Photosynthetic rate per unit leaf area (A) and stomatal conductance (g) were as-sessed during the dry season of 1988 for a mixed population of 6 progenies in a breeding trial in the Republic of Zaire. There were positive correlations between A or g and yield and total biomass production, but there was no significant correlation between A or g and either Bunch Index or Harvest Index.

These results provide encouraging evidence that crossing igh A palms with palms exhibiting superior partitioning characteristics could be a useful way to increase yields.

However, more work is needed to ensure that correlations between g or A and either dry matter production or yield arise because of genotypic effects rather than environmental variation.

Keywords: growth, photosynthesis, physiology, stomatal conductance, transpiration, yield