Application of naphthalene acetic acid and gibberellic acid favours fruit induction and development in oil palm hybrid (Elaeis oleiferaxElaeis guineensis)

Abstract

SummaryThe OxG hybrid bunches contain more parthenocarpic fruits (PF) than normal fruits (NF) and present problems of development and ripening due to either an asynchronous opening of flowers or insufficient pollination. The objective of this study was to compare the effect of α-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) in the induction and development of PF and NF, the fatty acid profile (FAP), and the oil potential in the ‘Coari x La Mé’ oil palm hybrid. NAA and GA3induced parthenocarpy in the fruits and did not alter the FAP of the mesocarp oil. The commercial dose of pollen (0.9 g talc + 0.1 g pollen) resulted in increased bunch weight (BW) (20.8 kg) and lower percentage of PF in the bunch (65.4%). The most effective hormonal doses to induce the formation of PF in the bunch were NAA 300 and 600 mg L-1. GA3alone or in mixture with NAA increased the percentage of PF but did not increase the BW, indicating that GA3had no synergistic effect on BW. The NAA applications represent alternatives to complement assisted pollination of OxG hybrids to increase bunch production and oil yield.