Estimating Maintenance Respiration of Oil Palm

摘要

Maintenance respiration (MR) is normally the largest fraction of dark respiration in crop plants, MR of mature oil palm is difficult, if not impossible, to measure directly. However, it can be calculated from respiratory coefficients and standing cropbiomass components. The derivation of the coefficients is described and examples are given of the MR of different organs and whole crops. Alternative derivations of MR are considered and an explanation provided for the observed declines in MR per unit biomass with increasing palm age and planting density.