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Comparing Pollination Bag Types for Micro-Environmental Parameters Influencing Seed Production in Oil Palm

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Comparing Pollination Bag Types for Micro-Environmental Parameters Influencing Seed Production in Oil Palm RESEARCH ARTICLES RESEARCH ARTICLES JOURNALJournal ofOF OilOIL PalmPALM RESEARCH Research 29 Vol. (2) (JUNE29 (2) 2017) June 2017 p. 168 – 179 DOI:JOURNALJournal https://doi.org/10.21894/jopr.2017.2902.02 ofOF OilOIL PalmPALM RESEARCH Research 29 Vol. (2) (JUNE29 (2) 2017) June 2017 p. 168 – 179 COMPARING POLLINATION BAG TYPES FOR MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS INFLUENCING SEED PRODUCTION IN OIL PALM LUC BONNEAU*; DEBORAH ELI*; PHILLIP VOVOLA* and DALJIT SINGH VIRK** LUC BONNEAU*; DEBORAH ELI*; PHILLIP VOVOLA* and DALJIT SINGH VIRK** ABSTRACT ABSTRACT For oil palm seed production, the pollination bag must prevent contamination by unintended pollen to For oil palm seed production, the pollination bag must prevent contamination by unintended pollen to ensure the genetic integrity. An investigation was undertaken by the seed production unit of Dami Oil Palm ensure the genetic integrity. An investigation was undertaken by the seed production unit of Dami Oil Palm Research Station (DAMI OPRS) in Papua New Guinea to compare the impact of the type of pollination Research Station (DAMI OPRS) in Papua New Guinea to compare the impact of the type of pollination bags on both the genetic integrity and seed yield in the commercial seed production environment. Three bags on both the genetic integrity and seed yield in the commercial seed production environment. Three pollination bag types [canvas, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyester] were compared during pollination bag types [canvas, high density polyethylene (HDPE) and polyester] were compared during pollination and blank pollination exercises. pollination and blank pollination exercises. The production of seeds and results for intactness, presence of insects, impact of water and economic The production of seeds and results for intactness, presence of insects, impact of water and economic parameters such as average time taken for isolating, demonstrated that the polyester bags outperformed the parameters such as average time taken for isolating, demonstrated that the polyester bags outperformed the HDPE and canvas bags. HDPE and canvas bags. Bunches isolated with polyester bags produced 13% more seeds per bag than the HDPE bags and 6% Bunches isolated with polyester bags produced 13% more seeds per bag than the HDPE bags and 6% more seeds per bag than those using canvas. The canvas bag took longer to apply than the polyester or more seeds per bag than those using canvas. The canvas bag took longer to apply than the polyester or HDPE bags, and was not averting presence of insects. Both HDPE and canvas bags showed significant HDPE bags, and was not averting presence of insects. Both HDPE and canvas bags showed significant collapse when wet. The resulting economics on seed production profitability and risk of contaminations collapse when wet. The resulting economics on seed production profitability and risk of contaminations which would alter commercial reputation indicate that the polyester bags are a better choice than the canvas which would alter commercial reputation indicate that the polyester bags are a better choice than the canvas and HDPE bags. and HDPE bags. Keywords: oil palm seed, pollination bag, canvas, HDPE, polyester. Keywords: oil palm seed, pollination bag, canvas, HDPE, polyester. Date received: 21 September 2015; Sent for revision: 10 October 2015; Received in final form: 30 December 2016; Accepted: 5 January 2017. Date received: 21 September 2015; Sent for revision: 10 October 2015; Received in final form: 30 December 2016; Accepted: 5 January 2017. INTRODUCTION In the wild, the oil palm is naturally pollinated INTRODUCTION by windIn the but wild, predominantly the oil palm isby naturally insect pollinators, pollinated Corley and Tinker (2008) have described the theby windmost specificbut predominantly of which is theby insectweevil pollinators, Elaeidobius oilCorley palm and physiologyTinker (2008) and have architecture. described theOil kamerunicusthe most specific Faust of(Coleoptera: which is the Curculionidae) weevil Elaeidobius while palmsoil palm are monoeciousphysiology withand separatearchitecture. male andOil otherkamerunicus insects Faust are (Coleoptera:as marginal Curculionidae)pollinators as whilewind femalepalms areinflorescences monoecious in withleaf axilsseparate but asmale a single and itselfother (Basriinsects and are Norman, as marginal 2007). pollinators The introduction as wind of inflorescencefemale inflorescences per leaf onin leafthe sameaxils butplant. as Anthesisa single thisitself weevil (Basri andrevolutionised Norman, 2007). the oil The palm introduction industry