https://jopr.mpob.gov.my Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:46:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=7.0 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/image-scanning-approach-in-monitoring-oil-palm-root-production-on-peat/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:46:32 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=15198 Understanding root mortality and production is critical for creating a uniform strategy for root growth estimations and modelling. Several approaches have been devised to assess root development and behaviour of oil palms in peat soil. There are two types of existing techniques: Traditional (destructive) methods and non-destructive approaches. However, due to the complexity of soil characteristics and circumstances, there is no precise method to date for assessing different root morphological features, particularly in tropical peat soil. The root dynamics performance of oil palms in peat soil was measured using a non-destructive, in situ scanning approach in this study. This study discusses the possibility of utilising image-scanning technology for investigating rhizosphere activities such as root development and turnover, root morphology and belowground interactions.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/increasing-the-population-of-oil-palm-weevil-elaeidobius-kamerunicus-using-hatch-and-carry-box-technique-in-oil-palm-cultivation-on-tropical-peat-soil/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 07:41:47 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=15189 The decline in the oil palm weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus population has led to inadequate pollination, posing a significant challenge in oil palm production. The decrease in population may be linked to the widespread application of cypermethrin insecticide, which is commonly used to control the bunch moth, Tirathaba rufivena. This could be due to the insecticide’s impact on the behavioural and physiological traits of the moth population, potentially reducing their ability to thrive and exhibit aggressive tendencies. Consequently, low fruit setting rates (≤65.0%) and bunch failures have been observed in these estates. This study was conducted in a private oil palm plantation in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia aimed to assess the impact of E. kamerunicus on oil palm productivity. To address this issue, a hatch and carry box technique was devised. This technique involved hatching adult E. kamerunicus and then dispersing them in targeted areas of the oil palm plantation after coating them with highly viable pollen (≥85.0%). Following two months of application, there was a significant increase (p<0.05) in the population of E. kamerunicus within male inflorescences, rising from 8 to 19 weevils spikelet^–1. Additionally, the oil palm fruit set increased from 43.5% to 50.0% to 75.0% after 4–5 months of employing the hatch and carry box technique. Consequently, the estates experienced an increase in fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield by 2–3 t ha^–1 compared to the previous 1–2 years.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/assessment-of-parasitic-nematodes-ielaeolenchus-parthenonemai-poinar-on-pollinating-weevil-ielaeidobius-kamerunicusi-at-selected-oil-palm-plantations-in-pahang-malaysia/ Thu, 04 Apr 2024 07:31:22 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=13381 The introduction of the oil palm pollinating weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionidae) from Africa in 1980s brought substantial benefit to the Malaysian economy. However, it was discovered that the weevil was parasitised by a nematode, Elaeolenchus parthenonema Poinar. This raising concern is addressed in this paper based on the assessment of the parasitic nematodes E. parthenonema on the weevil at selected oil palm plantations in Pahang, Malaysia. This study was conducted at Ladang Sungai Bebar Selatan Jerantut (peat soil), FELCRA Tembeling Tengah Jerantut (mineral soil) and MPOB Jerantut (mineral soil). The anthesis stage of oil palm male spikelets was sampled for weevil and nematode inspection. The weevils were inspected and showed a high number of nematodes from the larval, pupa, to adult stages. The nematode was not detected at the egg stage. The mean and percentage of total infected E. kamerunicus per spikelet by nematodes in March 2021 was highest at Ladang Sungai Bebar Selatan Jerantut (peat soil) with 19.19 ± 0.83, 91.03%, followed by September 2021 at 27.04 ± 1.95, 84.88% and October 2021 at 23.74 ± 2.24, 76.45% as compared to FELCRA Tembeling Tengah Jerantut (mineral soil) and MPOB Jerantut (mineral soil). Thus, the finding of high numbers of infected E. kamerunicus with nematodes raises significant concerns regarding the negative effects of nematode parasitism on weevils.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/short-communication-culturable-bacteria-population-in-different-oil-palm-peat-soil-operational-zones/ Mon, 17 Jan 2022 04:22:01 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/?p=12167 The bacterial community in an ecosystem can contribute to crucial soil ecosystem functions. Different soil variations in a single oil palm tree may lead to the diversity of bacterial populations. Hence, this study aimed to isolate the culturable bacteria from different operational zones in oil palm peat soil. A total of four operational zones, namely Frond Pile (FP), Harvesting Path (HP), Weeded Circle (WC), and Inter Palm Row (IPR) at Sungai Miang, Pekan, Pahang, Malaysia were selected as the sampling plots. The soil samples were cultivated in selective mineral media. The bacterial isolates were obtained by three times repeated series of plating on solid media and grown at 30°C for four days. Results of the 16S ribosomal ribonucleic acid (16S rRNA) discovery revealed a diverse group of bacteria in groups of Proteobacteria, which were detected in a higher percentage relative to other classes of bacteria. The γ-proteobacteria was the prevalent class of Proteobacteria followed by α-proteobacteria and β-proteobacteria. The highest γ-proteobacteria population was obtained in IPR followed by HP, WC and FP. These diverse Proteobacteria communities at the aforementioned operational zones harboured significant roles in the peat soil ecosystems, which need to be further analysed in future research.

]]> https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/greenhouse-gas-exchange-of-tropical-peatlands-a-review/ Sat, 13 Nov 2021 08:09:40 +0000 https://jopr.mpob.gov.my/V2/?p=9072 This article presents data on greenhouse gas (GHG) exchange of tropical peat soils with emphasis on changes in emissions of gases during and following the conversion of native tropical peatlands to plantations of oil palm and other crops. The relevant GHGs are carbon dioxide (CO₂), methane (CH₄) and nitrous oxide _(N2O). Establishment of plantations on peat requires drainage, which, even if controlled, results in peat aeration and subsidence. Subsidence is mainly due to natural consolidation, often augmented by mechanical compaction, and is manifested as increased bulk density. Aeration causes carbon to be released as CO₂. Methods for distinguishing and quantifying these processes are discussed. Exchanges of CH₄ and N₂O are also changed by plantation development and are influenced by management practices but the quantities involved are small and in some cases peat soils even act as a sink and not a source, of these gases. There are seasonal changes in the GHG fluxes related to both water table depth and rainfall, and emissions of CH₄ and N₂O can be promoted by nitrogen application. GHG exchange of reclaimed peat is dominated by CO₂ despite the higher global warming potential of CH₄ and N₂O. Methods for estimating CO₂ fluxes are reviewed and their shortcomings are examined. The importance of adequately distinguishing between emission sources, e.g. root and microbial respiration when evaluating carbon fluxes at the surface of peat soils is emphasised.

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