC Soh (2003) R&D efforts in efficient utilization of natural resources in oil palm cultivation. In: Pushparajah, E. and Chee, K.H. (eds) Proc. Int. Conf. On Globalisation and its Impact on the Palm Oil Industry, Vol. I. Technical Papers, The Incorporated Soc. of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 175-209.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2004) The effect of leaf shape on solar radiation interception. In: Shamsuddin, Z. et al. (Eds.). Agriculture Congress: Innovation towards modernized agriculture (2004 Sri Kembangan). Book of Abstracts of AGRICONGRESS 2004, Malaysia International Exhibition and Convention Centre (MIECC), Selangor, Malaysia, Oct. 4-7, 2004: 145-147.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Harun, H., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2005) Modelling oil palm growth and yield. In: Teh, C.B.S., Ahmed, O.H., Fauziah, C.I., Izham, A., Wan Noordin, W.D. & Zakaria, Z.Z. (Eds). SOILS 2005: Advances in Soil Science for Sustainable Food Production, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur: 204 – 206.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Harun, H., Goh, K.J. Husni, M.H.A. (2005) Do not reinvent the wheel: Extending the life span of agriculture models. In: Cebeci, Z., Sideridis, A., Say, S.M. & Darcan, N. (Eds.). International Congress On Information Technology In Agriculture, Food & Environment (ITAFE 2005), Cukurova University: 550-556.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E, Harun, H., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2005) Do not reinvent the wheel: Extending the life span of agriculture models. In: Rukunudin, I.H., Umi Kalsom, A.B., Hamid, M.N., Chan, C.W., Othman, M.I. & Ahmad, M.Z. (Eds). Proceedings of the National Conference on AgrICT 2005. Revolutionising Agriculture through ICT. Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute: 236-241.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E, Harun, H., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. 2005. Simulating oil palm growth and yield. In: Rukunudin, I.H., Umi Kalsom, A.B., Hamid, M.N., Chan, C.W., Othman, M.I. & Ahmad, M.Z. (Eds). Proceedings of the National Conference on AgrICT 2005. Revolutionising Agriculture through ICT. Malaysian Agricultural Research and Development Institute: 219-224.

Anuar, A.R., Goh, K.J., Ahmed, O.H., Gan, H.H. and Balasundram, S.K. (2005). Experimental designs, analyses and interpretations in research and development trial. In: Chew, P.S. and Tan, Y.P. (eds) Proceedings of MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy and Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA): 87-132.

Goh, K.J. (2005). Fertilizer recommendation systems for oil palm: estimating the fertiliser rates. In: Chew, P.S. and Tan, Y.P. (eds) Proceedings of MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy and Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA): 235-268.

Kee, K.K., Goh, K.J., Chow, K.C. and Teo, L. (2005). Improvement of efficiency of fertiliser applications. In: Chew, P.S. and Tan, Y.P. (eds) Proceedings of MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy and Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA): 269-291.

Lim, K.H., Goh, K.J., Kee, K.K. and Henson, I.E. (2005). Climatic effects on oil palm performance and some ameliorating measures. In: Chew, P.S. and Tan, Y.P. (eds) Proceedings of MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy and Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA): 351-372.

Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H. and Heng, Y.C. (2005). Yield targeting and yield gap analysis in oil palm plantations. In: Chew, P.S. and Tan, Y.P. (eds) Proceedings of MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy and Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA): 381-403.

Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H., Patrick Ng, H.C. and Teo, C.B. (2006) Agronomy of Mucuna bracteata under oil palm. In: Goh, K.J. and Chui, S.B. (eds) Mucuna bracteata: A cover crop and living green manure, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Felda Agricultural Services Sdn. Bhd. and Param Agricultural Soil Surveys, Kuala Lumpur: 37 – 63.

Goh, K.J. and Chiu, S.B. (2006) Mucuna bracteata, a cover crop and living green manure: future work and a generalised policy for its establishment. In: Goh, K.J. and Chui, S.B. (eds) Mucuna bracteata: A cover crop and living green manure, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Felda Agricultural Services Sdn. Bhd. and Param Agricultural Soil Surveys, Kuala Lumpur: 101 – 111.

L. Melling, R. Hatano and K. J. Goh (2006) Soil CO2 flux from three ecosystems in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: Fauziah, I., Shamshuddin, J., Zin, Z.Z., Zauyah, S.D., Goh, K.J., Jalloh, M.B., Osumanu, H.A. and Rosazlin, A. (2006) Proc. of Soils 2006 on Strategies for Enhanced Soil and Crop Quality, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 111 – 114.

Patrick Ng, H. C., Goh, K. J., Gan, H. H. and Zaharah, A. R. (2006) Impact of phosphate rock and legume planting system on P uptake and dry matter production of Mucuna bracteata under oil palm. In: Fauziah, I., Shamshuddin, J., Zin, Z.Z., Zauyah, S.D., Goh, K.J., Jalloh, M.B., Osumanu, H.A. and Rosazlin, A. (2006) Proc. of Soils 2006 on Strategies for Enhanced Soil and Crop Quality, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 63 – 67.

Kee, K.K. and Goh, K.J. (2006) Efficient fertilizer management for higher productivity and sustainability in oil palm production. In: Int. Planters Conf. 2006 on Higher Productivity and Efficient Practices for Sustainable Plantation Agriculture, Vol. 1: Technical Papers, ISP, Kuala Lumpur: 157 – 182.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Lah, J.U., Sayok, A. and Hatano, R. (2007) Biophysical characteristics of tropical peatland. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 110 – 119.

Melling, L., Ayob, K., Goh, K.J., Lah, J.U., Sayok, A. and Hatano, R. (2007) Hydraulic conductivity and moisture characteristics of tropical peatland – Preliminary investigations. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 120 – 133.

Arif, S., Goh, K.J. and Gan, H.H. (2007) Correction of Copper Deficiency of Oil Palm on Deep Fibrous Peat in Riau, Indonesia. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 160 – 169.

