Experimental modification of reciprocal recurrent selection in oil palm breeding in Cameroon

Reciprocal recurrent selection (RRS) exploits the genetic complementarity of dura populations of palms with a small number of large bunches and tenera/pisifera group of palms with large number of small bunches. An extra phase was introduced to RRS just after the second cycle of selection where outstanding dura derived from (DA3D × DA5D) combinations of the second cycle were self-pollinated for seed production. Best palms based on the phenotype were selected and crossed with pisifera of second cycle offspring of LM2T. (DA3D × DA5D) self-pollinated × LM2T self-pollinated] progenies were field tested at La Dibamba (Cameroun) from 1987 to 1997. They were precocious with regard to the three-first years’ bunch yields (13.16–15.77 t/ha). Homogeneity for all bunch yield components and homogeneity for vertical growth were illustrated by low values of the variation coefficient (5.75–7.75%). The oil yield was 107% of the control against 115% from (DA3D × DA5D) × LM2T self-pollinated] progenies of the second cycle of RRS, mostly due to poor mesocarp to fruit and poor oil to mesocarp ratios which led to a low oil extraction rate. The extra selection phase led mainly to homogenisation of progenies but also reduced the fruit quality. However, three progenies whose average oil yield represented 115% of the control (4.87 t/ha) in addition to their precocity can be released to oil palm growers. The extension of RRS did not fully meet expectations and poses the problem of its reliability.