Figure 1.

Heterosis in lipid biosynthesis observed in Tenera crossed by Pisifera and Dura. (A) Fruits of three African oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) varieties, Dura (Deli), Pisifera (TS3), and the hybrid progeny tree (#53). Mean total fertile fruit weight per year (kilogram) per tree was recorded below of each variety. Yield data of 4^th and 5^th years after planting were analyzed. (B) Lipid content for fruit of Dura, Pisifera and Tenera during fruit development stages. Fruit developmental stages were recorded as Months after Fertilization, MAF. Values are mean total lipid amount of mesocarp and endosperm (gram) ± SD (n = 6) (Student’s t-test). Asterisks in all panels indicate significant differences between Tenera and Dura (*P < 0.05; **P < 0.01). (C) Mesocarp lipid content of Dura, Pisifera and Tenera. Values are mean total lipid amount of mesocarp (% dry weight) ± SD (n = 3) (Student’s t-test). (D) Endosperm lipid content of Dura, Pisifera and Tenera. Values are mean total lipid amount of endosperm (% dry weight) ± SD (n = 3) (Student’s t-test).