Predicting Heritability of Oil Palm Breeding Using Phenotypic Traits and Machine Learning

Najihah Ahmad Latif,Fatini Nadhirah Mohd Nain,Rosni Abdullah,Nurul Hashimah Ahamed Hassain Malim,Muhammad Farid Abdul Rahim,Nurul Syafika Mohamad Fauzi,Mohd Nasruddin Mohamad

doi:10.3390/su132212613

Najihah Ahmad Latif, Fatini Nadhirah Mohd Nain + Show 5 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.3390/su132212613

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Abstract

Oil palm is one of the main crops grown to help achieve sustainability in Malaysia. The selection of the best breeds will produce quality crops and increase crop yields. This study aimed to examine machine learning (ML) in oil palm breeding (OPB) using factors other than genetic data. A new conceptual framework to adopt the ML in OPB will be presented at the end of this paper. At first, data types, phenotype traits, current ML models, and evaluation technique will be identified through a literature survey. This study found that the phenotype and genotype data are widely used in oil palm breeding programs. The average bunch weight, bunch number, and fresh fruit bunch are the most important characteristics that can influence the genetic improvement of progenies. Although machine learning approaches have been applied to increase the productivity of the crop, most studies focus on molecular markers or genotypes for plant breeding, rather than on phenotype. Theoretically, the use of phenotypic data related to offspring should predict high breeding values by using ML. Therefore, a new ML conceptual framework to study the phenotype and progeny data of oil palm breeds will be discussed in relation to achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).

Highlights

Oil palm is one of the main plantation crops grown to help the economy and maintain sustainability in Malaysia
Genetic data influenced by progeny, climate, humidity, soil, and temperature are significant for further studies to be conducted using machine learning (ML) [4]
Air pollution, and quality of land of oil palm areas significantly contribute to land productivity

Summary

Introduction

Oil palm is one of the main plantation crops grown to help the economy and maintain sustainability in Malaysia. The industry employs more than half a million people and provides livelihoods for approximately 1 million people to run the industry. This contrasts with annuals and perennials that have a shorter lifespan and years of observation. Selecting oil palm breeding for high-yielding and stress-tolerant crops is necessary for avoiding huge losses and maintaining sustainability. The maintained high yield and sustainability emphasize benefit all parties for food security, which is the basis of livelihoods, without depleting natural resources and human energy [2]

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