Variety output and oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) improvment : The P.T. Socfin Indonesia example

Improved oil palm seed (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) production by P.T. Socfin Indonesia is based on a Recurrent Reciprocal Scheme (RRS). For more than 20 years, P.T. Socfin Indonesia has been carrying out progeny trials on more than 1,000 ha, all of which are dedicated to the RRS second cycle. Along with CIRAD as team-mate, this scheme is connected to other network partners in Africa and South-America. This connection allows P.T. Socfin Indonesia to exploit the results obtained within the network. These established interconnected trials allow the remaining best hybrid categories (first cousin family' groupings) to be chosen and within the best progenies. These progenies are reproduced as D x P through the self of the parents. The seed production technique is extremely precise. The processes from the initial observation of mother trees up to planting material delivery, will be guaranteed by ISO certification. Thus all oil palm seeds distributed by P.T. Socfin Indonesia ensure the planters gain from the genetic improvement obtained through the Research Stations Network, which provides a very high quality planting material: up to 7 tons total oil / ha, with a 24% industrial extraction rate, high precocity, high homogeneity and slow growth in the North Sumatra conditions. (Résumé d'auteur