Palm | Kelapa Sawit

• Water table for non acid sulphate soil should be maintainedbelow 60 – 90 cm from soil surface.

• Water table for acid sulphate soil should be maintainedbelow 50 cm from soil surfacewhich is above pyretic layer.

• To maintain water at appropriate level, drain blocks are required.

• Water level markers should be installed at every drain block.

2. DRAIN

Dimension

- Width at top : 180cm (6ft)

- Width at bottom : 60cm (2ft)

- Depth : 135cm (4.5ft)

Intensity : 400m apart/60m/ha

New Collection Drain Cost : RM 18/dm by Excavator.

Water table should be maintained at below 50 cm from the surfacewhich is above pyretic layer in acid sulphate areas.

C. MAIN DRAIN

Dimension :

- Depth : 180cm (6ft)

Distance : 800m – 1000m apart

Intensity : 26m/ha – 30mha

New Main Drain Cost : RM25.00/dm/excavator

Main drain normally used for flushing out water from collection drain when the water level exceeds 45 cm from the surface. The drain is connected to collection and subsidiary drains for efficient water management.

D. OUTLET DRAIN

Dimension :

- With at Top : 300 cm (10ft)

- With at Bottom : 180 cm (6ft)

Desilting Cost : RM 150.00/dm by RB

Outlet Drain must be be desilted at least once a year,in order to archieve efficient water out take. Outlet drain normally used for flushing out water from main drain when the water level exceed 45 cm from the surface.

3. WATER GATE

FUNCTION :

- To retain water at adequate level for palm during dry spell.

- To control water level in subsidiary drain & collection drain.

A. DRAIN BLOCK

Water level in the drains is regulated using drain blocks placed in Collection drain.

New block cost RM1500 – RM1800 per unit.

The plugs/blocks will be removed manually whenever we require

to flush out the water.

B. TIDE GATE

This tide gate contains a screw gate and a flap door.

The installation normally placed along the bunds and located at strategic point and enable the flushing of saline water to the sea.

To be installed at the outlet points and the outlets should be sited according to the slope of the land.

C. SLUICE GATE

Sluice gate are installed mainly at main drain. Sluice gate cost approximately RM 1800.00 - 2000.00/unit. Height of Sluice Gates are placed slighly lower to the height of drains to enable excess water to overflow automatically.

4. CHECK WATER QUALITY

WATER pH & CONDUCTIVITY

a. pH

To check water pH and conductivity at monthly interval. If the pH reading more than 4.5, all drain blocks are closed and fresh water is retained at optimal level and if lower than 4.5, flushing is carried out.

b. Salinity

Salinity level should be maintened below 1000 us/cm. Flushing out water should be carried out when soil salininty level drops below 1000 us/cm.

5. BUND

a. Due the island being under sea level.

b. 2 type of bund : Earth bund and armour rock bund.

c. Wide & motorable bund with adequate height should be constructed.

d. Soft vegetation, bakau trees, nipah palms should be maintained on the bund respectively to prevent erosion.

e. Increase bund height when free-board is less than 2 feet )60 cm) at high tide level.

f. Check tide level during the highest tide and mark the level of highest tide.