Chapter 9 - Genetic Engineering of Oil Palm

Abstract

Oil palm is a perennial oil-yielding crop producing 5–8metric tons of crude palm oil from mesocarp and 0.4–0.8metric tons of palm kernel oil from kernels per hectare per annum, which is higher than any other oil seed crop. The center of origin and diversity of African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) appears to be concentrated in the tropical rainforests of West and Central Africa but it is being cultivated in more than 45 countries worldwide and is now second only to soybean as a major source of the world supply of oils and fats. Conventional breeding has limitations of narrow genetic base, a highly heterozygous nature because it is cross-pollinated, a perennial nature, and a requirement for heavy resources (land and other inputs). In this background, genomics-assisted selections and genetic engineering approaches help in producing oil palm with novel traits and higher oil productivity and quality (fatty acid profile) to ensure a sustainable oil palm industry. Development and utilization of trait-specific molecular markers could be of significant use in oil palm improvement. Information on molecular diversity, functional markers, quantitative trait locus mapping/linkage maps and genome-wide association mapping would certainly increase the effectiveness of the conventional oil palm improvement program. Oil palm genetic transformation was initially started using a biolistics method followed by Agrobacterium and polyethylene glycol-mediated transformation, etc. High-oleic acid, stearic acid, and biodegradable waste are the preliminary targets for researchers. Genomics approaches are ahead of genetic engineering technology since the genome sequence of oil palm is available in the public domain. Because of the long cycle of oil palm and the time taken for regeneration, transgenics in oil palm is at a slow pace. Genome editing approaches could enhance oil palm sustainable production.