Integrated Pest Management (IPM) in Oil Palm, Elaeis guineensis Jacq.

Abstract

The edible oil of Elaeis guineensis Jacq., oil palm, is crucial in filling the demand gap and meet the growing need for edible oil worldwide. Although all precautions have been taken to minimize the introduction of pest populations along with seed sprouts from importing countries, some pests are still found to invade crops and cause production losses. Most of these populations have been found to come from other Arecaceae palms such as coconut, palmyrah and betel nut that may be commonly found around oil palm fields. It has been estimated that the above pests reduced oil palm yield by 20–30%, persisted for several years after attack, depending on cultivation methods, and returned to previous yield levels within a few years of attack. The minor pests of coconut, palmyrah, and maize, psychid and slug caterpillar were discovered to be very invasive on oil palm, resulting in output losses of up to 50%. The presence of favorable conditions such as low temperature and high humidity within oil palm plantations may possibly be the reason for migration. The production losses caused by these migratory pests affect the sustainability of the produce and thus agriculture, so it is important to apply the good management practices.

Adoption of mechanization alternatives in oil palm crops in the Colombian Orinoquía natural region

“…Some of the most serious threats are Lethal wilt, Bud rot and basal stem rot, which can reduce the productivity and sustainability of oil palm crops. Therefore, it is crucial to explore the possibility of enhancing the applications for pest and disease management in oil palm (Pinnamaneni and Potineni, 2022). This could help to protect the oil palm from these harmful agents and improve its resilience and performance.…”

Improving Edible Oilseed (Oil Palm) Health and Productivity: Integration of Sustainable Pest Management, Precision Farming, and Stakeholder Collaboration

“…Insect pests such as the African E. guineensis weevil and the red palm weevil target the reproductive structures of E. guineensis trees, including flowers and young fruits. Their feeding activities disrupt the pollination process and damage developing fruits, leading to a decline in fruit set and ultimately reducing E. guineensis yields [13][14][15]. Weeds also compete with E. guineensis trees for essential resources, inhibiting growth and development and further contributing to yield losses [23,[47][48][49].…”

“…IPM strategies offer a holistic and multifaceted approach to pest control, combining cultural, biological, mechanical, and chemical control methods to minimize pest damage while minimizing environmental impacts [29]. By integrating pest monitoring, biological control, habitat manipulation, and agronomic practices, IPM aims to optimize pest control efficacy while reducing reliance on chemical pesticides and promoting ecosystem resilience [14,65]. Conventional pest control approaches in E. guineensis cultivation are associated with various limitations and challenges, including chemical dependency, non-target effects, environmental degradation, and limited long-term efficacy.…”

“…guineensis plantations, predominantly found in tropical regions, face a myriad of pest pressures ranging from insects and pathogens to vertebrate pests [3,11,12]. Among the key pests, the African E. guineensis weevil (Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust) stands prominent as a major threat to E. guineensis pollination, causing substantial yield losses [13,14]. Additionally, the red palm weevil (Rhynchophorus ferrugineus) inflicts severe damage by feeding on palm tissues and transmitting various pathogens, exacerbating the economic impact on plantations [15].…”