Gene controlling shell phenotype in palm

A method for reducing non-tenera contaminant seeds or plants from a plurality of E. guineensis palm plants or seeds, the method comprising:

• obtaining genomic sequence of the palm plants or seeds at a polymorphic marker, wherein the genomic sequence was determined by conducting an assay, wherein the polymorphic marker is in a genomic region corresponding to SEQ ID NO:8218, thereby determining the genotype of the plant or seed at the polymorphic marker, or
• obtaining predicted shell phenotype of palm plants or seeds based on a genomic sequence at the polymorphic marker, wherein the genomic sequence was determined by conducting an assay, thereby determining the genotype of the plant or seed at the polymorphic marker,
• wherein heterozygosity at the polymorphic marker indicates a tenera shell phenotype, and
• segregating at least some of the plants or seeds into a group having reduced non-tenera contaminant seeds or plants compared to the plurality.