Introduction of current pollination techniques and factors affecting pollination effectiveness by Elaeidobius kamerunicus in oil palm plantations on regional and global scale: A review

Factors Affecting Pollination and Pollinators in Oil Palm Plantations: A Review with an Emphasis on the Elaeidobius kamerunicus Weevil (Coleoptera: Curculionidae)

Pollination is crucial for oil palm yield, and its efficiency is influenced by multiple factors, including the effectiveness of Elaeidobius kamerunicus weevils as pollinators in Southeast Asia. Weevils transfer pollen between male and female flowers, leading to successful fertilization and fruit development, which contributes to higher oil palm yields and increased production of valuable oil. Understanding and conserving the weevil population is important for sustainable oil palm cultivation practices. The interaction between pollinators, including weevils, and environmental factors is complex, involving aspects such as pollinator behavior, abundance, diversity, and effectiveness, which are influenced by weather, landscape composition, and pesticide use. Understanding these interactions is critical for promoting sustainable pollination practices, including effective pest management and maintaining optimal pollinator populations. This review discusses various abiotic and biotic factors that affect pollination and pollinators in oil palm plantations, with a particular focus on weevils as primary pollinators. Factors such as rainfall, humidity, oil palm species, temperature, endogamy, parasitic nematodes, insecticides, predators, and proximity to natural forests can impact the weevil population. Further research is recommended to fill knowledge gaps and promote sustainable pollination practices in the oil palm industry.

Elaeidobius kamerunicus (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea): Activity on Oil Palm Flower in Central Kalimantan, Indonesia

<b>Background and Objective:</b> <i>Elaeidobius kamerunicus </i>Faust (Coleoptera: Curculionoidea) is a weevil pollinator oil palm flower, <i>Elaeis guineensis</i> Jacq. (Arecales: Arecaceae) Jacq. Male and female inflorescences attracted the weevil, male inflorescences appeared to provides nectar and pollen but female inflorescences seemed provides the weevils with nectar. The objective of this research was to determine the dynamics of<i> E. kamerunicus </i>activity in pollinating oil palm flowers in Kumai, Central Kalimantan, Indonesia. <b>Materials and Methods:</b> The population of <i>E. kamerunicus </i>that visited male flowers was calculated by taking a sample of 9 spikelets from male inflorescences, while the number of <i>E. kamerunicus </i>that come to female inflorescence was calculated by counting the weevil around the flower. <b>Results:</b> The results of this study showed that peak activity of <i>E. kamerunicus</i> on oil palm flowers<i> </i>occurred between 11.00-12.45. The male flowers blossomed occurred for 6-7 days to complete their inflorescence, while those of the females completed their cycle for 4-5 days. The oviposition of <i>E. kamerunicus </i>females fluctuated from 05.00-18.00. The number of females oviposits in the flower peaked at 09.00. Temperature and maximum light intensity had a positive correlation with the overall density of <i>E. kamerunicus</i> and oviposition by female weevils. The Minimum light intensity affects the abundance and visitation of <i>E. kamerunicus</i> on oil palm flowers. <b>Conclusion:</b> The abundance of <i>E. kamerunicus</i> population in Kumai was established and could give possibility resulting in the better fruit set of oil palm. Conservation efforts can be conducted by maintaining the abundance of the population, especially on the days and hrs of peak abundance of weevils.

Rafii M, Din Amiruddin M, Firdaus Ismail M, Jamian S, Jalloh M, Oladosu Y, Mustakim Mohamad M, Marjuni M, Kolapo OK, Chukwu SC. Assessment of Oil Palm Pollinating Weevil (Elaeidobius kamerunicus) Population Density in Biparental dura × pisifera Hybrids on Deep Peat-Soil in Perak State, Malaysia

This study was conducted to assess the Elaeidobius kamerunicus (EK) population density among the biparental dura × 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 × 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 × 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.