The Malaysian oil palm industry recorded an average oil yield of 3.53 t ha-1 yr-1 in 2017 (MPOB, 2018). It was postulated that the oil palm has the genetic potential of attaining oil yield of up to 18.5 t ha-1 yr-1 (Corley, 1998). To narrow the yield gap, genetic gain through breeding and vegetative propagation could provide the much needed boost in yields (Kushairi et al., 2010). Planting clonal oil palm under good agricultural practices (GAP) has proven to increase yields by at least 10%-15% (Soh, 1986). Despite its potential, less than 5% of oil palm plantings in Malaysia are derived from tissue culture.

Main Researcher: Samsul Kamal Rosli
Email: samsul@mpob.gov.my