Abstract
Oil palm is an introduced crop and its development in India is quite encouraging. Hence, the demand for planting materials has increased in recent years due to increase in investment by private entrepreneurs and support extended by the Government. Commercial dura x pisifera (DxP) planting materials are produced by exploiting genetic materials introduced from Malaysia and Nigeria. Progenies from Thodupuzha, Kerala after intense selection were used to establish five seed gardens. Commercial dura x pisifera (DxP) planting materials are produced from genetically superior parents after extensive selection. During 2004, only about 1 million sprouts were supplied against the demand of 1.9 million. During 2005-06, the demand of 2.182 from indigenous source and 3.155 million of exotic sources have been reported. A demand of 2.205 and 5.680 million from indigenous and exotic sources has been forecast for the year 2006-07. Import of exotic planting materials is being contemplated to fulfil the requirement.Oil palm is an introduced crop and its development in India is quite encouraging. Hence, the demand for planting materials has increased in recent years due to increase in investment by private entrepreneurs and support extended by the Government. Commercial dura x pisifera (DxP) planting materials are produced by exploiting genetic materials introduced from Malaysia and Nigeria. Progenies from Thodupuzha, Kerala after intense selection were used to establish five seed gardens. Commercial dura x pisifera (DxP) planting materials are produced from genetically superior parents after extensive selection. During 2004, only about 1 million sprouts were supplied against the demand of 1.9 million. During 2005-06, the demand of 2.182 from indigenous source and 3.155 million of exotic sources have been reported. A demand of 2.205 and 5.680 million from indigenous and exotic sources has been forecast for the year 2006-07. Import of exotic planting materials is being contemplated to fulfil the requirement.