Estimates of within family genetic variability for clonal selection in oil palm

Within family genetic and environmental variabilities in oil palm dura (D) ×pisifera (P) hybrid progenies were estimated from a D × P progeny test trial, a clonal trial and a clonal cum D × P progeny test trial and with the objective of examining the efficiency of selecting source palms (ortets) within family for clonal propagation. The clones were derived from seedling embryos or seedlings that were progeny reproductions of families proven in the first trial. The progenies in the second trial represented the source families of two sets of clones planted in the same trial. Estimates were obtained from: between and within family variance components; between and within clone variance components; and difference between pooled within family variance and pooled within clone variance. Estimates were generally similar with the different methods used. Within family genetic variabilities were generally low in progenies derived from more inbred parents especially in bunch and oil yields. In progenies from more outbred or variable parents, within family genetic variabilities were relatively higher particularly for oil to bunch and palm height; nevertheless environmental variabilities predominated. The low efficiency of within family palm or ortet selection for clone production and the need for repeated clonal tests over time and space to identify outstanding clones are stressed and the implications to commercial clonal propagation of oil palm discussed. This revised version was published online in July 2006 with corrections to the Cover Date.