A COMPARISON OF THE DELI DUMPY AND POBE DWARF SHORT STEMMED OIL PALMS AND THEIR OUTCROSSED PROGENIES

摘要

Deli Dumpy and Pobe Dwarf oil palm materials, from Malaysia and Ivory Coast respectively, were crossed with normal teneras, and the progenies tested in the Democratic Republic of Congo, in comparison with progenies without Dumpy or Dwarf genes. The semi-Dumpy progenies gave low yields, but with heavy bunches, while the semi-Dwarf material gave better yields but with smaller bunches; neither material gave particularly good bunch composition. The short stem character of both origins was heritable, the semi-Dwarf being shorter than the semi-Dumpy. However, the strong resistance to vascular wilt noted in pure Deli Dumpy was not observed in the descendants. Of the two origins, the Pobe Dwarf, with small fronds and high bunch index, looks the more promising progenitor, as it should be suited to high density planting with consequent higher yields.