Bulletin issue 14

GREENFEED

BULLETIN ISSUE 14

INTEGRATION OF ESTRAGOLE

(1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) AS ATTRACTANT TO ELAEIDOBIUS KAMERUNICUS FOR OIL PALM POLLINATION IN GREENFEED速 SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER

contents, 2015

As the pioneer in Slow Release Fertilizer within the Southeast Asia Region, Greenfeed Group have relentlessly continues to provide significant improvements into the agricultural industry whether locally or globally. Each of this effort signifies the objectives of Greenfeed Groups through Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer; which is to foster the current practices within this industry such as oil palms towards the advanced precise sustainable agricultural practices. Such as the previous volumes, this series of bulletin will continue to be the channel of education and knowledge sharing to the public in order to increase their awareness in relating topic on the advantages of

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Integration of Estragole as Attractant to Elaeidobius Kameruniscus for Oil Palm Pollination in Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer

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INTEGRATION OF ESTRAGOLE (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) AS ATTRACTANT TO ELAEIDOBIUS KAMERUNICUS FOR OIL PALM POLLINATION IN GREENFEEDÂŽ SLOW RELEASE FERTILIZER

INTRODUCTION Oil palm has been well established to be a cross-pollination crop. Also, it was initially understood that the pollination process was mainly contributed by wind (wind-pollinated); and also that low pollination rate or pollination failures were mainly caused by low proportion of male inflorescences as well as unfavorable atmospheric conditions within the plantation. Lespesme (1946), Beirnaert (1935), and also Alibert (1945) agreed to such understanding and even strengthen the fact that insects were not required for oil palm pollination. Henry (1948) however claimed that insect plays some part within the pollination process and thus studies were carried out to better clarify the pollinating mechanism for oil palms. Furthermore in parts of Southeast Asia, assisted pollination was often required for young palms (Gray, 1966); which was due to lack of male flowers, low wind speeds as well as heavy rains.

Syed (1972, 1982) indicated that oil palms were mainly insect pollinated, and the wind actually played a relatively minor part in pollination. Such revelation was applied to both Cameroon and Malaysia, especially during the rainy season of the initial country. There are numerous species involved in oil palms pollination for each mentioned countries and focusing in Malaysia, Elaeidobius kamerunicus is considered one of the main pollinator for oil palm in Malaysia in the entomofauna that are normally found on male oil palm inflorescence.Based on studies, the introduction of E. kamerunicus into a commercial oil palm plantation in India was observed to increase the Elaeis guineensis fruit set from 36.9% to 56.1%, resulting in 40% increase in bunch weight as well as 11% increase in fruit to bunch ratio (CABI, 2012).

Similar outcomes were observed in Solomon Islands through the introduction of E. kamerunicusas pollinator, which results in increment of oil palm’s fruit set from 47% - 62% to 66% to 78% (Chiraniet al., 1985). Also, during the early introduction in Malaysia in the myear 1981, the bunch weight in total has increased by 10% in Kluang, Johor; and 35% in Sabah.

Hence, explaining the beneficial impact that this weevil population has on oil palm plantation.

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STATEMENT OF PROBLEM Conventional method of attracting E. kamerunicus weevil population through flower Cassia cobanensis and Euphorbia heterophylla requires extensive labor and high maintenance costs during early establishment in commercial oil palm plantation. Such exercise is not practical to cover a significant planted area size. The assisted human pollination is also not suitable for a large scale commercial planting. Furthermore, with reduced number of E. kamerunicus weevil population is expected to affect the oil palm yielding capacity over a period of time. Hence, a proper practice of applying superficial attractant for E. kamerunicus to increase the desired weevil population; without accumulating the labor requirement is to be obtained. Such achievement can be carried out through integration with fertilizing rounds within the plantation cycle.

RESEARCH HYPOTHESIS FOR INVENTION The objective of this paper is to introduce an integrated novel innovation within the oil palm agricultural industry that will well improved oil palm pollination rate through fertilizing routines. This can be carried out accordingly with proper utilization of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) as attractant that will in turn increase the desired E. kamerunicus oil palm weevil population within commercial oil palm plantation. With proper escalation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) concentration within the per said oil palm planting area, the pollination rate, fruit set, and yielding within the designated area are expected to significantly increase.

