Strategies for enhancing water productivity in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)-present status and way forward

Micro irrigation has been proved to enhance water use efficiency in general and also in oil palm in particular. Additionally, there are numerous advantages when it is combined with fertilizer application through drip system. Drip irrigation has been proved to be effective and IW/CPE ratio of 0.7 was found optimal. In fertigation method, nutrient use efficiency is almost double as the frequency of application is more and it is applied in readily available form right at the site of absorption to the plant. This reduces the cost of fertilizers and application costs greatly. Concerted efforts are needed to develop planting materials with high water use efficiency/drought tolerance in future advanced breeding cycles which facilitates extending oil palm cultivation to non-traditional areas and the areas with less water resources. Drought or water deficit conditions prevailing during the stage of sex differentiation which coincides with 24 to 25 months before harvest, influence sex ratio. Resource management strategies to curtail or reduce losses in application of irrigation water and thereby enhance the water use efficiency need to be developed and standardized.