male flower of oil palm

Can BioEnrich solve the problem of male flower production in oil palms?

Today, there is a growing trend for oil palm to produce male flowers. This phenomenon is becoming more and more common and problematic. It caused a significant drop in yield and decreased farmers’ income because the male flower does not produce any fruit clusters. In the last 40 years, this problem is not frequent. Why is this phenomenon becoming common? Is there any solution to counteract this problem?

An oil palm produces more male flowers for a simple reason. You don’t get enough nutrients as you need. The tree is a living object, and it reacts according to the problems encountered. Since the tree cannot get enough nutrients from its current root system, soil condition, or general environmental factor to produce a bunch of fruit, it will consequently “give up” and start producing male flowers.

The male flower phenomenon occurs in the situation stipulated below:

i) Acidic and Hardened Soil – While acidic soil can stop root development, hardened soil will block the root hair from taking up nutrients. Also, hardened soil cannot retain water. As a result, the trees do not get adequate water and nutrients.

ii) Hilly Land: Generally, soil erosion is extensive on slopes and terrain as compared to rolling and flat land. Any applied fertilizer will be easily washed away by rainwater if steps are not taken to prevent or control soil erosion on steeply sloping land. This caused the soil to become “defertilized”. Also, the soil on the slope is usually unable to retain water. The most important thing for an oil palm to grow healthy is the quality of the soil and water where it is planted. If the tree doesn’t get enough water for weeks or months, it will produce a male flower.

iii) Good oil palms have large trunks and can generate a higher yield. Unfortunately, when the soil has already been depleted of its natural nutrients and microorganisms, the tree will produce male flowers. The problem arises not because of the species, but because of the condition of the soil. You must always establish a very good soil condition so that this “big eater” species can consume enough nutrients and produce more fruit clusters.

iv) Land replanting. Coconut and oil palm belong to the same family and require similar nutrients for growth. If the same crop or a similar type belonging to the same family is grown on the same land for a long period of time, it will suffer from the accumulated pests and diseases of the previous crops and may not grow well. This will result in soil problems. When a tree lacks some essential trace elements, the growth of the tree will be affected and thus male flowers will be produced. This explains why all virgin lands have no serious male flower problems.

The male flower is not a disease. It is just a symptom reflected by the trees. When soil and water quality improve, this phenomenon will subsequently decrease. The next generation is the basic instinct of all living beings in the world, a living being will not simply sacrifice its ability for the next generation as long as the life of the mother is not in danger. This is just the rule of nature.

Conclusion: BioEnrich is able to improve soil fertility and restore soil pH naturally, thus it is able to prevent oil palm from producing male flowers.
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