LITERATURE REFERENCES Oil palm E. guineensis is an enormously successful global crop occupying over 5.4 million hectares in Malaysia and 8.05 million hectare in Indonesia as per June 2012. This global crop provides raw products for food, consumer goods, medicinal properties, and also increasing source for biofuels (Jackson L. et al., 2010). Furthermore, the E. guineensis is the highest oil-yielding crop grown on commercial scale throughout much of Malaysia and Indonesia (Tandon et al., 2001). Furthermore, with current global population growth rate exceeding 8 billion populations and growing, this crop is the best candidate to provide sufficient source of edible oils in order to meet this increasing demand. Hence, sustainability must be achieved apart from meeting the current growing needs without compromising the future potential of this crop (Jackson L.et al., 2010).

Yielding performance can be improved through an imperative study on basic oil palm pollination mechanism as well as introducing significant innovation pertaining to this aspect.

Within this paper, the interaction between Elaeidobius kamerunicus oil palm weevil population with the selected attractant Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) is utilized through the study in the incorporation of such substance into Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer.Though this innovative introduction, it is expected that the oil palm pollinating rate will increase as the population of the weevil increased. Hence resulting in oil palm yielding improvement as well as fruit set count per palm.

Pollination is one the key factor influencing the fruit bunches production in oil palm apart from nutrients, water source, and carbohydrate supply. Pollination rate depends on the pollen supply or availability and the pollinators’ activity. Slight fluctuations of either components would result into increase or decrease in the level of oil palm fruit production.

Furthermore, pollination plays the most vital role in determining the fruit bunch production rate. Nutrient deficiencies, poor pollination or inefficient pollinator’s activity, either separately of combined, will lead to low bunch production (Harun M.H. et al., 2002). Inefficientpollination would results into poor fruit set as well loss in yield due to bunch failure. Such condition was encountered during the early days of oil palm cultivation, especially in young oil palms that produce insufficient male inflorescences. Assisted pollination had to be practiced to overcome the poor fruit set (Gray, 1969; Hardon, 1973; Lawton, 1981).Greathead (1983) stated that in Malaysia, especially Sabah, assisted pollination of oil palm is necessary.

Furthermore, the weevil population does not only consist of E. kamerunicus but the entomofauna is also shared with other species such as E. subvittatus, E. singularis, and T. hawaiiensis. However, T. hawaiiensis was not a very efficient pollinator, and Syed (1982) considered that E. kamerunicus could be useful to be introduced in Malaysia.

E. kamerunicus originated from Cameroon and was observed to be a suitable candidate to be introduced in Malaysia for oil palm pollination through the weevil’s effective pollinator role in the origin country (Jackson L. et al., 2010). Syed (1982) and Kang (1982) showed that E. kamerunicus was unable to complete its life cycle on any species except on Elaeis guineensis, and thus there would be no ecological risk in introducing this weevil species to the Southeast Asia.The weevils chew anther filaments of opened male flowers. When they crawl or move about on the spikelet the pollen grains adhere to their body and during their subsequent visits to the female inflorescences the pollen grains are deposited in the stigma of female flowers. When the weevils crawl over the male inflorescences a large amount of pollen grains are dispersed which are carried by wind (Ponnamma et al., 1986).

a) Oil palm is known to be a monoecious species in which the male and female inflorescences are borne alternately in cycles of varying periods (Tendon et al., 2001). Pollen grains containing starch constitute the major food source of the oil palm weevils, which inhabits the male inflorescences in large numbers. Such population can come up to approximately 3000 weevils per inflorescence during the pollen shedding stage. The pollination process for oil palms was initially established to be mainly wind pollinated and that pollination failures resulted mainly from low proportion of male inflorescences and unfavorable atmospheric condition (Corley et al., 2003). In West Africa, similar understanding was established and hand pollination was carried out on plantations that were suffering from low fruit set (Jackson L. et al., 2010). However, through the introduction of E. kamerunicus in the year 1981 in Malaysia, problems pertaining to poor pollination were relieved (Syed et al., 1982; Basri et al., 1983; 1987).

b) Figure 1: a) male E. kamerunicus weevil b) female E. kamerunicus weevil

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Chemical molecules emitted by inflorescences control the pollination process, which attracts E. kamerunicus. The male inflorescence in which the insects develop is highly attractive to E. kamerunicus and, through an olfactory deception phenomenon; they visit the female inflorescence on which they deposit pollen. There is therefore a mutual exchange between the insect and the plant. A chemical analysis of the volatile organic compounds involved revealed that E. guineensis flowers of both sexes emit a main component, Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) (Lajis et al., 1985).

