Integrated pest management in sustainable palm oil production

Publication date: 19/03/2018
Extent: 22 pages

Contributions by: Edgar Clive Turner and Julie Hinsch, University of Cambridge, UK

Chapter synopsis: Integrated Pest Management (IPM) is central to sustainable palm oil production. This chapter explores the rapid expansion of oil palm and its impact on the environment, the range of pest species found in plantations, and the impact of replanting on pest numbers. The chapter introduces the concept and history of IPM in oil palm as well as the diverse range of approaches that form IPM strategies, including plant breeding, targeted chemical applications, management to reduce pest numbers and transmission, and management to increase the numbers of natural enemies and pathogens of pests. The chapter concludes by considering how approaches focused on more diverse oil palm landscapes and more diverse pest control species assemblages can increase the effectiveness of IPM.

DOI: 10.19103/AS.2017.0018.18