Botany/Plant Breeding

The main focus of the coconut breeding programme is to develop coconut varieties with good disease tolerance and high yield. Consequently, promising hybrids such as the Maypan and Brapan have been established for commercial production. The core activities undertaken by the Botanist/Plant Breeder are: a) Ex-situ conservation management of introduced varieties (and hybrids) in Field Gene Banks, for their evaluation within the local environment; thus, propagating their use in breeding programmes and ensuring genetic diversity within the coconut population. b) Management of breeding programmes via conventional methods such as ‘hybridization’ for developing new hybrids, and ‘mass selection’ of straight varieties for population improvement. Hybrids and varieties undergo field trials for determining their hardiness and potential for commercialization. c) Investigating the use of molecular technologies for the genetic improvement of varieties.

Plant Pathology

The Plant Pathologist works on diseases and pests of coconut and their management, with continued emphasis on the lethal yellowing , budrot and leaf spot diseases. Some activities being conducted by the Pathologist with respect to lethal yellowing are: a) Identifying DNA regions of lethal yellowing phytoplasmas which confer differences. b) Identifying areas within the island where different “strain variants’ of lethal yellowing disease are most prevalent. c) Monitoring the “Special Malayan Dwarfs” planted in research plots at various locations in the island, for their continued resistance against lethal yellowing disease. This variety was identified via microsatellite technique as having characteristics of a true-to-type Malayan Dwarf and has been found to be resistant to lethal yellowing disease. d) Continuing the development of simple, accurate and efficient diagnostic tools for easy confirmation of the presence of the lethal yellowing phytoplasma. e) Continuing to assess the impact of the “Michael Black Approach” on lethal yellowing disease.

Agronomy/Crop Physiology

The Agronomist’s main function is the development and implementation of improved plant management systems (agronomic best practices) for existing and any new cultivars.

Ongoing Work

Work is ongoing in the following areas: a) Refinement of weed control systems b) Investigation of the usefulness of crop covers c) Examination of levels of germination with a view to improving same d) Soil testing and testing the effectiveness of different blends of fertilizer e) Implementation of soil conservation measures (soil erosion preventative measures)

Yellowing Disease

CONTROLLING LETHAL YELLOWING DISEASE Coconut growers are encouraged to play your part in the fight against lethal yellowing disease by cutting and burning your trees at the first sign of infection. The symptoms of lethal yellowing disease are: premature nut fall, blackened (necrosis) of the inflorescences (male and female flowers), yellowing or browning of the leaves and finally the falling of the canopies leaving behind only the tree trunk. You may contact the Board or the Advisory Officer in your area if you require assistance in identifying the disease or in cutting and burning infected trees.

Tissue Culture

Tissue culture is a reliable method of producing large numbers of coconut plants. This method of propagation is specifically desired by the Board because there is a consistent need to replace trees which succumb to lethal yellowing disease. The Board has partnered with the University of the West Indies, under which embryo culture of elite coconut germplasm has been initiated at the Molecular Biology and Biotechnology Centre situated at the University. To date embryo cultured in vitro has been successful but the process produces only one palm from one nut. Work is ongoing to develop the protocol for micro propagation and the recovery of multiple plants from a single embryo (Somatic embryogenesis).