TT No. 548: SureSawitTM Shell – A Diagnostic Assay to Predict Oil Palm Fruit Forms

The oil palm has three naturally occurring fruit forms, varying in shell thickness: i) thick shell dura, ii) thin shell tenera, and iii) shell-less pisifera (Figure 1). Teneras are hybrids between the dura and pisifera, and the preferred commercial planting material. Oil yield of tenera is up to 30% higher than the dura, while pisifera is female sterile and does not usually produce matured bunches. 

Main Research: Dr Rajinder Sing