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Genetic improvement of the coconut palm: some problems and possibilities
(1968) Abraham, A.; Ninan, C.A.
Progress of research on the genetic improvement of the coconut palm has been briefly reviewed and recommendations made for a practical approach to coconut breeding. Introduction of foreign breeds of coconuts, particularly dwarfs, should be speeded up with a view to search for possible source of resistance to the Kerala wilt, and for exploitation of hybrid vigour in tall X dwarf crosses. Though the use of the selection index computed by Liyanage is a very practical approach in detecting palms of outstanding breeding merit, the reliability of the index has to be ascertained from results of studies on the West Coast Tall palms. Identification and utilization of prepotent palms is recommended as the most valuable method of genetic improvement of tall coconuts. Large scale propagation of tall X dwarf hybrids is an immediately practicable method of stepping up coconut production in India. The dwarf palms require more intense study to determine the genetical nature of their high yieling off-type progenies. Experiments so far done indicate that it is easy to select off-types at an early stage from seedlings raised from open-pollinated nuts of dwarf orange. The use of inbred tails as females in 'Tall X Dwarf' crosses and the need for search on the occurrence of apomixis in coconut are stressed.