Heritability of fresh fruit bunch yield and its components in the oil palm (Elaeis guineensis, Jacq.).

Single-plant heritability estimates of 38.9%, 31.5% and 42.3% were obtained for number of bunches (NB), fresh fruit bunch yield (FFB) and mean bunch weight (MBW) respectively. Hybrid (family) mean heritability estimates for these traits were 88.9%, 90.5% and 96% respectively. Repeatability estimates for these traits were 33%, 11% and 8% for NB, FFB and MBW respectively. Evaluation of hybrid family mean for yield components appears feasible at the third or fourth year of data collection. Phenotypic and genotypic correlations between NB and FFB were 0.80 and 0.61 respectively; between NB and MBW, -0.41 and -0.16 respectively; and between FFB and MBW, 0.66 and 0.60 respectively. The hypothesis that increased FFB can be obtained by hybridization between parents with high NB and heavy MBW is supported by this correlation set.