Management of the red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) using sustainable options in Saudi Arabia

Adhering to sustainable date farming practices in Al-Mohamadia farm in Al-Kharj region of Saudi Arabia has resulted in increased date fruits production by 2 fold in a 3 year time span from mature date palm trees grown on sandy soils and employing modern irrigation systems. The quality of date fruits has improved dramatically. The irrigation regime adopted resulted in enhanced water use efficiency and had a positive impact on date yield and fruit quality improvement. Among 20 date palm cultivars grown in Al- Mohamadia farm, ‘Sagae’ cultivar and male trees from different age groups were found to be more susceptible to RPW infestations. On-farm management practices of date palm pests particularly the notorious red palm weevil Rhynchophorus ferrugineus (Olivier) is presented. Control efforts against the RPW focused on the use of a blend of tactics including visual inspection and pheromone trapping, prevention and suppression through field sanitation, cultural practices, mechanical methods, eradication of severely infested palm trees, and chemical injection of Emamectin benzoate insecticide, which has shown good and long lasting effect. Steinernema carpocapsae (Weiser) nematodes alone or in combination with a local strain of Beauveria bassiana Bals. using trunk injections to control RPW showed mixed results. Some of red palm weevil management challenges, from a farmer’s perspective were discussed.