Field trials in oil palm breeding: a manual

Abstract

A central objective in Verdant's mission is to develop better, more productive and more sustainable cultivars of oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), rubber and other plantation crops, particularly through plant breeding. Field testing is an essential component in selecting and developing new varieties with superior performance for yield, quality, pest and disease resistance and in meeting new market demands, for example, specialised oil quality. This manual covers the basic and changing practices such as land preparation, planting and data recording of trials. Field trialling of oil palm includes breeding trials (selection within promising new genotypic combinations or germplasm), particularly by progeny testing to establish new commercial lines and identifying Ganoderma resistant/tolerant material (Ganoderma is the most important disease of oil palm in Southeast Asia, while Fusarium is in Africa). This manual forms part of a series in 'Techniques in Plantation Science', and fits 'in between' Nursery Practices in Oil Palm and Seed Production in Oil Palm. It follows on from Crossing in Oil Palm. Target audiences are plant breeders, planters, students and researchers in oil palm agriculture, along with plant breeders and end-users interested in the practicalities of producing high quality oil palm planting materials for breeding and commercial production.