The fruit expansion stage of oil palm directly impacts the entire year's income, making precise regulation of water and nutrient supply a priority. The main factors influencing expansion effectiveness are as follows:
● Water Management: The expansion stage requires a significant amount of water, but oil palm is sensitive to both drought and waterlogging.
● Drought Stress: Water deficiency impedes cell expansion, leading to poor fruit development, smaller fruit bunches, significantly reduced individual fruit weight, and in severe cases, fruit drop. Even if water is supplemented later, the resulting losses cannot be fully recovered.