Teh, C.B.S., Goh, K.J., Law, C.C. and Seah, T.S. (2007) Changes in soil properties due to different soil and water conservation practices in a sloping land oil palm estate. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 248 – 256

Goh, K.J., Ng, P.H.C. and Lee, C.T. (2009) Fertiliser management and productivity of oil palm in Malaysia. In: E. Pushparajah (ed). Proc. International Planters Conference on Plantation Agriculture and Environment. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 49-87.

Tan S.Y., Yusuyuki Hashidoko, Melling L. and Goh K.J. 2009. Isolation and characterization of endophytic nitrogen-fixing bacteria in roots of oil palm (elaeis guineensis jacq.) cultivated in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. Proc. Agriculture, Biotechnology and Sustainability Conference on palm oil – balancing ecologics with economics Vol. III. Malaysian Palm Oil Board: 1054-1067

Melling L. and Goh K.J. 2010. Greenhouse gas emission from tropical peatland:myths, facts and uncertainties. Int. Oil Palm Conf. (IOPC) 2010, Yogyakarta, 1-3 June. Preprint

Ng H.C., Goh K.J., Gan H.H., Shahrakbah Y. and Zaharah A.R. 2010. The use of phosphate rocks for growing mucuna bracteata in oil palm legume systems to enhance sustainability. Malaysian Society of Soil Science International Conference held 12-16 Apr. Preprint.

AAR Internal Seminars and Field Days (Published)
Cheong, S.P. and Goh, K.J. (1988). Soil management requirement of oil palm and cocoa in Tawau, Lahad Datu and Sandakan areas. In: Proc. AAR Seminar and Field Day at KDC, Tawau (eds. Teoh, K.C. and Ooi, L.H.) Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia: 28-47.

Goh, K.J. (1988). Rehabilitation and improvement of poor cocoa fields in Sabah. In: Proc. AAR Seminar and Field Day at KDC, Tawau (eds. Teoh, K.C. and Ooi, L.H.) Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Selangor, Malaysia: 67-86.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., Heng, Y.C. and Tey, S.H. (1996). Decision support system for oil palm plantations. In: Ooi, L.H. and Chew, P.S. (eds) Proc. of AAR’s Seminar and Field Days, August 1996, KDC, Tawau: 33-44.

Goh, K.J., Teo, C.B. and Chew, P.S. (1996). Fertiliser requirements of oil palms on Kumansi Family soil in Sabah. In: Ooi, L.H. and Chew, P.S. (eds). Proc. of AAR’s Seminar and Field Days, August 1996, KDC, Tawau: 81-87.

Conferences, seminars and workshops (Presented)
Goh, K.J. and Teoh, K.C. (1988). A review of foliar fertilisation of some tropical crops and AAR evaluations of foliar fertilisers on cocoa and oil palm seedlings. Paper presented at ICI Agrochemical (M) Sdn. Bhd. On 24th November, 1988: 14 pp

Chang, K.C., Goh, K.J., Kee, K.K., Foong, S.F. and Law, K.F. (1995). Leaching losses of nutrients from a mature oil palm catchment in Malaysia. In: Conference on Soil Resources and Sustainable Agriculture. MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Goh, K.J. (1997). Interpretations of analytical data from soil survey reports for manuring recommendations: some pointers. MSSS Soil Familiarisation Tour 1/97, Temerloh, Peninsular Malaysia. Malaysian Soil Science Society and Param Agricultural Soil Survey, Kuala Lumpur: 9 pp.(Republished in Annual Journal/Report 1997, Royal Johore Planters’ Association: 25-30)

Goh, K.J. and Teo, C.B. (1997) Yield potentials and agronomic limitations of oil palms in Tawau-Semporna region, Sabah, Malaysia. In: MSSS Soil Familiarisation Tour 2/97, Tawau-Semporna, Sabah, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 16 pp

Patrick Ng., Chew, P.S., Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (1999). Nutrient requirements and sustainability in mature oil palms – an assessment. In: Seminar on Effective Fertilizer Management, ISP Johor Branch 10/3/99, Kluang, Johor: Preprint.(Republished in The Planter, K.L. 75 (880): 331-345)

Goh, K.J., Teo, C.B., Chew, P.S. and Chiu, S. B. (1999) Fertiliser management in oil palm: Agronomic principles and field practices. In: Fertiliser management for oil palm plantations, 20-21, September 1999, ISP North-east Branch, Sandakan, Malaysia: 44 pp

Goh, K.J. and Kee, K.K. (2000) The oil palm sector in Southeast Asia: Changing requirements for fertilizers, particularly P and K. In: Workshop on Improving Soil Fertility Management in Southeast Asia. 21-23 November 2000, Bogor, Indonesia. IBSRAM, Thailand: Preprint.

Goh, K.J., Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S., Gan, H.H., Heng, Y.C. and Ng, H.C.P. (2000) Concept of site yield potential and its applications in oil palm plantations. In: Oils and Fats International Congress 2000 (OFIC 2000), 4-8 September 2000, Malaysian Oil Scientists’ and Technologists’ Association (MOSTA) and Malaysian Palm Oil Promotion Council (MPOPC), Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.(Republished in Malaysian Oil Science and Technology Vol. 11 (2): 57 – 63)

Goh, K.J., Tee, B.H. and Anuar, A.R. (2000) Applicabilitity of precision farming for oil palm plantations in Malaysia. In: Seminar on Precision Farming. 16 October 2000, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia and Agricultural Institute of Malaysia, Serdang: Preprint.

