Integration of biotechnologies for rubber tree improvement. What about rootstock clones ?

Abstract

Breeding and dissemination of planting material for rubber plantations are closely linked to propagation methods. Since the progress made by shifting from multiplication by seed to propagation by budding, the development of new techniques, such as micropropagation, has been awaited. New varietal types such as self-rooted plants, rejuvenated budded clones, genetically modified organisms, and rootstock material were developed from microcutting and somatic embryogenesis techniques at the research level. The development of rootstock clones adapted to the selected scion clones is likely to be the most promising approach to improve significantly rubber tree for various agronomical traits such as tree growth, tolerance to wind damage, root diseases and drought conditions. Both the recalcitrance to micropropagation techniques and the long-term process of evaluation and clone recommendation have hampered rapid progress in rubber tree, but nowadays, new research advances have to be considered. The root architecture modelling, genomics and post-genomics approaches, molecular breeding have been integrated to optimize the prediction in genetic improvement programme of several estate crops like oil palm. The integration of biotechnologies for rubber tree improvement must be considered to accelerate the development of rootstock material. That will be decisive for assessing the degree to which new technologies are taken on board in modern rubber growing. The involvement of growers and agro-industrialists. (Résumé d'auteur