INCREASING THE POPULATION OF OIL PALM WEEVIL (Elaeidobius kamerunicus) USING HATCH AND CARRY BOX TECHNIQUE IN OIL PALM CULTIVATION ON TROPICAL PEAT SOIL

The decline in the oil palm weevil, Elaeidobius kamerunicus population has led to inadequate pollination, posing a significant challenge in oil palm production.The decrease in population may be linked to the widespread application of cypermethrin insecticide, which is commonly used to control the bunch moth, Tirathaba rufivena.This could be due to the insecticide's impact on the behavioural and physiological traits of the moth population, potentially reducing their ability to thrive and exhibit aggressive tendencies.Consequently, low fruit setting rates (≤65.0%)and bunch failures have been observed in these estates.This study was conducted in a private oil palm plantation in Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia aimed to assess the impact of E. kamerunicus on oil palm productivity.To address this issue, a hatch and carry box technique was devised.This technique involved hatching adult E. kamerunicus and then dispersing them in targeted areas of the oil palm plantation after coating them with highly viable pollen (≥85.0%).Following two months of application, there was a significant increase (p