From El Niño Drought Recovery to Climate Resilience: An Integrated Water–Soil–Plant Management Framework for Oil Palm Plantations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia

Loso Judijanto

doi:10.59890/ijgsr.v4i9.339

Authors

Loso Judijanto IPOSS Jakarta

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.59890/ijgsr.v4i9.339

Keywords:

Oil Palm; El Niño, Drought Recovery, Water Management, Soil Moisture, Empty Fruit Bunch, Nutrient Management, Climate Resilience, East Kalimantan, Drought-Tolerant Planting Material

Abstract

Prolonged El Niño drought creates a compound challenge for oil palm plantations because water deficits affect not only current photosynthesis and nutrient uptake but also reproductive development and subsequent fresh fruit bunch production. This qualitative literature review synthesizes contemporary evidence published mainly during 2020–2026 to develop an integrated recovery and climate-resilience framework applicable to oil palm plantations in East Kalimantan, Indonesia. Particular attention is given to recovery fertilization, empty fruit bunch and compost application, land application of organic residues, pest and disease surveillance, stopbund regulation, understory and Nephrolepis management, frond management, superabsorbent polymers for legume establishment, integrated water management, conservation terraces, and drought-resilient planting materials. The synthesis shows that water restoration should precede intensive nutritional recovery because fertilization cannot fully compensate for yield losses when water remains the principal limiting factor. Organic residues, controlled understory vegetation, and frond recycling can strengthen soil structure, nutrient cycling, soil organic carbon, and hydrological buffering. Stopbunds should be operated dynamically according to rainfall, soil moisture, drainage status, and topography rather than calendar dates

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