Evaluation of the Role of Pollinator Insect Population Density on Fruit Set and Average Bunch Weight of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.)

Abstract

The activity of the pollinating insect Elaeidobius kamerunicus Faust strongly determines

fertilization efficiency and the production quality of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). This

study evaluated the effect of pollinator population density per hectare (individuals ha⁻¹) on

two key production parameters: Fruit Set (%) and Average Bunch Weight (ABW, kg).

Observations were made on two density groups K1 (< 20,000 individuals ha⁻¹, low density)

and K2 (> 20,000 individuals ha⁻¹, optimal density) at PT Bahruny, Rimba Sawang Estate,

Aceh Tamiang, over six months (August 2025–January 2026). Data were analyzed

descriptively. The results showed that the higher density group (K2) achieved a markedly

higher Fruit Set (77%) and ABW (11.5 kg per bunch) than the low-density group (K1), which

recorded 60% and 10.4 kg per bunch. These findings indicate that maintaining a pollinator

population above 20,000 individuals ha⁻¹ is associated with better fruit formation and heavier

bunches, and support pollinator population management as a strategy to improve oil palm

productivity.