Advancing genome-based molecular precision agriculture in oil palm

Nathan Lakey, . and Rajanaidu Nookiah, . and Martienssen Robert A., . and Ordway Jared M., . and Mohd Arif Manaf, . and Ong Meilina Abdullah, . and Singh Rajinder, . and Ravigadevi Sambanthamurthi, . and Smith Steven W., . and Low Leslie Eng-Ti, . (2017) Advancing genome-based molecular precision agriculture in oil palm. [Proceedings Paper]

In 2013 a team led by MPOB reported the reference genome sequences of E. guineensis and E.oleifera. This milestone rapidly resulted in the identification of the genetic basis of three traits critical to the oil palm industry. The discovery of the VIR gene responsible for oil palm fruit color facilitates the use of marker assisted selection or VIR gene testing in the development of elite breeding lines with a natural color indicator for fruit ripening. The identification of Karma a transposon inserted into the MANTLED gene whose DNA methylation state controls the MANTELD phenotype paves the way for epigenetic testing of nursery material to identifY and cull somaclonal palms destined to yield unproductive abnormal fruits years after field planting. Finally the discovery of the SHELL gene responsible for increased yields in tenera hybrids allows genetic testing and culling of non-tenera low-yielding palms at the nursery stage thus enabling the exclusive field planting of high yielding tenera palms. SHELL gene testing will also allow for improved efficiency in breeding programmes especially in the development of male pisifera lines. A first study published by MPOB tested more than 10 000 palms in independent nurseries and smallholdings throughout Malaysia and reported a 10.9 non-tenera contamination rate. Expanding upon this earlier work a current program has tested close to 300 000 additional palms in the commercial sector representing Peninsular Malaysia Sabah and Sarawak and found a similar level of contamination. Contrary to common belief non-tenera contamination was not confined to smallholdings but was present in similar levels throughout all industry sectors. This workfurther demonstrates that a novel molecular precision agriculture approach involving SHELL gene testing will result in a significant increase in oil yield from existing planted area. This form of molecular precision agriculture will increase wealth creation among Malaysia;s poorest farmers while also growing plantation profitability gross national income and national tax revenues. These discoveries made in the Malaysian Oil Palm Genome Project and more to come are already helping to achieve sustainability for the most important oil crop worldwide.

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Abstract

In 2013 a team led by MPOB reported the reference genome sequences of E. guineensis and E.oleifera. This milestone rapidly resulted in the identification of the genetic basis of three traits critical to the oil palm industry. The discovery of the VIR gene responsible for oil palm fruit color facilitates the use of marker assisted selection or VIR gene testing in the development of elite breeding lines with a natural color indicator for fruit ripening. The identification of Karma a transposon inserted into the MANTLED gene whose DNA methylation state controls the MANTELD phenotype paves the way for epigenetic testing of nursery material to identifY and cull somaclonal palms destined to yield unproductive abnormal fruits years after field planting. Finally the discovery of the SHELL gene responsible for increased yields in tenera hybrids allows genetic testing and culling of non-tenera low-yielding palms at the nursery stage thus enabling the exclusive field planting of high yielding tenera palms. SHELL gene testing will also allow for improved efficiency in breeding programmes especially in the development of male pisifera lines. A first study published by MPOB tested more than 10 000 palms in independent nurseries and smallholdings throughout Malaysia and reported a 10.9 non-tenera contamination rate. Expanding upon this earlier work a current program has tested close to 300 000 additional palms in the commercial sector representing Peninsular Malaysia Sabah and Sarawak and found a similar level of contamination. Contrary to common belief non-tenera contamination was not confined to smallholdings but was present in similar levels throughout all industry sectors. This workfurther demonstrates that a novel molecular precision agriculture approach involving SHELL gene testing will result in a significant increase in oil yield from existing planted area. This form of molecular precision agriculture will increase wealth creation among Malaysia;s poorest farmers while also growing plantation profitability gross national income and national tax revenues. These discoveries made in the Malaysian Oil Palm Genome Project and more to come are already helping to achieve sustainability for the most important oil crop worldwide.

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Item Type:	Proceedings Paper
Additional Information:	Available at Perpustakaan Sultan Abdul Samad Universiti Putra Malaysia 43400 UPM Serdang Selangor Malaysia. SB299 P3I61 2017 Call Number.
AGROVOC Term:	Oil palm
AGROVOC Term:	Elaeis guineensis
AGROVOC Term:	Elaeis oleifera
AGROVOC Term:	Plant breeding
AGROVOC Term:	Molecular genetics
AGROVOC Term:	Genomes
AGROVOC Term:	Genetic advance
AGROVOC Term:	precision agriculture
AGROVOC Term:	Profitability
AGROVOC Term:	Sustainability
Geographical Term:	MALAYSIA
Depositing User:	Ms. Suzila Mohamad Kasim
Last Modified:	24 Apr 2025 05:15
URI:	http://webagris.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/13112

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