New Exotic Palms for Plantations

Abstract

The plant world is rich in unexploited or underutilized species with potential economic value. There is a great need for new and exotic crops because ofover production of traditional crops, new tastes and the need to use marginal lands. The current plantation crops, i.e., rubber, oil palm and cocoa were introduced during the colonial era as ornamental plants and these turned out to be billion dollar industries. More recently, PORIM has embarked on the collection of exotic palms of economic potential from Central and South America. Two expeditions were mounted by PORIM in 1982 and 1989 to collect exotic germplasm of Jessenia, Oenocarpus, Bactris and Euterpe spp. in Peru and Colombia. These palms are being maintained and evaluated at PORIM Research Station, Kluang, to study their agronomic needs and yield potential as plantation monocrops and as intercrops in the oil palm plantation. Jessenia-Oenocarpus species produce oil closely resembling olive oil. They are found in the Amazonian region of Venezuela and Colombia. Bactris gasipaes (Pejibaye) is a useful source of oil andfood. Its fruits contain carbohydrates, proteins, oil, minerals and vitamins. Pejibaye produces multiple shoots which are an important source Of "palm hearts" (vegetable salad). The species Euterpe or Brazalian assai palms too are an important source of "palm hearts" which are canned and sold in South America.