Greenfeed Bulletin volume 9

PHYSIOLOGICAL ANALYSIS Fertilizer is considered to be one of the most important components in agriculture either within commercial sector or the non-commercial sector.

Greenfeed Group of Companies “passion with innovation” Malaysia Made Product

INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE AND EXHIBTION FOR OIL PALM The oil palm industry has a promising future in indonesia with a surplus to the country’s vast available arable land for oil plam plantations

ISSUE 9, JUNE 2013

contents June 2013

Issue 7, September 2012

Issue 8, March 2013

Features

3

10 Years field report for Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer : Pertaining to Physiological Analysis

19

The 4th International Conference & Exhibition on Palm Oil 2013

25

Greenfeed Updates : Greenfeed Conference and Seminar 2013

Issue 5, March 2012

Issue 6, June 2012

Issue 3, June 2011

Issue 4, December 2011

Isu 1, Ogos 2010

Isu 2, Disember 2010

Editor-in-chief Muhammad Asyraf Abdul Aziz Technical Research and Development

Editor Shahirulikram Shaharuddin Strategy and Marketing

All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be used or reproduced in any form or by any means, including but not limited to electronic or mechanical photocopying, recording or by any information storage or retrieval system or otherwise, without prior agreement and written permission from the publisher.

Greenfeed Bulletin Issue 9, June 2013

Disclaimer The view or options contained in this publication do not necessarily reflect the policy and stand point of Greenfeed Group and Greenfeed Group will not liable or responsible towards any losses experienced by any parties on performance or non-performance based on information in this publication.

REVIEW STUDY: GREENFEED® SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER PHYSIOLOGICAL PERFORMANCE WITHIN M OIL PALM PLANTATION WITHIN 10 YEARS MONITORING STUDY (2003 – 2012) Greenfeed Groups

SUMMARY Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer is categorized as modern high efficient fertilizer that incorporates technological advancement into the fundamentals of agriculture. This novelty fertilizer only requires twice application annually and also provide recommendations that is significantly lower with ratio up to 1:10 to current commercial practice that also requires fertilizing rounds up to 7 times per year. The objective of this paper is to provide a comparative platform based on the monitoring study carried out within an oil palm plantation located in the proximate to Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), central region of the Malaysia Peninsular. The analysis included within this study is the physiological aspect of the oil palms pertaining to the Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Chlorophyll Content (SPAD). Greenfeed Blocks showed competitive results throughout the comparisons and performed slightly better as compared to its counterparts. This was achieved despite having to experience external shifting such as water logging, climate change, heavy development progress, less number of palm stand per hectare, and so forth; Greenfeed Blocks performed better with a slightly better statistical readings over a decade. This is the second series of the review study covering the 10 years monitoring effort within the plantation.

1.0 INTRODUCTION The oil palms industry in Malaysia can be traced back to the early establishment in Tennamaran, Selangor. Such promising industry began with the change of policy by the government in shifting the focus from rubber plantation onto the oil palms.

With much suitable weather, vast available suitable land, and ample labor resources; the industry grows significantly over the past 95 years. However, during the last 15 years, the industry itself is facing hurdles restricting its growth. Labor and available lands are no longer the luxury that can be easily appreciated. Furthermore, the recent downturn of the economy is also posing and impact to the overall growth of this industry. Planters must now find an immediate solution to reduce the overall plantation up keeping costs. These undesirable situations are causing the plantation management, planters, and organizations; to cut down costs from any means necessary. This sometimes includes skipping fertilizing cycle, reducing the frequency of the planting cycle activity such as pruning, weeding, harvesting, and so forth. This would then lead to the reduced yielding capacity of the palms in long term run, deteriorating the physiological aspect, which causing a 3

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

much more expensive corrective measures to be taken. Thus, with such circumstances being put in mind, Greenfeed Groups have been engaging in researches for over 16 years in producing a fertilizing solution that requires less labor, easy to apply, less application frequency, reduced recommendations, reduced overall costs, improved yield, and also environmental friendly; through Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer.

1.1 Fertilizer’s Role and Function Fertilizer is considered to be one of the most important components in agriculture either within commercial sector or the non-commercial sector. The form of fertilizers may vary according to the type of crops as well as the agronomy disciplines practiced. For instance, in Malaysia particularly, the oil palm industry is considered to be one of the vital economic backbones with current planting area affluently exceeding the 5 million hectare mark. Furthermore with such vast market capacity, fertilizer is accounted for approximately one-third of the total up keeping cost for a commercial oil palm plantation. This is based only on the fertilizer’s cost alone and not inclusive the in-shifting costs relating to fertilizer such as transportation, warehouse, labor, and so forth. Hence, resulting in market share estimated to be exceeding RM10 billion. Therefore, without proper understanding on the function and purpose of fertilizer; financial inefficiency will definitely be a significant issue affecting the growth of this highly potential industry.

The purpose of a fertilizer is to provide additional or external source of nutrients to facilitate the plants’ growth and yielding as to retain within the optimum level, apart from attaining optimal physiological response over a significant period of time. Any natural or manufactured material that contains at least 5% of one or more of the three primary nutrients nitrogen (N), phosphorous (P), or potassium (K) - can be considered fertilizer. Industrially manufactured fertilizers are sometimes referred to as "mineral" fertilizers (IFA, 2013).

There are several sources of plant nutrient; the two most important sources are organic manure and mineral based fertilizers. In most parts of the world, the balance to be supplied by mineral fertilizers is substantial. Fertilizer production entails gathering raw materials from nature; treating them in order to purify them or increase their concentration; converting them into plant-available forms; and often combining them into products that contain more than one nutrient (IFA, 2013).

1.2 Review Research Objective The objective of this paper is to provide a review study based on a comprehensive 10 years monitoring records within a selected oil palm plantation located within the proximate of KLIA located in the central region of Malaysia Peninsular.

This review paper study will be carried out in a series covering the yield performance comparisons, physiological analysis, physical vegetative growth measurement analysis, and foliar analysis study. Within this second review series, the selected parameter comparison is the physiological analysis pertaining to Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Chlorophyll Content (SPAD). Each of this analysis was discussed and presented on the later section within this review paper.

1.3 Oil Palm Plantation Monitoring Site Background The topography of the commercial trial areas was mostly flat and slightly undulating, the soil characteristics indicated mineral and peat profile. Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer block was allocated in the area where soil profiles were copiously peat in nature ranging from shallow to moderate peat. As of 2012, the planting age of oil palms involved within this study were mostly 10 Years After Planting (YAP) and 12 Years After Planting (YAP). This is a commercial trial effort carry out by Greenfeed Groups and the said plantation have been using Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer from the beginning of field planting for each respective blocks. The details for each block can be referred to as follows.

Table 1: Greenfeed Blocks within the trial commercial area Fertilizer

Age

Topography / Soil

Palm Stand / ha

Area (ha)

Total Palms

Greenfeed

12 YAP

Flat to low lying / Moderate peat

172

613.00

105,436

Greenfeed

10 YAP

Flat / Shallow to moderate peat

140

521.21

72,969

TOTAL

1134.21

*planting age as of 31st December 2012

(a) SRF – 12:16:4:2 + TE

178,405

2.0 MATERIAL AND METHODS This review paper functions was to provide a comparative platform based on a 10 years monitoring study on oil palms crops that applied with Greenfeed Slow Release fertilizer within a plantation located within the central region of the Malaysia Peninsular. This review paper will discuss one comparative aspect from a 10 year study within the specified area and provide with constructive comparisons between oil palms applied with Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer and the Commercial Control Fertilizer. The monitoring period was from the year 2003 until 2012 and is part of the monitoring and effort committed by Greenfeed Groups.

