TEMPORAL GEOSPATIAL ASSESSMENT OF COCOA POLLINATOR, Forcipomyia IN COCOA PLANTATION AREA

SARIPAH Bakar, NOR AIZAM ADNAN, UMMU SYAIRA AIN REDZUWAN

Abstract


The objective of the study is to investigate the pollinator, Forcipomyia spp. (Diptera: Ceratopogonidae) population after augmentation of different breeding medium stuffed in the portable breeding container. The observation was carried out both in the laboratory and in the cocoa field, and temporal geospatial assessment was obtained through geospatial analysis. A spatial distribution map of the pollinator population was produced to determine the distribution according to substrates, distances, and duration. The population of the cocoa pollinator in the laboratory was observed for 60 days. Meanwhile, field observation was carried out for the period of 94 days (Days 1, 12, 24, 38, 52, 66, 80 and 94), at four distances (2, 5, 8 and 12 m). Three breeding mediums were selected, which were cocoa pod husk, banana stump, and combination of cocoa pod husk and insect-infested pods. The data were analyzed using statistical software, as well as using Geographical Information System (GIS), and geospatial statistic. Contradict results were obtained both for laboratory and in the field where banana stumps harbored the highest number of pollinators in the former observation. Meanwhile, in the latter observation, cocoa pod husk harbored a higher number of captured pollinators compared with the other breeding medium. The results denoted that cocoa pod husk and banana stumps should be considered as the most appropriate medium for pollinator increment in the cocoa plantation. Continue adding the breeding medium inside the container after Day-60 and increased the number of an individual breeding container are promoted for the sustainability of the population for more extended period. With the aid of geospatial interpolation technique, temporal geospatial assessment of cocoa pollinator can be determined more accurately. This information will be benefited cocoa operators to determine the best time to augment more breeding medium as well placement of breeding substrates to increased pollinator population in the cocoa field.

 


Full Text:

PDF

References


Abdul Hakim, S. 2014. Enhancing the distribution visualization and analysis of Cocoa black ants using geospatial system. Master thesis, Universiti Teknologi Mara, Shah Alam.

Adjaloo, M.K. & Oduro, W. 2013. Insect assemblage and the pollination system in cocoa ecosystems. Journal of Applied Biosciences 62: 4582-4594.

Azhar, I. & Wahi, S. M. 1984. Pollination ecology of cocoa in Malaysia: Identification of taxonomic composition and breeding sites, ecology and pollinating activities, and seasonal abundance. In Chew, P.S. & Pushparajah, E.P. (ed.). Cocoa and Coconut: Progress and Outlook, pp. pp. 1-15. Kuala Lumpur: Universiti Malaya.

Azhar, I. 1990. Cocoa pollinators and approaches to enhance pollination in Malaysia. MARDI Report 138: 1-9.

Blaauw, B.R. & Isaacs, R. 2014. Flower plantings increase wild bee abundance and the pollination services provided to a pollination-dependent crop. Journal of Applied Ecology 51 (4): 890-898.

Brew, A.H. 1984. Studies on cocoa pollination in Ghana. Proceedings of 9th International Cocoa Research Conference, Lome, Ghana, pp. 567-571.

Chang, K.T. 2016. Introduction to Geographical Information Systems. 8th Ed. Singapore: Mc Graw Hill Education (Asia).

Crenna, E., Sala, S., Polce, C. & Collina, E. 2017. Pollinators in life cycle assessment: towards a framework for impact assessment. Journal of Cleaner Production 140: 525-536.

Klein, A.M., Vaissiere, B.E., Cane, J.H., Steffan-Dewenter, I., Cunningham, S.A., Kremen, C. & Tscharntke, T. 2007. Importance of pollinators in changing landscapes for world crops. Proc. R. Soc London B. Biological Sciences 274: 303-313.

Klein, A.M., Cunningham, S.A., Bos, M. & Dewanter, S. 2008. Advances in pollination ecology from tropical plantation crops. Ecology 89 (4): 925-943.

Lee, C.H., Kelvin, L., Haya, R., Navies, M. & Saripah, B. 2013. Cocoa Planting Manual – Sustainable Cocoa. Kota Kinabalu: Malaysia Cocoa Board.

Levy, S. 2011. What’s best for bees. Pollinating insects are in crisis. Understanding bees’ relationships with introduced species could help. Nature 479: 164-165.

Kennedy, C.M., Lonsdorf, E., Neel, M.C. Williams, N.M., Ricketts, T.H & Winfree, R. 2013. A global quantitative synthesis of local and landscape effects on wild bee pollinators in agroecosystems. Ecological Letters 16: 584-599.

Novais, S.M.A., Nunes, C.A., Santos, N.B.D’ Amico, A.R., Fernandes, G.W. Quesada, Braga, R.F. & Neves, A.C. 2016. Effects of a possible pollinator crisis on food crop production in Brazil. PLoS ONE 13(5): e0167292.

Saripah, B. 2013. Population enhancement of cocoa pollinator, Forcipomyia spp. Proceedings of Malaysian International Cocoa Conference (MICC 2013), Kuala Lumpur, pp. 144-150.

Saripah, B. & Alias, A. 2018. The use of transferable breeding container for population enrichment of pollinator, Forcipomyia spp. in the cocoa ecosystem. Journal of Advanced Agricultural Technologies 5 (3): 245-251.

Wood, G.A.R. & Lass, R.A. 1985. Cocoa, 4th Ed. London & New York: Longman.

Young, A.M. 1982. Effects of shade cover and availability of midge breeding sites on pollinating midge populations and fruit set in two cocoa farms. Journal of Applied Ecology 19: 47-63.


Refbacks

  • There are currently no refbacks.