Bioenergy Production from Teak Residues: Assessing the Role in Controlling Insect Pest Infestations

As a globally significant timber species, teak cultivation generates considerable lignocellulosic residues and is vulnerable to damage from various insect pests. This review investigates the potential of leveraging teak (Tectona grandis) biomass residues for bioenergy production while concurrently addressing the challenge of insect pest infestations in teak plantations. The review consolidates current advancements in bioenergy conversion technologies applicable to teak residues, detailing the chemical composition and energy potential of teak biomass. It also examines the ecological dynamics and management practices for key insect pest species affecting teak. Furthermore, the analysis explores the potential integration of bioenergy production with pest control strategies, emphasizing how residue management through bioenergy processes may contribute to reducing pest populations by altering habitat conditions and enhancing plantation hygiene. The study highlights the economic and environmental benefits of these synergistic approaches, proposing that strategic utilization of teak residues could offer dual advantages of sustainable waste valorization and pest mitigation. However, additional research is required to optimize these integrated methodologies and to rigorously quantify their long-term efficacy in both bioenergy yield and pest suppression within teak cultivation systems.