Time series analysis reveals that the flying activities of E. kamerunicus on male inflorescence of oil palm start at 08.00 and reached the peak time at 11.00 am -12.00 am. The maximum density of E. kamerunicus on male inflorescence was counted at 08.00 am, 11.00 am, and 12.00 am. The maximum oviposition activities were counted at 08.00 am, 11.00 am, 14.00 am, and 16.00 am. The peak time of flying activities and the maximum of visitation frequency of E. kamerunicus on female inflorescence recorded from 11.00 am -11.30 am. However, the total visiting frequency of E. kamerunicus visited female inflorescence was 128 beetles/30 minutes. This result shows that only few beetles do activities in female flower than in male flower (Anggriani A, 2010).

Figure #: Variation of insect activities on inflorescences during anthesis (Hala N. et al., 2012)

female

The volatile compound emits by oil palms attracting E. kamerunicus weevil population was established to be Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene).

Estragole or 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene (AMOB) is an oxygenated volatile organic compound (OVOC) with molecular weight of 148 and a boiling point of 216 oC at atmospheric pressure, and therefore should be regarded as a semi-volatile organic compound. Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) is not classified as terpenoid regardless of its C10 structure because it is produced by the phenyl-propanoid pathway rather than a terpenoid pathway.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 14, 2015

It has many synonyms, of which the most commonly used after Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) are methyl chavicol, p-allylanisole, isoanethole, chavicyl methyl ether or 1-methoxy-4-prop-2-enylbenzene.

Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) is the original term attributed to the compound (P.K. Mitszal et al., 2010). Furthermore a study was carried out utilizing Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) was used as attractant compared with the Adas (Foeniculum vulgare Mill) and Anis (Pimpinella anisum L) oil. The result of such study indicated that Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) attracted more E. kamerunicus and statistically different compared to Adas and Anis oil (Angrianni A., 2010). Hence, reference to such fundamental studies indicated that E. kamerunicus population is affected by the selected attractant Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) semi-volatile compound that is emitted by the oil palm male and female inflorescences. In regards to the incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) onto Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer that would have improving impact on the pollinating rate, relative to the increased population of E. kamerunicus weevil on oil palm inflorescences; several precautions were outlined with referred to the possible carcinogenicity of such compound.

Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) was generally 1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) wa recognized as safe (GRAS) by the Expert Panel of the Flavor and Extract Manufacturers' Association (Hall an and Oser, 1965) and is approved ved by the US Food and Drug Administration A (FDA) for food ood use (21 CFR 121.1164). This Th compound occurs naturally including tarragon lly in a variety of foods inclu (60-75% of essential ssential oil), sweet basil (20-43% of essential oil), sweet fennel anis vert (1% of nnel (5-20% of essential oil), ani essential oil), and anis star (5-6% of essential oi oil) (Council of Europe, 2000). However, based on indoor analytic research, it was reported that Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) and its metabolite induce hepatic tumors on the referred mammal sample group. Such induction was carried out through dietary exposure with increasing dosage (European Commission, 2001). Hence, to ensure minimum risk posed from Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) within industrial practices, the total dermal exposure resulting from limited use of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) as referred to the updated International Fragrance Association (IFRA) Standard (2009) is 0.04 mg/kg body weight / day. Furthermore, for finished product, the total concentration of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) should not be exceeding 0.2% of the total finished product (IFRA Standard, 2009), which in this case is the manufacturing of Greenfeed速 Slow Release Fertilizer.

Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer is an improved fertilizer grouped within High Efficient Fertilizer; which allows nutrient release into the soil for root absorption over a significant period of time. The Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer was formulated specifically according to the oil palm planting age group of immature oil palms, mature oil palms, and highly mature / prime mature oil palms. With Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer, fertilizing oil palms can be carried out once over a period of 6 months or 2 (two) rounds annually. Such frequency is distinctively reduced as compared to the current commercial practices that could come up to 4 (four) to 7 (seven) rounds per year. Furthermore, the application recommendations or dosage are also significantly reduced to an approximate ratio of 1:10 when compared to the commercial fertilizing practices within the industry. Such capacity delivered through Greenfeed® Slow Release fertilizer not only fulfill the required additional nutrient supply by oil palms but also able to include green practices within the planting cycle. Furthermore, with comprehensive understanding on inter-chemical composition interaction within the fertilizer, innovative improvements can be achieved with the incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) into the formulation. This can be achieved through sound manipulation of Zeolite as well as improved coating that allows the binding of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) onto the formulation without affecting the primary elements within every Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer nuggets.

