conceptual framework for determining economically optimal fertiliser use in oil palm plantations with factorial fertiliser trials

The theory, and the statistics and mathematics of using factorial fertiliser trials to assist in making fertiliser recommendations for neighbouring commercial plantings is presented as a conceptual framework and in a format for practical application. As an example, the yield and leaf nutrient levels...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Nutrient cycling in agroecosystems 2009-02, Vol.83 (2), p.163-178
Main Author: Webb, Michael J
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Agriculture
Agronomy
Biomedical and Life Sciences
crop yield
econometric models
economic analysis
economic impact
Economics
Elaeis guineensis
farm income
Fertilizer application
fertilizer rates
fertilizers
field experimentation
Leaves
Levels
Life Sciences
Mathematical analysis
nitrogen
Nutrients
Optimization
plant nutrition
Plantations
potassium
Research Article
Response surface methodology
Spreadsheets
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Summary:The theory, and the statistics and mathematics of using factorial fertiliser trials to assist in making fertiliser recommendations for neighbouring commercial plantings is presented as a conceptual framework and in a format for practical application. As an example, the yield and leaf nutrient levels from a typical factorial fertiliser rate trial (nitrogen by potassium) were modelled using multiple linear regression and the resulting response surfaces used to determine the maximum agronomic yield and optimum economic yield and to calculate the requirement for 'basal' fertiliser. Leaf nutrient data in both the trial and commercial plantings was used to estimate the requirement for 'corrective' fertiliser, where necessary, to increase the leaf nutrient levels to the target leaf nutrient level for maximum yield. All the mathematics required can be incorporated into a spreadsheet calculator that uses costs (e.g. fertiliser) and prices (e.g. oil) to calculate optimum economic fertiliser application rates. Problems with extrapolating the results of fertiliser trials to commercial plantings can be overcome by matching each trial with a corresponding commercial planting domain.
ISSN:1385-1314
1573-0867
DOI:10.1007/s10705-008-9207-x