This is a hands-on, practical guide to describe physical bunch and oil analysis of oil palm. Bunch and oil analysis laboratories are set up at oil mills to assess production, yield potential of plantations and oil extraction rates relative to targets. The higher the oil yields produced by the planting material, the less land that is needed to achieve a specific level of production, hence helping in the sustainability of the crop. Practical, illustrated steps are given in determining bunch and oil characteristics of oil palm. Promoting green, eco-friendly agriculture, this book covers: An introduction to bunch and oil analysis Health and safety considerations Bunch sampling Physical bunch analysis of stalks, spikelets, fruits and nuts Fruit sampling Nut analysis and measurements of components Oil analysis, oil extraction and measurement Calculation of bunch components and reporting. This is an invaluable manual for oil palm mill managers, oil palm plantation managers, palm oil producers, oil palm breeders, agronomists, oil chemists, oil palm seed producing companies and research institutes across the world (especially tropical zones). It is useful for those starting a career in oil palm production, as a reference guide for managers and for training purposes.

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.