Fertilizer by crop
Bearing oil palm needs potassium above all. Split fertilizer into 2–3 applications while the soil is moist. Fertilizer is the biggest cost in a plantation, so test soil and leaves to apply just what is needed.
Coloured bars show when to apply at each stage. The current month is highlighted.
Apr – May
Revive palms after the dry season, feed the fronds and the female flowers that become next year’s bunches.
Recommended
Rate & method: About one third of the year’s fertilizer, spread 1–2 m around the trunk and over the frond heaps.
Or choose
Stack pruned fronds between rows to hold moisture and reduce fertilizer run-off.
Jul – Aug
Increase bunch weight and oil content.
Recommended
Rate & method: About one third of the year’s fertilizer.
Or choose
In low-rainfall areas, combine this with the late-rains round.
Sep – Oct
Build reserves before the dry season to reduce excess male flowers the following year.
Recommended
Rate & method: About one third of the year’s fertilizer, while the soil is still moist.
Or choose
Chemical Fertilizer 15-10-30Ma Ngao brand
Chemical Fertilizer 10-10-30Ma Ngao brand
Chemical Fertilizer 13-13-21Ma Ngao brandFocus on potassium this round for drought tolerance and bigger bunches.
Add every time you fertilize
Mor Palm supplies calcium, magnesium, boron and orthosilicic acid. Apply it with your NPK each round to fix poorly formed bunches and get big, heavy ones.
Keep your usual formulas and add Mor Palm each round.
15-15-15 early rains → 13-13-21 mid rains → 14-7-35 late rains, plus Mor Palm each round.
Send soil and leaf samples to our lab for a formula and rate that fit your plot. Department of Agriculture trials found this gives higher yields than typical farmer practice.
Soil testing serviceRates on this page are general guidance for bearing trees. Adjust for tree age, canopy size, crop load and soil test results. Months are approximate and vary by region.
Source: Department of Agriculture (oil palm fertilizer trials by soil analysis, 2019) and Prince of Songkla University oil palm handbook
Not sure? Ask a local dealer — our team will visit your farm.
Tell us your crop, tree age and the problems you see — our agronomists will plan it with you for free.
