A durable pollination raincoat for hybridization during monsoon in coconut

Large-scale production of hybrid seed nuts of coconut is necessary to match the high demand for hybrid seedlings. But in major coconut producing states such as Kerala, Karnataka and Goa hybridisation is carried suspended during monsoon season and out effectively only during dry season for a period of six months from November to May. Some of the reasons attributed to the stoppage of pollination work during monsoon are the slippage of the trunk while climbing, problems in male flower collection and wetting of the pollination bags during heavy rains. Technological developments in coconut sector viz., the invention of coconut climbing devices and cryopreservation techniques have contributed to safe climbing and pollen storage for utilisation during off-seasons, respectively. However, the wetting of the pollination bag used for hybridization remains a problem. We report the development and successful initial testing of a durable raincoat for the pollination bag so that coconut pollination can be carried out throughout the year in heavy monsoon areas. This reusable raincoat is integrated with the ground pollination unit and can be fitted easily on the pollination bag, and it ensures complete dryness of the pollination bag. Only one climbing per tree is required for emasculation, bagging and raincoat fitting on a single inflorescence. The raincoat has provisions for suspending a pollen delivery tube and pollen dusting and bag removal can be done from the ground. The durable raincoat cover for the pollination bags has resulted in a fruit setting of 22.5-41.3 per cent

Diversification of coconut based farming system through community based organizations for income generation and sustaining productivity

Community based organizations (CBO) were formed in three coconut growing areas in Kerala during 2005-2008 and through farmer participatory process, various technological interventions for diversification of cropping system appropriate to the local community as well as subsidiary enterprises were taken up for income generation. The interventions included (a)intercropping with various crop species (cash and food security crops) aiming at year round farm income, (b) subsidiary enterprise comprising of animal husbandry component, (c) product diversification and value addition of coconut and intercrops as well as, (d) recycling of waste biomass through vermicomposting. The project not only brought out significant change in area put under crop diversification by way of inter/mixed cropping, but also in the average income derived from such farming system. Significant improvement in income was achieved through crop and enterprise diversification. While inclusion of various intercrops improved the share by 83 per cent compared to the income from coconut alone, it was up by 195 per cent when subsidiary enterprises like rearing of live stock and value addition were also considered, thus indicating the sustainability of crop and enterprise diversification in the project areas. The significant reduction in the value of Herfindahl Index, a measure of diversification, from 0.70 to 0.57 signified the improvement in the extent of diversification in various CBOs. Diversification of crops and adoption of coconut-based subsidiary enterprises through CBOs were found to be ideal strategies for sustaining productivity and rural upliftment in terms of income generation

Studies on genetic uniformity of Chowghat Green Dwarf and Malayan Green Dwarf varieties of coconut using molecular and morphometric methods

Two coconut varieties viz., Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) and Malayan Green Dwarf (MGD) were subjected to morphometric and molecular studies to assess their genetic uniformity. Since both these varieties possess traits for high yield and resistance to root (wilt) disease, they have already been released for cultivation in the root (wilt) disease prevalent tracts. Forty two CGD palms from ‘disease hotspots’ were analyzed using 43 simple sequence repeat (SSR) primers. Monomorphic bands were detected in all the CGD samples with 41 primers, which is an indication of its genetic uniformity. A single CGD palm showed polymorphism with two SSR primers. Forty eight MGD palms were analyzed using 24 SSR primers. The MGD palms clustered at 62 per cent similarity. Analysis of morphological and fruit component characters of CGD and MGD population revealed that both the populations were phenotypically uniform. Breeding behaviour studies revealed that both CGD and MGD were predominantly self pollinated, like other dwarf varieties of coconut. There was complete overlapping of male and female phases in almost 96 per cent of CGD palms. Almost 100 per cent self-pollination was ensured in these palms as male phase prolonged even after completion of female phase. However, only 60 per cent of the MGD palms showed complete overlapping and in the remaining 40 per cent palms, there was only partial overlapping of male and female phases. From the present study, it is inferred that breeding behavior and genetic uniformity could be highly correlated in coconut. Collection of seed nuts preferably from mother palms with overlapping of male and female phases could possibly ensure production of true to type progenies in dwarf varieties of coconut. Present study also indicated that molecular markers like SSRs may be used to identify genetically pure mother palms for varietal improvement programmes in coconut

