Study on Yield Variability in Oil Palm Progenies and Their Genetic Origins

Abstract

One of the most important and widely known plantation crops with high revenue returns is the Elaeis guineensis palm. To date, yield variability in fresh fruit bunches (YFFB) in Malaysian oil palm plantations is one of the key influences in low palm oil yield. Accordingly, an assessment of dura×pisifera progenies and their genetic origins on oil palm yield was investigated. Twenty-four derived progenies from 10 genetic sources were adopted as F1 hybrid-single generation and the standard approach for data collection of the yield and yield traits was followed for three sequential years. Variance analysis showed genetic differences between the progenies and their origins. Amid the progenies analyzed, 45.83% had YFFB above the trial mean. Progeny HPDP500 had the highest YFFB (191.74 kg/palm/year) and the highest bunch number (YBNO) was recorded in PKDP4474 (20.65 bunches/palm/year), and HPDP500 (20.53 bunches/palm/year). In year one and year three, the highest YFFB was reported, while in year one of data collection, the highest YBNO was recorded. Dura-Ulu Remis × Yangambi had the highest YFFB (175.81 kg/palm/year) and Tanzania × Nigeria recorded the highest YBNO (19.06 bunches/palm/year). High heritability and phenotypic coefficient of variation with a moderate genotypic coefficient of variation for all the traits were further revealed. YFFB had a moderate positive YBNO relationship (r = 0.676; df =3, 23; p = 0.0001) and a weak positive average bunch weight correlation (r = 0.378; df = 3, 23; p = 0.0001). For tissue culture and hybridization programs for yield enhancement, progenies and origins with better performance may be used; however, the use of molecular research as a selection criterion seems to be worth further analysis.