A field experiment was conducted at ICAR-Indian Institute of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad during Rabi season of 2023-24 in a red sandy soil. The objective was to evaluate the effect of sequential application of pre-emergence (PE) and postemergence (PoE) herbicides on weed management, sesame yield and to identify effective herbicides for weed management, yield preservation, and crop safety. Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) cv “CUMS 17” was line-sown. Among the herbicides tested, pre-emergence application (PE) of pendimethalin 30% + imazethapyr 2% EC (pre-mix) (pendimethalin + imazethapyr) 750+50 g/ha achieved significantly highest weed control efficiency (WCE) at 60 DAS and sesame yield. The sequential application of pendimethalin 750 g/ha PE followed by (fb) post-emergence application (PoE) of haloxyfop-R-methyl 10.5% w/w EC (haloxyfop-R-methyl) 54 g/ha recorded the next highest yield. Pyroxasulfone 85% w/w WG (pyroxasulfone) 127.5 g/ha PE was statistically at par with above sequential application treatment. Bentazone, metribuzin, fluazifop-p-butyl + fomesafen, and propaquizafop + imazethapyr showed phytotoxicity and resulted in lower sesame yield. The uncontrolled weeds in weedy check limited sesame yield to just 33% of the weed free check. It could be concluded that pendimethalin + imazethapyr 750+50 g/ha PE was superior in terms of attaining higher yield of sesame and effective weed management, while pyroxasulfone PE, haloxyfop-R-methyl, and clethodim PoE demonstrated their potential to use for weed management in sesame.

The study was carried out during 2021, 2022 and 2023 at ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research, Pedavegi, Eluru, Andhra Pradesh with aim to improve characterization and utilization of oil palm genotypes developed from African mother palms (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.). The clustering pattern, variability, correlation, principal component analysis and path analysis of 143 genotypes were done with the support of bunch parameters to better know the variations among them. Genotypic correlations among factors impacting oil yield describe the true link by excluding any environmental impacts. It has been noted that dura genotypes exhibit a wide range of variability in terms of yield and bunch components, which can be exploited and expanded for oil palm breeding lines development. Six oil palm dura genotypes (G9, G44, G119, G77, G142, and G124) have been identified as superior for commercial production of D × P hybrid oil palm planting materials due to their high oil to bunch percentage (OB) (>20%). Genotype G77 identified as the best performer in terms of high OB (26%), weight of oil (2%) and mesocarp-to-fruit ratio (83.20%). It is concluded that mesocarp-to-fruit ratio, oil to wet mesocarp, fruit to bunch ratio, bunch weight, total number of fruits and weight of oil are the best traits for selection and utilization to improve the existing oil palm germplasm. Further, use of these selected materials for commercial production could boost oil yield compared to the presently cultivated oil palm genotypes.

The genome-wide association study used 115 oil palm genotypes and assessed seven oil properties using fifty-four SSR markers. The diversity analysis study classified these genotypes into two major groupings. The mixed linear model (MLM) method revealed a significant correlation between mEgCIR0037 and mEgCIR0782 and the kernel-to-fruit (KF) ratio (p<0.01). The shell-to-fruit ratio trait was associated with mEgCIR0425, whereas the oil-to-dry mesocarp (ODM) trait was linked to mEgCIR0782. QTLs discovered during validation can be utilized to revalidate in different populations. Among these genotypes, 21 tenera (>24 %) and 30 dura (>20 %) had a high oil-to-bunch ratio. The genotypes IC0610002-79, IC0610005-103, IC0610011-181, ICO610013-224, and IC0610018-23 had oil-to-bunch ratios greater than 30 %. The genotypes that have been found are appropriate for use in breeding programs to generate parental material for the creation of hybrids.

