Seasonal effects on bunch components and fatty acid composition in Dura oil palm (Elaeis guineensis )

Abstract

Rainfall and temperature in the different seasons can affect yield and oil quality of oil palm. A study was carried out on bunch components and fatty acid content of oil samplesfrom Dura oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in the wet (July to October 2007) and dry (Januaryto April 2008) seasons. Experimental area was a farmer’s plantation in Pathio district, Chumphon province, the southern part of Thailand. Significant differences among seasons were observed in fruits/bunch, kernels/bunch and oil/bunch ratios. Myristic and palmitic acid in mesocarp oil from the fruits harvested in dry season showed reduction of percentage compared to those from wet season. However, stearic and linoleic acid percentages increased 0.90 and 1.79%, respectively, in the samples from dry season more than those from wet season. In kernel oil, oleic acid content from dry season was higher than that from wet season. The data suggest that different harvesting times affect oil content and fatty acid composition in the oil. This study found a statistically significantcorrelation (P < 0.01) between mesocarp oil yield (kg) and amount of rainfall as well as accumulated temperature in the three months before harvesting while the kernel oil yield (kg) showed higher correlation with accumulated temperature than the amount of rainfall. Key words: Bunch component, fatty acid composition, palm mesocarp, palm kernel.