Palm Resources Research Articles

Genetic characterization of Libyan date palm resources by microsatellite markers.

Molecular typing of 377 female date palm trees belonging to 18 Libyan cultivars and representing common genotypes in the central Libyan oasis of Al Jufrah was performed using 16 highly polymorphic microsatellite or SSR loci. A total of 110 alleles with an average of 6.88 alleles per locus were scored indicating the high level of polymorphism existing among the cultivars thus allowing their genetic fingerprinting. Moreover 28 alleles out of 110 were fixed. All the cultivars were characterized by negative values of the Fixation Index (F) due to an excess of heterozygotes with respect to HW equilibrium. The pattern of genetic diversity among cultivars was estimated by codominant genetic distances and presented by principal coordinates analysis (PCoA). The observed pattern evidences the genetic diversity existing among cultivars that allow distinguishing them easily. The average dissimilarity internal to each cultivar ranged from 0 to 21. Seven cultivars showed value zero indicating no genetic difference within cultivar in agreement with their Fixation Index (F = 1). A varietal identification key was also built using multiloci genotyping with only three microsatellite loci that identified 23 alleles in total. The possibility to attribute the unknown male plant to a cultivar was also considered and male parentage analysis was performed. Fifty-five male plants out of 63 were assigned to a definite cultivar with high confidence level. The positive result obtained in identifying males confirmed the suitability of SSR for clone fingerprinting and cultivar identification, thus opening new prospects for date palm breeding.

Microsatellite gene diversity within Philippines dwarf coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) resources at Port-Bouët, Côte d’Ivoire

Description and assessment of genetic resources are common preoccupations for their better management and utilization in breeding program. Progress made to date is still limited in view of assessment of coconut resources in the International Coconut Genebank for Africa and Indian Ocean (ICG-AIO) at Marc Delorme Port-bouet experimental station in Cote d’Ivoire. Using twelve microsatellite markers, weanalyzed genetic diversity and genetic relationship among 25 palms representing five Philippines coconut green dwarf accessions. The 12 primers yielded 40 alleles, with an average of 3.33 alleles per primer. The within-accession genetic diversity (He) ranged from 0.067 ± 0.159 to 0.325 ± 0.205. In spite of the low level of polymorphism observed at microsatellite loci, factorial analysis of correspondence and hierarchical cluster analysis showed a clear distinction of aromatic green dwarf accession from others Philippines green dwarf accessions, which were not clearly separated. Indeed, there is no apparent partition between Kinabalan green dwarf and Catigan green dwarf individuals and between Pilipog green dwarf and Tacunan green dwarf accessions. Nevertheless, genetic differentiation indices ranged from 0.165 to 0.47 were obtained between these last accessions. The opportunity to consider these accessions as distinct each other relatively to their low genetic differentiation indices was discussed. Keys words: Assessment, dwarf coconut accessions, microsatellites, Cote d’Ivoire.

Diversity and conservation of palms in Andaman & Nicobar archipelago

The palm resources of Andaman & Nicobar Islands are quite rich and unique with a substantial number of endemic species. Andaman & Nicobar Islands, falling within the Indo-Burma region constitute “hottest hotspot” of global biodiversity with an exceptional concentration of endemic species, but are experiencing alarming loss of habitat. The flora and fauna of Andaman group of islands show striking dissimilarities with that of Nicobar group. Palms such as Arenga pinnata, A. westerhoutii, Calamus baratangensis, C. basui, C. longisetus, C. palustris, C. viminalis, Corypha utan, Daemonorops aurea, D. kurziana, D. manii, D. rarispinosa, D. wrightmyoensis, Korthalsia rogersii, Licuala spinosa, Phoenix andamanensis, and Pinanga andamanensis which occur in Andaman groups of islands are absent in the Nicobar group of islands. While Bentinckia nicobarica, Calamus dilaceratus, C. nicobaricus, C. pseudorivalis, C. semierectus, C. unifarius, and Rhopaloblaste augusta are confined to the Nicobars, but seldom found in the Andamans. Areca triandra, Calamus andamanicus, Caryota mitis, Korthalsia laciniosa, Licuala peltata and Pinanga manii are widely distributed in both the group of islands. There is a considerable reduction in their natural population probably due to habitat destruction, low regeneration, and inability to compete with other plants. In addition, calamities like tsunami caused irrecoverable loss of valuable genetic diversity of palms. If conservation efforts are not undertaken, many of the existing species, if not all, are likely to disappear within a foreseeable future. There is dire need for habitat preservation and for in situ conservation. Appropriate conservation strategies should be taken to prevent further genetic erosion of these species and to protect these invaluable plant resources.

