Land Preparation

 Nursery practices

• The fruits are separated from the bunch and seeds are extracted by scraping off the exocarp and mesocarp with a knife, or by retting in water.
• The seeds are then dried by spreading them on concrete or wooden floors under shade for two days. Such seeds can be stored for 3-9 months at about 27⁰C without much reduction in viability.
• Seeds are soaked in water for five days, changing the water daily.
• Thereafter, the seeds are spread out to dry for 24 hours.
• The dried seeds are put in polythene bags and placed in germinator maintained at a temperature of 40ºC.
• After 80 days, the seeds are removed from polythene bags, soaked in water for 5 days changing the water daily and dried in the shade for two hours.
• The seeds are then put back into bags and kept in a cool place in order to maintain the moisture content.
• Germination commences in about 10-12 days.
• The percentage of germination obtainable by this method is 90-95.

 Raising nursery

• Polybags (preferably black) of 400-500 gauge measuring 40 cm x 35 cm are used.
• The bags are filled with topsoil and compost and are arranged at a spacing of 45 cm x 45 cm and one sprouted seed is dibbled per bag.
• A good mulching during summer is desirable.
• Watering the seedlings weekly thrice is recommended.
• A fertilizer mixture containing 15 g N, 15 g P₂O₅ and 6 g K₂O at the rate of 8 g in five litres of water for 100 seedlings may be applied when the seedlings are two months and eight months old.

Planting

• Oil palm is planted in the main field in triangular system at spacing of 9 m accommodating 140 palms per ha.
• Planting is preferably done at the onset of monsoon during May-June.
• The polythene bag is torn open and the entire ball of earth is buried in the pit (50 cm x 50 cm x 50 cm) and levelled.

 Pollination

• Oil palm is a cross-pollinated crop.
• Assisted pollination is done to ensure fertilization of all female flowers.
• However, this is not necessary if the pollination weevil. Elaedobius kamerunicus is introduced in the plantation.
• They congregate and multiply on male inflorescence during flower opening.
• The weevils also visit the female flowers and pollinate them effectively.