Climatic data in six regions of Guangdong Province, China were collected and analysed with the traits observed from April 2010 to April 2015. Climatic factors showed significant regional and annual changes except annual rainfall (AR) in different studied regions. Annual sunshine hours (ASH) was negatively correlated with bunch number (NB), bunch weight (ABW) and fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yield, but positively with abortion ratio of bunch (ABR). Furthermore, sex ratio of female inflorescences and bunches to total inflorescences and bunches (SR) had positive correlations with mean annual temperature (MAT) and extreme minimum temperature (EMT), while semi-lethal temperature (LT50 ) was positively correlated with MAT and mean effective accumulated temperature above 10oC (MAAT), and negatively with AR. However, annual temperature of the coldest month (ATCM) was not significantly affected with other traits. ASH was the major determinant of ABW, FFB and ABR, and NB and LT50 were mainly determined by MAAT. The major determining factor of frond production (FP) and fruit compaction rate (FCR) for MAT, and normal fruit weight per bunch (ANFW) for AR. Percentage of normal fruit weight to bunch weight (F/B) and abortion ratio of female inflorescence (RAFM) were mainly determined by ATCM, and SR by EMT.

Keywords: climatic factor, cold resistance, oil palm, vegetative growth, yield