Indicators of genetic erosion in coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) populations in selected communities of Northern and Southern Luzon, Philippines
2005
M. Sharaf Uddin,Bangladesh Agricultural Research Inst., Rahmatpur, Barisal 8211 (Bangladesh). Regional Agricultural Research Station | Sangalang, J.B. | Borromeo, T.H.
The loss of traditional varieties and wild populations of crop species or genetic erosion is occurring at an alarming rate. Coconut populations are not an exception. Coconut populations in three provinces of Northern Luzon, Philippines, namely Pangasinan, Isabela and Nueva Viscaya and Quezon in Southern Luzon are known to produce big nuts. These coconut populations have existed in the farmers' fields for 30 to 60 years. There are reports, however, that the coconut areas and the number of palms planted to the big-seeded coconuts are decreasing. To measure the rate of loss of coconut erosion in the study sites, reduction in coconut farm size and reduction in the number of coconut palms were used as indicators. The results showed that there was a decrease in the number of palms and areas planted to big-seeded coconuts in all provinces, except Pangasinan. In the three provinces, the reduction in coconut farm size ranged from 14% to 20% and the number of palms in Quezon and Isabela had decreased by 20.90% and 4.91%, respectively. The farmers claimed that reasons for decrease in coconut areas and number of palms were due to the poor marketing system, the low market price of the nuts, soil erosion, old and unproductive palms and crop conversion. The study also found that the big-seeded coconut populations are being maintained by farmers because they are useful, hence, their conservation on-farm. Promotion of the multipurpose uses of coconuts to encourage farmers to conserve coconut cultivars on-farm is therefore recommended.
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