For comparison purposes, the counterparts selected for Block Greenfeed 00 and Block Control 00 as for Block Greenfeed 02 comparison Block Control 01A and Block Control 01B. The total area size involved for this comparison was 1134.21ha for Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer (Greenfeed 00 and Greenfeed 02) and 773.52ha for Commercial Control Fertilizer (Control 00, Control 01A, and Control 01B). During this monitoring period, the types of Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer involved were the ‘Blue Bag’ Slow Release Fertilizer (SRF) applies since immature stage, ‘Red Bag’ Slow Release Fertilizer (MTF) applied since mature stage, and finally the ‘Brown Bag’ Slow Release Fertilizer (HMTF) applied when plant develop into prime mature stage. Each of these slow release fertilizer formulated for a specified planting group age in order to fulfill the balanced diet required by the plants. Each of these fertilizer descriptions can be referred to as follows.

The sampling method was carried out according the oil palms planting age relative to the frond rank. For early transplanting oil palms, the frond selection involved was frond rank 3, whereas for immature oil palms, the frond rank selection involved was frond rank 9; and for mature oil palms, the frond sampling selected was from frond rank 17. Such selection was carried out accordingly in order to provide the most accurate representative analysis within this study.

(b) MTF – 13:10:15:2 + TE

(c) HMTF – 13:10:22:2 + TE

Figure 1: Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer product descriptions (a) SRF; (b) MTF; (c) HMTF.

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Since this is a commercial trial plot, the site preparation was carried out according to the feasibility of the plantations’ management with guidance from the technical representatives. Every samples obtained from each block were randomly selected from each plot within the specified blocks. For instance, Block Greenfeed 00 was consisted of 11 plots and each oil palm samples were selected in replicates from each of the 11 plots within the block. Similar principle was applied for other involving blocks. This can referred to Figure 2 below.

PLOT 1

PLOT 2

PLOT 3

PLOT 1

PLOT 2

PLOT 3

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

PLOT 4

PLOT 5

PLOT 6

PLOT 4

PLOT 5

PLOT 6

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

PLOT 7

PLOT 8

PLOT 9

PLOT 7

PLOT 8

PLOT 9

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Sample

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Replicates

Greenfeed Block

Control Block

*Illustration is for guidelines and does not represent actual sampling size

Figure 2: Random sampling structure and block guidelines This review paper will present and discuss the physiological findings on the monitored oil palm performances over the 10 years study, involving photosynthesis rate (μmol/m2/sec), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) that can be referred to the later section within this paper. The equipment involved for each analysis was mainly Li-COR Li-6400 Portable Photosynthesis System – Photosynthesis Rate, Li-COR LAI-2000 Portable Canopy Analyzer – Leaf Area Index, and SPAD Minolta 502 Chlorophyll Meter – Chlorophyll Content. Details of equipment can be referred to appendices section within this paper.

3.0 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS Within this section, the physiological analysis results pertaining to photosynthesis rate (μmol/m2/sec), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) will be presented based on the collective data obtained during this 10 years monitoring period. A comparison thereon will be made accordingly to the fertilizer application dosage as recommended by Greenfeed Groups. Block GREENFEED 02 in general has a slightly higher Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer recommendations as compared to block GREENFEED 00 by 37.14% and further amendments were made based on the conditions as well as requirements observed within the particular block GREENFEED 02. The fertilizer dosage and type recommendations throughout the period of 10 years can be referred to Table 2 below.

Table 2: Annual recommendation for Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer treatment by block BLOCK

2003

2004

2005

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

GREENFEED 00

30 nuggets

30 nuggets

36 nuggets

42 nuggets

47 nuggets

53 nuggets

56 nuggets

56 nuggets

60 nuggets

66 nuggets

30 nuggets

30 nuggets

48 nuggets

45 nuggets

53 nuggets

56 nuggets

60 nuggets

66 nuggets

PRODUCT GREENFEED 02 PRODUCT

MTF 36 nuggets

SRF

*SRF - Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer SRF (12:16:4:2+TE) **MTF - Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer MTF (13:10:15:2+TE) ***HMTF - Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer HMTF (13:10:22:2+TE)

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

HMTF

MTF

56 nuggets HMTF

The topographical factor within this block was mostly flat with low-lying areas. Hence, during the early establishment of this area, waterlogging is an issue and thus causing adverse effect on the fertilizer’s efficiency in supplying nutrients to the oil palms.

Therefore, the physiological observation analyses were selected as part of the compulsory monitoring effort in assessing the effectiveness of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer for oil palm usage throughout the 10 years study. Each of the findings and observations were presented and discussed specifically within the later section.

3+2726<17+(6,6 5$7( ȝPRO P VHF

Photosynthesis Rate analysis (μmol/m2/sec) is part of the plant’s physiological study that involves the functioning part of the plant that is closely related to the plants’ morphological studies. Photosynthesis is a process used by plants or any autotrophic organisms to convert light energy (normally sun) into chemical energy that can be used to fuel the organism’s activities. This study allows the correlations between the nutrient supply through different fertilizer treatments with the photosynthetic performance of the plants, which in this study is the oil palms. For such analysis, the equipment utilized was the Li-COR 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System and the recorded readings for trials from the year 2003 until 2012 can be referred to as follows.

)LJXUH Recorded photosynthesis rate from Block GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00 from the year 2003 until 2012.

Referring to Figure 2 above, the comparison were made based on the similar planting age group within the trial plot prepared that is between Block GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00. Based on the observations over the years, Block GREENFEED 00 indicated a much more uniformed reading as compared to the Block CONTROL 00. The highest reading was observed within the year 2009, recorded by Block CONTROL 00 with value of 23.01 μmol/m2/sec whereas Block GREENFEED 00 recorded 12.22 μmol/m2/sec within the same year. The lowest recorded reading was observed within the year 2008 from Block GREENFEED 00 with value of 11.65 μmol/m2/sec and its counterpart recorded a reading of 15.20 μmol/m2/sec within the same year. Block GREENFEED 00 was observed to be recording satisfactory readings from the year 2006 until the year 2010, which was observed to source from several external conditions such as waterlogging issues, pests attack, and several others.

It must also be taken into consideration that the soil properties between the two comparing plots are different as Block GREENFEED 00 was made up to moderate to shallow fibrous peat, whereas Block CONTROL 00 was mainly consisting of mineral soils and partially peat. Therefore, such circumstances were observed to be largely affecting the physiological performance of the oil palms within the studied area over the times.

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The next photosynthesis rate (μmol/m2/sec) comparison was carried out between Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B. the results can be referred to as follows

Figure 3: Recorded photosynthesis rate from Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B from the year 2003 until 2012.

With regards to Figure 3 above, the recorded performances between the comparing blocks seemed to indicate fluctuating readings over the years. The highest recorded reading was observed within the year 2009 form Block GREENFEED 02 with value of 21.71 μmol/m2/sec, whereas Block CONTROL 01A and Block 01B recorded satisfactory readings of 18.21 μmol/m2/sec and 16.81 μmol/m2/sec respectively during the same year. The lowest recorded photosynthesis rate μmol/m2/sec was observed from Block CONTROL 01B with the recorded value of 11.87 μmol/m2/sec, Block GREENFEED 02 and Block CONTROL 01A both recorded photosynthesis rate values of 12.92 μmol/m2/sec and 12.70 μmol/m2/sec respectively. Block GREENFEED 02 was also mainly located within moderate to shallow fibrous area whereas Block CONTROL 01A and Block CONTROL 01B were mainly located within mineral soil areas.

The next physiological analysis involved within this study was the Leaf Area Index (LAI) analysis that was also carried out within the 10 years observational study as per photosynthesis rate (μmol/m2/sec) analysis. The results and discussions can be referred to the later section of this review paper.

3.02 LEAF AREA INDEX (LAI) Leaf Area Index (LAI) can be identified as the dimensionless quantity that exemplifies the palms canopy. This analysis represents the amount of leaf material in an ecosystem and is geometrically defined as the total one-sided area of photosynthetic tissue per unit ground surface area. Normally, ground based measurements have no standards as several methods, like harvesting methods, hemispherical photography or light transmission through canopies, can be used. This study is also used to determine the photosynthetic primary production, evapotranspiration, as well as the reference tool for crop growth. This analysis will normally involve either direct method or indirect method.

