Attractiveness preferences of Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust. to different composition volatile organic compounds of female inflorescence on clay, sandy, and peat soil type

Abstract

Preference of pollination insect Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust. to the female inflorescence of oil palms influenced by volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from the receptive flowers. VOCs, one factor of the pollination process, need more intensive research to escalate the production value of oil palm, such as fruit set. However, some cases occur in the suboptimal area where pollination is un-optimal. This research aims to study the E. kamerunicus preferences for different VOCs composition from female inflorescence on clay, sandy, and peat soil type. This study used a modified olfactometer as the test equipment. The extraction VOCs of female inflorescence on three different soil types used the maceration method and was analyzed by Gas Chromatography and Mass Spectrometry (GC-MS) instrument. The percentage of attraction E. kamerunicus preference to female inflorescence on clay, sandy, and peat soil types were 40%, 33%, and 24%. GC-MS analysis results showed that VOCs were only detected on clay soil types with a content of 1.11%, known as an attractant, namely Benzene, 1-methoxy-4 (2-Propenyl). It can affect the variation of preference of E. kamerunicus to the female inflorescence.