Cloning, characterization and expression analysis of NBS-LRR-type resistance gene analogues (RGAs) in coconut

Coconut palms are highly susceptible to diseases caused by different pathogens, and replanting with resistant varieties is the best way to manage them. Obtaining a collection of resistance gene analogues (RGAs) is an effective strategy to identify genomic regions linked to disease resistance. We have successfully used a comparative genomics approach to amplify putative RGAs from the coconut root (wilt) disease resistant cultivar Chowghat Green Dwarf (CGD) by using primers designed based on conserved motifs of the NBS-LRR domain of the date palm. The amplified sequences were cloned, sequenced and characterized. The coconut RGAs had high identity to monocot NBS-LRRs. A complete structural analysis and 3-D modeling of the NBS domain of coconut RGA was also undertaken. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis indicated that the isolated coconut NBS-LRR class RGAs was expressed more in root (wilt) disease resistant genotypes than in susceptible ones. This study would provide a base for future efforts to map disease resistant traits in coconut

Application of RAPD markers in hybrid verification in coconut

Abstract -Coconut palms are classified into two majo

Effects of demineralization on the stable isotope analysis of bone samples

RATIONALE: The sampling of sequential, annually formed bone growth layers for stable carbon (δ(13)C values) and nitrogen (δ(15)N values) isotope analysis (SIA) can provide a time series of foraging ecology data. To date, no standard protocol exists for the pre-SIA treatment of cortical samples taken from fresh, modern, bones. METHODS: Based on the SIA of historical bone, it is assumed that fresh bone samples must be pre-treated with acid prior to SIA. Using an elemental analyzer coupled to an isotope ratio mass spectrometer to measure stable carbon and nitrogen ratios, we tested the need to acidify cortical bone powder with 0.25M HCl prior to SIA to isolate bone collagen for the determination of δ(13)C and δ(15)N values. We also examined the need for lipid extraction to remove potential biases related to δ(13)C analysis, based on a C:N ratio threshold of 3.5. RESULTS: It was found that acidification of micromilled cortical bone samples from marine turtles does not affect their δ(15)N values, and the small effect acidification has on δ(13)C values can be mathematically corrected for, thus eliminating the need for pre-SIA acidification of cortical bone. The lipid content of the cortical bone samples was low, as measured by their C:N ratios, indicating that lipid extracting cortical bone samples from modern marine turtles is unnecessary. CONCLUSIONS: We present a standard protocol for testing fresh, modern cortical bone samples prior to SIA, facilitating direct comparison of future studies. Based on the results obtained from marine turtle bones, pre-acidification and lipid removal of cortical bone are not recommended. This is especially useful as there is frequently not enough bone material removed via micromilling of sequential growth layers to accommodate both acid treatment and SIA

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Not AvailableCommunity based organizations (CBO) were formed in three coconut growing areas in Kerala during 2005-2008 and through farmer participatory process, various technological interventions for diversification of cropping system appropriate to the local community as well as subsidiary enterprises were taken up for income generation. The interventions included (a) intercropping with various crop species (cash and food security crops) aiming at year round farm income, (b) subsidiary enterprise comprising of animal husbandry component, (c) product diversification and value addition of coconut and intercrops as well as, (d) recycling of waste biomass through vermicomposting. The project not only brought out significant change in area put under crop diversification by way of inter/mixed cropping, but also in the average income derived from such farming system. Significant improvement in income was achieved through crop and enterprise diversification. While inclusion of various intercrops improved the share by 83 per cent compared to the income from coconut alone, it was up by 195 per cent when subsidiary enterprises like rearing of live stock and value addition were also considered, thus indicating the sustainability of crop and enterprise diversification in the project areas. The significant reduction in the value of Herfindahl Index, a measure of diversification, from 0.70 to 0.57 signified the improvement in the extent of diversification in various CBOs. Diversification of crops and adoption of coconut-based subsidiary enterprises through CBOs were found to be ideal strategies for sustaining productivity and rural upliftment in terms of income generation.Not Availabl

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