Producing homogeneous planting material in oil palm poses a significant challenge, which can be addressed through somatic embryogenesis. This study successfully achieved somatic embryogenesis using immature male inflorescence from Tenera hybrid. Modified Eeuwens medium yielded better results than the Murashige and Skoog (MS) and CHU (N6) media when supplemented with 2,4-D, picloram and α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA). The Eeuwens (Y3) medium supplemented with picloram led to an increased callus percentage, ranging from 25% to 63.7%. The highest rate of somatic embryogenesis was observed with a combination of 2,4-D (16 mg/l), picloram (24 mg/l), and 2,4,5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5 –T) (2 mg/l), resulting in an average embryogenesis percentage between 2.54% and 7.24%. The average embryogenesis percentage varied from. Additionally, the liquid media proved effective for root growth and proliferation (R2 medium), which included Indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) (2 mg/l) and NAA (0.5 mg/l), along with activated charcoal (100 mg/l). The elongated, nodular-shaped root-like structures developed into root primordial structures. This protocol will be instrumental in producing homogeneous oil palm planting material through micropropagation and cloning of mother palms, facilitating the establishment of semi-clonal seed gardens.

Harvesting is a serious issue in oil palm plantations after 15–20 years owing to the increased height of the trees (>9 m). The slow vertical growth of the oil palm dura genotypes is desired for increasing the D × P progenies’ productivity and economic life span upto ten years. A reduced height increment has a long-term impact on harvesting costs. The current study assessed 308 genotypes generated from African germplasm. Over a three year period, the biometric properties of eleven D × D crosses were evaluated in order to quantify genetic parameters and phenotypic correlations, and principal component analysis was performed for genetic attributes of the better-performing dwarf progenies in terms of yield. The evaluated genotypes have a highly significant influence (p < 0.01) on the majority of characteristics. The progenies yielded between 165 and 208 kg of fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) per palm every year. The height increment (HI) varied between 17% and 19%, with an overall average of 18%. Genotypes G8, G300, and G221 had the lowest yearly height increments, measuring 28.98, 29.19, and 30.87 cm, respectively. The outcome of the present study shows that they are slow-height-increment genotypes with a high FFB yield (>25 T/Ha). The creation of dura parents with a slow height increment in combination with a high bunch weight helps for prolonging the productive life of the palm to more than 35 years, adding value to obtain distinct oil palm varieties. Overall, this targeted breeding effort towards developing dwarf oil palm hybrids reflects a strategic approach to addressing specific challenges in oil palm cultivation, ultimately helping to promote the oil palm sector globally.

This study presents a GIS-based Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis (MCDA) spatial model to assess land suitability for oil palm (OP) cultivation in rainfed conditions. Initially, twelve parameters, viz., rainfall, number of rainy days, mean temperature, RH, ground water level, soil pH, salinity, soil depth, surface texture, stoniness, slope, and drainage, were selected for assessing OP suitability in one of the states (Kerala). However, subsequent ground verification revealed significant discrepancies, which prompted refining the model by focusing on key parameters with greater accuracy and relevance. Accordingly, only five the most critical parameters affecting OP cultivation under rainfed conditions were selected through the rank sum method, and weights were assigned ac-cording to their significance. This study was aimed at creating a comprehensive tool for informed decision making in agricultural planning. District-level spatial data from reliable sources were utilized for Multi-Criteria Decision Analysis. Thematic rasters, representing key factors influencing land suitability, were created in a GIS. Utilizing MCDA techniques, a digital suitability map was generated in ArcGIS 10.3, delineating three distinct classes over an extensive area of 10.5 million hectares. Further, with an aim to focus on actual locations that can be readily planted with oil palm, the suitable locations identified were restricted to eight selected land use/land cover (LULC) classes. This strategic limitation aimed to facilitate the expansion of OP cultivation exclusively to areas deemed most suitable based on the identified criteria. The validation of this developed model involved comparing the suitability map generated with the performance of existing oil palm plantations across diverse locations. The reasonable similarity between the model’s predictions and real-world plantation outcomes validated the effectiveness of this MCDA spatial model. This model not only helps identify suitable locations for rainfed oil palm cultivation but also serves as a valuable tool for strategic decision making in agricultural land use planning.