For this study, the methodology used would be the indirect method as the equipment utilized for this study was the Li-COR LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer. The recorded comparisons throughout the 10 years study can be referred to the later section of this review paper.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

Figure 4: Recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) from Block GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00 from the year 2003 until 2012.

Presented within Figure 4 above were the recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) analyses for Block

GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00. From the observations made, the readings seemed to reside within 2.50 LAI to 3.50 LAI throughout the 10 years study. The highest recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) was observed from the year 2008 from Block CONTROL 00 with recorded value of 3.50 LAI, whereas Block GREENFEED 00 recorded reading of 3.30 LAI within the same year. The lowest recorded reading was observed in the year 2004 from Block CONTROL 00 with recorded value of 2.52 LAI; Block GREENFEED 00 on the other hand recorded 2.84 LAI on the same year.

This analysis reflects the ratio of the upper leaf surface vegetation, divided by the surface area of the land on which the vegetation grows. The recorded readings reflects the up-keeping practices within the designated study area of the mentioned blocks, which were directive to the annual routine for oil palm plantations such as harvesting, pruning, thinning, and so forth. Hence, explaining the fluctuations observed within Figure 4 above. Block GREENFEED 00 recorded slightly lower average readings as compared to Block CONTROL 00 with readings of 2.932 LAI and 2.963 LAI respectively (1.05% difference).

The next comparison for Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B can be referred to the later section as follows. This comparison was carried out from the year 2003 until 2012, within time span of 10 years. The recorded average readings for every year can be referred to as follows.

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Figure 5: Recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) from Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B from the year 2003 until 2012.

By referring to Figure 5 above, it was observed that the recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) readings seemed to reside within 1.70 LAI to 3.50 LAI. The highest recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) was observed within the year 2007 from Block GREENFEED 02 and Block CONTROL 01A within the year 2009 with similar reading of 3.41 LAI. The lowest reading was observed within the year 2003 with readings for each comparing blocks were well below 2.00 LAI; this is however acceptable due to the fact the palm is well within immature stage and therefore the foliage was still within developing stage. Therefore, the lowest recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) after early maturity phase was observed within the year 2005 from Block GREENFEED 02 with recorded value of 2.37 LAI; the remaining Block CONTROL 01A and Block CONTROL 01B recorded readings of 2.82 LAI and 2.93 LAI respectively within the same year. The average Leaf Area Index (LAI) recorded for Block GREENFEED 00, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B were 2.77 LAI, 2.83 LAI, and 2.63 respectively (differences of 1.98% when compared between GF00 to CF01A). Leaf Area Index (LAI) reflects the leafiness of the crops and the leafiness in one way reflects the photosynthetic capability of the crop. Thus, the higher the value

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of Leaf Area Index (LAI) will reflects better photosynthetic capabilities of the leaf itself. However as according to Henson and Chai (1998), the Leaf Area Index (LAI) readings have the tendency to exhibit cyclic changes due to the pruning of fronds during the bunch harvesting. The increase in Leaf Area Index (LAI) in time is then not continuous but in cyclic pattern.

The next physiological analysis included within the study is the Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) that was also carried out over the 10 years period. The results can discussion can be referred to the later section within this review paper.

3.03 CHLOROPHYLL CONTENT (SPAD) Chlorophyll content (SPAD) is part of the physiological study that monitors the chlorophyll density over a defined leaf area.

Chlorophyll is known to be the green pigment in leaves that have the capacity to absorb energy from light to be stored and utilized by the plants. The chlorophyll content would also provide an indication to several other nutrients such as Nitrogen (N) and also Magnesium (Mg). Therefore, this analysis would indirectly also indicate the nutrient supply efficiency level depending on different fertilizer treatment.

For this analysis, the equipment used was the Konica Minolta SPAD-502 Chlorophyll Meter that provides real-time results utilizing the electrolytes principles. The recorded results for this analysis can be referred to the later section within this review paper.

Figure 6: Recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) from Block GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00 from the year 2003 until 2012.

Referring to Figure 6 above, the recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) was observed to be within 65.00 SPAD to 80.00 SPAD for both comparing blocks. The highest recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) was observed to be within the year 2007 from Block CONTROL 00 with the recorded value of 79.00 SPAD; Block GREENFEED 00 on the other hand recorded a reading of 73.80 SPAD during the same period. The lowest recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) was observed within the year 2003 with recorded reading of 66.54 SPAD from Block CONTROL 00, Block GREENFEED 00 on the other hand recorded 67.84 SPAD during the same year. For both comparing blocks, reading fluctuations can be observed almost identical throughout the period especially over the last 3 (three) years of observation (Year 2010, 2011, and 2012). This was due to the significant climate shift within the study area apart from the physical disturbance of the nearby development works.

The next comparison for Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B can be referred to the later section as follows. This comparison was carried out from the year 2003 until 2012, within time span of 10 years. The recorded average Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) readings for every year can be referred to as follows.

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Figure 7: Recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) from Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B from the year 2003 until 2012.

Figure 7 above indicated that the recorded Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) for Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B spanned between 55.00 SPAD and 80.00 SPAD, which was within satisfactory to optimum threshold. The highest recorded chlorophyll content (SPAD) was observed within the year 2006 from Block GREENFEED 02 with value of 77.13 SPAD, the other counterparts recorded 73.23 SPAD and 69.81 SPAD for Block CONTROL 01A and Block CONTROL 01B respectively.

The lowest recorded chlorophyll content (SPAD) for the comparing blocks entering mature planting age was within the year 2004 from Block CONTROL 01A with recorded reading of 63.49 SPAD; whereas Block GREENFEED 02 and Block CONTROL 01B each recorded 66.32 SPAD and 66.10 SPAD respectively. The average recorded chlorophyll content for Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B was 70.80 SPAD, 68.69 SPAD, and 66.64 SPAD respectively.

In term of Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec), the comparison between Block GREENFEED 00 and Block CONTROL 00, the average readings recorded were 15.10 μmol/m2/sec and 16.20 μmol/m2/sec as observed throughout the 10 years period study.

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However, despite the slightly lower average readings recorded by oil palms within Block GREENFEED 00, the readings were well within satisfactory to optimum range. Therefore, indicating nutrients such as Potassium (K) that is also responsible for stomata regulations and cell extension were within satisfactory and optimum range throughout the monitoring period.

This will be further confirmed within the later part of the review study. As mentioned previously, Block GREENFEED 00 was located mainly within moderate to shallow peat areas as compared to Block CONTROL 00, which was mainly located within mineral soil areas. Furthermore, such different in the soil properties provided a much better physical to chemical support to the palms within the area.

For comparisons between Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B, the recorded average Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec) throughout the selected study period was 16.62 μmol/m2/sec, 15.39 μmol/m2/sec, and 15.64 μmol/m2/sec respectively (indicating that Block GREENFEED 02 was slightly higher by 8.01% and 6.30% respectively). Similar to the much older planting age comparisons, such readings indicated that the photosynthetic conversion rate was able to be carried out well within satisfactory to optimum range.

Such analysis is vital in indicating the general wellbeing of the palms receiving different fertilizer treatments. Apart from this, both Figure 2 and Figure 3 indicated a fluctuation observed within the year 2009, indicating possible favorable conditions attained within that particular year. This could be due to the fact that within June 2008 to December 2009, there were no distinct dry period observed on monthly basis and the total rainfall distribution over these period of time were well within 1500 mm to 2500 mm, which therefore leading to a positive response to the observed analysis within Figure 2 and Figure 3 above.

Leaf Area Index (LAI) is a study of the canopy distribution of the oil palms over a projected area which is 1m2. The tool used for this sampling was the LAI-2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer which utilizes the radiation measurements made with the â&#x20AC;&#x153;fish-eyeâ&#x20AC;? optical sensor (148o field of view) with determination of the canopy light interception at 5 angles.

This study is vital as it involves the oil palms frond production, lights interception of the leaves in order to study the suitability for intercrops, fronds as well as leaves distributions.