Tey, S.H., Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (2000) Advances in site-specific management for oil palm plantations. In: Workshop on Application of Remote Sensing for Precision Farming, 6-7 March 2000. MACRES, Kuala Lumpur: Pre-print

Arif Sugandi, Kee Khan Kiang and Goh Kah Joo (2001) Oil palm cultivation on peat soils – A review. In: One Day Seminar On Various Aspects of Large Scale Oil Palm Cultivation on Peat Soil. 23 October 1999, Sibu, Sarawak . The Incorporated Society of Planters, Central Sarawak Branch: Preprint

Soh, A.C. and Goh K.J. (2002) Elevating the national oil palm productivity – Breeding and agronomic R&D aspects. In: Sem. On Elevating the National Oil Palm Productivity and Recent Progress in the Management of Peat and Ganoderma, 6-7 May 2002, MPOB, Bangi, Malaysian Palm Oil Board, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Goh K.J., Gan H.H. and Soh A.C. (2002) Oil palm productivity: Commercial FFB yield analysis. In: MPOA seminar 2002: R&D for competitive edge in the Malaysian OP industry, Malaysian Palm Oil Association, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.(Revised version was presented at Incorporated Society of Planters, Northeast Branch, Sabah)

Ng, P.H.C., Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., Gan, H.H. and Heng, Y.C. (2002) Planter’s tools for FFB yield maximization. In: ISP Northeast Branch Seminar, 14th October 2002, Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Chew P.S. and Goh K.J. (2003) Maximising palm oil yields on estates (keynote lecture). In: MOSTA Seminar 9 on Recent Advances in the Oil Palm Sector: Agriculture, Plantation Management, End Uses and Nutrition, May 8-9 Sandakan, Sabah, Malaysian Oil Scientists and Technologists Association, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Gan H.H. and Goh K.J. (2003) Some useful statistics and statistical methods for analytical laboratories. In: Seminar on Advances in soil, plant and fertilier analysis (ASPFA 2003), September 9-10, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Mokhtaruddin A.M. Adrinal, Sugandi A. and Goh K.J. (2003) Water retention and availability of some major soil types in Malaysia. In: Seminar on Advances in soil, plant and fertilier analysis (ASPFA 2003), September 9-10, Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Patrick Ng and KJ Goh (2003). Basic principles of fertilizer management in Miri-Bintulu Sarawak. In: MSSS Seminar on Managing Soils of the Miri-Bintulu area, Sarawak (8-11/12/03), Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

PS Chew and KJ Goh (2003). Priorities and proposals for MPOB thrust oil palm agronomy R&D programmes. MPOB/Industry Brainstorming on Agronomic and Fertilizer Research: Tuesday 3rd June 2003 at Guoman, Port Dickson: Preprint

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. 2004. The effect of leaf shape on solar radiation interception. In: 15th. Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology Conference. 14-16 September 2004, Port Dickson: Preprint

Ng PHC, Gan HH and Goh KJ (2004) Soil nutrient changes in Utisols under oil palm in Johor, Malaysia. In: Oils and Fats International Congress (OFIC) 2004 in module on Agriculture, Biotechnology and Sustainability (AB), 29-9 to 2/10 2004, PWTC, Kuala Lumpur: Preprint.

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Harun, H., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2005) Simulating oil palm growth and yield. In: 16th. Malaysian Society of Plant Physiology Conference. 27-29 September 2005, Port Klang: Preprint

Kee, K.K. and Goh, K.J. (2006) Integrated management of fertilization for sustainable oil palm. In: The 15th Int. Oil Palm Conference, September 19 – 22, 2006, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia: Preprint

L. Melling, R. Hatano and K. J. Goh (2006) Soil C fluxes from tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: International Workshop on Tropical Rain Forest and Boreal Forest Disturbance and Their Affects on Global Warming, 16-18 September 2006 at University of Palangka Raya, Indonesia: Preprint

Goh, K.J. (2006) Fertilizer recommendation systems for oil palm: Estimating the fertilizer rates. In: Workshop on Nutrient Needs in Oil Palm, 17 – 18 October 2006, Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) Southeast Asia Program, Singapore: Preprint.

Goh, K.J. (2006) Nitrogen. In: Workshop on Nutrient Needs in Oil Palm, 17 – 18 October 2006, Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) Southeast Asia Program, Singapore: Preprint.

Goh, K.J. (2006) Potassium. In: Workshop on Nutrient Needs in Oil Palm, 17 – 18 October 2006, Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) Southeast Asia Program, Singapore: Preprint.

Goh, K.J. (2006) Magnesium. In: Workshop on Nutrient Needs in Oil Palm, 17 – 18 October 2006, Potash and Phosphate Institute (PPI) Southeast Asia Program, Singapore: Preprint.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Ayob, K. and Hatano, R. (2007) Biophysical characteristics of tropical peatland in Sarawak, Malaysia. In Eight Conf. of the East and Southeast Asia Federation of Soil Science (ESAFS 8), October 22-25, 2007, Tsukuba Int. Conf. Hall, Japan: Preprint

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Beauvais, C. and Hatano, R. (2007) Carbon flow and budget in a young oil palm agroecosystem on deep tropical peat. In: Proceedings of The International Symposium and Workshop on Tropical Peatland, Yogyakarta, 27-29 August 2007, EU CARBOPEAT and RESTORPEAT Partnership, Gadjah Mada University, Indonesia and University of Leicester, United Kingdom.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J. and Hatano, R. (2007) Comparative study between greenhouse gas fluxes from a forest and an oil palm plantation on tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: Proc. of the Int. Conf. on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE), 15-16 November 2007, WWF, CIRAD and Sinarmas, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia: Preprint.

Totok, S., Arif, S. and Goh, K.J. (2007) Digital land evaluation and suitability assessment for oil palm cultivation. In: Workshop on Good Agricultural Practices and Their Implementation for Sustainable Cultivation, 23-24 October 2007, MOSTA, Kluang, Johor, Malaysia: Preprint

Posters presented at conferences, seminars and workshops
Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S. and Goh, K.J. (1993). Manganese deficiency in mature oil palm in Malaysia: deficiency symptoms, foliar levels and responses. Presented as a poster in PORIM Int. Palm Oil Congress: Update and Vision, 1993. PORIM, Kuala Lumpur: 6 pp.(Republished in Fertilizer Research 40: 1-6)

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (1996). Effects of manuring on canopy biomass and leaf K distribution in mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in Malaysia. Presented as poster in 2nd Int. Crop Science Congress, New Delhi, India.

Goh, K.J., Tee, B.H., Anuar, A.R. and Woo, C.Y. (2000) Spatial yield variation of oil palm in a fertiliser response trial in Malaysia. Presented as a poster in Soil Science Conference of Malaysia 2000, MSSS, Johore Bahru, Malaysia (Won the best poster award)

Gan, H.H., Heng, Y.C. and Goh, K.J. (2001) An improved yield recording and reporting system for oil palm estates with hand-held organiser. In: Proc. 2001 PIPOC Int. Palm Oil Congress, MPOB, Kuala Lumpur: 561-562.

