Sunday, May 11, 2008
Saturday, May 10, 2008
Rubber - Hevea Brasiliensis
Rubber Tree (Hevea brasiliensis) is a tropical tree. It is native to the Amazon Basin in Brazil and adjoining countries. In the early stages (that is up to about 1910) most rubber was harvested from "wild trees" growing in the Amazon Basin and to a lesser extent from other natural sources of natural rubber (such as Ficus elastica) growing in the Congo Basin of Africa. From the Amazon to South Asia (Sri Lanka) and South East Asia (Singapore and Malaysia) it was grown experimentally and later on plantations, cultivation spread to Vietnam, Cambodia, Indonesia and Thailand, and subsequently to Liberia, Nigeria and Cote d'Ivoire. Initially cultivation took place on plantations, but smallholders rapidly adopted it as a source of income.
Maturity
Mature Hevea trees on rubber plantations are 20-30 metres high, with graceful upwards-extending branches and a relatively slim trunk. Such trees flower once a year, and after insect cross-pollination produce large fruits containing several thimble-sized seeds with hard outer coats. If satisfactorily germinated and planted within 2-3 weeks, seeds grow to produce seedling plants. Depending on conditions, the latter then take 5-10 years to reach 'maturity', which is defined as the stage when tapping can be started. In practice, this is the time when the trunk has about 500 mm circumference at 1 metre above ground level.
Saturday, May 3, 2008
Some OP Pics
PREPARING THE SITE – Schedule of works is important to ensure the land preparation and seedlings availability coincide with suitable weather conditions
Oil Palm - Elaeis Guineensis
OIL PALM (Elaeis guineensis)
Oil Palm, or scientifically called Elaeis guineensis, is native of the west coast of
The crop flourishes in the humid tropics in groves of varying density, mainly in the coastal belt between 10 degrees north latitude and 10 degrees south latitude. It is also found up to 20 degrees south latitude in Central and East Africa and
After harvesting from the trees, the fresh fruit bunch (FFB) must be transported to the mill for processing within 24-hours and palm oil is extracted from the fruit pulp. This yellowish or reddish oil is used mostly in the manufacture of soap and candles. Palm oil is also the largest source of palmitic acid, a fatty acid used in numerous commercial processes. The more valuable palm kernel oil is obtained from the seed kernels of the fruit. This white oil has a pleasant odor and nutty flavor and is used in making margarine as well as soap and candles. The kernels are shipped to mills where the oil is extracted with solvents or by hydraulic presses. After extraction, the oil cake that is left over is used as cattle feed. Latest technology also involves the possibility of using palm oil products for bio-diesel purposes.