Your Solution To Higher Profitability

ESIGEL is a superior product for latex stimulation based on improved formulation of ethephon prepared by Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd.. This formulation incorporating amendments, enhances the efficiency of ethephon by early release of ethylene gas into the tree system.

Using the groove technique of application, ESIGEL was found to give a higher yield response than traditional ethephon formulations. As price of ESIGEL is competitive and comparable with traditional ethephon formulations, a yield advantage may be obtained at no extra cost.

ESIGEL is available in 2.5%, 5.0% and 10.0% ready to use formulations. Guildlines for use of ESIGEL are given in the labels. It should however be borne in mind that yield response to ESIGEL will depend on several other factors i.e type of clone, age of material, tapping system, nutritional status of the trees, etc.

• Reduce circle weeding for the first 18-24 months, therebysaving on labour and materials
• Save on fertilizer application as one application lasts up to 14 months* (Similar to application of slow release fertilizers)
• Reduce fertilizer loss
• Avoid chemical phytotoxicity and scorching of palm leaves, resulting in better palm growth and high early yields

* Depends on soil type and rainfall

• Conserve soil moisture
• Obtain better growth especially in areas with extreme climate eg. very low or very high rainfall
• Give better growth than EFB mulching on poor shallow soils such as lateritic and very sandy areas

AAR maintains a specialist team of Research Officers and technicians to carry out the following comprehensive analytical and diagnostic services needed to support its agronomic advisory work and supplementary adhoc studies which are needed by its Principals and Clients:

AAR Field Diagnostic Services

Specially trained AAR staff visit the advisory estates annually to assess palm growth and sample the leaves (and where appropriate, the rachis) and soils with specified standard sampling techniques for chemical analysis. The results are used to diagnose growth and nutrient deficiencies and formulate annual fertiliser recommendations and required corrective inputs. All the diagnostic data, fertilisers applied and yield achieved are collected and stored in AAR’s extensive Agronomic Advisory Database.

Supplementary field observations including drainage status, ground vegetation conditions, field accessibility, pest attacks and disease infections requiring improvements are made as well.

AAR technicians are now equipped with handheld digital recorders to collect geo-referenced field data and sampling details directly for improved integrity and accuracy of data collected.

AAR Chemistry Laboratory

Our commercial chemistry laboratory has been in operation since 1986. We have a team of experienced lab assistants specialize in a wide range of chemical and physical testing for plants and soils and fertilisers. Besides our principals (KLK Berhad and Boustead Plantations Berhad), we also provide commercial nutrient analysis services to external plantation clients and fertilizer companies from Southeast Asia and Oceania Regions.

Our laboratory is MS ISO/ISE 17025:2017 accredited under the Laboratory Accreditation Scheme of Malaysia (SAMM). All our lab personnel are proficient and well-versed in various spectroscopic and analytical techniques necessary to deliver results of the highest quality to our clients. We have a strict legislation to ensure compliance of standard laboratory operating techniques, safety and process assurance of good laboratory practices.

The accuracy and consistency of our chemical analysis results are constantly attested in the Proficiency Testing (PT) Programme held locally and internationally. At the international level of interlaboratory comparison, our testing performance has continued to be accredited by the Wageningen University International Plant Analytical Exchange. We also subscribe to the PT programme established by the Agriculture Laboratory Association of Malaysia (AgLAM) for plant, soil, fertilizer and compost.

We have long been recognised as one of the leading chemistry laboratories in Malaysia. While our reputation in the agricultural industry has been established for more than three decades, we remain committed to deliver precise, accurate, timely and quality results of the highest constancy to our clients.

Average number of leaf, soil, fertiliser and other samples the Chemistry lab analysed in the past 5 years:

Sample preparation for fertiliser testing

Nutrient content determination
using NIR

Fertiliser nutrient analysis with ICP-OES technique

AAR was set up to provide sound agronomic advice and assist its Principals’ and client estates to achieve the highest sustainable yield and profit. The advisory services cover main plantation crops grown in Malaysia i.e., oil palm, rubber, cocoa and coconut but as the latter three crops have progressively been replanted, oil palm is now the main crop advised.

The whole team of AAR agronomists is engaged in providing advice on best agriculture practices and annual fertiliser recommendations, besides carrying out its agronomic research programme. The advisory services are backed up by a whole array of traditional analytical and diagnostic services of field visit and thorough field inspections, monitoring and analysis of growth and yield, pest and disease control, leaf and soil analysis, drainage planning etc. In addition, digital analytical and diagnostic techniques are adopted to check the growth and yield status of fields and variations within for improvement. Digital terrain models are used for planning to improve drainage, planting terraces and field infrastructure preparations in new and replanting areas.

The Oil Palm Agronomic Advisory Services of AARSB and its sister company PTAARI in Indonesia cover the following countries, estates and hectarages in 2021.

The primary functions are to identify yield reducing factors for site-specific correction and draw up variable fertiliser rates for individual manuring blocks or fields to achieve their site yield potentials. Key feature of the AAR system is its holistic and site-specific approaches in evaluating agro-management practices and examining yield gaps in individual fields backed by detailed palm performance, field assessment and analysis, diagnostic and weather data in AAR’s digital database dated back to the 1960s.

Estimated nutrient requirements and cost of recommended fertiliser applications are presented with relevant field notes in agronomic recommendation reports annually. Follow-up visits to monitor progress for rectification are made when necessary.

Digitised maps, GIS, GPS, Decision Support Systems and nutrient balance models developed from AAR’s fertiliser trials have been used alongside the traditional yield, growth, leaf and soil analysis and climatic data for more effective, balanced and precise fertiliser recommendations. From 2015, enhanced remote sensing images have been included in the array of field diagnostic tools to pin-point under-performing palms and evaluate status and progress of improvement in palm growth. AAR agronomists are also engaged in relevant agronomic research programmes to gain additional insights, essential knowledge of palm responses and greater appreciation of natural variations in the fields.

AAR also conducts soil surveys (usually at a semi-detailed level) and carries out soil inspections and desktop feasibility studies for oil palm cultivation. Additional adhoc studies on drainage improvement, flood mitigation and other detailed site studies on pest and disease infection and agro-management issues are also made for non-principal clients when time permits.

Nevertheless, AAR still maintains a specialist rubber agronomy section to serve the remaining small rubber areas (approximately 10,000 ha) in one of its Principals’ estates. This is also to preserve the crop management and agronomy knowledge accumulated at AAR over the years.

The GLC Open Day, a showcase of government-linked companies in collaborations with private sectors was held from 24-26 June 2011 at Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Boustead Holdings Bhd. is one such company which participated. Their research arm, Applied Agricultural Resources Sdn. Bhd. (AAR) showcased some of their products, namely AAHybrida 1 and AAVitroa 1.

Some of dignitaries who stopped over :

AAR Head of Crop Improvement, Mr. Tan C.C. (second from right) briefing Deputy Chairman and Group Managing Director Tan Sir Lodin Wok (left) from Boustead Holdings Bhd.

Prime Minister Datuk Seri Najib Razak who officiated at the launch, make time to stop by AAR booth.

Our former Prime Minister, Tun Abdullah bin Haji Ahmad Badawi (picture on left) and current Deputy Prime Minister, Tan Sri Muhyiddin Yassin (picture on right) also graced the occasion.

Part of the crowd at the Open Day

An extract regarding GLC Open Day published in the New Straits Times on 27 June 2011. (pdf version)

Prepared by Julie and Edited by SSH