Thus, indicating that such analysis depends heavily to the oil palm plantation routines carried within the specified blocks such as pruning, harvesting, thinning, and several others (have physical impact to the foliage status of the palms). Based on the comparisons made for different planting age groups involved within this study, the recorded Leaf Area Index (LAI) were within optimum range that was observed to reside between 1.75 LAI to 4.00 LAI. This analysis can be correlated to the nutrient level of Nitrogen (N) and also Phosphorus (P).

Nitrogen also functions in increasing the leaf area, leaf production, and also the net assimilations of the palms.

Thus, for Leaf Area Index readings that were lower than the proposed 1.75 LAI, it would indicate a deficiency nutrient status of the mentioned Nitrogen (N) and Phosphorus (P) for the particular palm. However, as for comparisons between Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B, the initial Leaf Area Index (LAI) readings proposed a deficiency nutrient status during the year 2003.

However, such readings were observed due to the immature development stage of the palms that were still undergoing primary vegetative growth apart from adapting to the new transplanting environment. Such condition will also affect the overall Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) readings for the palms within the designated areas.Similar to Leaf Area Index (LAI), Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) content is also closely related to the nitrogen level within the palms as sufficient nitrogen level will results in optimum chlorophyll within the studied leaves and likewise.

Many authors (such as Shadchina and Dmitrieva, 1995; Fox et al., 1994) have shown that nitrogen content correlates closely with chlorophyll content in leaves.

Thus, estimation of the nitrogen status in plants may be possible by measuring chlorophyll content (Castelli et al., 1996) as chlorophyll content depends on plant nitrogen status (Ruza, 1996). Therefore, such analysis was also carried out during this 10 years monitoring period within this area with the objectivity in assessing the effectiveness of different fertilizer treatments for oil palms on a commercial trial scale.

Apart from Nitrogen (N), Magnesium (Mg) also plays important role in determining the density of chlorophyll in the leaves. This was due to the fact that Magnesium is involved in the synthesis of the chlorophyll in the leaves and the need for Magnesium has been variously ascribed to its occurrence in chlorophyll as well as its action as a cofactor for variety of enzymes notably those of phosphate transfer (Zimmerman, 1947). Furthermore, referring to Figure 6 and Figure 7 within the previous section of this review paper, the recorded readings indicated optimum readings (Block Greenfeed 00 and Block CONTROL 00); and also satisfactory to optimum readings (Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B).

Through this 10 year monitoring study, the observed physiological analysis indicated that all of Greenfeed blocks involved (Block GREENFEED 00 and Block GREENFEED 02) managed to attain optimum to satisfactory results, apart from having competitive results to its Control Block counterparts. Such physiological analysis were observed to highly influenced by several external factors such as the environment, climatic factors, external physical disruptions such as development works, nutrient sufficiency, and so forth.

The last 3 (three) years of observations, there were several scenarios that occurred within the trial areas; such as internal road usage for development purposes.

Such scenarios will then lead to the occurrence of several unfavorable conditions such as waterlogging, poor accessibility, disruption of drainage system (especially within peat areas), and disturbance to management maintenance effort. The effectiveness of Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer has been monitored and proven throughout this 10 years monitoring period and such monitoring will be further continued till end of the 25 Years After Planting (YAP) commercial planting cycle.

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4.0 CONCLUSION This review study holds the objective to provide a comparative study between differing oil palms fertilizer treatments involving Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and Control Commercial Fertilizer treatment; within the selected oil palm plantation located proximate to KLIA and within the central region of the Peninsular Malaysia over a period of 10 years. This review study will present the effectiveness and the efficiency of the Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer for commercial oil palm plantation usage. For this series of review study, the comparative parameter selected was the oil palms’ physiological performances in the aspect of Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec), Leaf Area Index (LAI), and Chlorophyll Content (SPAD). Each of the parameters were observed and the findings were discussed according the planting group age as well relative to the nutrient composition and also the external changes observed throughout the years.

Generally, the oil palms receiving Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer treatment was observed to provide competitive readings as compared to the oil palms receiving Commercial Fertilizer treatment. In the aspect of Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec) analysis, annual mean readings of the five included blocks (Block GREENFEED 00, Block CONTROL 00, Block GREENFEED 02, Block CONTROL 01A, and Block CONTROL 01B) portrayed a fluctuating results that is within the expected satisfactory to optimum range. For most of the observed blocks within the study, peak readings were observed fairly within the year 2009, which was expected due to the weather favorable conditions throughout this period (later half of 2008 until the end of 2009). Such statistical evidence was also obtained prior to the commencement of the nearby development project that in turn would be using the internal routes within the plantation as the main commuting course. This observably will lead to the disturbance as well as distortion to the overall growth of the affecting palms as well as the planting routine practiced within the plantation.

Presumably, in term of Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec), Greenfeed Blocks performed slightly better as compared to the Control Blocks just by 0.76%. Such statistical evidence was also observed for the Leaf Area Index (LAI) analysis.

The Leaf Area Index (LAI) analysis also indicated competitive annual mean readings in comparison to the Control Blocks. Individually, each of the Greenfeed Blocks (Block GREENFEED 00 and Block GREENFEED 02) assessed were well within satisfactory to optimum threshold.

Reading fluctuations for this analysis were observed for most of the blocks during this 10-year observations as this relatively expected as the Leaf Area Index (LAI) analysis would be portraying a cylindrical readings.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

This is largely contributed by the overall maintenance practices within the oil palm agricultural routines such as pruning, thinning, harvesting, and any other physical amendments that will be affecting the oil palms’ foliage structure. This study will provide the basic frond segregations and opening based on the light interception capacity of the particular oil palm. Contrasting with the involved nutrient content, the optimum results indicated no distinct nutrient deficiency observed during the course of this study. Also, Greenfeed Blocks in general performed slightly better by 1.54% when compared to the oil palms receiving the Commercial Control Fertilizer treatment. This is largely supported by the Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) analysis that was also included within the analysis.

The Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) analysis was also carried out over the course of this study with the objectivity to provide a thorough physiological observations relating to the efficiency and effectiveness of the Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer for commercial oil palm applications. Similar to the other physiological analysis, this analysis would also allows a correlation to the nutrient status of each involving nutrient group pertaining to the different fertilizer treatments to the oil palms. Greenfeed Blocks (Block GREENFEED 00 and Block GREENFEED 02) recorded readings that were well within the optimum range, indicating a comparative performance to its counterparts.

Despite having a fluctuating results as referred to Figure 6 and Figure 7 above, in general, the Greenfeed Blocks performed better as compared to the Control Blocks during this 10 years assessment by 3.39%. Such statistical outcomes were achieved despite having a significantly lesser recommendations, lower fertilizing rounds per year (twice annually), with low lying topography that are subjected to flooding, distinct climate shift with the occurrence of significant dry season, and also with high peat soil profile within every block. This must also be taken into account of several other external factors faced by the plantation’s management such as the excessive involvement of the nearby development activity that has much affect the accessibility into the defined blocks during the monitoring, which in turn affecting the maintenance as well as up keeping capacity of the desired blocks.

This is the second review study carried out pertaining to the 10 years record assessment accounted by Greenfeed Groups.

Such effort holds the purpose to achieved better and much more economical practices within this agricultural industry.

The coming review studies shall covers the quantitative aspect of the palms critical nutrient content over the same study period within the same study area relating to the effectiveness of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer. Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer is grouped as modern high efficient fertilizer that incorporates technological advancement to significantly improve the current practiced fertilizing methodology.

5.0 REFERENCES Field Agronomic Reports for M Oil Palm Plantation Year 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011, and 2012. Technical Research & Development Department. Greenfeed Groups.

B. YUSOF: Palm oil production through sustainable plantations. Eur. J. Lipid Sci. Technol. 109 (2007) 289–295 GOH, K.J., TEE, B.H. and ANUAR, A.R. 2000 Applicability of precision farming for oil palm plantations in Malaysia. In: Seminar on Precision Farming, 16 October 2000, Universiti Pertanian Malaysia and Agricultural Institute of Malaysia, Serdang: Preprint.

