OIL PALM POLLEN COMPATIBILITY WITH OxG HYBRIDS IN ECUADOR

Abstract

The spread of bud rot disease in oil palm-growing regions of South America has led to the uptake of interspecific hybrids which show some resistance to the disease, but require assisted pollination. A study was carried out to assess pollen viability from commercial oil palm species (Elaeis guineensis (G), interspecific hybrids (OxG)) and Elaeis oleifera (O) from the Pacific coast and Amazon regions of Ecuador. Elaeis guineensis consistently produced pollen of high viability in the Amazon region (95.0%) and Pacific coast (94.0%), while pollen from E. oleifera had high viability when produced in the Amazon region (93.7%) but lower viability from the Pacific coast (53.2%). Pollen from oil palm hybrids had very low viability on the Pacific coast. Another objective was to determine the impact of applying pollen from E. guineensis and hybrids on fruit set and parthenocarpy by means of assisted pollination trials in both regions. The application of E. guineensis pollen resulted in a higher fruit set in comparison with assisted pollination using hybrid's pollen. A low fruit set was compensated by greater production of parthenocarpic fruits in the hybrids, which increased the final bunch weight. The study provides a guide to pollination in both regions.