Response of Oil Palm to Planting Density and water deficit in three Climatic Zones of Southern Ghana

Abstract

Oil palm (Eleais guinensis Jacq) was planted at three different planting densities in three climatic zones of southern Ghana. The objective was to study the plant\'s growth response to changes in density and water stress. The experiment was conducted from 1981 to 1994 in a randomized complete block design replicated four times. The palms were planted at three densities of 198 palms/ha, 173 palms/ha and 148 palms/ha at three locations with varying annual water deficits: Kusi (150 mm water deficits), Assin-Foso (250 mm water deficits) and Akumadan (400 mm water deficits). Leaf area, leaf area index, frond dry weight and plant height were the growth parameters measured. Generally, vegetative parameters studied were statistically insignificant (P < 0.05). Yield components including, mean number of bunches, mean single bunch weight and yield in tons per hectare were also studied. The highest yields of 25.20 tons/ha/yr, 25.10 tons/ha/yr and 22.10 tons/ha/yr for densities, 173 palms/ha, 198 palms/ha and 148 palms/ha respectively were recorded at Kusi (150 mm water deficit) in 1993. The corresponding yields at Akumadan were 6.80 tons/ha/yr, 7.30 tons/ ha/yr and 6.10 tons/ha/yr respectively. Yields at Assin-Foso for the same period were 17.50 tons/ha/ yr, 17.20 tons/ha/yr and 15.6 tons/ha/yr respectively. The study confirmed that soil moisture retention is a critical factor for economic oil palm production. Drier areas must be avoided. For higher yields and economic returns, oil palm should be planted at 173 palms/ha in Ghana.

Journal of the Ghana Science Association Vol. 10 (2) 2008: pp. 93-102