JAKARTA – The oil palm trees have roots of the fibrous type with massive layers that form soil biopores. The root system functions to store organic matter and water reserve.

“It’s no wonder then that the oil palm trees are the right plants to achieve the goal of soil and water conservation. The older the oil palm trees, the bigger the biopores formed in their roots,” the Palm Oil Agribusiness Strategic Policy Institute (PASPI) said in a report issued on Thursday, 16 June 2022.

According to the PASPI report, the mature oil palm trees have roots of 5 meters in diameter and more than 5 meters in depth from their stem base. The system of underground biopores in oil palm plantations can increase the capacity of soil to store water. Such root system of the oil palm plantations is effective in reducing the surface water flow.

When it rains, the water will not directly flow, but it will seep into the ground and fill the soil biopores.  Conversely, during rainy season, the water reserve inside the biopores will be released slowly and in such a way that will keep the water need of the plants.

PASPI also reported that based on their research on the watersheds of Barumun river in Padang Lawas regency of North Sumatra province, they found that previously the areas suffered from dryness during dry season and flooding during rainy season. But after the development of oil palm plantations, the river watersheds saw a better hydrography.

“It is because of the rain water that seeps into the ground and fills the soil pores. Conversely, during dry season the oil palm trees have enough water reserve.  Our study shows that planting the oil palm trees minimizes dryness during dry season and flooding during rainy season,” PASPI concluded in the report.

Source: wartaekonomi.co.id