This is a hands-on, practical guide to describe field trials in oil palm breeding. Such trials are essential in almost all breeding programmes to select and verify the real expression of different target traits. In oil palm these include yield, tolerance to pests and diseases, oil quality and adaptability to the environment. Breeding success is dependent upon the genetic resources available and the effectiveness of screening amongst these for the desired traits. Many of these screens can now be carried out in the laboratory, particularly with DNA technologies. However, field trialing remains the "acid test" of commercial performance, with location and statistical design being key. Land preparation and the provision of good quality planting material, usually produced from deliberate cross-pollinations, underly the foundations of these trials. This book covers: Pre-trialing considerations and activities Land preparation Material preparation Trial planting Recording Ganoderma trials Pre-trial screening using DNA diagnostics This is an invaluable manual for oil palm breeders and oil palm institute across the world, and particularly tropical zones. It is also useful for those starting a career in oil palm improvement, those developing breeding programmes, as well as a reference guide for plantation managers and for training purposes.

This is a hands-on, practical guide to general and specific practices in oil palm nurseries to produce healthy, vigorous and uniform plants ready for field planting. There are two nursery stages, pre-nursery and main nursery. The pre-nursery receives both germinated seeds and tissue culture produced plantlets (ramets) which are planted in a relatively small area in which shade and humidity can be controlled. Once young plants are established they are transferred to the main nursery, potted-on and grown on to produce field-ready plants. Good nursery practices, using sustainable approaches where possible, aim to provide high quality planting materials for both commercial production and field trialling. The book covers: Nursery set up - pre-nursery and main nursery Fertilizer programmes Watering Culling Weeding Pests and diseases Pre-field genotypic screening and selection Quarantine nurseries This is an invaluable manual for commercial seed producers, nursery plant producers, commercial plantation companies and plant breeders, as well as researchers in oil palm. It is useful for those starting a career in oil palm production, and as a reference guide for managers and for training purposes.