InfoSAWIT, JAKARTA – Asian Agri is strengthening its oil palm breeding program through the development of Topaz Generation 2 (Gen 2) and Topaz GT, two advanced seed lines designed to deliver higher fresh fruit bunch (FFB) yields, improved oil extraction rates (OER), and greater tolerance to Ganoderma, one of the palm oil industry's most destructive diseases.

According to information presented by Asian Agri during IPOSC 2025 in West Kalimantan and obtained by InfoSAWIT, the company's second-generation breeding program focuses exclusively on proven DxP crosses that have demonstrated superior agronomic performance.

Field trials show that Topaz Gen 2 is capable of producing 24 tonnes of FFB per hectare during the first harvesting year, increasing to 38 tonnes per hectare between the third and sixth years of production.

The variety also recorded an impressive Oil Extraction Rate (OER) of 29%, enabling crude palm oil (CPO) production to exceed 10 tonnes per hectare.

Asian Agri noted that while the increase in OER from 25% to 29% may appear modest, even small improvements in extraction efficiency can generate substantial economic returns when applied across large plantation areas.

"Our objective is not merely to maximize FFB production, but to achieve the right balance between bunch yield, oil extraction, and operational efficiency," the company stated. "Higher OER increases the value generated from every kilogram of fresh fruit bunches."

The enhanced extraction efficiency is expected to strengthen palm oil's competitiveness in the global vegetable oils market, where productivity and resource efficiency continue to become increasingly important.

Addressing Ganoderma Through Genetic Selection

Alongside productivity improvements, Asian Agri is also intensifying efforts to combat Ganoderma boninense, the fungus responsible for basal stem rot—a disease that remains one of the biggest threats to oil palm plantations.

The company has introduced Topaz GT (Ganoderma Tolerance), a breeding program specifically designed to identify DxP progenies with improved tolerance to the disease using highly virulent Ganoderma isolates maintained within the company's research collection.

To support the program, Asian Agri has established a dedicated screening facility covering more than two hectares, equipped with four nursery screening units capable of evaluating approximately 26,000 seedlings per month, or 312,000 seedlings annually.

Between 2011 and 2024, the company screened 9,810 progenies, equivalent to more than 1.28 million seedlings, highlighting the long-term commitment behind its breeding strategy.

Topaz GT has also been officially registered with Indonesia's Center for Plant Variety Protection and Agricultural Licensing (PPVTPP) under Ministerial Decree No. 45/KPTS/KB.020/2/2019.

"Ganoderma remains a major challenge across Indonesia's plantations. Developing tolerant planting materials is therefore an integral part of our seed improvement strategy," the company stated.

High Productivity with Practical Plantation Performance

According to the company, Topaz GT combines high productivity with practical field performance.

During the first and second years of harvesting, the variety produced approximately 27.7 tonnes of FFB per hectare annually, averaging 30.3 bunches per palm, with an average bunch weight of 6.7 kilograms.

Production increased further between the third and sixth years, reaching 34.5 tonnes per hectare annually. Although bunch numbers declined to 18.1 bunches per palm, average bunch weight increased significantly to 14.1 kilograms, reflecting a stable production profile.

The variety also achieved an Oil-to-Bunch (OTB) ratio of 31.2%, an OER of 26.7%, and estimated CPO production of 9.2 tonnes per hectare annually.

Beyond yield, Asian Agri also evaluated agronomic characteristics relevant to plantation management, including annual trunk height growth of approximately 47.5 centimeters and a canopy radius of 6.5 meters, both of which influence harvesting efficiency and long-term maintenance costs.

"For us, superior seeds must support plantation operations as well. High productivity alone is not enough if harvesting becomes more difficult or disease susceptibility remains high," the company concluded. (T2)

For more information klik: Topaz Seeds