Ablation reduces androgyny and improves flowering and bunch production in palms of Coarí x La Mé hybrid (Elaeis oleifera x Elaeis guineensis)

Abstract

The first inflorescence in OxG hybrids after transplant to the field is often androgynous and should be removed to stimulate the initial vegetative growth of palms. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of early inflorescence ablation on later inflorescence emission and normal bunch development. The experimental design was completely randomized with two treatments (with early ablation and without ablation), four replicates, and 16 palms per replicate. The emission of female, male, and androgynous inflorescences, the number of leaflets, leaf area and dry weight of leaf 17, number of normal bunches formed, and annual production were estimated. The emission of normal female inflorescences increased with total ablation, while androgynous inflorescences increased without ablation. Ablated palms increased their leaf area, leaf dry weight, and annual bunch production.