Genetic Variation and Heritability Estimates for Bunch Yield, Bunch Components and Vegetative Traits in Oil Palm Interspecific Hybrids

Abstract

Progeny testing of oil palm interspecific hybrids was conducted in four trials in Kluang, Ulu Paka, Teluk Intan and Carey Island, Malaysia. The interspecific hybrids (O  P) were created according to the North Carolina Model I (NCM I) mating design, using Elaeis oleifera (O) and Elaeis guineensis var. pisifera (P) as the maternal and paternal parents, respectively. Differences among O, P and O-within-P were determined by the performance (bunch yield, components and vegetative traits) of the progenies. There were significant differences among P for fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, bunch number (BN) and average bunch weight (ABW) in Kluang, Ulu Paka and Teluk Intan, but not in Carey Island. FFB yield was generally higher on coastal soils (Teluk Intan and Carey Island) than inland soils (Kluang and Ulu Paka). Heritability was calculated based on the intraclass correlation. Heritability estimates for these three yield components were variable, depending on the breeding material and environment in which the materials were tested. Fruit to bunch (F/B) and oil to bunch (O/B) of parthenocarpic fruits were important in determining the overall O/B of the interspecific hybrids. The O  P hybrids in Kluang showed the lowest height increment with only a mean of 14.0 cm/year, whereas in Ulu Paka and Teluk Intan, the values were higher at 24.0 cm/year and 25.0 cm/year, respectively. The study showed that the FFB yields of oil palm interspecific hybrids performed better in coastal soils than inland soils.

Influence of Parental Dura and Pisifera Genetic Origins on Oil Palm Fruit Set Ratio and Yield Components in Their D × P Progenies

“…In the present study in Malaysia, MTF was in the range of 69.54 to 84.98%, with 76.77% as the trial mean. Amiruddin et al [13] reported that hybrids generally manifest low MTF and low total OTB but high STF. Progeny ECPHP618 had the highest MTF.…”

“…Differences in genetic origins may have contributed to the decline in fruit set and a reduction in oil yield. Amiruddin et al [13] reported that the dominant gene, additive gene, or a combination of both were responsible for controlling yield due to the type of raising planting material and its growing environment. It is significant to constantly increase Malaysia's oil yield ha −1 to uphold the economic advantage in the global market [14].…”

Cameroon Virescens Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis) from IOPRI’s Germplasm

“…However, this research did not use an adequate experimental design for phenotype with low heritability, therefore the data found to be rather bias for those traits. The phenotype of bunch weight was found to have a low heritability value in oil palm than other phenotypes, because of great environmental factors (Din Amiruddin, Nookiah, Sukaimi, & Hamid, 2015). However, a report by Hazir & Shariff (2011) suggested that the mean bunch weight of virescens in Malaysia was 20.4 kg, with fruit weight of some 11.04 g.…”

“…Phenotype of mesocarp to fruit became a good indicator as selected trait because of economic value with high heritability in oil palm (Din Amiruddin, Nookiah, Sukaimi, & Hamid, 2015). The average percentage of fruit to bunch and mesocarp to fruit reached 65.39% and 37.7%, with maximum of individual reaching 70.85% and 59.6%, respectively.…”

Association mapping analysis of oil palm interspecific hybrid populations and predicting phenotypic values via machine learning algorithms

“…Dwarfness, shorter fronds, disease tolerance, and resistance to climate change are among the traits contributing to increased productivity in oil palm. Some of these traits are available in the oil palm sister species, Elaeis oleifera (Amiruddin et al, 2015;Gomes et al, 2014;Hormaza et al, 2012;Montúfar et al, 2018;Sunilkumar et al, 2015). Oil palm breeders initiated interspecific hybrid breeding programmes six decades ago, aimed at reducing height increment rate, increasing oil unsaturation levels, intensifying palm oil value for diversified applications and developing disease resistance, as well as biotic and abiotic stress tolerant populations (Hardon, 1969).…”