6.0 APPENDICES Appendix A: Recorded annual Photosynthesis Rate (μmol/m2/sec) results within study blocks.

Year

GF00

CF00

GF02

CF01A

CF01B

2003

15.61

16.11

15.11

14.24

14.52

2004

18.22

17.24

17.32

19.20

16.69

2005

16.47

14.36

16.24

13.34

17.01

2006

12.15

11.82

18.44

15.61

17.77

2007

12.49

13.21

12.71

12.60

12.41

2008

11.65

15.20

12.92

12.70

11.87

2009

12.22

23.01

21.71

18.21

16.81

2010

13.10

13.30

12.45

11.92

14.76

2011

19.17

19.38

19.06

17.83

17.72

2012

19.95

18.37

20.23

18.22

16.79

*GF- Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer Block ** CF – Commercial Control Block

Appendix B: Recorded annual Leaf Area Index (LAI) results within study blocks.

Year

GF00

CF00

GF02

CF01A

CF01B

2003

2.61

2.59

1.76

1.98

1.87

2004

2.84

2.52

1.92

2.06

2.25

2005

2.71

2.66

2.37

2.82

2.93

2006

2.82

2.91

2.63

2.96

2.56

2007

3.02

3.34

3.41

3.05

2.88

2008

3.30

3.50

2.92

2.95

2.97

2009

3.29

3.17

3.36

3.41

2.96

2010

2.79

3.17

3.21

3.31

2.66

2011

3.02

3.11

3.15

3.08

2.54

2012

2.92

2.66

2.96

2.63

2.72

*GF- Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer Block ** CF – Commercial Control Block

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

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Appendix C: Recorded annual Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) results within study blocks.

Year

GF00

CF00

GF02

CF01A

CF01B

2002

66.51

69.22

59.40

56.72

55.14

2003

67.84

66.54

61.22

59.27

57.31

2004

69.69

70.23

66.32

63.49

66.10

2005

78.21

73.45

74.58

67.11

68.23

2006

76.44

75.99

77.13

73.23

69.81

2007

73.80

79.00

74.50

74.00

70.45

2008

73.00

74.30

71.30

72.10

70.11

2009

69.80

72.90

66.70

70.30

65.01

2010

69.60

70.40

70.90

68.70

63.72

2011

76.70

76.70

74.20

72.60

69.58

2012

70.28

66.65

71.10

66.07

66.07

*GF- GreenfeedÂŽ Slow Release Fertilizer Block ** CF â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Commercial Control Block

Appendix D: Equipment used during the Field Sampling I. LICOR 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System The LI-6400 Portable Photosynthesis System, Nebraska, USA is the primary photosynthesis measurement system to put the gas analyzers in the sensor head. The LI-6400 sensor head has two complete, dual paths, non-dispersive infrared analyzers, which both measure absolute concentrations of CO2 and H2O. These analyzers mark a novel, open path design with the optical bench of the sample analyzer open directly to the leaf chamber mixing volume. Leaf dynamics are measured in real time because the return tubing between the leaf chamber and the console has been eliminated. There are no time delays to confound correlations between gas exchange and changes in environmental driving variables such as light, CO2 mole fraction and other factors. The absence of time delays allows fast, automatic control of chamber humidity at user-defined set points, even when the transpiration rate is changing. The absence of return tubing to the analyzers also eliminates equilibration times due to water vapor sorption on the tubing walls. (LICOR 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System Technical Reference1)

Plate 1 :LICOR 6400 Portable Photosynthesis System, Nebraska, USA

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

II. LAI 2000 Plant Canopy Analyzer Leaf Area Index (LAI) is the ratio of the foliage area to the ground area. The measurement of LAI is of fundamental importance in agricultural and ecological research because LAI is a measure of plant growth in term of canopy distribution. The LAI-2000 (Plate 2) calculates Leaf Area Index (LAI) and other canopy structure attributes from radiation measurements made with a “fish-eye” optical sensor (148° field-of-view). Measurements made above and below the canopy are used to determine canopy light interception at 5 angles, from which LAI is computed using a model of radiative transfer in vegetative canopies. It directly affects the interception and absorption of light by the canopy and it influences the heat balance and evaporation from the landscape. (Plant Canopy Analyzers Technical Reference 1)

Plate 2: LAI-2000 console

Plate 3: Optical sensor for LAI-2000

III. SPAD 502-Minolta Chlorophyll Meter An alternative to the plant tissue test is a chlorophyll test, using a chlorophyll meter to estimate N in the oil palm plant and aid in determining fertilizer N recommendations. The Minolta chlorophyll meter (model SPAD 502) as shown in Plate 3 performs a fast and easy to use measurements of leaf greenness, which is positively related to leaf chlorophyll content. Other advantages, the chlorophyll meter is faster than tissue testing for N. Samples can be taken often and can be repeated if results are questionable.

Chlorophyll can be measured at any time to help determine the crop N status. The chlorophyll meter allows "fine tuning" of N management to field conditions and reduces risk of under- or over-fertilizing. (SPAD 502 Technical Reference)

Plate 4: Calibration before measurement

Plate 5: Making a clamp for measurement GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

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Appendix E: Carrying Chlorophyll Content (SPAD) analysis within Block GREENFEED 00 (year 2009)

Appendix F: Carrying Leaf Area Index (LAI) analysis within Block GREENFEED 00 (year 2009)

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

Appendix G: Oil palm fruit bunching outlook within Block GREENFEED 02 (2012)

Appendix H: Carrying out Photosynthesis Rate analysis within Block GREENFEED 02 (2012)

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

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Greenfeed Group at the 4th International Conference & Exhibition on Palm Oil, Jakarta Convention Center, Indonesia Indonesia has well established its proficiency as the global key player of the oil palms industry.

This commitment can be seen through its oil palm planted area expansion from 8.993 million hectare (December 2011) to 9.074 million hectare (December 2012), which was attained within a year period with average expansion 6,750 hectares per month.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

This promising expansion is contributed to the

This event was held with the purpose to provide a

achievements and confidence in investments towards

continual platform for the industry players to share

the country’s agricultural industry with the prospect to

information, knowledge, ideas, and experiences among

build the country’s economic growth.

other key players of the Indonesian Oil Palm Industry. This event would also provides a unique opportunity to

Therefore, as part of the realization effort in ensuring that

review the advances in oil palm development, as well

the growth of this industry is not affected by superfluous

as analyzing the challenges and hurdles faced by the

events whether globally or locally, the Indonesian

current global oil palm industry market. This event has

government plays fundamental roles in organizing

also seen several distinct participations from Malaysia as

conferences and exhibitions with the objectivity to

being the second global key player of this industry. This is

share, discuss, and nurture this industry. International

the fourth ICE-PO series and is the second participation

Conference & Exhibition of Palms Oil (ICE-PO) 2013 is

for Greenfeed Groups.

arranged to be a ‘one stop event’ for the palm oil stakeholders to discuss current issues, promote the

Greenfeed Groups has confirmed its participation since

industry and develop networking with and between

the early part of the year and preparations, planning,

prominent leaders who are concerned with palm oil in

executions, and confirmative actions were carried out

various areas such as the planters and palm oil

accordingly. Greenfeed Groups was allocated with a

executive; exporters, importers, and traders; academics

3m x 3m dimension of C-20 booth location facing the

and technologists; policy and decision makers, investors,

eastern part of the convention center. With the

and bankers.

objectivity to have a much more imminent impact within the oil palm industry, proper planning must be

The International Conference & Exhibition of Palm Oil

carried out with efficiency to be able to attract the

2013 (ICE-PO) was held in Jakarta Convention Center,

correct target group into the Greenfeed® Slow Release

Indonesia from the 7th to 9th May 2013. This is the third

Fertilizer’s booth.

series of such International Palm Oil Conferences hosted in Indonesia. This exhibition was organized by PT

Since this is the second participation of such event in

Bimatama Inka, which is one of the established

Jakarta, the advantage of having familiarity to the

organization that has been involved with hosting of

environment, culture and language were utilized

several exhibitions concerning to palm oil in Indonesia.

properly in ensuring a much more aggressive impact

The Association of Indonesian Plantation Entrepreneurs

can be achieved during this event.

