Assessment of yocoboue wild oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) from Cote d'Ivoire

Following a survey involving wild oil palm groves in Cote d'Ivoire as a whole in 1968, 17 parents were chosen at Yocoboue (southern Cote d'Ivoire). Agronomic performance of the 17 parents was assessed through Deli x Yocoboue hybrids in 3 trials grown at La Me (Cote d'Ivoire), Mondoni and La Dibamba (Cameroon). When compared to the Deli x La Me progenies used as controls, the Deli x Yocoboue hybrids produced 91% for total bunch weight and 86% for oil yields. However, the genetic variability within the Deli x Yocoboue progenies allows to select individual progenies as productive as the Deli x La Me controls, for breeding purposes. A study of major agronomic traits led to the choice of parent YO 11 T , which combines the largest number of favourable traits. On average, Deli x Yocoboue progenies have slower vertical growth and are susceptible to Fusarium wilt, except 2 parents (YO 3 T and YO 9 T), which seem to be resistant.