Among the vegetable oils, palm oil which is obtained from African oil palm (Elaeisguineensis Jacq.) contributes a major share at the global oil trading centres. Taxonomically, oil palm belongs to the family Aricaceae (formerly known as Palmaceae), sub-family Arecoideae and the genus Elaeis. One breeding cycle of oil palm takes 15-18 years with lot of techniques involved in achieving good yield and oil quality of oil palm in a sustainable manner. Oil palm is a highly heterozygous and heterogeneous crop with high diversity in the germplasm (Babu et al. 2020). Oil palm can be divided into mainly three forms based on the shell thickness of the fruits i.e., dura, pisifera, and tenera, whereas another type of fruit form called macrocarya also exists but not common. Based on fruit color, oil palm is classified into two types i.e., Virescence and Nigrescence type. Nigrescence is the commonly found fruitcolor among the commercially grown oil palm farms. In terms of quality, palm oil has approximately equal distribution of saturated to unsaturated fatty acids (UFAs). Most of the oil palm breeding programmes in generating high yielding varieties were restricted to dura variety which is having thick shelled fruit form till the 1950s. Later, research efforts at some countries like Africa, Malaysia and Indonesia resulted in generation of various breeding populations originated from the four Bogorpalms and their progenies.

Development of oil palm across the country necessitates organizing capacity building programmes on oil palm which is taken up regularly by ICAR-IIOPR. During Covid-19 pandemic situation ICAR-IIOPR opted for online mode for disseminating oil palm technologies. ICAR-IIOPR had organized 13 virtual trainings to about 632 officers during 2020-2022. Feedback of IIOPR virtual trainings was collected from the participants by using standardized questionnaire and data was compiled and statistical tools such as frequencies and percentages were used to know the results and draw inferences. Data was tabulated for parameters viz., devices used, interaction, virtualcommunication, time management etc. and it was found that 45.16 % trainees expressed that their overall feeling about IIOPR virtual trainings was good.

The tallness of the oil palm is a major hurdle for harvesting of ripened bunches after attaining the age of 25 years. Hence, the study conducted with an objective to identify and validate the major loci for dwarf trait using integrated genomic approaches viz ., bulk segregant analysis (BSA), genome wide association mapping (GWAS), and bioinformatics. The average height increment of the germplasm was found to be 28.6 cm which ranges from 10.12 to 58.21 cm. The principal component analysis results showed that Zambian and Cameroon genotypes are having less height increment nature. The GWAS resulted in identification of six QTLs on chromosomes 4, 8, and 14. Out of the six QTLs, two SSRs (mEgCIR3350andmEgCIR0059) linked to two QTLs (qtlH1 and qtlH2 respectively) were significant. The BSA analysis also showed that the marker mEgCIR0059 is tightly linked to less height increment. Interestingly, the qtlH2 (mEgCIR0059) is found to be linked by both the BSA and GWAS analysis. The bioinformatics analysis of qtlH2 (mEgCIR0059) also confirmed that it is linked to the asparagine synthetase candidate gene. The marker was validated on large number of populations consisting of African germplasm, progeny derived from the cross between dwarf and tall germplasm, and dwarf palm which is available at our experimental farm. This marker can be effectively used in molecular breeding programmes to select dwarf germplasm at an early stage.

Palm oil is an important source of vegetable oil used in a wide range of products. In India, an area of 19.33 lakh ha in 18 states is identified as the potential area for oil palm cultivation by various Expert Committees constituted by the Government of India. Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis), being a potential carbon-sequestering perennial crop by biological means, has helped in mitigating global warming and climatic fluctuations. Considering the need for potentially high-yielding oil palm variety for plantation, ICAR-Indian Institute of Oil Palm Research (IIOPR), Pedavegi, supplied ten new hybrids for testing their performance under different agro-climatic conditions in India. The present study conducted under the All India Coordinated Research Project (AICRP) on Palms (Oil palm) at the College of Horticulture, Mulde, Maharashtra revealed that out of ten different hybrids (NRCOP-01 to NRCOP-10), hybrid NRCOP-2 performed consistently better in terms of yield. NRCOP-2 recorded the highest bunch weight (19.22 kg bunch-1), number of fresh fruit bunches per palm (8.14), highest fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) yield (22.14 t ha-1) and highest oil yield (5.36 t ha-1) as compared to other hybrids. Based on twelve years of evaluation, NRCOP-2 was consistently found to be high oil yielding and hence was released for cultivation in the coastal region of Maharashtra and Western Ghat under the name Godavari Ratna during the 2019 Annual Group Meeting of AICRP on Palms.

