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In 2010, the oil palm planted area in Malaysia was 5.0 million hectares. The oil palm industry is labour-intensive, requiring many workers for the various plantation operations. The current system of infield collection of oil palm fresh fruit bunches (FFB) using trailer-type vehicles; in particular the mini-tractor-trailer system, is well-received by estate management. However, their … Read more

The total area of peatland in Malaysia is approximately 2.42 million hectares, with 719 944 ha (30%) in Peninsular Malaysia, 121 514 ha (4.6%) in Sabah and 1 588 142 ha (65.4%) in Sarawak. Currently, the total area of oil palm planted on peat soil is about 666 038 ha (mainly in Sarawak). Most of … Read more

Pheromone trapping is considered an easy method for controllung flying insects. Several studies have shown that mass trapping has been used either in long-term pest management [e.g. conling moth (Cydia pomonella), pink bollworm (Pectinophora gossypiella), bark beetles, palm weevils, corn rootworm (Diabrotica spp.) and fruit flies], or in the eradication of invasive species [e.g. gypsy … Read more

Interest in biological control has increased considerably in respone to the various effects of pesticides on the environment. Boilogical control favours conservation and the sustainable use of biological resources. Mass rearing and release of natural enemies are needed to attain sufficiently low pest populations. Oftern the success of biological control through an increased release of … Read more

Termites can be a serious threat to oil palm grown on peat, particularly during the early development of the crop. The common control method against termites is by the use of chemicals. Chlorprifos and fipronil are the most widely used insecticides for termite management (Zulkefli, 2007). Chemical spraying onto palm trunks up to the shoots … Read more