Preliminary investigations on oil palm tenera inter se progenies with special emphasis to pisifera

Characterization of pisifera palms was undertaken in a tenera inter se matted progeny population as a part of breeding for hybrid seed production. Segregation of the population revealed that 28 palms were pisifera, 99 tenera and 18 dura, which were identified based on internal morphology of matured fruits. The identified pisifera palms were characterized with respect to fresh fruit bunches (FFB) and individual fruit/seed characteristics. High fruit set (62.22%) was recorded in one of the pisifera palms (Palm No. 77) followed by palm numbers 15, 74 and 110 with fruit set of 49.3, 49 and 32.4% respectively. Based on female sterility characteristics, the palm number 17 was identified as ideal for crossing and progeny testing. The pisifera palm numbers 43 and 44 had comparatively high kernel weight. Improved de-operculum germination technique was standardised and satisfactory seed germination was obtained. In this method, radicle protuberance commenced within one day and reached 50 percent in two days. Germination percentage of pisifera palms ranged from 0–75 percent by this technique.