Somaclonal variation, protein, P-N-oxalyl, L-a, -diaminopropionic acid,ODAP, isozyme.

Abstract

There was no report on an index leaf in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) for biochemical analysis, grown under irrigated condition. In oil palm growing countries, frond (leaf) no. 17 was used as an index leaf for different analysis including biochemical analysis. In India, oil palm is being grown as irrigated crop and hence, it is necessary to select an index leaf/ leaves, which can be sampled for analyzing different biochemical constituents as well as leaf nutrients. Some of the biochemical constituents (chlorophylls, carotenoids, total carbohydrates and soluble protein) and nitrogen content in different leaves of oil palm were analysed for the selection of index leaf. It was observed that chlorophyll-a, chlorophyll-b, total chlorophyll and carotenoids were highest in frond no. 25. Total carbohydrate and soluble protein were highest in frond no 20, where as nitrogen was found highest in frond no. 9. For all these parameters, several other fronds were also on par with the highest value. For the analysis of pigments, mature leaves (beyond frond no. 6) were found suitable. More mature fronds (19th-25th) showed higher protein and carbohydrate content. For the analysis of nitrogen and biochemical parameters (like pigments, soluble protein and total carbohydrate) from single sampling, 9th frond was found to be most suitable, as it showed the value on par with highest values in all the cases. Hence, 9th leaf could be suggested as an index leaf.