Commercial herbicides trial against Alocasia sp. (wild yam) at oil palm plantation, Borneo, Malaysia

Abstract

Weeds in oil palm plantations include any plant or vegetation that in any way interferes with the production of palms, resulting in a reduction in yield or quality. Alocasia sp. (wild yam) is a common weed at oil palm plantation in Borneo, Malaysia. This study was conducted to evaluate commercial herbicides' effectiveness (amine, ally, glyphosate, and paraquat) against Alocasia sarawakensis, Alocasia robusta, and A. macrorrhizos. Cocktail herbicide showed faster wilting, scorching and rotten and least/late regeneration within 30 days of monitoring. Combination of two chemicals reacted better and potentially long-lasting, and further observation can provide info on the difference between (systemic+contact), (contact+contact) and (systemic+systemic). Cost-effectiveness analysis showed herbicides cocktails Treatment 9 (amine + ally + surfactant), Treatment 11 (amine + paraquat + surfactant), and Treatment 12 (ally + paraquat + surfactant) were the most cost-effective (±RM0.58 cent/16 L) to control Alocasia sp. This study's finding would give an alternative solution for oil palm plantation to control weed, especially Alocasia sp.