The impact of white grub infestation on sengon plantation and traditional control by local communities

Abstract

White grub causes severe crop failure in some sengon plantation areas. However, study regarding this pest on sengon plantations is still limited. Therefore, a survey to observe cultivation practice by local farmers in controlling white grub has been carried out in the sengon plantation area. An interview regarding the impact of white grub infestation and its traditional control methods was also carried out with the forest farmers group and the management officer of Perum Perhutani, State-Owned Forest Corporation, to observe the farmer’s knowledge regarding white grubs and their impact on the plantation. In addition, we also carried out sampling to observe the white grub population. The result showed that the average white grub population in the soil was extremely high. The average population was at 20.9 individuals plot−1 (13.6 larvae m2 -1) and dominated by 6-8 cm in length larvae. Therefore, planting failure is expected due to its attack. The local farmer controls applying marang, a rice bowl made of plastic with a small hole on all sides when planting the tree, and collecting white grub larvae during soil tillage, using light trapping. Application of marang was considered to effectively increase the success in planting activity by about 80-90%.