The objective of this work was to assess the genetic diversity between and within progenies of dura type oil palm from Deli. Genetic characterization was performed with microsatellite markers on 24 oil palm progenies used in commercial seed production, of which 22 originated from self-fertilization and two from cross-fertilization between full siblings. Molecular analysis of variance was carried out among and within progenies, and a dendrogram was constructed. Low genetic variability was observed within progenies, with an average of 1.32 alleles per locus and total variance of 0.3241. Most of the variation was found between progenies. The lower genetic variability within progenies can be explored in crossings with endogamic progenies from other origins, which would facilitate heterosis in order to develop new varieties.
Elaeis guineensis; progeny evaluation; heterosis; genetic improvement
