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Genome Technology Will Boost Oil Palm Yield, Says Scientist
Genome Technology Will Boost Oil Palm Yield, Says Scientist
11/7/07 KUALA LUMPUR, (Bernama) -- Malaysia may be only six to seven years away from oil palm capable of producing seven to eight tonnes of palm oil per hectare annually with the help of genome technology.
"The national average is below four tonnes per hectare, but we have experimental materials (oil palm) that can produce 7-8 tonnes of oil per hectare per year," says Dr Cheah Suan Choo, the chief scientific officer of Asiatic Development Bhd.
She said there was evidence of oil palm's genetic potential to produce about 17 tonnes of oil per hectare annually.
Therefore, under a less than optimal planting condition in an estate, it is not difficult to produce seven to eight tonnes per hectare of palm oil annually, she told Bernama in an interview.
Asiatic, a plantation unit of Genting Bhd, is banking on the genomic tools to enhance yields with investment in Synthetic Genomics Inc and a collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), both of Rockville, Maryland, US.
Asiatic's wholly-owned subsidiary, Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (ACGT) and Synthetic Genomics, today announced a multi-year, research and development joint venture to sequence and analyse the oil palm genome.
As part of the deal, Asiatic is investing RM33 million for a 4.4 percent stake in Synthetic Genomics. It so far has advanced some RM14 million for research and development activities.
Its chairman and chief executive, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, has also invested in Synthetic Genomics.
In the first phase of the collaboration which focuses on oil palm, Synthetic Genomics would be conducting in-depth genomic analysis of the oil palm genome, the first full analysis of the oil palm genome.
In subsequent studies, the groups will also analyse the oil palm's root and leaf microbial communities, to identify biomarkers and metabolic pathways that affect the plant growth and viability.
On the sequencing project, Dr Cheah said the oil palm's genome sequencing project with Synthetic Genomics will take about two to three years, while the development will take another three to four years.
Asiatic estimated the research and development for the next 12 months at about RM30 million, and if the results are encouraging, it will be prepared to invest similar amounts going forward.
The sequencing will be conducted at JCVI, which is well equipped to do the work as it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to set up its laboratory, Dr Cheah said.
She said as JCVI was a factory for genome sequencing, utilising its expertise would cut cost and time.
The company would use the data to create things which are useful for the company, she added.
ACGT agreement with JCVI will also see the latter help ACGT establish a new genomics research facility in Malaysia and provide hands-on training for Malaysian scientists.
JCVI is a non-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public and policymakers.
-- BERNAMA 12/7/07 Kuala Lumpur, (Xinhua): Malaysian researchers announced here on Wednesday that they would join hands with their counterparts in the United States to tap genome technology to boost Malaysia's palm oil production.
The average production of palm oil in the country currently stood below four tonnes per hectare a year, said researchers from Asiatic Development Bad, a plantation subsidiary of Genting Bad.
They said that they had experimental evidence that can produce seven to eight tons of palm oil a hectare per year.
Malaysia's national news agency Bernama said that Asiatic is banking on genome technology to enhance palm oil yields with investment in Synthetic Genomics Inc and a collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute based in the United States.
The project is expected to cover several years to generate results.
Malaysia is one of the leading palm oil producers and exporters in the world.
"The national average is below four tonnes per hectare, but we have experimental materials (oil palm) that can produce 7-8 tonnes of oil per hectare per year," says Dr Cheah Suan Choo, the chief scientific officer of Asiatic Development Bhd.
She said there was evidence of oil palm's genetic potential to produce about 17 tonnes of oil per hectare annually.
Therefore, under a less than optimal planting condition in an estate, it is not difficult to produce seven to eight tonnes per hectare of palm oil annually, she told Bernama in an interview.
Asiatic, a plantation unit of Genting Bhd, is banking on the genomic tools to enhance yields with investment in Synthetic Genomics Inc and a collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute (JCVI), both of Rockville, Maryland, US.
Asiatic's wholly-owned subsidiary, Asiatic Centre for Genome Technology Sdn Bhd (ACGT) and Synthetic Genomics, today announced a multi-year, research and development joint venture to sequence and analyse the oil palm genome.
As part of the deal, Asiatic is investing RM33 million for a 4.4 percent stake in Synthetic Genomics. It so far has advanced some RM14 million for research and development activities.
Its chairman and chief executive, Tan Sri Lim Kok Thay, has also invested in Synthetic Genomics.
In the first phase of the collaboration which focuses on oil palm, Synthetic Genomics would be conducting in-depth genomic analysis of the oil palm genome, the first full analysis of the oil palm genome.
In subsequent studies, the groups will also analyse the oil palm's root and leaf microbial communities, to identify biomarkers and metabolic pathways that affect the plant growth and viability.
On the sequencing project, Dr Cheah said the oil palm's genome sequencing project with Synthetic Genomics will take about two to three years, while the development will take another three to four years.
Asiatic estimated the research and development for the next 12 months at about RM30 million, and if the results are encouraging, it will be prepared to invest similar amounts going forward.
The sequencing will be conducted at JCVI, which is well equipped to do the work as it has invested hundreds of millions of dollars to set up its laboratory, Dr Cheah said.
She said as JCVI was a factory for genome sequencing, utilising its expertise would cut cost and time.
The company would use the data to create things which are useful for the company, she added.
ACGT agreement with JCVI will also see the latter help ACGT establish a new genomics research facility in Malaysia and provide hands-on training for Malaysian scientists.
JCVI is a non-profit research institute dedicated to the advancement of the science of genomics; understanding of its implications for society; and communication of those results to the scientific community, the public and policymakers.
-- BERNAMA 12/7/07 Kuala Lumpur, (Xinhua): Malaysian researchers announced here on Wednesday that they would join hands with their counterparts in the United States to tap genome technology to boost Malaysia's palm oil production.
The average production of palm oil in the country currently stood below four tonnes per hectare a year, said researchers from Asiatic Development Bad, a plantation subsidiary of Genting Bad.
They said that they had experimental evidence that can produce seven to eight tons of palm oil a hectare per year.
Malaysia's national news agency Bernama said that Asiatic is banking on genome technology to enhance palm oil yields with investment in Synthetic Genomics Inc and a collaboration with the J. Craig Venter Institute based in the United States.
The project is expected to cover several years to generate results.
Malaysia is one of the leading palm oil producers and exporters in the world.