Haslinda, Goh K.J., Gan H.H. and Wan Mohamad. (2002) A site yield potential model of oil palm: a GIS approach. In: Hawa, Z.J., Umi Kalsom, M.S., Goh, K.J., Zakaria, Z.Z., Fauziah, C.I., Yew, F.K., Radzali, M.M., Yusoff, M.M. (Eds.). SOILS 2002: Applications of modern tools in agriculture. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2002, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur: 46-50. (Won the 2nd best student poster award).

Arif S. and Goh K. J. (2002) Copper Deficiency and its Correction in Commercial Oil Palm Plantings. In: Hawa, Z.J., Umi Kalsom, M.S., Goh, K.J., Zakaria, Z.Z., Fauziah, C.I., Yew, F.K., Radzali, M.M., Yusoff, M.M. (Eds.). SOILS 2002: Applications of modern tools in agriculture. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2002, Malaysian Soil Science Society, Kuala Lumpur: 190-192.(Won the 2nd best researcher poster award).

Mokhtaruddin A.M. Adrinal, Sugandi A. and Goh K.J. (2003) Water retention characteristics of some major oil palm growing soils in the district of Tawau, Sabah In: Eusof, Z., Fauziah, C.I., Zakaria, Z.Z., Goh, K.J., Malik, Z. & Abdullah, R. (Eds). SOILS 2003: Towards maximum land use and productivity. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2003, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 130 – 132 (Extended abstract).

Arif S., Goh K.J. and Teo C.B. (2003) Temporal soil moisture contents on hilly slope under oil palm as influenced by soil conservation practices. In: Eusof, Z., Fauziah, C.I., Zakaria, Z.Z., Goh, K.J., Malik, Z. & Abdullah, R. (Eds). SOILS 2003: Towards maximum land use and productivity. Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2003, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 133-141.

Ng PHC and Goh KJ (2004) Oil palm does not necessarily exhibit visual toxicity symptoms to excessive fertilizer application. In: Zakaria, Z.Z., Balasundram, S.K., Goh, K.J., Hanafi, M.H., Izham, A., Fauziah, C.I. & Halimi, M.S. (Eds). Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2004, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 121 – 123(Won the best poster award)

KJ Goh, S Arif and HH Gan (2004). Estimated potential oil palm yields on major soil types in Kunak-Semporna region, Sabah on a commercial scale. In: Zakaria, Z.Z., Balasundram, S.K., Goh, K.J., Hanafi, M.H., Izham, A., Fauziah, C.I. & Halimi, M.S. (Eds). Proceedings of the Malaysian Society of Soil Science 2004, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur: 117 – 120.

KJ Goh, PS Chew and KC Teoh (2004) Vegetative growth, resource optimization and N productivity of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) as influenced by soils and fertilization. Proc. of the 4th Inter. Crop Science Congress. 26 Sep – 1 Oct 2004. Brisbane, Australia. Published on CDROM. Web site: www.regional.org.au/au/cs

Melling, L., R Hatano and KJ Goh (2004) Global Warming Potential of Tropical Peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: The 6th Int. Symposium on plant responses to air pollution and global changes, Oct 19-22, 2004, Tsukuba Centre Institutes, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, Japan. Preprint.(Republished in Phyton (In press))

Melling, L., Goh K.J. and Hatano, R. (2005) Effect of urea on CH4 flux under oil palm on tropical peat land in Sarawak. In: Li, C.J., Oenema, O., Zhang, F.S., Peng, S.B., Dobermann, A., Rengel, Z., Hinsinger, P., Shen, Q.R., Lambers, H., Welch, R., Li, X.L., von Wiren, N., Marschner, P., Yan, X.L., Maene, L., Zhu, Y.G. and McGarth, S. (eds) In: Proc. XV International Plant Nutrition Colloquium on Plant Nutrition For Food Security, Human Health And Environmental Protection, Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China: 1082-1083.(Won best poster award)

Ng P.H.C., Goh K.J., Gan H.H. and Zaharah, A.B. (2005). Impact of phosphate rock on P uptake and dry matter production of mixed legumes under oil palm in Malaysia. . In: Li, C.J., Oenema, O., Zhang, F.S., Peng, S.B., Dobermann, A., Rengel, Z., Hinsinger, P., Shen, Q.R., Lambers, H., Welch, R., Li, X.L., von Wiren, N., Marschner, P., Yan, X.L., Maene, L., Zhu, Y.G. and McGarth, S. (eds) In: Proc. XV International Plant Nutrition Colloquium on Plant Nutrition For Food Security, Human Health And Environmental Protection, Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China: 1124-1125.

Goh, K.J., Gan H.H., Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (2005) K cycling in mature oil palm on an Oxisol in Malaysia. . In: Li, C.J., Oenema, O., Zhang, F.S., Peng, S.B., Dobermann, A., Rengel, Z., Hinsinger, P., Shen, Q.R., Lambers, H., Welch, R., Li, X.L., von Wiren, N., Marschner, P., Yan, X.L., Maene, L., Zhu, Y.G. and McGarth, S. (eds) In: Proc. XV International Plant Nutrition Colloquium on Plant Nutrition For Food Security, Human Health And Environmental Protection, Tsinghua University Press, Beijing, China: 1126-1127.

Goh, K.J., Gan, H.H., Kee, K.K., Chew, P.S. and Teoh, K.C. (2005) Boron requirement and distribution in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and some implications on manuring practices. In: The 3rd Int. Symposium on All Aspects of Plant and Animal Boron Nutrition, September 9-13, 2005, Wuhan, China: 79.