(GPPI) is governing organizations that endorsed and hosted the exhibition to be carried out annually. This prestigious event was expected to be hosting approximately 1,000 conference participants from all over the world with 5,000 visitors capacity during the course of the program.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

20

Similar to the previous effort, Greenfeed Groups

The initial presentation is always the most crucial part

participation for this event is to further strengthen the

considering the visitors; participants of the conferences

establishment of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer in

included within the 4th International Conference &

Indonesia in term of product exposure and awareness,

Exhibition of Palm Oil (ICE-PO) and competitors are

and also providing a follow up effort in educating the

consisting of those who plays vital role in the

visitors and the society within the oil palm industry to the

establishment of the Indonesian Oil Palm Industry. First

advantages and differences of Greenfeed® Slow

impression is always the most vital point as apart from

Release Fertilizer.

attracting visitors’ attention, such display would also represents the image and the level of commitment that

The blueprints of the booth layout is the most crucial

Greenfeed Groups has and willing to invest into the

part of the planning as the overall presentation must be

promising industry.

able to convey the idea of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer as well having the capacity to capture the

The setting up of the booth would mostly take up

attention of the visitors to our booth. Some of the

approximately 2 hours as we have ensure effectiveness

features and concept from the previous designs were

and efficiency can be achieved under different

retained as to instill familiarity and maintaining the

circumstances. Some of the minute details were

identity related to Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer.

managed appropriately and fittingly in order to ensure

For this exhibition, the booth overall layout were

the smoothness and avoiding any intrication. However,

reconfigured in order to create a much more visitor

some difficulties did occur and as usual, drastic

friendly environment inside the booth, allowing us to

improvisations must be carried out in order to solve such

entertain the visitors in a much more efficient manner.

matter completely.

The planning and the mock up booth setup took approximately 3 months prior to the departure to

Despite completing the tasks slightly early, the team will

Indonesia on the 5th May 2013.

still have to wait in order to be able to test the overall electrical issues as the electricity was only made

Upon arriving at the allocated accommodation, each

available at 6.00 pm local time for safety reasons.

of the items were re-arranged, prepared, and

Therefore, the actual trial run of the whole system could

segregated for the next day for setup. The itinerary of

only be carried out around this period of time,

the first day would just include arrival at the

amending, improvising, and speculating any possible

Soekarno-Hatta International Airport, Jakarta, Indonesia

unfavorable scenarios that might occur during the 3

from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA); settling

days exhibition in Jakarta Convention Center (JCC),

down in the accommodation; having dinner as well as

Indonesia. Only after everything has been finalized and

having a brief discussion on the tasks segregation for the

the security features have been put in place, at about

next day.

8.00 pm local, we proceed for dinner and find our way back to the accommodation.

The second day in Jakarta (6th May 2013) would normally be the longest day as this day involves the

The atmosphere inside the hall was still busy, bright, and

setting up of the booth as well as troubleshooting any

hectic as the contractors as well as the exhibitors were

possible unfavorable scenarios that might occur during

finalizing their touch on the booth’s structure. After a

the exhibition. The atmosphere inside the Jakarta

short briefing and a slight discussion over dinner, we

Convention Center 2013 would as we have expected,

went back to accommodation and went in, looking

noisy with teams of peoples setting up their booths to

forward to the next day.

their most perfect finishing.

Visitors with different experience and background are interested to know about Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer 21

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

Despite having wide total planted area size, the familiarity of the society involved within this industry to the availability of technological advancement from the fertilizer point of view were still new.

Similar to the previous year, we are more than welcome to explain what is actually Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer and the benefit that can be achieved through applying this High Efficient Fertilizer for commercial Oil Palm plantations. Despite that, some of the visitors did note some familiarity with our product as they have read about it from our official Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer blog and website. We also take this opportunity the have a Beta Run of the coming new Greenfeed Apps Version 2.0 and obtained some feedbacks as well as insights from the users. Some of them were astonished to the possibilities that the apps have to offer and are looking forward for some official updates from our side.

Most of the visitors were also attracted to our booth designs and layout; flattering at every details and presentations. At this junction of time, some of the personnel were allowed to walk around and also observed what this industry has to offer and the new possibilities to this highly affluent Indonesian Oil Palm The 7th May 2013 was a bright sunny morning in Jakarta, Indonesia as we make our move to the Jakarta Convention Center (JCC) at approximately 7.30am in the morning after having our breakfast.

This is the third day in Indonesia and the first of the exhibition. Everyone seemed fresh and ready to start the first day at the ICE-PO 2013 as we cleared the booth and arrange everything accordingly and neatly for easy accessibility. Representatives from PT AgroMahligai have also arrived at the booth, ready to assist in entertaining visitors. The day began with the opening ceremony addressed by the Chair Advisory Board with the keynote speech focusing on Balancing Economics-Social-Environment through Palm Oil

Industry.

Some of the researches and academicians who visited our booth even take this opportunity to share their views and insights regarding to the potential of this industry.

The first day was indeed not busiest day of the exhibition, however, for every chance that we have, we gather more knowledge and disseminates much more as part of the product exposure effort in Indonesia.

Clearly, the exhibition ends at approximately 6.00 pm local time and we packed up our things and covered the booth for safekeeping before making our way back to the accommodation. As always, a short brainstorm session was held over dinner in order to summarize the day at the exhibition.

Business. The exhibition was officiated by the Indonesia Vice Minister of Agriculture Dr Rusman Heryawan at around 10.30am and then the delegates, participants, and committee members made their way to the exhibition hall to see what this esteemed exhibition has to offer.

The atmosphere inside the hall during the first day of the ICE-PO 2013 was mostly calmed and incessant as the crowds that were limited to only registered-visitors, delegates, academicians, participants, spoke persons of the industry, and the exhibitors. Some of the keen guests at our booth were keen to know the capacity of Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer along with the technological advancements that this product has to offer.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

22

The second day (8th May 2013) of the exhibition started with as usual around 8.00 am local time. On this day, the group of visitors would the same as the day before except there were also student representatives from various academic institutions having to study in agriculture discipline. These groups of students were regarded as the next key persons for the Indonesian Oil Palm Industry and they were more than excited to see and learn the current progress of the industry they choose to be a part of and what possibilities the future has to offer.

They also visited Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer’s booth with some familiarity to the fundamental concept

Some even brought along their friends to the booth,

that a “Slow Release Fertilizer” requires in order to

promoting this product for a commercial use within their

function properly inside the soil. Some of these keen

oil palm plantations. Apart from this, our lists of visitors

mind asked about Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer

also consist of our competitors that take their time to

and what makes it different to any other groups of

wander around the exhibition hall and get to know their

fertilizer. Our team is more than glad to answer and

competition. It was a very interesting day and so far up

share the possibilities and future of this industry through

to this day, everything went smoothly without any

what Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer can achieve in

unfavorable incidents and occurrence. Like the day

the near future. These students seemed satisfied after

after, the day ends at 6.00 pm and on this day we took

listening to some of the explanations given by one of

the opportunity to walk around and experience the

our representatives and also cannot seem to get their

local culture and cuisines that Indonesia has to offer

hands of the Beta Version of the Greenfeed Apps

before proceeding to our accommodations.

Version 2.0.