Figure #: Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer nugget standard dimension OBJECTIVE OF INVENTION The objective of this paper is to introduce an integrated novel innovative invention within the oil palm agricultural industry that will well improve oil palm pollination rate through fertilizing routines. Such innovative effort can be attained through the incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) onto Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer formulation with the improved coating mechanisms that allow the preservation of the semi-volatile compound onto each Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer nuggets.

DISCUSSION & JUSTIFICATION OF INVENTION The introduction to such novel invention is carried out based on the urgent needs to increase oil palm yield records per hectare per year in order to remain competitive as the global key player of such edible oil. With limited arable area for such crop, the policy should be change into maximizing the output per hectare in term of fruit set and bunch weight from exploring more area for future oil palm plantation. Innovative invention involving integration of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) into fertilizer formulation has yet to be introduced within this industry. Hence, with proper knowledge and competitive technological support, such invention can be achieved.

The E. kamerunicus weevil was selected based on the profound effect that this family of weevil has on oil palms pollinating rate as well as on fruit set formation. In Malaysia, there are two established oil palm pollinators, which were E. kamerunicus and T. hawaiiensis. The later was observed to be less efficient for Malaysia. E. kamerunicus population was also observed to be relatively uniform regardless of dry or wet season that can be experienced in Malaysia. Hence, making this weevil the most suitable candidate for commercial practice in oil palm plantations in Malaysia. Through E. kamerunicus pollination, fruit set was greatly improved that leads to larger, heavier, and more compact bunches with an increase in the oil to bunch ratio from under 19% to approximately 23%-25%; mostly from trees aged 4 – 10 Years After Planting (YAP).

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Regardless of the claims that with increased in E. kamerunicus population, increased in rat population was also observed in which the rats feed on the larvae; the advantageous of E. kamerunicus appeared to outweigh the disadvantages, but nevertheless further monitoring is required (Wahid et al., 1983). In Cameroon, introduction of such pollinators has managed to increase the yield performance by 20% and with the discontinuation of the assisted hand pollination; the introduction of this weevil is worth some US$ 115 million per year to the planters (CABI, 2012). In Malaysia, after the introduction of E. kamerunicus weevil population into the palm oil plantation, total yield was 20% higher in Peninsular Malaysia and 53% higher in Sabah (Ponnamma et al., 1986).

Furthermore, since the introduction of this pollinating weevil, E. kamerunicus, however fruit set has improved and early bunches no longer tend to rot (Nazeeb et al., 1988). Another positive impact through the increase of this weevil population on commercial oil palm plantation in Indonesia indicated that more weevil were found on mature palms (98 – 132 spikelets) than on young palms. Increase in fruit set of 30.3% and 38.0% in mature and younger palms respectively were observed (Hutauruk et al., 1984).

In summarizing the positive effect on the introduction of E. kamerunicus weevil population in Malaysia, such introduction dispense the needs for assistance pollination, significantly improve in fruit set from an average of 52% to 71%, increase in fruit to bunch ratio from average of 57.7% to 64.7%, increase in mean bunch weight from 14.6 kg to 18.7 k, improve in oil to bunch ratio from mean 23.3% to 25.4%, and also improvement in kernel to bunch ratio from 4.6% to 6.6% (Basri, 1984).

Figure #: Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) flux with relative to canopy temperature (Misztal P.K. et al.,2010)

Figure #: Average diurnal cycles of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) flux with comparison to canopy temperature (Misztal P.K. et al., 2010)

Introduction of E. kamerunicus is advisable to be carried out after 2 ½ Years After Planting (YAP) as it will be able to improve fruit set formation during early planting age.

Furthermore, if the young palms are not having a good girth and vigor release; the advisable weevil introduction is to be carried out during the 3rd Year After Planting (YAP) (Anggriani A., 2010). This is due to the low formation of male inflorescences that has the capacity of emitting Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene), which would attract this population of oil palm weevil. Hence, external introduction of such attractant is advisable in order to increase the activity of this weevil population.

Figure #: Average diurnal cycles of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) flux in oil palm plantation in Box-and-Whisker plots showing day-to-day variability (Misztal P.K. et al., 2010).

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The E. kamerunicus activity is observed to begin as early as 8:00 am until 3:00 pm with peak period to vary within 9:00 am until 1:00 pm. The active period of the weevil population seemed to relatively coincide with the Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) emission flux by the oil palms’ inflorescences.

Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) incorporation during manufacturing process.

Coated.

Applied to the desired planting area. Buried.

Hence, with additional introduction of the selected attractant within the area, would be able to prolong the active period of E. kamerunicus within the plantation apart from increasing the population of the weevil within the desired area. Furthermore, both male and female inflorescences emit Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) that attracts the weevil. However, female inflorescences yielded higher Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) concentration but over a short period (several hours) of time as compared to male inflorescences the yielded lower Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) concentration over a longer period of time (up to 5 days). Hence, explaining the “short” visiting period of E. kamerunicus onto the female inflorescences during anthesis. However, with the introduction of integrated Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) within Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer, such ‘short” visit of the weevil due to confusion can be prolonged and the visiting frequency can be improved over time. Hence, pollination rate can be improved significantly resulting in increased fruit set and bunch weight.

Coating dissolves / degraded. Begin release or emission of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene)

Penetrating through soil into the environment

Some will be absorbed by oil palm's pinnae and retained over a period of time

Assist with maintaining the Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) attractant concentration within the desired area.

Attracts more population of E. kamerunicus weevil.

The incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) into fertilizer formulation has yet to be achieved as it could be caused by several factors such as limited manufacturing capacity, lack of technical fundamentals on Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) and also on the behavior of such semi-volatile compound.

As stated by the IFRA Standard, the Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) concentration guideline is to not exceed 0.2% of the total finished good weight. Hence, for every single manufactured package of 20 kg, the allowed maximum Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) content is approximately 40 g. Since this compound is highly volatile, during manufacturing, the compound emission is restrained through the improved coating that will only be degraded once applied in the plantation buried within the soil. Since the compound behaves as semi-volatile, the emission can be achieved regardless of the nuggets buried within the soil.

Increase oil palm yielding, fruit set, oil to bunch ratio, and so forth.

Figure

#:

Theoretical

flow

chart

layout

for

Estragole

(1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) emission on the oil palm plantation.

With the introduction of Estragole-Integrated (Politech) Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer into the commercial oil palm plantation, it was expected that the increment of the weevil populations to increase progressively achieving 5000 weevils visiting each female inflorescences with estimated 600 pollen grains being carried by each weevil (Syed, 1979). Hence, with the introduction of the Estragole-Integrated Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer, low pollination rate due to less availability of viable pollen, arid weather, and low weevil population issues faced by several commercial oil palm planters can be managed properly without having to draw additional costs into the plantation annual cycle practices.

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This novel innovation will be introduced as Politech Fertilizer, which retains the primary functions of Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer with the addition characteristic is able to improve the oil palm pollination rate through the incorporation of the required attractant Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) into the fertilizer formulation. This integration does not change of physically and chemically affect the nutrient composition within each nugget and also able to retain the implied slow release properties over the claimed period of 6 months to 9 months. Furthermore, the overall oil palm yield records within the later 6 months for the area applied with Politech Fertilizer is expected to improve by 15% to 25%.

CONCLUSION The objective of this paper is to introduce an integrated novel innovative invention within the oil palm agricultural industry that will well improve oil palm pollination rate through fertilizing routines. Such innovative effort can be attained through the incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) onto Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer formulation with the improved coating mechanisms that allow the preservation of the semi-volatile compound onto each Greenfeed® Slow Release Fertilizer nuggets.

This innovative invention fertilizer that is known as Politech Fertilizer will have the capacity to supply the required nutrients by oil palms according to growth requirements over a significant period of time with only twice required fertilizing rounds, and also is able to improve the desired oil palm pollination rate. This was based on the initial hypothesis that affirmed improvement in oil palm yield with increment of the general weevil population of E. kamerunicus through the incorporation of Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) into the fertilizer without requiring any additional costs for maintenance.

The selected weevil family was Elaeidobius sp. specifically E. kamerunicus that was introduced to Malaysia and other Southeast Asia countries during early 1980’s. This type of weevil is known to have improved mean fruit set records, oil to bunch ratio, and also yield performances. Furthermore, the specific attractant selected was Estragole (1-allyl-4-methoxybenzene) that is observed to be able to attract the desired weevil in a much more effective manner. Furthermore, the allowed Estragole concentration for finished product is to not exceed 0.2% from the total finished product; hence, not causing confusion for the weevil to reach the oil palms’ inflorescences.

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Brundtland GH (Ed): Our Common Future/World Commission on Environment and Development. Oxford: Oxford University Press; 1987.

