Effect Of Weed On Oil Palm Inflorenscence Production: Implication On Elaeidobius kamerunicus Population

Abstract

Weed consistently depressed the performance of oil palm and this depressive effect was attributed to aggressive growth resources, smothering of the oil palm and preventing the palm from proper ventilation and solar radiation. Weed interference on inflorescence production of oil palm was assessed with the view of determining its implication on Elaeidobius kamerunicus population .E. kamerunicus is an important insect that plays a key role in natural pollination in oil palm. They are mostly found in male oil palm inflorescence. Data were collected from weed-free palms and weed-infested palms on number of male and Female inflorescence production, number of fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and the population of E. kamerunicus. Weed had a highly significant (P<0.01) effect on female inflorescence production and numbers of fresh fruit bunches. However, there was no significant difference observed between weed- free palms and weed-infested palms on number of male inflorescence production and population of E. kamerunicus. It was therefore suggested that for optimal production, newly established fields of oil palm Plantation, should be properly maintained.

Keywords: Weed, Oil palm inflorescence, Elaeidobius kamerunicus

Journal of Agriculture, Forestry and the Social Sciences Vol. 4 (2) 2006: pp. 89-93