Citation
Caudwell R . W ., . Insect pollination of oil palm - time to evaluate the long-term viability and sustainability of Elaeidobius kamerunicus. pp. 181-190. ISSN 0126-575X
Abstract
The African pollinating weevil Elaeidobius kamerunicus was introduced from Africa into the oil palm growing regions of Asia and the Pacific in the early 1980s. These introductions were very successful despensing with the need for assisted pollination significantly improving fruitset and hence increasing yields. The introduction therefore made a significant contribution to the economic viability of oil palm throughout the region. However there are now serious concerns about the narrow genetic base of the weevil population as well as the detrimental effects of parasitism of the weevils by nematodes. These matters should be taken very seriously by the industry and research should be undertaken with the utmost urgency to address these problems. This paper discusses insect pollination of oil palm in general as well as giving the background to the introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus into Asia and the Pacific. Details are also given of a research project currently being conducted in Papua New Guinea to address the concerns about the weevil population. It is concluded that this is an appropriate time for the oil palm industry to evaluate the long-term viability and sustainability of Elaeidobius kamerunicus and suggested that it may be more effective for this to be done at a regional level.
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Abstract
The African pollinating weevil Elaeidobius kamerunicus was introduced from Africa into the oil palm growing regions of Asia and the Pacific in the early 1980s. These introductions were very successful despensing with the need for assisted pollination significantly improving fruitset and hence increasing yields. The introduction therefore made a significant contribution to the economic viability of oil palm throughout the region. However there are now serious concerns about the narrow genetic base of the weevil population as well as the detrimental effects of parasitism of the weevils by nematodes. These matters should be taken very seriously by the industry and research should be undertaken with the utmost urgency to address these problems. This paper discusses insect pollination of oil palm in general as well as giving the background to the introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus into Asia and the Pacific. Details are also given of a research project currently being conducted in Papua New Guinea to address the concerns about the weevil population. It is concluded that this is an appropriate time for the oil palm industry to evaluate the long-term viability and sustainability of Elaeidobius kamerunicus and suggested that it may be more effective for this to be done at a regional level.
Additional Metadata
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Summary (En) |
| AGROVOC Term: | OIL PALMS |
| AGROVOC Term: | POLLINATION |
| AGROVOC Term: | OPEN POLLINATION |
| AGROVOC Term: | ELAEIDOBIUS KAMERUNICUS |
| AGROVOC Term: | CURCULIONIDAE |
| AGROVOC Term: | VIABILITY |
| AGROVOC Term: | SUSTAINABILITY |
| AGROVOC Term: | PAPUA NEW GUINEA PALMAS OLEAGINOSAS |
| AGROVOC Term: | POLINIZACION |
| AGROVOC Term: | POLINIZACION LIBRE |
| Depositing User: | Ms. Norfaezah Khomsan |
| Last Modified: | 24 Apr 2025 05:52 |
| URI: | http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/17890 |
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