Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 35 (1) March 2023, p. 1-22
IMPACT OF Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Faust) INTRODUCTION ON OIL PALM FRUIT FORMATION IN MALAYSIA AND FACTORS AFFECTING ITS POLLINATION EFFICIENCY: A REVIEW
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2022.0021
Received: 1 September 2021 Accepted: 16 February 2022 Published Online: 21 April 2022
The oil palm pollinating weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus, has become the single most important insect pollinator of the commodity crop in Malaysia and Indonesia, 40 years after its introduction. However, in 2020, the average national oil extraction rate (OER) has decreased from 20.21% to 19.92%. The decline was attributed to the lower oil palm fruit bunch quality. This has raised concerns on the pollination efficiency of the pollinator. As such, the factors affecting the pollination efficiency of E. kamerunicus were thoroughly discussed in this review. Eight factors, which were categorised into intrinsic and extrinsic factors, were discussed in detail. Intrinsic factors discussed are the genetic make-up of E. kamerunicus and its population level. Meanwhile, factors such as planting materials, soil types, plant physiological condition, volatiles emission, diseases/predators threatening E. kamerunicus and climatic factors were discussed in the extrinsic factors. Methods for maintaining a healthy pollinator population were suggested, as well as an emphasis on future studies based on the shortlisted factors.
KEYWORDS:1 Malaysian Palm Oil Board,
6 Persiaran Institusi, Bandar Baru Bangi,
43000 Kajang, Selangor, Malaysia.
2 Malaysian Estate Owners’ Association,
Ground Floor, Wisma IJM,
Jalan Yong Shook Lin,
Seksyen 7, 46050 Petaling Jaya,
Selangor, Malaysia.
3 Malaysian Palm Oil Association, T3-08-09,
UOA Business Park 1,Jalan Pengaturcara U1/51A,
40150 Shah Alam, Selangor, Malaysia.
4 CABI - Malaysia, PO Box 210,
43400 UPM Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia.
5 No. 16, Jalan SS7/6A,
Kelana Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
6 No. 16, Jalan 4/7Q, Seksyen 4, Bandar Baru Bangi
43650 Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
7 Sime Darby Plantation Berhad,
Main Block, Level 3, Plantation Tower,
No. 2, Jalan PJU 1A/7. Ara Damansara,
47301 Petaling Jaya, Selangor, Malaysia.
8 Sarawak Oil Palms Berhad,
No. 124-126, Jalan Bendahara, PO Box 547,
98007 Miri, Sarawak, Malaysia.
9 Jaya Tiasa Holdings Berhad, No. 1-9, Pusat Suria Permata,
Lorong Upper Lanang 10A, 96000 Sibu, Sarawak, Malaysia.
10 Department of Biological Sciences and Biotechnology,
Faculty of Science and Technology,
Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia,
43600 UKM Bangi, Selangor, Malaysia.
11 TH Plantations Berhad, Level 31-35,
Menara TH Platinum, No. 9, Jalan Persiaran KLCC,
50088 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
12 Faculty of Agricultural Science and Forestry,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu, Sarawak Campus,
PO Box 396, Jalan Nyabau, 97008 Bintulu,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
13 Institut Ekosains Borneo,
Universiti Putra Malaysia, Bintulu, Sarawak Campus,
PO Box 396, Jalan Nyabau, 97008, Bintulu,
Sarawak, Malaysia.
* Corresponding author e-mail: saharul.abillah@mpob.gov.my