Corley RHV: How much palm oil do we need? Environ Sci Policy 2009, 12:134-139.

Danielsen H, Beukema H, Burgess ND, Parish F, Bruhl CA, Donald PF, Murdiyarso D, Phalan B, Reijnders L, Struebig M et al.:Biofuel plantations on forested lands: double jeopardy for biodiversity and climate change. Conserv Biol 2009, 23:348-358.

FAO - FAOSTAT Online Statistical Service: Food and Agricultural Organisation of the United Nations. 2009 In: http://faostat.fao.org.(accessed November 2009).

Hardon JJ, Turner PD: Observations on natural pollination in commercial plantings of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in Malaya. Exp Agric 1967, 3:105-116.

Hartley, C. W. S.: The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), 3rd edn., Tropical Agriculture Series, Longman Scientific and Technical, Harlow, 1988.

Hussein, M. Y., Lajis, N. H., and Ali, J. H.: Biological and chemical factors associated with the successful introduction of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust, the oil palm pollinator in Malaysia, Acta Hort. (ISHS), 288, 81–87, 1991.

Hussein, M. Y., Lajis, N. H., Kinson, A., and Teo, C. B.: Laboratory and field evaluation on the attractancy of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust to 4-allylanisole, Porim Bull., 18, 20–26, 1989.

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Misztal, P. K., Nemitz, E., Langford, B., Coyle, M., Ryder, J., DiMarco, C., Phillips, G., Oram, D., Owen, S., Heal, 5 M. R., and Cape, J. N.: First direct ecosystem fluxes of VOCs from oil palms in SE Asia, Atmos. Chem. Phys. Discuss., in preparation, 2010.

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GREENFEED BULLETIN ISSUE 14, 2015

Novelt y

Technological

Intr oduction

Greenfeed able revolutionized Gree ree eenfee nfeed nfee ed da are rre e ab ble ble le to to int in iintroduce ntro ntr tro rod od duc duc uce ce a re rev evo vol olut olu utio tion oni nize niz zed ed achievement achievem em ment me nt that that will th wiilll propagate wil prop opa pag ga atte ate e agriculture agric ag riicu cu ulttu ultu ure e int iinto in nto to o a whole new level. Achieving synergistic equilibrium in organic and inorganic elements, Greenfeed Group is now proud to introduce Greenfeed E-Biotic Technology into the commercial fertilizer industry. E-Biotic consists of

Greenfeed® ActiveWeed technological system utilises synergistic platform without causing development impairment to the plant. c The acting mechanisms inhibits pre-emerging weed growth within the plant’s vicinity. Hence, w p pl planters, farmers, and gardeners will be able to carry out “feed and weed” activity simultaneously without any hassle. Promoting better agronomy efficiency towards greener practice. This is attainable without harming the p environment, resulting in a much more sustainable practice.

improved selected microorganisms that have resounding amending properties that are beneficial to both soil and plant’s growth. Current Greenfeed Slow Release Fertilizer has been proven effective for commercial planting and with intergration of E-Biotic, fertilizer industry has been brought onto a whole new level.

The principle behind Greenfeed® POLITECH is to introduce alternative attractor that could attract the E. kamerunicus to the oil palms with the intention on further assist pollinating progression. The most suitable candidate for the selection of attractant is Estragole or methyl Chavicol (a natural non-hazardous and environmentally friendly organic compound) which is widely known as main attractant of E. kamerunicus.

These incorporation has allow Greenfeed® fertilizer to attract more substantial of E. kamerunicus to the palms for further pollination process.

Greenfeed® Hydrocell H20+ is a hydro format retaining fertilizer that comes with polymeric membrane that is capable of absorbing water, holding it and releases via the methodology of slow release. This product is designed in a special form of high pressed nugget 16g ~18g respectively, the enriched hydrocell within will not only help plant to develop a stronger rooting mass for better nutrient intake. It also have the capacity to retain and stored water in the environment where water is scarce.

I-Trace will emit luminescence properties that will allow planters to carry out residual tasks such as monitoring the nutrient supply status of the fertilizer as well as decision-making. The luminous characteristic of I-Trace capability was achieved through the realisation of the luminescence reaction that occurred instantaneously. The reaction is known as photoluminescence, which is a process known as resonant radiations involving absorption and emission of photons. The period between absorbing the energy to the emission of photon occurred for as rapid as 10 nanosecond.

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