Fruiting Activity, Growth and Yield of Oil Palm. I. Effects of Fruit Removal

Abstract

SummaryThe relation between current yield and future yield components in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) was investigated by removing a proportion of inflorescences before anthesis. This disbudding caused mean fruit bunch weight to increase by over 60%, with corresponding increases in the components of bunch weight. The total number of inflorescences produced increased by 10%, the sex ratio increased from 72 to 91% females, and inflorescence abortion and bunch failure rates were halved. As a result, the number of bunches harvested was reduced by less than the level of disbudding, and removal of 75% of inflorescences only reduced yield by 42%. Disbudded palms also grew more vigorously. The time intervals between a change in the level of fruiting activity and the resulting changes in yield components were determined by recording the yield components during the period after disbudding was stopped.