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.), an industrial oilseed crop, is the most prominent oil-producing crop in the world and one of the highest dry matter producers among C3 plants. It removes large amounts of soil nutrients to support its substantial biomass and oil production. Thus, maintaining adequate levels of limiting nutrients at favorable ratios in the soil is crucial to sustain the required palm nutritional status and oil production over extended periods. We evaluated the levels and ratios of the available soil and leaf nutrients in high-yielding (HYOPP) and low-yielding (LYOPP) oil palm plantations from two locations in southern India and assessed their relations to develop effective nutrient management for sustaining fresh fruit bunch (FFB) production. The FFB yield varied from 2.00 to 31.0 t ha−1 (location 1) and 6.84 to 30.9 t ha−1 (location 2), and the FFB yields of the high- and low-yield population at each location differed significantly. Wide ranges of soil properties, available nutrients, and leaf nutrients concentrations were observed at 0–20- and 20–40-cm soil depths at both locations. The soil nutrient ratios at both sampling depths of the HYOPP were significantly different than the LYOPP at location 1. The mean leaf N (2.09%) and K (0.68%) concentrations at location 2 were significantly higher than those in location 1 (1.85% and 0.54, respectively). The mean leaf concentrations at both locations followed the order N (1.85%, 2.09%) > Ca (1.65%, 1.36%) > K (0.54%, 0.68%) > Mg (0.49%, 0.47%) > S (0.16%, 0.18) > P (0.11%, 0.12%) > B (35.8 mg kg−1, 27.5 mg kg−1). We observed positive and significant correlations between the available N and P at 0–20 cm and between the available N and K as well as Ca and S at both soil depths for HYOPPs. In LYOPPs, the available N was significantly correlated with the available P, K, Ca, and Mg at both soil depths and with the available S at 0–20 cm. The FFB yield of LYOPPs was positively and significantly correlated with the available P and S at the 0–20-cm soil depth and with the available N and P at the 20–40-cm soil depth. Except for a negative correlation (p < 0.05) with exchangeable Ca at the 20–40-cm soil depth, the FFB yield in HYOPPs had no significant correlation with the available soil nutrients at both depths. The FFB yield of LYOPPs had a positive significant (p < 0.01) correlation with the leaf P and K concentrations, while the yield of HYOPPs had a negative correlation (p < 0.01) with the leaf P. Fertilizer accounts for a large part of the on-farm cost in oil palm plantations, and an evidenced approach for fertilizer management based on nutrient contents and ratios in the soil and in the plant is useful for sustainable and profitable production of palm oil.

A study was carried out to find prospective tenera hybrids for cultivation in the Cauvery Delta region. The experiment was set up in a randomized block design with three replications involving ten cross combinations of tenera hybrids (NRCOp 11–20). The data of twelve years indicated that, palm height, stem girth and No. of leaves produced palm−1 year−1 revealed significant variations among the ten hybrids. Higher sex ratio was documented with NRCOP 17 (72%) with highest number of female inflorescence (10.60) and least number of male inflorescence (4.10) followed by NRCOP 12 and NRCOP 19 recorded sex ratio (70%); female and male inflorescences (10.45 and 4 2). In terms of FFB productivity and bunch parameters, NRCOP 17 recorded significantly higher fresh fruit bunches (FFBs) yield (198.38 kg palm-1), No. of fruits in 250 gm sample (17.23), Fruit/bunch (0.65), weight of fresh mesocarp (130.53 g), fresh nuts (120.11g), dry mesocarp (70.09 g), dry nuts (110.28 g), shell (100.12 g), kernel (20.58 g) and oil content (21.28%) respectively. The findings on growth and yield parameters of tenera hybrid revealed that, the NRCOP 17 is a promising hybrid for cultivation in Cauvery delta area.

