Studies on Entomophil pollination towards sustainable production and increased profitability in the oil Palm: a review

2013

english

The paper reviews pollination studies in oil palm in West Africa, the Far East and South and Central America. The main types of pollination in the oil palm, anemophily and entomophily, and other forms of pollination are discussed. The floral characters of the oil palm that promote anemophily and entomophily are: abundant smooth dry pollen grains, enlarged stigmatic surfaces, reduced perianth, coloured perianth and a raised female inflorescence. The critical role played by insects and the resulting increases in yield of fresh fruit bunches (ffb) and oil following introductions of pollinator insects into the plantations in the Far East and Central and South America are mentioned. The introduction of insect pollinators into areas in the Far East with poor fruit set rates led to the cessation of assisted pollination and increased profitability. The introduction of the insect pollinators led to as much as 36 – 80 % improvement in fruit set, a 12 % increase in fruit-to-bunch ratio and a 28 – 54 % increase in mean bunch weight. The oil-to-bunch ratio increased by 9 % and a 43 % improvement recorded in the kernel-to-bunch ratio. Insects belonging to the Elaeidobius spp. (Coleoptera: Curculiondae; Derelominae) are the main insects involved in pollination of the oil palm. Other insects listed are the Prosoestus spp., Microporium spp. (Coleoptera: Nitidilidae) and Atheta spp. (Coleoptera: Staphylinidae). Mystrops spp. are of economic importance in South and Central America. The insects generally carry pollen on their hairy bodies and wings. The bigger and more hairy insects are more efficient pollinators and contribute to adequate fruit set and increased yield. Pollinator insect populations may be conserved through the selective use of insecticides, the proper timing of application, and the mode of application to achieve sustainable production.

Appiah, S. O.; Agyei-Dwarko, D.