The coconut palm in China: distribution, germplasm, and sustainable development through genomic and biotechnological approaches
2025
Zhihua Mu | Hui Peng | Senarath P. N. C. Jayarathna | Mallawa T. N. Indrachapa | Chongxi Yang | Shuya Yang | Junjie Zhou | Weiqi Xu | Yue Jiang | Vijitha R. M. Vidhanaarachchi | Yong Xiao | Jie Luo
Coconut palms are integral to several provinces in China, notably Hainan, Yunnan, Guangxi, Guangdong, and Taiwan, where diverse environmental conditions foster a wide range of coconut varieties. These regions contribute significantly to the nation's coconut genetic resources. Although the coconut industry in China is relatively small, there is increasing emphasis on identifying and evaluating coconut germplasm through advanced genomic tools. These tools are crucial for improving the genetic understanding of current varieties, allowing the selection of desirable traits such as drought tolerance, pest resistance, and enhanced yield. Techniques like genomic sequencing, marker-assisted selection, and genome-wide association studies (GWAS) are being applied to assess the genetic diversity within coconut populations in these provinces. Advanced genomic tools are being used for identifying and evaluating coconut germplasm, focusing on how these techniques can enhance the genetic traits of existing varieties. Additionally, the conservation of coconut germplasm using biotechnological methods were developed, such as cryopreservation, in vitro conservation, and somatic embryogenesis. In this article, discussion has been made about conserving the coconut germplasm in China, with emphasis on the distribution, collection, characterization, and preservation of diverse genetic resources. These efforts contribute to safeguarding genetic diversity, supporting sustainable coconut production, and enhancing the resilience of coconut cultivars to environmental challenges.
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