The atmosphere inside the exhibition hall was mostly steady and unruffled as the visitors allowed in are controlled to the selected type of guests only. However, some of our current clients also dropped by as they were also part of the conference participants. They took this opportunity to clarify some issues, exchanging some knowledge and we even proposed some new ideas that can be used to improve their productivity through

The last day of the exhibition started at approximately 8.30 am local time and on this day, the exhibition was opened to public for planters and small holders to come visit the exhibition and enquire more on their own relating to their interest. During the first half of the day, the tempo inside the exhibition hall was slightly slow and composed. On this day, the conference would engage more towards a discussion into assessing the possibilities

Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer.

of a much sustainable practice in Palm Oil Industry. The

All of the current clients in Malaysia and Indonesia that

thereon the delegates, participants, and committee

took this opportunity to visit our booth exclaiming their satisfaction with the performance of the Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer and yet remain puzzled as to how such results can be achieved with significantly little dosage of fertilizer applied into the soil.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

conference was held only until the afternoon and members will be having their free time walking around visiting booths inside the exhibition hall. The conference and exhibition were concluded prior to lunch with a closing ceremony and speech given by the Ministry of Agriculture of Indonesia at the Main Plenary Hall 1

The number of visitors seemed to pick up as more and

On the 10th of May 2013, we board our plane and

more planters and farmers entered the main exhibition

returned back to Malaysia filled with useful experiences

hall to gather information for their benefit. A number of

and insights gathered during the International

planters visited our booth and were interested in our

Conference & Exhibition of Palm Oil (ICE-PO) 2013. In

product; especially with a significantly lower application

overall, there were approximately 160 registered visitors

dosage and lesser fertilizing rounds required. Therefore,

that visited our booth and most of them were keen to

requires even much lesser logistics costs as compared to

experience the benefit of using Greenfeed® Slow

their current conventional practices. Later on, each

Release Fertilizer for their oil palms’ plantation. Hence,

exhibitors were presented with a certification for

at approximately 7.30 pm local time, we boarded our

participation in the International Conference &

flight and head back to our beloved Malaysia. Despite

Exhibition of Palm Oil (ICE-PO) 2013. Once the day

the completing this year’s ICE-PO, there are still a lot of

completed, we proceed to disassembling our booth

things that we need to do in order to be the key players

and cleaning the area. As usual, this process took us less

of this industry and achieving our visions. Along the

than an hour to complete and later on proceed to

way, we use the time to talk and share our insights

dinner with our fellow representatives; before

among us regarding the exhibition and keep our spirits

proceeding to our accommodations.

high for the future undertakings.

Upon completing the exhibition, we noticed few things

Motivated to pursue the future towards a much more

that can be pointed out from this Indonesian Oil Palm

advanced agricultural practice within the global oil

Industry, and the culture that they practice within this

palm industry and encouraged to strive as well as to

industry. Greenfeed Groups have participated twice in

share the innovations, achievements, and findings

ICE-PO and the same positive cultures and behavior

obtained by Greenfeed Groups through Greenfeed®

was observed among the visitors and guests during

Slow Release Fertilizer. Apart from being the

these three days of experience. Disregarding the level

economical backbone for the country, the agricultural

of knowledge and experience that they have within this

industry is now doing more than improving the standard

industry as individuals, they are generally humble and

of living, implying better social responsibilities, providing

are open to learn something new. They do have this

a better future for the society that are involved in oil

eagerness and openness to welcome new innovations

palm plantations. Therefore, it is vital for us to play a

and achievements that they find useful for this industry.

part, a role and ensuring that the world no longer view

Apart from that, they are also more open to share their

this industry for its economical advantages only; but

ideas, visions, and many years of experiences in the field

also for the possibilities it has; in being the solution to the

with us without having much trouble. This culture and

increasing world population scenario in term of food

behavior is going to be one of the key reasons that will

scarcity, improving the life of the society, and most

promote Indonesian Oil Palm Industry onto the global

importantly preserving the environment through a

recognition scale. With ample resources and

much more practical and environmental friendly

manpower, we can definitely see this country growing

practice. Since this is an agricultural industry, we here

to be one of the most renowned nations in agriculture.

at Greenfeed Groups believe that it is about time for us to “GO GREEN”.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

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Greenfeed Conference and Seminar 2013 April 30, 2013, Equatorial Hotel, Bangi Greenfeed Groups through Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer has been introducing various innovations focusing onto the agricultural sector. Being the pioneer in Slow Release Fertilizer for commercial crops within Southeast Asia Region, this Malaysian made Slow Release Fertilizer manufacturer is adamant in being the torch barrier in leading the industry onto advanced agricultural practices.

Therefore, for over 18 years, since the introduction of Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer into the Malaysia agricultural industry, Greenfeed Groups has been continuously carrying out researches and findings that are practical for todays agricultural industry.

Furthermore, since the Slow Release Fertilizer segment is relatively new to the industry, therefore, further exposure and knowledge transfer must be carried out coherently. Therefore, an event such the Greenfeed Conference and Seminar 2013 that was recently held at the Equatorial Hotel Bangi on the 30th April 2013 is one example of such effort.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

It has been customary for Greenfeed Groups to carry out annual updates to its respective fellow distributors. The objective of such updates is to create an interactive platform between Greenfeed Groups and its fellow distributors regarding new innovations and introductions carried out by Greenfeed Groups.

During this event, it is also an opportunity to share informations and feedbacks from the distributors point of view apart from providing an additional workshop or training session to the respective attendees. On the day itself, the attendees were consisting of representatives from Agro Mahligai Sdn Bhd from various target market area whether Malaysia or Indonesia. The itinerary of the event can be divided into two sessions, which is the morning session (prior to lunch) and the evening session (post lunch).

The morning session was mainly consisting of the beta testing of the coming Greenfeed Apps Version 2.0 and also slight updates on the current global outlook within the oil palm industry. The evening session is resumed with the maintenance of the introduced Greenfeed Applicator GA 1-45, the announcement of the SIRIM Accreditation ISO 17025 obtainment, the introduction to the Greenfeed Made Easy: Coursework Module 1, Coursework Module 2, and Coursework Module 3, and lastly the closing speech highlighting on the previous achievements of Greenfeed Groups and also future involvements of Greenfeed Groups in exhibitions and other similar events.

OPENING: REGISTRATIONS, BREAKFASTS, AND OPENING SPEECH The Greenfeed Conference & Seminar was scheduled to start at approximately 9.00am where the guests are greeted and ushered towards the registration table and then treated to a light breakfast before the commencement of the event at approximately 9.45am.

During this session, both parties from Greenfeed Groups and Agro Mahligai sits around and introduced some of the fresh faces within each company to one another.

Afterwards, the guests were invited to the ballroom for the commencement of the Greenfeed Conference & Seminar 2013.

The conference began with the introduction of an interactive digital emcee known as Greenfeed who will anchor the conference session throughout the day. Later on, the day was continued with the opening speech by a member of the Board of Directors from Greenfeed Groups who are looking forward to sharing and amassing knowledge as well as informations with the respective guests. The opening speech given was most welcoming and brief with a perfunctory walkthrough to the dayâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s event. A representative from the Marketing Department and also from the Business Development Department then anchored the next session.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

MORNING SESSION: INTRODUCTION TO THE BETA GREENFEED

MORNING SESSION: CURRENT GLOBAL SCENARIO IN THE OIL

APPS VERSION 2.0

PALM BUSINESS

The beginning of the morning session, guests were

This session is accepted and anchored by the

welcomed to a sneak peak to the latest progress of the

representative from the Business Development Department.

soon-to-be launched Greenfeed Apps Version 2.0. This

This was a short brief session where the guests were

sneak peak holds the objectivity to providing an alpha run

updated with the current global oil palm scenarios as well

of the apps that is still under development. The

as fertilizers outlooks within the Southeast Regions

representative from the Marketing and Business

particularly Malaysia and Indonesia. Indonesia was

Development departments utilizes this opportunity to obtain

observed to have a much distinctively higher potential

feedbacks to the proposed features included within the

when compared to the market size in Malaysia. Until

apps. Beforehand, the guests were brought step by step into

December 2012, total recorded oil palm planted in

the apps’ features, presentations, and also capacity in

Indonesia is 9.047 million hectare, which is approximately

assisting the planters to their routines. With tagline of

4.00 million hectare more than the recorded total planted

“Greenfeed Companionship Apps Made Planting Easy”, it

area in Malaysia (5.076 million hectare). Furthermore, the

was clear that the newly improved version from the previous

guests were briefed on the target market share within

Greenfeed Apps Version 1.01 holds a much better

Malaysia and Indonesia Fertilizer’s Market. Furthermore, the

possibilities and features.

current progress of the company was discussed and some other assessment tools were used to clarify the current

The novelty features included inside the apps were tailored

scenario with the guests. In order to be one of the key

to the technological advancement that can be

players within this industry and having a significant impact

incorporated into the planting routines. Theses features will

on field, it is vital to initially understand the capacity that the

cover mostly on the agronomic principles of the agricultural

company has to offer to support such rapid growth.

practices in relate to Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizers.