ofin oninflorescence both types perof inflorescences leaf on the same lasts plant.for about Anthesis three thethis earlyweevil 1980s revolutionised in South-east the Asia oil palm which industry increased in dayson both which types is of usually inflorescences not sufficient lasts for time about for three two the earlyfresh fruit1980s bunch in South-east (FFB) production Asia which by increased 30% per subsequentdays which inflorescencesis usually not onsufficient the same time palmfor two to unitthe fresh of area fruit in bunch the first (FFB) year production after its introduction by 30% per pollinatesubsequent one inflorescences another. on the same palm to inunit Malaysia of area in(Basri the firstet al.year, 1983). after Inits Papuaintroduction New pollinate one another. Guinea,in Malaysia the assisted(Basri etpollination al., 1983). was In stopped Papua inNew all oilGuinea, palm thebasins assisted only pollinationthree to four was months stopped after in theall * Dami Oil Palm Research Station, P.O. Box 165 Kimbe, introductionoil palm basins of onlythe weevils three to (Menendez four months and after Prior, the * WestDami NewOil Palm Britain Research Province, Station, Papua P.O. New Box Guinea. 165 Kimbe, introduction of the weevils (Menendez and Prior, E-mail:West New [email protected] Britain Province, Papua New Guinea. 1982). As such in a commercial oil palm stand, the E-mail: [email protected] weevil1982). As population such in a commercialreaches tens oil of palm thousands stand, theof ** School of Environment, Natural Resources and Geography weevil population reaches tens of thousands of ** School(SENRGy), of Environment, Bangor University, Natural Bangor, Resources Gwynedd, and Geography individuals per hectare being attracted by the scent Wales(SENRGy), LL57 Bangor2UW, United University, Kingdom. Bangor, Gwynedd, ofindividuals anthesing per male hectare or female being inflorescences. attracted by the scent Wales LL57 2UW, United Kingdom. of anthesing male or female inflorescences. 168 168 COMPARING POLLINATION BAG TYPES FOR MICRO-ENVIRONMENTAL PARAMETERS INFLUENCING SEED PRODUCTION IN OIL PALM Plant breeders and seed producers are interested MATERIALS AND METHODS to produce seeds of known pedigree which requires the hybridisation between only the chosen male and The present study compared the following three female parental inflorescences. To achieve this, the type of bags which are made of: canvas, HDPE and use of isolation bags in breeding of many types of polyester materials. plant species from grain crops to trees is widespread (Harries, 1972; Bridgwater et al., 1998; Windham Canvas and Williams, 2007). To ensure the genetic integrity Canvas is an extremely durable plain-woven of seed produced, the pollen harvested and later fabric made from either linen, cotton or sometimes used in pollination has to be of known origin and hemp. Typically, it is used for making sails, that the female inflorescences need to be isolated marquees, bags, canvasses for painting and shoes. with a bag to exclude contamination from unknown It is strong and sturdy and can be easily cut and pollen and to create controlled environment for sewn into the required shape. These bags have the seed development following pollination within advantage of being cheap and are often reused, the bag. The success and quality of hybrid seed however the natural cellulose in the fibres attracts production depends upon the effectiveness of insects (Hodges, 2003) and the plain woven design pollination bags (Smith and Mehlenbacher, 1994) can give a straight through hole that pollen and in respect of maintaining genetic integrity of weevils can penetrate; stitching enhances this. crosses by forbidding the access of foreign pollen carried by wind or insects. An equally important HDPE aspect is for the bag to allow good development of bunches which are characterised by a high fruit HDPE is lightweight and durable material set from the assisted pollinated bunches and the widely used for purposes such as graphic display, resulting numerous seeds. In oil palm, hybrid for construction and packaging. Stronger than seed production pollination bags must withstand paper and more cost-effective and versatile than damage from the plant’s tough abrasive physiology; fabrics, and has a higher strength-to-weight ratio as well as the climatic vagaries including ultra than paper, absorbs little or no moisture, is strong violet light, rain and wind; and also create the most and rip-resistant. It is the most widely used polymer conducive micro-environmental conditions for seed for manufacturing in plastic carrier bags through to production within the bag. Unconducive growth large-scale water pipes (CIEC_Promoting_Science, conditions inside the bag such as dampness may 2015). increase the probability of disease incidence on the developing seeds (Windham and Williams, Polyester 2007). Therefore, breeders
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