Spatial Modeling of land suitability helps in right deployment of a crop to its suitable locations. The present study was aimed at developing a GIS and MCDA (multi criteria decision analysis) integrated spatial model to assess land suitability for oil palm cultivation under rainfed conditions of India. The most critical parameters (factors) influencing oil palm cultivation under rainfed conditions were identifiedand weights were assigned through rank sum method. Spatial data for these parameters has been collected at district level from standard sources. Thematic rasters developed in GIS with defined sub-classes. Through MCDA, digital suitability map developed and suitable areas (three classes) were delineated, in ArcGIS 10.3.Accordingly, 10.478 million ha (Mha) area was identified as suitable for rainfed cultivation of oil palm in the country.Further, to facilitate expansion of oil palm cultivation to sustainable locations alone, the identified suitable area was restricted to existing eight land use land cover (LULC) classes only. After restricting this suitable area to only selected LULC classes, 4.237 Mha area was identified as suitable in total (0.95 Mha- highly suitable, 1.08 Mha- moderately suitable and 2.21 Mha- marginally suitable). Most of the highly suitable areas were found in Kerala and Andaman & Nicobar Islands. This information acts as a decision tool for policy makers in planning oil palm expansion in the country and presently it is being followed by Indian government to allocate oil palm crop to most suitable areas for achieving sustainable production of the crop in the country.

A study was conducted to find the impact of lockdown due to the pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) on agriculture, in general, and on oil palm cultivation, in specific. Results revealed that the majority of the farmers contacted had 26-30 years of farming experience, were between 31-60 years of age, were educated up to high school level, with an average of four family members and possessed medium landholdings. The crops grown by these farmers include oil palm, maize, coconut, paddy, cocoa and vegetables. The majority of them had irrigated dry lands. All the farmers were aware about the reasons for the lockdown due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Areas where lockdown impact was visible on agriculture, either directly or indirectly, include labour availability, high cost of labour, harvesting, transport, and market prices. Resources affected due to lockdown were labour, fertilizers, harvesting, transport etc. All cultural practices were adopted in oil palm. The majority of the respondents perceived that oil palm was not affected compared to other crops during the lockdown; they opined to have obtained a good market price for oil palm during the lockdown period. Most of them informed that they received oil palm cultivation related messages sent by ICAR-IIOPR, Pedavegi. They perceived to be aware of the technologies during the lockdown period. Messages (SMS) on oil palm irrigation, cultivation practices, and fertigation were adopted. The need for Government assistance during the lockdown period was felt in the following aspects for different crops, viz., marketing, cultivation assistance, and transport. Farmers perceived that lockdown might have long-term implications due to the non-availability of labour for harvesting crops. It is evident from the study that crops affected severely during the lockdown period require long term strategies to mitigate the problems faced. Farmers must be supported with minimum support price (MSP), transport facilities and ad hoc strategies to sell their products through the government purchase mechanism. A need for monitoring the increase in the prices of agricultural inputs was also felt.

Aim: The present study was conducted to evaluate oil palm dura progenies developed from Zambia and Cameroon germplasm sources for bunch components for the selecting of high oil yielding mother palms. Methodology: Total 77 dura genotypes were evaluated by considering 15 different bunch components. Bunch analysis data were collected from tenth year onwards after planting. The genetic diversity, Principal component analysis, correlation and path analysis of the genotypes were estimated. Results: Study revealed that oil-to bunch ratio depends on fruit-to-bunch ratio and mesocarp-fruit ratio. The ANOVA value showed a significant variability among the genotypes for most of the bunch traits and the identified genotype P35 (24.53 %) was highest oil yielder. Positive significant correlation (p≤ 0.01) of mesocarp-to-fruit ratio and oil-to-dry mesocarp with oil-to-bunch ratio were noted in this study. Based on path analysis, the information obtained from this study is the oil-to-wet mesocarp ratio (0.697) showed the highest significant positive direct effect on oil-to-bunch ratio followed by mesocarp-to-fruit ratio (0.570). Interpretation: This study may support for the future selection of mother palms to utilize in oil palm improvement programmes. Introgression into existing breeding materials and breeding for seed production utilising selected palms.