Several questions were asked and clarified by the two

This session was then brought forward towards a short break

presenters anchoring this session. The apps will be fully

for lunch and prayers by the emcee and to be continued

utilizing the iOS platform for iPad devices that even supports

later for the Greenfeed Applicator GA 1-45 maintenance

the current retina display, resulting in a much sharper and

guidelines during the evening session.

better viewing resolutions. The apps is still a work in progress and for such sophisticated achievements, the development will be carried out by stages and will consumed quite and extensive period of time prior to the official launching of the apps. The official Greenfeed Apps Version 2.0 deployment shall be announced and users will be notified for the updates. The representative from the Marketing Department handles the questions well and substantially leading to the next session involving updates of the current global scenario on the oil palm industry.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

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EVENING SESSION: INTRODUCTION TO GREENFEED MADE EASY MODULES For this session, a representative from the Technical Research & Development Department leads the session in introducing the Greenfeed Made Easy: Course Module 1, Course Module 2, and Course Module 3. The objective of these modules is to carry out a practical course or workshop with reference to the prepared literature references; the Greenfeed Course Modules with the purpose to equip every Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer representatives with ample agricultural knowledge in general and also on EVENING SESSION: MAINTENANCE GUIDELINES FOR

Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer. The courses content

GREENFEED APPLICATOR GA 1-45

were highlighted briefly during this session and the proposed

The conference then resumes at approximately 2.30 pm for

coursework date is around the end of the year, preferably

the next session presented by a representative from the

November or December 2013.

Production Department.

Apart from the introduction of the modules, the guests The title of this session is the Maintenance Guidelines for

utilizes the opportunity by asking technical questions that

Greenfeed Applicator GA 1-45. This session holds the

was brought up by the clients and all the questions were

objective to provide a basic step by step guidelines in

firmly resolved by the Technical Research and Development

maintaining the Greenfeed Applicator GA 1-45 that

Department representative that is leading the session. Also,

functions to assist to the Greenfeed® Slow Release

not forgetting Greenfeed who also managed to ask

Fertilizer’s fertilizing rounds. With proper handling, a team of

questions pertaining to the modules introduced during this

two can complete fertilizing a standard one-hectare oil

particular session. The next session marks another milestones

palm plantation of 136 stands within 45 minutes. This

attained by Greenfeed Groups and a representative from

equipment utilizes a 2-stroke motors with a tailor made drill

the Quality Check Department piloted this most significant

bit, specified to creating a hole for applying Greenfeed®

achievement.

Slow Release Fertilizer nuggets. However, apart from any fatal or serious damage to the Greenfeed Applicator GA 1-45 that can be replaced immediately with a new applicator under the Brand Loyalty Program Scheme, it is vital for the user to carry out standard maintenance procedure in order to avoid any difficulties that would impair the performance of the equipment.

Therefore, the representative from the Production Department elucidated a live simulation of the components as well as the step-by-step maintenance procedure for the specified equipment. The guests managed to ask some questions pertaining to the

EVENING SESSION: SIRIM 17025 ACCREDITATION FOR

operational features of the applicator as well as suggesting

LABORATORY

some improvisations to the current developed Greenfeed

Having invested so much on the equipment and the

Applicator GA1-45 model. This session also managed to

apparatus, it would be fair for the practice that requires

have active responses from the audiences who are keen in

most accuracy to be properly accredited and certified by a

to participate in the discussion fro each session. The

governing organization within this industry.

beloved digital emcee, also took the opportunity to ask a fair number of questions to the presenter of this session. The

The representative from the Quality Check Department

day continued on to the next session involving an

carry on the presentations pertaining to this accreditations

introduction of the first ever Greenfeed Modules.

relating to the function of this accreditation, the benefit of such accreditation, and also the procedure required in order to attain such accreditation. ISO 17025 General requirements for the competence of testing and calibration laboratories is the main ISO/CASCO standard used by testing and calibration laboratories.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

EVENING SESSION: CLOSING & CONCLUDING GREENFEED CONFERENCE AND SEMINAR 2013 Within the concluding session, the speech given covers the whole aspect of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer as to how it was initially inspired and founded.

Also, the closing speech brought out a list of excuses that one would normally give for not excelling in any field that he or she stands in. For over 38 years of establishment, Greenfeed Group has never slow down nor stops pursuing The ISO 17025 accreditation is much more specific in

its commitment to the industry and therefore will continue

requirements for competence and it applies directly to

pushing forward into the future.

those organizations that produce testing and calibration results. Such accreditation will allow testing, validation, and

He summarizes the whole closing speech to only three

analysis to be carried out on the samples obtained during

words, “Please Stay Interesting”. With passion for innovation,

field sampling without much difficulty and the results

the Greenfeed Groups would continue to be supportive

produced can be acknowledged widely for commercial

and attentive to the needs of its distributors, which is relative

practices.

to the needs of the clients within the industry.

This is part of the commitment posed by Greenfeed Groups in ensuring that each analysis validating the performance of the Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer were certified and widely acknowledged by practice in order to be able to provide readings as well as validations without having any unnecessary conflictions. The session lasted to about more than 1 hour, which is due to the participation from the guests that kept on asking questions relating to this session.

This session is the highlights the days event and succeeding this session is the closing, summarizing speech by again the member for the Board of Director for Greenfeed Groups.

CONCLUSION A token of appreciation was exchanged between both parties signifying the pledge that they hold with each other. Both parties were satisfied as the objective of the conference were met and the much beloved digital emcee Greenfeed signs out with a few video playbacks recapping the future global events that Greenfeed Groups will participate; extending welcoming hands to the fellow representatives from Agro Mahligai Sdn Bhd. The day was concluded at around 5.00 pm with the representatives from Agro Mahligai Sdn Bhd leaving the Equatorial Hotel after a light refreshments served by the hotel.

It was a great day as both parties have the opportunity to learn and share from each other.

GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 9, 2013

26

For more information www.greenfeed.com.my

For over the years we pledge to bring innovations and advancement significant enough to provide positive impact to this industry. With passion to strive towards sustainable plantting, we committeed to share the knowledge and technology that we have and will achive with you.

Hence participation in INAPALM 2013 is part of our sincere effort as we will be at Booth

1E-11

It is most beneficial that your side could be present at our booth during the course of the exhibition as we can utilize this opportunity to provide thorough explanations and enlighten your side to the characteristics as well as the effectiveness of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer for commercial agricultural engagements.

The 2nd Indonesia Internationa Plam Oil, Machinery and Technology Exhibition & Conference 2013 2 (Tue) - 5 (Thu), JULY 2013, Labersa Convention Centre, Pekanbaru - Riau

Entering 2nd INAPALM ASIA 2013 – The 2nd Indonesia International Palm Oil, Machinery and Technology Exhibition & Conference 2013 will take place form 02 – 04 July 2013 at Labersa Convention Centre, Pekanbaru (Riau), Sumatera – Indonesia. The show will be expanded to bigger scale and qualified networking platform of the palm industry to generate more qualified and potential visitors. It is designed with the international-scale serves as one of the world’s most prospective one-stop-exhibition for palm oil industry and aims to bring together suppliers and showcase latest technology of palm oil processing machines, parts and palm oil processing result. The event offers a great opportunity to build a business to network with both the local and the overseas palm oil industry and other related industries right on the spot.