Towards innovative coconut breeding programs

Coconut farming is sometimes constrained by low productivity and poor returns on investment. Breeding for desirable traits and higher productivity is one of the most efficient options to overcome these challenges. This chapter discusses the strategies presently applied toward the production of desirable coconut varieties using conventional breeding and the possible applications of modern biotechnological tools to overcome some biological constraints. The analysis presented hereunder shows that most conventional coconut breeding programs are currently facing both material and methodological impasses. The budgets and experimental areas allocated to these programs often remain insufficient to reach substantial genetic progress. The improvement of hybrids is neglected and often methodologically limited. The integration of new biotechnologies will help improve the situation. In vitro culture of various coconut tissues and explants gives promising results in embryo rescue, somatic embryogenesis, and doubled haploid production. Molecular marker technology has been applied to describe the genetic diversity of conserved accessions and to genome mapping for marker-assisted selection. The coconut genome was recently published enabling genomics and bioinformatics research. Certain groups have reported their attempts on genetic transformation studies. Development of strategies through capacity building and promotion of research collaboration is required to strengthen coconut breeding. The authors recommend an international team to audit major genetic improvement programs with special attention to funding issues for the various breeding operations and to the balance between field trials and use of new technologies.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	Bandupriya, Dharshani, Perera, Chandrika, Pereira, Messias Gonzaga, Bourdeix, Roland
Format:	book_section biblioteca
Language:	eng
Published:	Springer
Online Access:	http://agritrop.cirad.fr/602302/ http://agritrop.cirad.fr/602302/1/ID602302.pdf
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