Author(s)

Ngombo Clément Eya’a^1,2*, Mva Armand Nsimi^1,2, Pembe Hannah Ndele², Bille Hermine Ngalle¹, Thiery Molo¹, Nkoulou Luther Fort Mbo^1,3, Akoa Fouman¹, Li-Gue Benoit Likeng¹, Ebongue Georges Frank Ngando², Joseph Martin Bell¹

¹Department of Plant Biology and Physiology, Faculty of Sciences, University of Yaounde I, Yaounde, Cameroon.
²Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Specialized Station for Oil Palm Research of La Dibamba, Douala, Cameroon.
³Plant Production Unit, Mbalmayo Agricultural Research Center (CRAM), Institute of Agricultural Research for Development, Mbalmayo, Cameroon.

The oil palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) is a diploid perennial plant of the Arecaceae family. It is the most important plant cultivated for oil production. To ensure this production, certain optimal conditions are required: temperature, sunshine, rainfall, etc. The oil palm ensures its survival through the fruits borne on bunches located at the axis of the 17th to 20th leaves from the central stem. From pollination to the maturity of a bunch it takes about 4.5 to 6 months. Several events occur during this period: seed enlargement, weight increase, colour change, etc., but also important physiological changes: synthesis of some pigments (anthocyanin), increase in oil content correlated with the decrease in water content, etc. All of these constitute factors that can provide a better understanding of the biology of the seed. The aim of this work was to review some of the important parameters involved in the development and maturation of oil palm fruit bunches. These factors are classified into physiological, biochemical as well as environmental. The physiological parameters are color, appearance of embryo, seed weight and fruit detachment from bunches; Biochemical parameters include water content, oil content, carbohydrate, protein, mineral contents and lipase activity while temperature is the main environmental factor that affects fruit maturation. Thorough research has not yet been done at the different stages of maturation and ripening, thus a deep look into this may open up new avenues for research on early germinated oil palm seed production prior to seed dormancy.

Oil Palm, Fruit Bunch, Germination, Maturation Parameters, Immature Seed

Eya’a, N. , Nsimi, M. , Ndele, P. , Ngalle, B. , Molo, T. , Mbo, N. , Fouman, A. , Likeng, L. , Ngando, E. and Bell, J. (2023) A Review of Main Factors Involved in the Maturation of Oil Palm (Elaeis guineensis Jacq.) Fruit Bunches. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 14, 727-740. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2023.147049.