Study of ‘Pest Guard' utilisation in controlling small mammalian pest damage in oil palm replants

Mammalian pest likes porcupines, rats, wild pigs and elephants have been reported as common pests found in new oil palm plantings or re-plantings located along the fringes of forests, secondary shrubs or low-lying swamps. These animal pests normally can cause serious damage on young oil palms. A study on utilization of various type of ‘pest guard' in controlling small mammalian pests attack in immature oil palms has been conducted at Tunjuk Laut Estate, Kota Tinggi, Johor on 2 months old oil palms in a replanting area. A total of 5 treatments have been tested: T1 (Xavan-anti pest fiber), T2 (used black polybags). 73 (modified zinc sheets), T4 (used fertilizer bags) and 75 (control - without pest guard). The treatments were replicated 7 times consisting of a total of 35 plots laid out in a randomized complete block design. All materials used as pest guards were used to cover the palms' bases except for control whereby the palms' bases were left uncovered. Pretreatment census at week before the trial commenced indicated moderate population of wild pigs and porcupines in treatment areas with plots under TI (Xavan-anti pest fiber) suffered 8.6% damage. No damage was noted in other plots. At the end of 8 months after treatments, the highest damage was noted from T2 (used black polybags) at 20.0% followed by TS (control) at 17.1%, T3 (used fertilizer bags) at 11.4%. The lowest damage was recorded from TI (Xavan-anti pest fiber) at 2.9%, followed by T3 (modified zinc sheets) at 5.7%. The Xavan-anti pest fiber at RM1.90/palm will be more cost effective than modified zinc sheets at RM2. 10/palm. Modified zinc sheets also noted to cause some injury to the oil palm fronds. The trial indicated that both Xavan-anti pest fiber and modified zinc sheets gave good control against damage by mammalian on newly planted oil palms. However, Xavan-anti pest fiber is easier to handle and cause less injury to the young palms as compared to modified zinc sheets.