L. Melling, R. Hatano, K. J. Goh, M.H.A. Husni and L.J. Uyo (2006) Global warming potential from tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: Fauziah, I., Shamshuddin, J., Zin, Z.Z., Zauyah, S.D., Goh, K.J., Jalloh, M.B., Osumanu, H.A. and Rosazlin, A. (2006) Proc. of Soils 2006 on Strategies for Enhanced Soil and Crop Quality, MSSS, Kuala Lumpur: 154 – 157

L. Melling, R. Hatano and K. J. Goh (2006) Greenhouse gas fluxes from tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: International Symposium on Nature and Land Management of Tropical Peat land in South East Asia, September 20-21, 2006. Bogor, Indonesia: Preprint

L. Melling, R. Hatano, K. J. Goh and T. Inoue (2006) Greenhouse gas fluxes from three ecosystems in tropical peatland of Sarawak, Malaysia. In: 18th World Congress of Soil Science, July 9 -15, 2006, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Preprint

Totok S. and Goh, K.J. (2007) GIS based site specific management of oil palm. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 300 – 304.

Mahamooth TN, Sim CC, Gan HH, Kee KK, and Goh, KJ (2007) Water Cycling in Mature Oil Palm on Rolling Terrain. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 327 – 330.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Husni, M.H.A., Abat, M., Ambak, K., Hashidoko, Y. and Osaki, M. (2007) An investigation into NK fertilization on soil nutrients, leaf nutrient composition and growth of sago on deep tropical peat. In: Hamdan, L., Goh, K.J., Che Fauziah, I., Melling, L., Ahmad, O.H.., Jalloh, M.B., Sayok, A. and Siva, K.B. (Eds) Proc. SOILS 2007 on Peat and Other Soil Factors in Crop Production, Malaysia Soc. Soil Science and Department of Agriculture Sarawak, Sibu, Malaysia: 305 – 315.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Beauvais, C. and Hatano, R. (2007) Carbon budget in an oil palm agroecosystem on deep tropical peat. In: Proc. of the Int. Conf. on Oil Palm and Environment (ICOPE), 15-16 November 2007, WWF, CIRAD and Sinarmas, Nusa Dua, Bali, Indonesia: Preprint

Newsletters, others
Goh, K.J. (1984). Current research in the soil fertility and management section, 1980-83. A compilation. Soil Sci. Dept., UPM: 37 pp

Goh, K.J. and Chew, P.S. (1994). The need for soil information to optimise oil palm yields. Selangor Planters’ Assoc. Annual Journal/Report 1994: 44-48.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., Heng, Y.C., Tey, S.H. and Gan, H.H. (1996). Developing decision support systems for plantations: A new role for agronomists. ISOPA Newsletter 5: 2-4.

Goh, K.J. (1997). Interpretations of analytical data from soil survey reports for manuring recommendations: some pointers. Annual Journal/Report 1997, Royal Johore Planters’ Association: 25-30.

Chan, W.H. and Goh, K.J. (1997). A short note on effective advisory service in private sector. In: ISOPA Newsletter, Dec. ’98. Vol.6: 1-3

Goh, K.J. (2002) Two recent options for oil palm to oil palm replant. Royal Johore Planters’ Association Annual Report 2001: 21-26

Teh, C.B.S., Henson, I.E., Harun, H., Goh, K.J. and Husni, M.H.A. (2005) Modelling oil palm growth and yield. In: Pameran Rekacipta, Penyelidikan dan Inovasi 2005, UPM. 1-19 March 2005.

Melling, L., Goh, K.J., Hatano, R., Osaki, M. and Lah, J.U. (2006) Loagan Bunut National Park Peat Study. Final Report for UNDP/GEF Funded Project on the Conservation and Sustainable Use of Tropical Peat Swamp Forests and Associated Wetland Ecosystems: 32 pp.

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Dr. Kee Khan Kiang (KKK)

Personal Details

Name	DR. KEE KHAN KIANG (KKK)
Education	Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand B.Sc. (Hons) in Agriculture, 1976 Lincoln College, Canterbury, New Zealand Ph.D., 1981
Job experience	Research Officer, Highlands Research Unit 1982 (February) – 1986 (June) Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd. 1986 (June) Senior Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd. Principal Research Officer, Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd. 2000 – 2006 Deputy Head, Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd. 2006 – 2007 Director of Research, Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd. 2007 (February) – 2011 Director of Research, PTAARI, Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd. 2012 – Present
Specialty of work	Oil palm agronomy and advisory, oil palm fertiliser trials Soil surveys, soil suitability assessment, land evaluations
Professional activities and societies	Malaysian Society of Soil Science Incorporated Society of Planters
Current research projects	Multifactorial yield maximization trial on young and mature oil palm Soil erosion and runoff studies Fertiliser response trials in Sabah Soil evaluation – crop yield potential assessment Yield improvement on selected estates Fertiliser efficiency trial with N15
External research funding and collaborative work	Title: – Fund: – Sponsor: – Collaborators: –
Papers published	–
Miscellaneous	–

Awards

–

Publications

Journal

Kee K.K., Chew P.S. and Goh K.J. 1995. Manganese deficiency in mature oil palms in Malaysia deficiency symptoms, foliar levels and responses. Fertilizer Research No. 40 : 1-6.Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Chew P.S. 1995. Investigation into manganese deficiency in mature oil palms (E. guineensis) in Malaysia. Fertilizer Research 40: 1-6 1995 Kluwer Academic Publishers, The Netherlands.Soh A.C., Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 2006. Research and innovation towards sustainable palm oil production. Journal of Science and Technology in the Tropics Vol. 2 : 77-95.

Edited/Refereed Articles
Chew P.S., Kee K.K. and Ooi L.H. 1984. Management of coconuts and cocoa on acid sulphate soils. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 60 (704) : 483-498.

Ng H.C.P., Chew P.S., Goh K.J. and Kee K.K. 1999. Nutrient requirements and sustainability in mature oil palms – an assessment. Seminar on Effective Fertiliser Management. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kluang, Johore. Edited paper in The Planter, Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 75 (880): 331-345

Goh K.J., Kee K.K., Chew P.S., Gan H.H., Heng Y.C. and Ng H.C.P. 2002. Concept of site yield potential and its applications in oil palm plantations. Bulletin Malaysian Oil Science and Technology Vol.11 No. 2 : 57-63.

