Yield, bunch quality and vegetative traits of American oil palm (Elaeis oleifera, HBK) population in India

Abstract

The wild American species, Elaeis oleifera (HBK) is a promising genetic resource for slow trunk growth, disease resistance and desired oil quality. Yield, bunch quality and vegetative traits of E. oleifera planted during 1992 were evaluated in a trial with an aim to produce inter-specific hybrids. Four palms (palm Nos. 6, 8, 11 and 21) were screened based on yield performance, bunch quality and vegetative characteristics. The results of the evaluation indicated that oleifera population had slow vertical growth. The highest mean Fresh Fruit Bunch (FFB) yield recorded was 158.66 kg per palm per annum, number of bunches was 7.44 per palm per annum, oil to bunch ratio was the highest at 18.31% and height increment was lowest at 0.08 m per annum. No single palm possessed all the desirable traits except palm No. 6 that performed well for majority of the desirable traits studied.