ASSESSMENT OF NIGERIAN WILD OIL PALM (ELAEIS GUINEENSIS JACQ.) POPULATIONS IN CROSSES WITH DELI TESTERS

Abstract

To widen the genetic variability and especially to enrich agronomic qualities of populations of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) of Group B used in the breeding scheme, a study was led on four populations (Abak, Ahoada, Ayangba and Uli) prospected in Nigeria. Sixteen palms chosen in these populations were evaluated in crosses with 10 Deli testers derived from the second cycle of reciprocal recurrent selection scheme. The LM 2 T × DA 10 D and LM 2 T × DA 115 D progenies derived from the first breeding cycle were used as controls. The bunch production components, vascular wilt susceptibility and vertical growth rate were used as criterion of evaluation. The Abak × Deli, Ahoada × Deli and Uli × Deli materials were characterized at the young age by bunch productions higher than that of the LM 2 T × DA 10 D control. The bunch productions at the adult period of various Nigerian × Deli materials were lower than those of the two controls. Abak × Deli material was tolerant to the vascular wilt. Ayangba × Deli material had a slower vertical growth rate than those of the two controls. Seven parents were identified in the four populations for their good general combining ability for the precocity and/or vascular wilt tolerance or the slow vertical growth rate. Prospects for utilization of these parents for the improvement of bunch production at the young age, the reduction of the vertical growth and the diversification of sources of vascular wilt tolerance of populations used in the reciprocal recurrent selection scheme were discussed.