Books, booklets and book chapters
Chew P.S., Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 1999. Sustainability in crop production practices : Cultural practices and their impact. In: Gurmit, S., Lim, K.H., Teo, L. and Lee K.D. (eds). Oil palm and the Environment – A Malaysian Perspective, Chapter 4. Malaysian Oil Palm Growers’ Council, Kuala Lumpur : 55-80

Soh, A.C., Kee K.K., Goh K.J., Ang B.N. and Ooi L.H. 2003. Oil Palm. In : Janick, J. (ed). Encyclopedia of Fruits and Nuts. CABI International. In press.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S., and Kee, K.K. (1993). K nutrition for mature oil palm in Malaysia. International Potash Institute Research Topics No. 17 : 38 pp

Chew, P.S., Kee, K.K. and Goh, K.J. (1995). Sustainability in crop production practices: Cultural practices and their impact. Oil palm and the Environment: a Malaysian Prospective. (Gurmit S., Lim K.H., Teo L. and David L. K., eds). Chapter 12, Malaysian Oil Palm Growers’ Council, K.L. : 55-81.

Editor
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Conferences, seminars and workshops (Published)
Kee K.K. and Chew P.S. 1993. Oil palm responses to nitrogen and drip irrigation in a wet monsoonal climate in P. Malaysia. Proc. 1991 PORIM International Palm Oil Conference : Progress, Prospects and Challenges towards the 21st Century. Palm Oil Research Institute Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur : 321-339.

Kee K.K., Goh K.J., Chew P.S. and Tey S.H. 1994. An integrated site specific fertiliser recommendations system (INFERS) for high productivity in mature oil palms. In: Chee K.H. (ed). Proc. International Planters’ Conference on Managing Oil Palms for Enhanced Profitability. International Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 83-100.

Kee K.K. 1995. Regional rainfall pattern and climatic limitations for plantation crops in Pen. Malaysia. 1st pub. AAR Research News, Jan. ’89 issue; 2nd pub. N. Sembilan Planters Association Annual Journal. 3rd pub. The Planter. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur 71 (827) : 67-78.

Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Chew P.S. 1995. Effects of NK fertiliser on soil pH and exchangeable K status on acid soils in an oil palm ecosystem in Malaysia. In: Date, R.A., Grundon, N.J., Rayment, G.E. and Probert, M.E. (eds). Plant-Soil Interactions at Low pH: Principles and Management. Developments in Plant and Soil Sciences Vol. 64, Kluwer Academic Publ., The Netherlands : 809-815. Presented at 3rd International Symposium Plant Soil Interactions at Low pH, Brisbane, Australia, 1993.

Kee K.K. and Chew P.S. 1996. Nutrient losses through surface runoff and soil erosion – implications for improved fertiliser efficiency in mature oil palms. Proc. International Palm Oil Congress – Competitiveness for the 21st century. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur : 153-169.

Kee K.K. and Chew P.S. 1997. Nutrients recycled from pruned fronds in mature oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). In: Ando T. et al. (eds). Plant Nutrition – for sustainable food production and environment. Kluwer Academic Publication. Tokyo, Japan : 601-602.

Kee K.K., Chew P.S., Gan H.H. and Goh K.J. 1999. Validation of a site yield potential model for oil palms in Malaysia. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds). Proc. 1998 International Oil Palm Conference On Commodity of the Past, Today and Future. International Oil Palm Research Institute, Bali, Indonesia : 150-163

Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Chew P.S. 2000. Water cycling and balance in mature oil palm agroecosystem in Malaysia. Proc. International Planters’ Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the new millennium : the way ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 251-275

Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Soh A.C. 2003. R&D efforts in efficient utilisation of natural resources in oil palm cultivation. Proc. International Planters Conference on globalisation and its impact on the palm oil industry. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 175-209.

Kee K.K., Goh K.J., Chow K.C. and Teo L. 2004. Improvement of efficiency of fertiliser applications. Proc. MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy & Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists and Technologies Association, Kuala Lumpur : 269-291

Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 2006. Efficient fertilizer management for higher productivity and sustainability in oil palm production. Proc. International Planters Conference on higher productivity and efficient practices for sustainable plantation agriculture. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 157-182

Goh K.J., Kee K.K. and Chew P.S. 1993. Soil fertility of some common soils in Sabah, Malaysia. In: Aziz M. and Amir Husni M.S. (eds). Proc. Soil Science Soils Conference. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur : 1-16.

Chew P.S., Kee K.K., Goh K.J., Quah Y.T. and Tey S.H. 1994. Fertiliser management in oil palms. In: B. Aziz (chief ed.). Proc. International Conference On Fertilizer Usage in the Tropics (FERTROP, 1992). Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur : 43-67.

Chew P.S., Kee K.K., Goh K.J., Quah Y.T. and Tey S.H. 1994 . An integrated fertiliser management system for oil palms. In: Isherwood, K.S. and Soh, K.G. (eds). IFA-FADINAP Regional Conference For Asia and the Pacific. IFA_FADINAP, Kuala Lumpur: 17 pp.

Chew P.S., Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Tey S.H. 1994. Further advances in agronomic management of oil palm plantations. In: Goh S.H., Chin A., Tang T.S., Khor H.T., Soon T.K., Ooi C.K. and Tay C.S. (eds). Proc. International Congress on Oils and Fats: Meeting the needs for oils and fats in the 21st century. Malaysian Oil Science and Technology Association (MOSTA) and Trans-event Sdn. Bhd., Lumut, Perak, Malaysia : 214-222.

Goh, K.J., Chew, P.S. and Kee, K.K. 1996. Spatial soil fertility in mature oil palm agroecosystem and its implications on fertiliser management. In: Aminuddin, B.H., Ismail, A.B., Ahmad, A.R. and Ghazali, M.Z. (eds). Proc. Soil Science Conference of Malaysia 1995 in Langkawi, Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur : 80-90

Goh K.J., Kee K.K. and Chew P.S. 1998. Soil fertility status of some common soils in Sabah, Malaysia. In: Aziz, B. and Husni, A. M.S. (ed). Proc. Annual Soil Science Conference, 1993. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Penang : 1-16

Teo C.B., Chew P.S., Goh K.J. and Kee K.K. 1999. Optimising return from fertiliser for oil palms: An integrated agronomic approach. Proc. 1998 International Oil Palm Conference On Commodity of the Past, Today and Future. International Oil Palm Research Institute, Bali, Indonesia: 335–345. (Also presented in revised form at MOSTA Symposium 5, Lumut and IFA Regional Conference, Hong Kong. Proc. 1998 IFA Conference for Asia and the Pacific : 37-52.