Physico-Chemical Characterization of Some Saudi Lignocellulosic Natural Resources and their Suitability for Fiber Production

The valorization for fiber production of eight Saudi lignocellulosics: Phoenix dactylifera (surface fibers, leaflet and rachis) and wood from each of Conocorpus erectus, Leucaena leucocephala, Simmondsia chinensis, Azadirachta indica and Moringa peregrina were investigated. Fiber length, specific gravity and chemical composition: total extractives, lignin, holocellulose and ash contents of the eight lignocellulosic materials were determined. All the characteristics examined varied significantly due to the natural resource effect. The three lignocellulosic materials of date palm had higher contents of total extractives, lignin and ash; and lower holocellulose content compared to those from timber trees. Although the date palm leaflet possessed the longest fibers (1.31mm), followed by rachis (1.19mm). Their fiber manufacturing needs more chemicals and time and some problems arise upon chemical recovery process due to their chemical composition. The timber trees properties are more suitable for fiber products than the date palm resources although their shorter fibers. Leucaena leucocephala was the best resource due to its high content of holocellulose (70.82%), its reasonable fiber length (1.13mm) and to its specific gravity (0.597) approaching those of other hardwoods and its low contents of total extractives (9.74%), lignin (18.86%) and ash (1.22%) compared to the other resources examined.

Raphia palm resource and threats to sustainable cultivation in Mbaise area of Imo State, Nigeria

Raphia palm resource and threats to sustainable cultivation in Mbaise area of Imo State, Nigeria

Exploitation of communal oil palm resource and the remedies in Imo state, Nigeria

There is inadequate information and awareness on the detrimental consequences of exploitation of communal oil palm resource in Imo State. This study analyzed the forms of exploitation and the negative consequences as well as the factors influencing exploitation. Data were collected with structured questionnaire from 144 randomly selected respondents in Imo State, and analyzed using means, percentages, net returns and logistic regression analysis. Results show that harvesting of unripe oil palm fruits is the most serious form of exploitation, while reduced income was the most negative consequence of exploitation. Household size, occupation, annual income, returns from oil palm produce, farm size, operational intensity and labor costs were important factors influencing communal oil palm resource exploitation. Pressures on communal oil palm resource would reduce if alternative employment and sources of income are provided, and adequate attention is given to the factors that influence communal oil palm resource exploitation in Imo State. Keywords: Oil palm, rural farm, house hold, Nigeria IJOTAFS Vol. 1 (1) 2007: pp. 23-29

IMPACTS OF LEAF HARVESTING AND SAP TAPPING ON THE IVORY PALM (HYPHAENE PETERSIANA) IN SOUTH EASTERN ZIMBABWE

ABSTRACT People living in the marginal areas of Southern Africa have relied on palm resources for subsistence for centuries and yet little is known about the impacts of their harvesting activities. This work aimed at providing data on the impacts of two forms of traditional exploitation, leaf harvesting and sap tapping on the palm, Hyphaene petersiana. Three experiments were carried out in southeastern Zimbabwe • leaf harvesting to evaluate its impacts on new leaf production and the availability of harvestable material, • sap tapping to assess amounts produced, and • evaluating the regeneration potential of tapped ramets. Findings from this research were that: ∘ leaf harvesting reduced new leaf production, growth and the availability of harvestable material; ∘ sap tapping did not necessarily kill the palm but the extent of meristem removal determined the likelihood and mode of regeneration. We conclude that leaf harvesting and sap tapping activities influence the subsequent development of the palm Hyphaene petersiana and that efforts should be made to adopt harvesting and tapping strategies that will ensure reliable raw material supply for the craft industry which is sustaining many lives in Southern Africa.

Rigid polyurethane foams from oil palm resources

Rigid polyurethane foams from oil palm resources

Palm wine harvesting by the Bassari threatens Borassus aethiopum populations in north-western Guinea

