Nair, M.K.Nampoothiri, K.U.K.Dhamodaran, S.2014-05-212014-05-211988In: Abstracts, National Symposium on Coconut Breeding and Management, KAU, Vellanikkara, Trichur, 23- 26 Nov. 1988 p.15-25http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/1543Early efforts of coconut breeding in India included collection and conservation of germplasm initiated in 1930s which received further support of FAO/IBPGR during 1980s. The present Indian germplasm holding with 86 exotic and 41 indigenous accessions is one of the worlds largest assemblage of the crop. Based on the evaluation of indigenous germplasm accessions, two cultivars viz., Laccadive Ordinary (Chandrakalpa) and Banawali Green Round have been released for cultivation. Selection of the prepotent West Cost Tall palms based on progeny performance as well as identification of elite palms gave a new thrust to improve traditional cultivars. The most significant impact was made by the advent of hybrid vigour in crosses involving tails and dwarfs. Research in this line during the last four decades made it possible to release three hybrids viz., Chandrasankara (COD x WCT), Chandralaksha (LO x COD) and Lakshaganga (LO x GB) hybrids. These gave much higher yields than the West Coast Tall (up to 83 per cent in terms of nut and up to 103 per cent in terms of copra out-turn). LO x COD and LO x GB were found to perform well under drought conditions also. Non-availability of sufficient planting materials has been the main constraint in realising the full field impact from these released varieties and hybrids. Efforts have been made to overcome this by establishing a chain of seed gardens in the coconut growing states. Characterization and evaluation of the available germplasm, production of inbred lines followed by hybridization to exploit hybrid vigour to the full extent, exploitation of field tolerance to breed varieties tolerant to root (wilt) disease and Thanjavur wilt and perfecting the technique of developing plantlets through tissue culture for micro-propagation are some of the breeding strategies to achieve the desirable results in coconut breeding.enArticle