Resumen

LABARCA, M; PORTILLO, E; PORTILLO, A  y  MORALES, E. Reproductive structures and the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) pollination by insects in three commercial fields in Zulia state, Venezuela. Rev. Fac. Agron. [online]. 2009, vol.26, n.1, pp.1-22. ISSN 0378-7818.

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a perennial crop, which begin its productivity thirty months after sowing. The yield of the oil palm depends on insect pollination. A high proportion of normal fruits are related to a high population of pollinating insects. In order to study the pollinating insects and their population fluctuations a survey was carried out from August 2005 to July 2006 in three plantations on productivity aged, located in Zulia state. Samples were taken from male inflorescences in anthesis (MIA) available in the marked plants and traps were placed in the female inflorescences in anthesis (FIA), to capture the insects; which were separated, identified per species and counted. Also the number of male and female inflorescences was registered describing if they were closed, in anthesis or fertilized. The monthly rainfall, temperature and relative humidity were registered in each plantation. These results showed that the main insect founded was Elaeidobius kamerunicus in the three plantations studied. There were observed significant correlations between E. kamerunicus and the number of MIA, and between E. kamerunicus and precipitation. In addition, there were observed positive and significant correlations between the MI, the FI and the monthly precipitation, besides were founded some negative correlation between monthly temperature and the total female inflorescences. It can be conclude that variations in the climatic factors caused fluctuations in the male and female inflorescences, therefore in the pollinating insect's population.

Palabras clave : oil palm; Elaeis guineensis; pollination by insects; inflorescences; climate.