Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 31 (4) December 2019, p. 657-661

A DESCRIPTION OF OPEN TOP CHAMBER SYSTEM FOR OIL PALM CARBON DIOXIDE ENRICHMENT

AMANINA, N S*; KHO, L K*; LINATOC, A C**, A’FIFAH, A R* and HANIFF, M H*

DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2019.0013
Published Online: 23 May 2019
ABSTRACT

Open Top Chamber (OTC) is one of the techniques to study plant responses to elevated carbon dioxide (CO2) concentrations. A study on the effects of CO2 enrichment on oil palm growth, physiology and yield using OTC method was conducted at the Malaysian Palm Oil Board (MPOB) Research Station in Kluang, Johor, Malaysia. Oil palm clones P164 were cultivated in four OTC each with 9 m diameter and 10 m high. The OTC consists of a concrete structure with transparent multi-wall sheets. It has a truncated top for air aversion and to prevent CO2 dilution within the chamber by outside air. The CO2 gas was injected from nozzles mounted on the inner wall. The OTC was able to maintain a higher CO2 level inside the OTC than ambient level. Air temperature inside the OTC was slightly higher than ambient, while relative humidity and photosynthetically active radiation (PAR) inside the OTC were both slightly lower than ambient. A comparison of parameters measured inside the OTC and ambient provides a measure of the chamber effects. However, it could have either positive or negative effect on plant growth. The OTC method has some limitations and is only suitable for studying individual plant physiological responses to elevated CO2.

KEYWORDS:


* Malaysian Palm Oil Board, 6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi, 43000, Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
E-mail: nuramanina@mpob.gov.my

** Faculty of Applied Science and Technology, Universiti Tun Hussein Onn Malaysia,Pagoh Campus, Km 1 Jalan Panchor, 84600 Muar, Johor, Malaysia.