Evaluation and Characterization of Dwarf Tenera and oleifera Genetic Resources of Oil Palm

Abstract

As a part of improvement work, evaluation was undertaken in the field gene bank consisting several exotic germplasm collections planted during 1981- 1994 at Directorate of Oil Palm Research, Research Centre, Palode. A tenera palm from exotic collection planted during 1981 and Elaeis oleifera of Surinam origin planted during 1988 showed low stem elongation when compared to their counterparts. Nigerian materials were introduced vide code No. E130756 through National Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), New Delhi and Surinam oleifera was a chance introduction. These palms were characterized based on IBPGR oil palm descriptor and evaluated for their yield potential. Surinam oleifera was also compared with other exotic accessions for their descriptive characteristics. Dwarf tenera had bunch yield of 118kg/palm/year with 9.1 bunch numbers and 24 cm height increment, whereas Surinam had 75kg/year/palm with 6 bunches and 15 cm height increment. It was proved by characterization that both of them had dumpiness viz., short trunk, short leaves and other vegetative characteristics. As per bunch analysis, dwarf tenera recorded 20.4 % and 1.08% of Mesocarp oil to Bunch and Kernel oil to Bunch, respectively, where as Surinam oleifera had 9.25% and 3.1%. In order to improve the yield and bunch quality components of these compact materials, selfing and inter se crossing and back crossing (with E. guineensis) was attempted for tenera and oleifera, respectively.