Agronomical Performances of Angolan Natural Oil Palm Accessions and Interests for Oil Palm Selection in Côte d’Ivoire

Abstract

In Côte d’Ivoire, Deli populations, descendants of four oil palms, constituted Group A of the recurrent reciprocal selection. Their genetic base was narrow, an obstacle to long-term genetic progress. Therefore, Angolan oil palm accessions were acquired to broaden Group A’s genetic base. Angola selfed and Deli × Angola progenies were tested via Angola selfed × La Mé and (Deli × Angola) × La Mé intergroup hybrids for bunch and oil production, height growth, and tolerance to Fusarium in two progeny trials; one in La Mé (Côte d’Ivoire) and the other one in Bangun Bandar (Indonesia). On average, bunch yield (183 kg/palm/year) and oil yield (5.34 t/ha) were close to those of the control. The best 5 hybrids represented 104-112% of the control all traits put together. In addition, Angolan origin has transmitted tolerance to Fusarium to its progenies (Fusarium index = 80-90). [(Deli × Angola)’s LM 5448 T] × La Mé hybrids yielded 241.4 kg/palm/year of bunch and 7.30 t/ha of palm oil. Their mean height was comparable to that of the control and the Fusarium index low (82). Therefore, LM 5448 T was selected for further crop improvements. The modalities of its use were proposed.