Journal of Oil Palm Research Vol. 1 No. 2 1989 Dec, p. 109-118
BIOLOGY AND PERFORMANCE OF SURINAM ELAEIS OLEIFERA (H.B.K.) CORTES
The Elaeis oleifera palms found in Surinam and Northern Brazil are exceptional among oleifera on account of their small size, very slow growth in height and small inflorescences on long peduncles. The abscission of their male flowers, shortly after anthesis, is a unique characteristic not found in other oleifera nor in E. guineensis. Fruit bunch yields of the Surinam oleifera are comparatively inferior due to low bunch weight and bunch number. There is relatively less parthenocarpy and the fertile fruits have more pulp than in Central American or Colombian oleifera but the pulp has considerably less oil. The oil, furthermore,is more saturated. Interspecific hybrids between the surinam E. oleifera and E. guineensis are markedly more fertile than those using other oleifera and hence are potentially promising. The hybrids are smaller and more compact and their yields can be high, but the mesocarp oil content requires improvement through breeding and selection.
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*Palm Oil Research Institute of Malaysia (PORIM)
PO Box 10620,
50721 Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia
+FELDA Agriculture Services Corporation
PO Box 11, Sg. Tekam
27000 Jerantut,
Pahang, Malaysia