Assessment Of Oil Palm Pollinating Weevil (Elaeidobius Kamerunicus) Population Density In Biparental Dura X Pisifera Hybrids On Deep Peat-Soil In Perak State, Malaysia

Simple SummaryElaeidobius kamerunicus is the most efficient pollinator in oil palm plantations. The decline in the oil palm fruit-set and oil yield can be offset with this pollinator weevil. This study measured the population density of E. kamerunicus in biparental dura x pisifera hybrids. The result showed a significant variation in the population density of the weevils among the planting materials. The female population was higher than the male weevil across the hybrids. The highest weevil population was recorded on the third day of anthesis with a decline in its population in subsequent anthesis. The highest mean of E. kamerunicus population per spikelet and its population density per month was recorded in January. Hybrid ECPHP550 had the highest mean of E. kamerunicus per spikelet and its population density per palm. Hybrid ECPHP550 could be used in palm plantations to maximize the weevil population, especially the male weevil because of its pollen carrying capacity; thus, pollination in palm plantations can be improved in achieving good fruit-set and oil yield.This study was conducted to assess the Elaeidobius kamerunicus (EK) population density among the biparental dura x pisifera hybrids' palms on deep peat-soil. Twenty-four hybrids derived from 10 genetic sources were used. Variance analysis showed that the EK population density varies between different oil palm hybrids, with a more noticeable variation of a low population mean in the male weevil across the hybrids. The highest weevil population mean/spikelet was attained on the third day of anthesis. The maximum monthly population of EK/spikelet (12.81 +/- 0.23) and population density of EK (1846.49 +/- 60.69) were recorded in January. Accordingly, 41.67% of the hybrids recorded an EK population density greater than the trial means of 973.68 weevils. Hybrid ECPHP550 had the highest mean of EK/spikelet (10.25 +/- 0.11) and the highest population density of EK/palm (1241.39 +/- 73.74). The parental mean population was 963.24 weevils and parent Deli-Banting x AVROS recorded the highest EK population density (1173.01). The overall results showed a notable disparity in the EK population among the biparental hybrids. Parental Deli-Banting x AVROS and hybrid ECPHP550 could be more useful to optimize the weevil population for pollination improvements in palm plantations. However, we suggest that volatile production should be included as a desirable trait in oil palm selective breeding.