This unprecedented growth in demand has lead to environ-
mental concerns. In particular, massive deforestation and destruc-
tion of peatlands when previously unplanted lands are given over
to oil palm, leading to loss of biodiversity. These issues need
attention andmore sustainable practices introduced for all farmers
and business sectors. In many cases, virgin sites are not necessary
and former crop areas can be turned over successfully to oil palm.
The conversion of coconut plantations to oil palm in Papua New
Guinea is a good example and the transformation of poor grazing
pasture into plantation in Colombia. Many players in the oil palm
industry are anxious about the environmental concerns and
promote good practice through the Roundtable on Sustainable
Palm Oil (RSPO). The RSPO have published their principles
(Roundtable on Sustainable Palm Oil, 2007), with criteria for
sustainable management of oil palm plantations. At present, only
4% of palm oil is certified sustainable by the RSPO, but many palm
oil companies are discussingmoving tomore sustainable practices
with their suppliers. One criterion (Principle 5) requires companies
to provide management plans and operations for conservation of
natural resources and biodiversity. Soil microbiology is often
neglected in such plans and a key component involvesmycorrhizal
associations. Arbuscular mycorrhizas are key components of
sustainable plant–soil ecosystems because they play an essential
role in plant nutrient acquisition, in plant diversity and nutrient
cycling (Jeffries and Barea, 2000). Due to its biology the African oil
palmcan potentially benefit greatly frommycorrhizal associations.
If used correctly, the management of these associations could
make oil palm production more sustainable and greatly cut
investment in the establishment of new plantations. In this review
we consider the potential impacts of mycorrhizal management in
oil palm cultivation. We indicate where they are likely to be most
useful for improving sustainability, but also where they may lead
to more economic oil palm production. Because one of our
conclusions is that application of mycorrhizal inoculum could be
considerable in the establishment of new plantations on existing
agricultural land with poor soil fertility. These principles are more
easily illustrated in the context of one particular country butmany
of the same issues may apply elsewhere. We discuss, herein, the
rationale for application of AMF in the development of new
plantations in the Eastern Plains region of Colombia and in Central
and Southern Thailand.