Tenera

Tenera is a term primarily used in the context of palm oil production, specifically referring to a hybrid variety of the oil palm species Elaeis guineensis. This hybrid is the result of a cross between the Dura and Pisifera varieties. Tenera palms are highly valued for their superior oil yield compared to the Dura variety.

Key Characteristics:

• Thin Shell: Tenera palms possess a significantly thinner shell around the kernel compared to Dura palms. This characteristic allows for a higher mesocarp (pulp) to shell ratio, leading to increased oil extraction.

• High Oil Yield: Due to the thin shell and larger mesocarp, Tenera palms offer a substantially greater oil yield per fruit and per hectare compared to Dura palms. This makes them the preferred planting material for commercial oil palm plantations.

• Hybrid Vigor: Tenera palms exhibit hybrid vigor, meaning they generally demonstrate improved growth and productivity compared to their parent varieties (Dura and Pisifera).

Importance in Palm Oil Production:

The introduction and widespread adoption of Tenera hybrids revolutionized the palm oil industry. Their superior oil yield drastically increased the efficiency of oil palm plantations, making palm oil a more competitive and readily available vegetable oil. Today, most commercially cultivated oil palm plantations utilize Tenera or improved Tenera varieties.

Genetic Considerations:

The Tenera variety is heterozygous, meaning it carries different alleles for specific genes related to shell thickness. When Tenera palms are crossed with each other, the offspring will segregate into three categories: Dura, Tenera, and Pisifera. Therefore, commercial seed production involves carefully controlled crosses between Dura and Pisifera parents to ensure that only Tenera seeds are produced.