The use of the palm tree Borassus aethiopum Mart(Coryphoideae) by the Bassari ethnic group in the Republic of Guinea wasstudied. Ethnic groups have multiple uses for B. aethiopumthroughout its distribution in tropical Africa. The Bassari use this palm mostlyas a palm wine resource. As their harvesting technique leads to the death of thepalm, the populations of this species are highly endangered in the areapopulated by the Bassari. The fast decline of an important resource has recentlygained attention at governmental level. In order to conserve the populations ofthis palm, it is essential to understand whether the Bassari use a lethaltechnique because of socio-economic reasons or due to a lack of knowledge. Thepresent study aims to answer this question. We collected the data in thenorth-western part of the Republic of Guinea in May 1996 by field observationsand by using 'Rapid Rural Appraisal' tools consisting of interactiveinterviews with palm wine harvesters, collectors, carriers and sellers. Afterconstructing a woody ladder fixed to the stem the Bassari extract the sap bycutting a hole into the palm heart and by removing a small part of the palmheart two times per day. Individual trees produce on average 10 lper day. After 35–45 days the sap production ceases and thepalm dies. A harvester kills on average 56 individuals of B.aethiopum per year. As a consequence of this lethal techniqueexploiters have to constantly move through and between palm populations. Thereis no reforestation of the degraded areas. The palm wine extraction ofB. aethiopum is the main activity of the Bassari for 7months of the year. For harvesters, collectors, carriers andsellers, palm wine extraction provides one of the most important annual incomes.The harvester pays a monthly tax of USD 5 to the forestry administration.Despite its economic importance, the Bassari palm wine harvesters rangeB. aethiopum as the sixth most important plant species in the area. The paradoxical situation of acommunity that threatens a resource that it is highly dependent on may beexplained by the following circumstances. Firstly, the exploiters seek a maximumprofit on a short term basis. Secondly, the exploiters apparently do not takeinto consideration the total value of other potential products from theBorassus. Thirdly, the Bassari do not have an importanttradition for exploiting B. aethiopum so that there is noapparent cultural alliance between the Bassari and the palm. Finally, the rulesand regulations for harvesting Borassus products favourquick profit. The extinction of the palm population studied can be expectedwithin about 25 years if no protection measure is taken.

Palms as rainforest resources: how evenly are they distributed in Peruvian Amazonia?

The distribution and the abundance of a species define the limits of itspotential use. Despite this simple fact, there are only a few studies thathave quantified the actual abundance and the distribution of species/resourcesin Amazonian rainforests, especially within unflooded (tierra firme) forests.The present study focused on the distributions and the abundances of palms,since they are both structurally important and widely utilized in the forests ofAmazonia. The similarity of the palm communities at eight different sites intierra firme forests of Peruvian Amazonia were examined, and the eighteconomically most important palm species were selected for more detailed studieson abundance and population structure. The results showed that both the overallpalm community composition and the abundances of the eight focal palm speciesvaried among the sites, and that these differences in abundances were related tothe amount of exchangeable cations in the soils. Population structure differedbetween growth forms: large, solitary palm species were mainly represented byseedlings and juveniles, whereas small, clonal palm species had very fewseedlings. The great variability in abundance of palm species should be takeninto account when estimating the availability of palm resources, as well as inconservation planning of the palm species in an area of interest.

Population matrix models and palm resource management

Abstract Population structures of numerous palm species have been described and discussed in the last 20 years. Population growth and stability have been analyzed with matrix models. In this paper we review matrix models and discuss methodological issues specific to estimating palm life history parameters. Generalizations drawn from previous studies are presented and implications for palm resource management, specifically for thatch, fruit, and stem harvest, are discussed.

Oil palm resources of the American Hemisphere

Journal of the American Oil Chemists' SocietyVolume 26, Issue 6 p. 257-267 Article Oil palm resources of the American Hemisphere K. S. Markley, K. S. Markley Southern Regional Research Laboratory, New Orleans, La. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorDale W. Jenkins, Dale W. Jenkins Southern Regional Research Laboratory, New Orleans, La. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Washington, D. C. Medical Division, Army Chemical Center, Edgewood, MdSearch for more papers by this author K. S. Markley, K. S. Markley Southern Regional Research Laboratory, New Orleans, La. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Washington, D. C.Search for more papers by this authorDale W. Jenkins, Dale W. Jenkins Southern Regional Research Laboratory, New Orleans, La. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Washington, D. C. Medical Division, Army Chemical Center, Edgewood, MdSearch for more papers by this author First published: 01 June 1949 https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02651480 Presented before the 22nd Fall Meeting of the American Oil Chemists' Society, New York City, November 15–17, 1948. One of the laboratories of the Bureau of Agricultural and Industrial Chemistry, Agricultural Research Administration, U. S. Department of Agriculture. AboutPDF ToolsRequest permissionExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text accessShare full-text accessPlease review our Terms and Conditions of Use and check box below to share full-text version of article.I have read and accept the Wiley Online Library Terms and Conditions of UseShareable LinkUse the link below to share a full-text version of this article with your friends and colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share a linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Volume26, Issue6June 1949Pages 257-267 RelatedInformation