Enabling free and safe movement of coconut germplasm
2010
M. L. C. George | S. R. R. Ramos | Ledo, A. S. | Rivera, R. L. | Emmanuel, E. E.
Coconut is difficult to collect and conserve because of its large and highly recalcitrant seeds. In addition, the dissemination of seednuts carries the risk of transmitting pathogens and pests. In vitro techniques offer an option for overcoming these problems which have been a major obstacle in the flow of genetic resources to and among genebanks. A number of protocols for in vitro culture of coconut embryos has been developed and implemented with varying success in a number of laboratories. Recently, COGENT coordinated the application of the embryo culture technique (1) to collect a variety from the field for establishment as a new accession in the national genebank of the Philippines, and (2) to transfer 12 accessions from the International Coconut Genebank (ICG) for Africa and the Indian Ocean in Cote d`lvoire to the ICG for Latin America and the Caribbean in Brazil. These were done to evaluate the embryo culture technique and at the same time, increase the collections in the two genebanks. In the Philippines, the embryo culture protocol used by the Philippine Coconut Authority to routinely rescue embryos of the mutant soft endosperm (Makapuno) variety was used to germinate 125 embryos of the variety Tutupaen Tall, a variety that is unique for its thick shell. In Brazil, a variation of the protocol was applied in a total of 2,313 embryos of one Tall and 11 Dwarf accessions. We present in this paper the effectiveness of the protocols used for collecting, transporting and culturing coconut embryos for ex situ conservation in two countries. However, while progress in the technological front makes convenient and safe movement of germplasm possible, this is only achievable if this is combined with publicly available information about the collections and a clear policy environment at the national level for germplasm dissemination and use.
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