Effect of planting densities on growth, development and yield of oil palm (elaeis guineensis jacq.) in Ghana

2013

English

Variable planting density experiment was conducted on oil palm from 1998 to 2007. The study was to evaluate the effects of different plant spacing on growth, development and yield oil palm in Ghana. The experiment was laid out in randomized complete block design with five replications. The treatments were composed of four densities 116, 129, 148 and 173 palms per hectare. Growth parameters measured include leaf area, leaf area index, rachis length, frond dry weight and plant height. These parameters were generally not statistically significant (p=0.05). Fresh fruit yield were similar for all treatments until 10YAT where plots with 173 palms per began to produce significantly fewer bunches. For good growth and productivity oil palm should be planted at 8.84m triangular, equivalent of 148 palms/ha in the semi deciduous forest zone of Ghana.

Larbi, E.; Anim, S.; Danso, F.; Danso, I.; Afari, P.; Nuertey, B.; Asamoah, T.