Influence of different levels and methods of irrigation on biochemical responses in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

Irrigation plays an important role in increasing the yield and quality of oil palm. The present investigation was carried out with an objective to investigate the relationship between methods of irrigation using crop factors on biochemical responses of oil palm in relation to yield of fresh fruit bunches. Significantly highest proline (2.37%), carbohydrates (9.77%) and nitrate reductase activity (66.60 moles of nitrate min-1g-1) were observed in palms irrigated with drip method of irrigation. Among the levels of irrigation, palms irrigated with 0.8 crop factor recorded significantly highest proline (2.56%), protein (5.58%), lipid peroxidation (8.73 n moles g-1) and nitrate reductase (73.65 moles of nitrite min-1 g-1) activities. Interaction effect of irrigation water applied through drip method at crop factor 0.8 recorded highest number of female inflorescences (7.16) thus increasing number of fresh fruit bunches (7.16), total weight of FFBs (148.44 kg/palm/year) thereby FFB yield (21.23 t/ha). Significantly highest proline (2.77%) accumulation and lipid peroxidation (9.03 nmoles g-1) were observed in the palms irrigated through drip method at crop factor 0.6.