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Morphogenesis of Oil Palm Fruit (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) in Mesocarp and Endocarp Development



Author(s)

Hermine Bille Ngalle, Joseph Martin Bell, Georges Franck Ngando Ebongue, Lambert Nyobe, Félix Chancelin Ngangnou and Godswill Ntsefong Ntsomboh

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DOI:10.17265/1934-7391/2013.02.008

This work aims to study the development of the pericarp of the fruit of Elaeis guineensis Jacq. var. dura. The thickness, the water and the oil contents of its tissues are evaluated every two weeks, from pollination to the maturity of the fruit. The development of the oil palm fruit takes 5.5 months. The endocarp reaches its maximum thickness at the 70th DPP (day post-pollination), with a water content of 72%. It then starts its dehydration, while sclerifying. It therefore isolates the seed at start and later protects it. The mesocarp is visible at anthesis and its water content is close to 92%. From the 100th DPP, it begins a continuous dehydration associated, from the 130th DPP, with an active lipids biosynthesis. Ultimately, the pericarp of the oil palm fruit fulfills both functions, namely to protect the seed by early sclerification of the endocarp and ensure the dissemination of the species by the high oil content of the mesocarp. A comparative anatomy of the pericarp tissues of the three genotypes of E. guineensis Jacq., during the first three weeks of fruit development, will enhance the understanding of the primary effect of sh gene.

Elaeis guineensis Jacq., fruit, endocarp, mesocarp, development.