The Genetic Estimation of Fruit Component Parameters of Seven Coconut Populations Without a Progeny Test

Heritability of fruit characters, such as fruit weight, husk weight, husk thickness, sheal weight, endosperm (water) weight, albumen weight, copra weight, oil content, fruit length and ftuit width. have been estimated on seven coconut populations. The results showed that most of the fruit components of Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) and Malayan Yellow Dwarf (Mm)had relatively high heritability (>0.80), except fruit weight of MRD (0.74) and albumen weight of MYD (0.78). On the other hand, the heritability of those characters in tall populatidns varied between population. All of fruit characters on Polynesian Tall (PYT) and Seruwai Tall (SAT) had relatively high heritability (>0.80). On West African Tall (WAT), most Of the heritability of the fruit characters were relatively high (>0.80). except husk weight (0.75). endosperm weight (0.79) and oil content (0.41). Heritability of seven characters of Bali Tall (BLT) were relatively high, but those of three characters were relatively low; i.e. husk weight (0.52). fruit width (0.56) and husk thickness (0.71). Three fruit characters of Rmnell Tall (RLT) shown higher heritability. those are husk thickness (0.87), endosperm weight (0.92) and fruit length (0.90)

Benchmarking Yield for Sustainable Intensification of Oil Palm Production in Indonesia using PALMSIM

The physiological oil palm growth model PALMSIM can be used to estimate yield ceilings that provide benchmarks for sustainable intensification of oil palm production, either by expansion of cultivation to degraded sites or by increasing production from areas under cultivation. This is demonstrated using two case studies. In the first case study, PALMSIM estimates of water-limited yield for Kalimantan was overlaid onto a recently published map showing degraded sites potentially suitable for oil palm cultivation. A large proportion (35.6%; or 115,300 km2) of the identified areas fell into the potential productivity range of 35 to 40 tonnes FFB per hectare. In the second case study, PALMSIM was used to estimate potential yield for six plantation sites in Indonesia where best management practices (BMP) were assessed for yield intensification by the International Plant Nutrition Institute (IPNI) Southeast Asia Program (SEAP) and its collaborating plantation partners. Potential yields are generally higher in Sumatra than in Kalimantan due to higher solar radiation. Water deficit was a problem at two sites. The gap between water-limited yield and actual yield differs from location to location, and therefore requires a site-specific analysis. In these two case studies, the scope for sustainable intensification at regional and at plantation level was explored in a quantitative manner - a novel approach to oil palm production