Chew P.S., Soh A.C., Goh K.J. and Kee K.K. 1999. Role of private sector research in oil palm crop production. In: Jatmika, A., Bangun, D., Asmono, D., Sutarta, E.S., Kabul, P., Guritno, P., Prawirosukarto, S., Wahyono, T., Herawan, T., Hutomo, T., Darmosarkoro, W., Adiwiganda, Y.T. and Poeloengan, Z. (eds). Proc. 1998 International Oil Palm Conference On Commodity of the Past, Today and Future. International Oil Palm Research Institute, Indonesia : 133-144.

Kok T.F., Goh K.J., Chew P.S., Gan H.H., Heng Y.C., Tey S.H. and Kee K.K. 2000. Advances in oil palm agronomic recommendation. In: Pushparajah E. (ed). Proc. International Planters Conference on Plantation Tree Crops in the New Millenium: The Way Ahead. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur : 215-231

Lim K.H., Goh K.J., Kee K.K. and Henson I.E. 2004. Climatic effects on oil palm performance and some ameliorating measures. Proc. MOSTA Best Practices Workshops – Agronomy & Crop Management. Malaysian Oil Scientists and Technologies Association, Kuala Lumpur : 351-372

Goh K.J., Gan H.H, Kee K.K., Chew P.S. and Teoh K.C. 2005. Boron requirement and distribution in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) and some implications on manuring practices. Proc. International Symposium on all aspects of plant and animal boron nutrition. Wuhan, China : 79.

Mahamooth T.N., Sim C.C., Gan H.H., Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 2007. Water cycling in mature oil palm on rolling terrain. In Hamdon J., Goh K.J., Che Fauziah I., Melling L., Osumanu H.A., Mahomadu B.J., Alexander S. and Siva K.B. (eds). Proc. Soils Conference on peat and other soil factors in crop production. Malaysian Society of Soil Science : 327-330.

AAR Internal Seminars and Field Days (Published)
Kee K.K. 1988. Introduction to the soils of the Sandakan, Lahad Datu & Tawau districts, Sabah. Proc. Seminar/Field Day at Kalumpang Development Corporation, Tawau. Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Selangor : 2-26.

Kee K.K. 1996. Soil Management for oil palms in Sabah. Proc. Seminar/Field Day at Kalumpang Development Corporation, Tawau. Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Selangor

Kee K.K. 1996. Runoff and erosion studies – Trial NB5-91. Proc. Seminar/Field Day at Kalumpang Development Corporation, Tawau. Applied Agricultural Research Sdn. Bhd., Selangor : 72-80.

Conferences, seminars and workshops (Presented)
Kee K.K. and Soh A.C. 2002. Management of oil palms on slopelands in Malaysia. International Oil Palm Conference on enhancing oil palm industry development through environmentally friendly technology. IOPRI, Bali, 8-12/7/02. Preprint.

Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 2006. Integrated management of fertilization for sustainable oil palm. To be presented at the 15th Int. Oil Palm Conference, September 19 – 22, 2006, Cartagena de Indias, Colombia.

Chang K.C., Goh K.J., Kee K.K., Foong S.F. and Law K.F. 1995. Leaching losses of nutrients from a mature oil palm catchment in Malaysia. Proc. Conference on Soil Resources and Sustainable Agriculture. Malaysian Society of Soil Science, Kuala Lumpur. Preprint.

Goh K.J. and Kee K.K. 2000. The oil palm sector in Southeast Asia : Changing requirements for fertilizers, particularly P and K. Workshop on Improving Soil Fertility Management in Southeast Asia held from 21-23 November 2000, Bogor, Indonesia. IBSRAM, Thailand. Preprint

Goh K.J., Kee K.K., Chew P.S., Gan H.H., Heng Y.C. and Ng H.C.P. 2002. Concept of site yield potential and its applications in oil palm plantations. Presented at Oils and Fats International Congress 2000.

Posters presented at conferences, seminars and workshops
Kee K.K., Goh K.J. and Chew P.S. 1993. Induced manganese deficiency in mature oil palm in Malaysia. Fert. Research 40 : 1-6. Poster for PORIM International Palm Oil Congress : Update and Vision, 1993 : 16pp.

Kee K.K. 2004. Nutrient reserves and recycling from oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) trunks at replanting Poster paper in International Crop Science Congress. Brisbane, Australia. (http://www.cropscience.org.au/icsc2004/poster/2/2/376_keekk.htm).

Tasren N.M., Sim C.C., Gan H.H., Kee K.K. and Goh K.J. 2007. Water cycling in mature oil palm on rolling terrain. Poster for Soil Science Conference of Malaysia 2007 on peat and other soil factors in crop production held from 17 to 19/4/07 at Mukah, Sarawak.

Newsletters, others
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Oil Palm: Replanting

Some pulverisation techniques of clearing old oil palms for replanting

Conventional methods of clearing oil palms

Chip and burn (open burning has been banned)
Chip and windrow
Chip-windrow and pulverize when palm chips have partially decayed
Poison and under-plant

Why do we need improved methods of clearing old palms for replanting?

