Mechanical weeding enhances ecosystem multifunctionality and profit in industrial oil palm

Oil palm is the most productive oil crop, but its high productivity is associated with conventional management (high fertilization and herbicide application), causing environmental impacts. A 2² factorial experiment assessed the effects of conventional vs. reduced fertilization and herbicide vs. mechanical weeding on ecosystem functions, biodiversity, and profitability. Mechanical weeding showed higher multifunctionality than herbicide treatment, enhancing biodiversity (33% more plant species). Reduced fertilization and mechanical weeding increased profit by 12% and relative gross margin by 11% due to reduced material costs, while maintaining similar yields. Mechanical weeding with reduced fertilization is a sustainable option for enhancing ecosystem multifunctionality and biodiversity while increasing profit.

Najeeb Al-Amin Iddris, Greta Formaglio, Carola Paul, Volker von Groß, Guantao Chen, Andres Angulo-Rubiano, Dirk Berkelmann, Fabian Brambach, Kevin F. A. Darras, Valentyna Krashevska, Anton Potapov, Arne Wenzel, Bambang Irawan, Muhammad Damris, Rolf Daniel, Ingo Grass, Holger Kreft, Stefan Scheu, Teja Tscharntke, Aiyen Tjoa, Edzo Veldkamp, Marife D. Corre