The pesticides used in oil palm plantations are mainly herbicides and insecticides. As herbicides are relatively cheap, they have become the most cost-effective mode of weed control. Herbicides are regularly applied to immature oil palm especially palms less than eight years old when the canopy is less dense. Fluroxypyr is one of the commonly used herbicides. The use of herbicides may have adverse effects on the environment, and consequently on human health. Pesticides residues in the soil and groundwater are major environmental concerns, and there is need to determine their levels to control the level of contamination.

Main Research: Halimah Muhammad