Production of Transgenic Oil Palm (Elaeis guinensis JACQ.) Using Biolistic Techniques

Abstract

Oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is the most economically important crop in Malaysia and the highest yielding oil crop [per area] in the world. At present, palm oil is contributing up to 18% of world oil and fat production. By the year 2020, it is estimated that nearly 26% of the world’s oil and fat demand will have to be met by palm oil, and it will capture approximately 50% of the world’s oil and fat trade (Rajanaidu and Jalani, 1995). Because of this projected demand, it is important to increase the oil palm yield and improve palm oil quality at a better rate than that which has been achieved by conventional breeding.