The ban on open burning resulted in very high breeding of rhinoceros beetles, now the most serious pest in immature and young mature palms in Malaysia
Liau et al . (1991) reported crop loss of up to 40% in the first year of harvest at 50% beetle damage incidence
Chung et al . (1999) reported that severe beetle damage could result in 92% loss of the first 12 months’ crop
Windrowed palm residues hindering field operations
Nutrients in windrowed palm residues not readily available to replanted palms until the palm roots have reached the windrows
Windrowed palm residues harbouring and breeding rats

Two methods of clearing old palms for replanting whereby

1. Telok Sengat Estate method (tractor-mulcher)

The entire palm is pulverized into small pieces and spread widely over the field and the root mass around the bole dug up during land clearing .
Excavator fell and chip palm into thin slices of <10cm thick and cut fronds into 2m lengths. Spread chips and cut fronds widely for tractor-mulcher to pulverize
Tractor-Mulcher pulverising 40-day old chips
Tractor ploughing up missed and partially pulverised chips
Second round pulverisation after ploughing
Field condition after 2 rounds of pulverisation and a round of ploughing in between

2. KLK method (excavator-mulcher)

Excavator fell and chip palm and spread chips into single-palm heaps
Excavator-Mulcher™ pulverizing 2-month old palm chips

Three techniques for pulverising the standing and newly felled palms

Technique 1. The EnviroMulcher™

Cylindrical steel drum with 111 pieces tungsten carbide knives and mounted at the excavator’s boom. It is driven by the hydraulic system of the excavator
To pulverise a palm, the excavator places the EnviroMulcher™ at the highest point possible and cut the palm trunk into 2 and proceeds to pulverise the standing portion of the palm
Pulverizing a fallen trunk including the crown
A supporting excavator digs up root mass and stacks fronds

Technique 2. The MountainGoat™

Powered by a 750hp caterpillar engine and supported by 2 excavators
Two excavators fell and line palms for a MountainGoat™
The same excavators also dig up root mass
Pulverising an entire palm and spreading pulverised chips
MountainGoat™ chipper drum with 10 knives
Pulverised palm fronds and trunks

Technique 3. The Beaver™

Powered by a 300 hp caterpillar engine
Severing root mass with blade
Beaver felling palm
Rotating drum with 20 pieces self-sharpening flails pulverizing felled palms
Pulverizing a felled palm
Result of pulverisation
Mulching a newly planted palm
Mulching newly replanted palm circle with freshly pulverised chips produced by EnviroMulcher™ improves palm growth significantly

Conclusions
The major problems associated with the conventional methods of land clearing could be overcome or minimized by pulverizing and spreading the palm biomass widely over the field during land clearing prior to the planting of palms and legume cover crops

References
Ooi L.H. and Heriansyah 2005. Palm pulverization in sustainable oil palms replanting. Plant Production Science 8 (3) : 345-348.
Ooi, L.H., Kodiappan, P. and Gunarajan, M. 2004. Some pulverisation techniques of clearing old palms for replanting. Proc. National Seminar on Replant or Perish. Incorporated Society of Planters, Kuala Lumpur: 47-63.
Chung, G. F., Sim, S. C. & Balasubramaniam, R. (1999). Effects of pest damage during immature phase on the early yields of oil palm. In 1999 PIPOC Proceedings: Emerging Technologies and Opportunities in The Next Millennium. Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, pp 454-476.
Liau, S. S. & Ahmad Alwi. (1991). The control of Oryctes rhinoceros by clean clearing and its effect on early yield in palm-to-palm replants. In: 1991 PORIM Int. Palm Oil Conf. pp 396-403.

(Movies and photos contributed by Ooi Ling Hoak, unpublished)

Plant Breeding: Future Prospects

The palm oil industry will continue to grow for the following reasons:

growing world population and the still low per capita consumption of oil
high productivity of the crop and low cost of production
versatility of palm oil and palm kernel oil in oleochemical and industrial uses
being a renewable resource, the edge over mineral oil in the increasingly environmental conscious world

Biofuel from vegetable oil is currently used in the countries of the European Union. Similarly, palm diesel will soon make its scene in the palm oil countries e.g. Malaysia, for economic and strategic reasons, although crude palm oil has been traditionally used to power vehicles in plantations in West Africa.

The big stake in the crop in many emerging economies demands continuing funding for research and development (R&D). The need for increasing investment in R&D is even more crucial for higher cost producers e.g. Malaysia, because of the tremendous biotechnological advancements made in competing annual oil crops such as rapeseed and soybean and the subsidies provided which erode the competitive edge and profitability of palm oil. Cultivar improvement is strategically an important if not the primary objective of most crop R&D efforts. Oil palm breeders will have to be able to respond readily to the changing market needs. The first need is to improve crop productivity, and the trend is towards precision farming to achieve this objective. Specific cultivars adapted to certain environments and plantation management requirements are the first prerequisites. The production of definite hybrids (single cross, biclonal) and clones is directed towards this end. Cultivars must be management-friendly in terms of ease of mechanization of harvesting and implementation of other plantation operations. The second is to extend the versatility of the crop in terms of added value products (Murphy 2000; Murphy and Peterson 2000) especially when its high productivity confers an existing comparative advantage. A good example is the production of polyhydroxy butyrate (PHB) for biodegradable thermoplastic production, a recently initiated collaborative project in Malaysia. Others would include production of ß-carotene for vitamin A and natural dye, tocotrienol (vitamin E), industrial fatty acids such as petroslenic acid, erucic acid, and ricinolic for specialty plastic and lubricant production. Most of these objectives will have to be achieved via biotehnological means. It can be argued that the oil palm is not the most appropriate crop for biotechnological genetic modifications because of its perennial nature and the lag time involved (Corley 2000; Hardon and Corley, 2000; Tinker 2000). However, the very rapid development of biotechnological techniques and tools e.g. microarray or DNA chip technology, bioinformatics, and the revelation of much genetic collinearity or synteny (similarity or identity of genes) between crops suggest the genes, techniques and information developed in the cereal crops can be used in oil palm to reduce the development time. And if the transgenes have been strategically incorporated into advanced breeding parents or proven clones, the response time in production of new hybrids to meet market changes would be considerably hastened. Indeed, oil palm breeders will have a challenging but interesting time ahead.

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Nursery: Summary of Recommendations

Nursery: Maintenance

Nursery: Set-up

Nursery: Ordering of Seeds

Nursery: Site Selection and Preparation

Oil Palm: Nursery

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Goh Kah Joo (GKJ)

Personal Details

Awards

Publications

Personal Details/Awards/Publications: Dr. Kee Khan Kiang (KKK)

Personal Details

Awards

Publications

Oil Palm: Replanting

Plant Breeding: Future Prospects

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