Cevie asbl
The development and optimisation of in vitro
multiplication by somatic embryogenesis
in oil palm (Elaeis guineensis).
Importance of the oil plam sector in the region of Bandundu
The region of Bandundu in Zaire, which is covered mainly by forests and
savannah, is of a prime importance for the agricultural production in Zaire
by supplying food for the population of the capital, Kinshasa.
In addition to several well established annual cultures such as rice or
manioc, the region of Bandundu is particularly important for the culture of
oil palm (Elaeis guineensis). These cultures are in the origin
of the only industries present in the region : the oil extraction
industries. The oil palm represents the major culture and its exploitation
constitutes the only income for most of the rural population, working either
on the plantations, in the oil extraction factories or as traders of oil
palm and others palm products.
Oil palm groves, either natural or artificial, covered more than 400,000
hectares. However, most of the plantations were established 50 years ago
and the trees are too old for oil production. Therefore, it is necessary
that theses plantations be renewed. Today, the decrease of fruit production
has lead to numerous consequences for the local population. For instance,
10 years ago, there was still approximately 11,000 peoples profiting,
directly or indirectly, from the palm industries. Relative to this period,
the actual situation has degraded. Most of the enterprises have closed
partially or completely. The number of people who continue to work in this
economic area is under 2,000. Many people are today unemployed and without
any income.
In addition to this direct consequence, the decreased activity of oil
industries has many indirect consequences. In the past, the trucks which
took the roads to harvest the palm nuts, also brought to the villages
several manufactured products such as soap or medicine. Now, these products
are no longer available to the populations of isolated villages. This
traffic also allowed the farmers to sell their production of fruits and
vegetables to the town population. Thus, the rural population obtained
complementary salary and a better food supply was make to the town. Today,
the roads are less passable and many villages are completely isolated.
Moreover, the decreased agricultural yields has induced farmers to became
stock breeders. This new comportment now induces important environmental
degradation such as water pollution and forest - or savannah - destruction
which accelerate soil erosion.
Today, some oil is produced by non-controlled producers. This oil, which is
used by the population for cooking is produced without any sanitary control,
is very acid and is responsible of severe diseases for the local population.
These few examples show that the disintegration of the "oil palm sector"
led to very important consequences for all sectors of the society in the
region of Bandundu.
In vitro multiplication of dwarf varieties of oil palm
for replanting.
Due to the numerous economical and social aspects of oil palm culture in
this region, the replanting of the old palm groves accompanied by the
introduction of varieties of high performances is expected to dynamise all
the economical activities in the region of the Bandundu. In view of the size
and the age of the palm trees, the plantations should have been renewed
20 years ago. Today, dwarf varieties of oil palm have been developed
and their utilisation will be promoted. In fact, these varieties will
facilitate the harvest of the fruit and will reduce the risk of fall from
the tall trees, which are more than 15 meter height.
The in vitro multiplication of the oil palm will be used to
counteract the actual difficulties in palm multiplication and large scale
production. In fact, because of their inability to form branches, most palm
species cannot be multiplied by conventional vegetative propagation. In
general, seeds germination is therefore the only way to obtain planting
material. This process is however long and is actually not sufficiently
efficient for the replanting of all the old palm groves of the region.
Multiplication of dwarf varieties of palm in the laboratory will accelerate
the renewing of the palm groves and will revitalise the "oil palm sector".
Main /
Cooperation /
Under-exploited plants /
Tree cultures
These pages were designed by
Karl Erik Lentz and Pascal Lambé.
Last modifications the 19th of May 1997.
