Oil palm plantations worldwide generate vast amounts of empty fruit bunches (EFB), often disposed of as waste and left to undergo natural decomposition or incinerated, contributing to greenhouse gas emissions. However, EFB could be used as soil conditioner to improve soil properties and increase crop yields. We conducted a meta-analysis to synthesize evidence of the effect of soil amendment by different forms of EFB on crop growth and yield and how other factors moderate performance. The meta-analysis included 19 studies on the growth and yield of crops grown on EFB-amended and unamended soils. Applying EFB as mulch, biochar, or compost to soil led to a 49.2% increase in crop growth and yield compared to unamended soils. When EFB were co-applied with a second material such as mineral fertilizers, crop growth and yield was increased by 16.4% compared to unamended soils. The growth and yield advantages were affected by the location of the experiment, soil texture, or the form of EFB applied. Compared to unamended soils, crops grown on soils amended with pyrolyzed EFB, raw EFB, composted, and ash EFB recorded growth and yield increase by ~78.4%, 33.8%, 30.9%, and 21.0%, respectively. Overall, amending soil with EFB is likely to increase crop yield. Still, the benefits must be clarified by a benefit-cost analysis based on the ratio of yield advantages from its usage to the cost of accessing or using the product by farmers.

世界范围内的油棕种植园会产生大量空果串 (EFB)，这些果串通常作为废物处理并任其自然分解或焚化，从而导致温室气体排放。然而，EFB 可用作土壤改良剂，以改善土壤性质并提高作物产量。我们进行了一项荟萃分析，综合了不同形式的 EFB 土壤改良对作物生长和产量的影响以及其他因素如何调节性能的证据。荟萃分析包括 19 项关于在 EFB 改良和未改良土壤上种植的作物的生长和产量的研究。与未改良的土壤相比，将 EFB 作为覆盖物、生物炭或堆肥施用到土壤中，可使作物生长和产量增加 49.2%。当 EFB 与矿物肥料等第二种材料共同施用时，作物生长和产量增加了 16。4% 与未改良的土壤相比。生长和产量优势受试验地点、土壤质地或 EFB 施用形式的影响。与未改良的土壤相比，在经过热解 EFB、原始 EFB、堆肥和灰烬 EFB 改良的土壤上种植的作物的生长和产量分别增加了约 78.4%、33.8%、30.9% 和 21.0%。总体而言，用 EFB 改良土壤可能会增加作物产量。尽管如此，收益必须通过收益成本分析来阐明，该分析基于其使用带来的产量优势与农民获取或使用产品的成本之比。和灰 EFB 的增长和产量分别增加了约 78.4%、33.8%、30.9% 和 21.0%。总体而言，用 EFB 改良土壤可能会增加作物产量。尽管如此，收益必须通过收益成本分析来阐明，该分析基于其使用带来的产量优势与农民获取或使用产品的成本之比。和灰 EFB 的增长和产量分别增加了约 78.4%、33.8%、30.9% 和 21.0%。总体而言，用 EFB 改良土壤可能会增加作物产量。尽管如此，收益必须通过收益成本分析来阐明，该分析基于其使用带来的产量优势与农民获取或使用产品的成本之比。