ISSN 2375-0693
African Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development ISSN 2375-0693 Vol. 8 (10), pp. 001-009, October, 2020. © International Scholars Journals
Full Length Research Paper
Seasonal effects on bunch components and fatty acid composition in Dura oil palm (Elaeis guineensis)
Mhanhmad S.1, Leewanich P.1*, Punsuvon V.2, Chanprame S.1 and Srinives P.1
1Department of Agronomy, Faculty of Agriculture at Kamphaeng Saen, Kasetsart University, Kamphaeng Saen Campus, Nakhon Pathom 73140, Thailand.
2Department of Chemistry, Faculty of Science, Kasetsart University, Bangkhen Campus, Bangkok 10900, Thailand.
Accepted 12 October, 2020
Abstract
Rainfall and temperature in the different seasons can affect yield and oil quality of oil palm. A study was carried out on bunch components and fatty acid content of oil samples from Dura oil palm (Elaeis guineensis) in the wet (July to October 2007) and dry (January to April 2008) seasons. Experimental area was a farmer’s plantation in Pathio district, Chumphon province, the southern part of Thailand. Significant differences among seasons were observed in fruits/bunch, kernels/bunch and oil/bunch ratios. Myristic and palmitic acid in mesocarp oil from the fruits harvested in dry season showed reduction of percentage compared to those from wet season. However, stearic and linoleic acid percentages increased 0.90 and 1.79%, respectively, in the samples from dry season more than those from wet season. In kernel oil, oleic acid content from dry season was higher than that from wet season. The data suggest that different harvesting times affect oil content and fatty acid composition in the oil. This study found a statistically significant correlation (P < 0.01) between mesocarp oil yield (kg) and amount of rainfall as well as accumulated temperature in the three months before harvesting while the kernel oil yield (kg) showed higher correlation with accumulated temperature than the amount of rainfall.
Key words: Bunch component, fatty acid composition, palm mesocarp, palm kernel.