|
Today is :
Archives (2000)
Accelerating coconut
replanting program
through biotech
by Joey U. Carcallas
|
July-September
2000
|
Advances in crop biotechnology have led to novel
applications of DNA-based marker technologies in identifying
superior planting materials and preserving genetic diversity.
For instance, molecular marker technologies can be used to
study percentage and population structures, determine effective
population size, identify population-specific markers, test
hybridity and accurately assess genotypes of individuals or
genetic purity/variability of different populations.
The Bureau of Agricultural Research (BAR) recognizes
the potentials of biotechnology. It recently awarded a research
grant to the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB) in UP Los Baños
entitled "Marker-Assisted Identification and Utilization
of Outstanding Tall Populations and Hybrids for Accelerated
Coconut Replanting," a project that utilizes and explores
the possibilities of this new paradigm in agriculture.
The Replanting Scheme
Coconut is undoubtedly the Philippines' most important crop.
It is the country's top commodity earner, with an annual average
contribution of US$800 million. These earnings come from exports
of both traditional and non-traditional products. From 1995
to 1997, coconut products were valued at P30 billion, accounting
for 10% of the total value of agricultural crops.
While the Philippines still remains the largest
exporter of coconut products, it must address the problem
of declining productivity through a massive replanting or
rehabilitation program. For this program to be effective,
replanting initiatives must utilize improved varieties of
coconut, which include hybrids and outstanding open-pollinated
tall populations.
However, with an estimated 600,000 hectares
of coconut area targeted for the replanting program, there
is just not enough supply of superior planting materials available.
To meet the enormous challenge of replanting at the shortest
time possible, the identification and production of superior
planting materials have to be fast-tracked. Furthermore, the
replanting program must ensure the superiority of the planting
materials and preserve the genetic diversity inherent in the
target areas.
The IPB project has two major components: identification
and utilization of outstanding tall populations, and development
of DNA markers for the identification and utilization of tall
populations and hybrids, headed by Dr. Consorcia Reaño
and Dr. Desiree Hautea, respectively.
The other agencies collaborating on the project
are the Philippine Coconut Authority-Albay Research Center
(PCA-ARC) and Zamboanga Research Center (PCA-ZRC), Visayas
State College of Agriculture (ViSCA), and Aurora State College
of Technology (ASCOT), with IPB as the lead agency. 
(For more information, contact Dr. Consorcia
Reaño or Dr. Desiree Hautea at the Institute of Plant
Breeding at tel. nos. (049) 536-233/536-2512/536-2697/536-3304/536-3528)
More Articles:
Vol. 2 No. 3
July-September 2000
»» 1st week of oct is "nat'l agriculture,
fisheries R&D week"
»» Mulching
arrests uneven fruit ripening in durian, study reveals
»» Philippine mangoes break into world market
»» National integrated RDE agenda and program
for fruits
»» Sweet tamarind propagation and management
»» Micropropagation: propagating coconut
through tissue culture
»» Study identifies dynamics of jackfruit
infestation
»» Accelerating coconut replanting program
through biotech
»» Ensuring fruit quality and longevity through
HWD
»» Transgenic fish 21st century solution
to decreased fish farming productivity
»» Early detection of viral infection in
shrimps possible through use of new protocol
»» New technique to boost shrimp industry
[More
2000 Articles]
|