Studies on phenology and growing degree days (GDD) of four oil palm crosses, that is, Palode, Deli x Nigeria, United Plantations and Deli x Ghana were conducted in India under tropical conditions. Observations were recorded in adult oil palms over a period of 1.5 years from visual opening of spear leaf to development of female flower till harvest.Biologische Bundesantalt, Bundessortenamt and Chemische Industrie(BBCH) General Scale was used for conducting various phenological growth stages. The GDD from development of spear leaf to maturity in the different crosses varied between 6,320.2 and 6,937.3. The degree days and duration from development of spear leaf to maturity were less in the crosses of United Plantations. The time taken for spear leaf unfolding to maturity and flower opening to maturity in the different crosses, respectively, varied from 447.9 to 485.2 days and 145.8 to 153.7 days. The study gives an insight in evaluating thermal time for achieving various phenophases in oil palm and genotypic variations of time taken in attaining the different phenophases that have been documented. Climatic and yield prediction models can also be evolved through these studies.

Aim: The present study was carried out with an aim to select promising individual oil palms from Nigerian source population at Hut Bay, Little Andaman Island for utilization in breeding programme, enrich germplasm assemblage and conservation in the field gene bank. Methodology: The Nigerian source oil palm were subjected to fruit cut testing and evaluated for eleven bunch quality components of horticultural importance at Oil Palm Research Centre, Palode in Kerala. Results: The maximum standard deviation was observed for total number of fruits followed by total number of spikelet and percentage of shell/fruit, whereas highest CV % was recorded for bunch weight followed by oil to bunch %, single fruit weight and single nut weight. The four identified palms had maximum values of bunch components viz, total number of spikelet, single fruit weight, total number of fruits, mesocarp tofruit and oil to bunch with 262, 15.79g, 2246, 73.79 % and 37.3 %, respectively. Principal Component Analysis of bunch components revealed that the first three principal components accounted for 79.1% of the variability observed with Eigen value more than one. The most important bunch components that contributed more to the diversity of the oil palms are fruit to bunch, single nut weight, single kernel weight, bunch weight, total number of spikelets, total number of fruits and shell thickness. Interpretation: The significant genetic diversity observed among the individual palms of Nigerian source suggests that these palms are best donors of new genes for oil palm improvement as well as widening the genetic base.

Soil quality characteristics are poorly understood after cultivating oil palm (OP) under irrigated conditions. OP grown under irrigated ecosystem on tropical soils is supplied with huge quantities of water and nutrients without considering changes in soil quality parameters. This may lead to the degradation of fertile lands. To understand the changes that take place in soil properties due to different management practices, data from 132 fixed points have been collected in West Godavari District of Andhra Pradesh in India, from 13-year-old plantations and for ca 6 years after imposing mulching and improved resource management interventions. Improvement in soil organic carbon (SOC) content, cation exchange capacity (CEC) available N, P, K, Mg and B contents were recorded due to mulching and improved management. In a monocrop stand of oil palm, mulching alone could enhance SOC content by 52% at 13 years after planting, whereas the corresponding improvement in an intercrop stand (with cocoa) was 77%, above its conventional cultivation SOC without mulching. Mulching in combination with improved management could enhance the SOC content by 40 and 56% respectively after 6 years in sole and intercrop stands respectively, over their corresponding levels at 13 years, in the top 0-30 cm layer. Conventional cultivation of OP recorded a reduction of SOC by 4% during the same time-span of 6 years. Similar trend was observed in soil available nutrients also. The partial least squares (PLS)-path model confirmed that sustainable production of oil palm is possible through mulching and improved management.