Local Oil Palm species vs. Super Gene species

I recently conducted a small experiment to validate the difference between the local oil palm species and the supergene oil palm variety. Although I’ve read a lot about various oil palm species and their distinct characteristics. Before I proceed, let me quickly talk about the oil palm species in Nigeria. We have Psifera, Dura, and Tenera. These species have their unique features. I will talk about their features or characteristics in the next post.

But for the sake of this post, I will briefly talk about the three species; Psifera, Dura, and Tenera. Psifera is a tall species, while Dura is dwarf species. The tenera is the hybrid from the cross between psifera and dura. So, if you will agree with me, the Tenera oil palm species is an hybrid between the psifera and dura. Scientists took the desire and good trait of both species in order to develop Tenera (improved or hybrid).

You will also be surprised that Nigeria have been growing Tenera for over 40 years, with no new variety since then. Even at NIFOR in Benin City, Edo State, they only sell Tenera seedlings or sprouted nuts to any farmer who wants to venture into oil palm plantation.

With my brief explanation, I hope you now understand the difference between the three varieties.

Will you agree with me if I decide to refer Dura and Psifera as LOCAL oil palm species?

Now let’s talk about Super Gene Oil palm Variety. This variety is an exotic species from Malaysia.

NOTE: Malaysia came to Nigeria to take our Tenera species to their country. And they kept on improving it until they got more desirable output or yield, thereby making the Super Gene Oil palm Variety superior over our Tenera species. It is high yielding than tenera, matures within 2 years, very small kernel, and large mesocarp (reddish pulp).

I think I’ve been able to make proper explanation about each oil palm species (Local, Tenera, and Super Gene Oil palm Variety). I will like to take you through a small practical I did recently.

I harvested a bunch of LOCAL oil palm fruits and decided to process it.

My Expectation: I was expecting at least 5 litres of oil palm from a bunch of local species.

Harvested oil palm bunch with fruits already removed

After removing the fruits, I gave it to one of our casual workers to help process it manually.

Palm kernels after separation from the mesocarp

After the whole processing, I got less than 2 litres of palm oil. The area with the green marker (green line) was where the palm oil reached after I poured it inside the 5litres keg. And after distributing to people that helped me during the process, below is what I have left.

Extracted Oil palm

Very funny.  Do you know why?

It is because of the big kernel.

Kernels of LOCAL species
Kernel of Super Gene Oil palm Variety

 

Comparison between both Super Gene and Local species

Can you now see the difference?

Tenera (Nigeria improved variety) is actually an intermediate between both, but have more of Super Gene trait than the LOCAL species, but less productive than supergene. The large kernel size of the local variety was the reason for developing the improved variety (Tenera) more than 40 years ago.

33 thoughts on “Local Oil Palm species vs. Super Gene species”

  1. Good morning Admin, thank you for your insightful analysis. I just got some oil palm seeds of a very high yeiding variety. What are the various methods I can deploy to germinate them into seedlings? Thank you.

    Reply
  2. where can someone find the super gene seed to plant and which place will be better to choose for a palm oil farm between ibadan or ondo ?….pls! and thanks in advance

    Reply
    • Both locations are good. Either Ondo or Ibadan. Moreover, we have our farm in Ondo state, and we have set up an Oil palm plantation (50hectares) for a client in Oyo state.

      I also suggest you go for the Tenera, readily available without stress.
      I discovered some people sell Tenera while telling the buyer that it is Supergene.
      The Supergene is readily available on Alibaba

      Reply
      • Hello Admin,
        I will like to speak with you.
        Could you please avail me your email so that I could put my questions to you privately.
        It is about the availability of Supergene. Do you have them for real?

        Reply
  3. You said you have super Gene oil palm seeds and are fully booked. When next will they be ready? I need to get them from you and learn to grow them from scratch. Thanks.

    Reply
    • The next set will be available for sale in the next planting season (7-12months time). The reason is why we don’t sell seedlings less than 7 months old to our customers is because the chances of mortality and attacked to rodent is always high.

      Reply
  4. Good morning admin. Am interested in planting oil palm for business. Pls how much can I get a stand of supergene and Tenera

    Reply
    • Tenera – 3-4years
      Supergene – 2years. But I prefer to tell clients that 2-3years depends on management practices

      Reply
  5. Good day admin, am interested in palm business. Can I chat with you directly on your email or WhatsApp

    Reply
    • Thank you for visiting our site. Ma/Sir, You are free to reach us via any of our WhatsApp numbers.

      Reply
  6. Thanks for this insightful information on Tenera and Supergene species. I intend to plant oil Palm and i have the following question;

    1, I have 3acres of land, how many palms is appropriate for this size of land?
    2. The area where the land is located is projected to be open and might be built-up in the next 10yrs, is it still advisable to plant the oil palm on the land?.
    3. I need your advise on where to source a good tenera specie for planting. I am located in Ibadan.

    Thanks in advance for your help.

    Reply
    • Thank you for contacting us.

      Question 1: Approximately 200 stands

      Question 2: hmmm. Well, it’s a difficult and sensitive decision to make.
      Why the palm will start fruiting 3-5 years. And the fruiting will continue for the next 40 years. Your decision to cut it down must be based on two things;
      1) if you have recovered your initial investment after 15 years. You can cut it. That means you did not lose.
      2) You can decide to cut it down if the other project (building) will yield more than what you are getting from the farm.

      Question 3: I can’t guarantee on the source of tenera species in Ibadan. We now have scammers who pick local seeds from the bush and sprout them. Then sell to innocent people. If you are ready, we can order directly from NIFOR for you.

      Regards.

      Reply
  7. I’m interested in oil palm. Can u help me order supergene seeds so I can nurse & transplant? I need about 1700 seeds in Port Harcourt. Thanks.

    Reply
  8. I want to establish an oil palm plantation. Please can you help me to order about 2000 supergene seeds so that I can nurse them by myself?

    Reply
  9. With all honesty, Have you ever witnesses where supergene was planted and it start yielding in 2 years?

    If yes, kindly give us the address of the farm or probably the contact of the farmer who planted it please.

    I will be willing to visit Sir.

    Reply
  10. With all honesty, Have you ever witnesses where supergene was planted and it start yielding in 2 years?

    If yes, kindly give us the address of the farm or probably the contact of the farmer who planted it please.

    I will be willing to visit Sir..

    Reply
    • Yes sir. It matures between 30 – 36 months. Sir if you take your time to read most of our articles on oil palm. I often emphasized that at 30 months, you would have been seeing a clear sign (development of both male and female part).
      Regarding giving addresses of the farms where you can see it, I’m afraid I won’t be able to do that.
      Why?
      You do not expect me to give the address or location of our client farm on this platform (for security purposes).
      Also, I have personally visited a farm at Ikoyi (not far from Ikire, Osun state) with this exotic species.
      We currently have one of our clients at Obafemi Owode, Ogun State who procure it and we set it up for him.

      Reply

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