Coconut Strategy 2018 PDF

COGENT is the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network, an independent network with representatives of
national institutions from 39 coconut-producing countries, representing more than 98% of the global production
COGENT aims to strengthen international collaboration in conservation and use of coconut genetic resources; to
promote improving coconut production on a sustainable basis, and to boost livelihoods and incomes of coconut
stakeholders in developing countries. www.cogentnetwork.org
Bioversity International is a global research-for-development organization. We have a vision – that agricultural
biodiversity nourishes people and sustains the planet. We deliver scientific evidence, management practices and policy
options to use and safeguard agricultural biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security. We work
with partners in low-income countries in different regions where agricultural biodiversity can contribute to improved
nutrition, resilience, productivity and climate change adaptation. Bioversity International is a member of the CGIAR
Consortium – a global research partnership for a food secure future. www.bioversityinternational.org
CIRAD is the French agricultural research and international cooperation organization working for the sustainable
development of tropical and Mediterranean regions. CIRAD works with its partners in southern countries to generate
and pass on new knowledge to support agricultural development. It puts its scientific and institutional expertise at the
disposal of policymakers in those countries and global debates on the main issues concerning agriculture. It also
supports French scientific diplomacy operations. www.cirad.fr
While every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the information reported in this publication, COGENT, Bioversity
International, CIRAD and any contributing authors cannot accept any responsibility for the consequences of the use of
this information.
Citation: COGENT. 2018. A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources, 2018-2028.
(R. Bourdeix and A Prades, compilers). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France.
The layout, design, and editing of this publication were done by Claudine Picq, Vincent Johnson, Ane de la Presa and
Alvaro Ullivari. All the plates presented in this document were done by using photographs authored by Dr Roland
Bourdeix, many of them provided free under the copyright of Diversiflora International. These plates are freely
downloadable in large poster format at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/
Cover illustrations:
ISBN: 978-92-9043-984-4
© Bioversity International and CIRAD
Disclaimer
This document has been developed by experts both in coconut genetics and breeding, as well as other experts from
along the coconut value chain. COGENT considers that it provides an informed and realistic foundation for prioritising
coconut research and development. The goal is to use this Strategy to envigorate the commercial coconut sector in a
sustained manner, while protecting food security, by encouraging partnerships that increase the impact of research
and adoption of technological innovations. COGENT encourages international, regional and national public research
organizations, development agencies, NGOs, the private sector and other stakeholders to use the priorities set out
herein to guide their activities and investment decisions. This strategy document should continue evolving as
information becomes available. All views and opinions expressed herein are those of the contributors but do not
necessarily reflect the views and opinions of their individual institutes. In case of specific questions and/or comments,
please direct them to the COGENT Secretariat at Bioversity International.
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 3.0 Unported

License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-sa/3.0
Acknowledgements
Cultivated in very diverse geographical areas and physical environments, the
coconut palm is a species with a huge morphological and genetic diversity, grown by
widely diverse communities and people for scores of different uses. It has indeed
proved highly challenging and totally absorbing to gather all this diversity into a
common Strategy.
This document, coordinated by COGENT, is the product of expert opinion and direct
participation of more than 90 key stakeholders in the conservation and use of coconut
genetic resources. COGENT would like to thank all those who contributed to
developing this Global Strategy. Each of the 132 sections of this strategy is authored by
2 to 5 contributors often located in different regions of the world. More than
400 contributions were received from international, regional and national institutions,
private companies, NGOs and a range of experts. It is not possible to individually cite
all these participants here, but a detailed list of contributors, their parent institutions,
and the sections they contributed are provided at the end of this document. The
document was submitted to six international reviewers, namely Jan Engels,
Mike Foale, Vincent Johnson, Jean-Pierre Labouisse, Nicolas Roux and Dietmar Stoian,
who have significantly contributed to the improvement of this document. The
numerous and useful advices provided by Brigitte Laliberté, in the light of her recent
experience in compiling the Cacao Strategy, were also particularly helpful. COGENT
would also like to acknowledge Claudine Picq, Vincent Johnson, Ane de la Presa,
Alvaro Ullivari and Diversiflora International for their editorial, design and layout
support in preparing the document for publication.
Special acknowledgements are also due to the many organizations, institutions and
individuals who have assisted the COGENT secretariat by participating in the
COGENT genebank surveys, and who have provided constructive and informative
feedback.
Finally COGENT would like to acknowledge the CGIAR Research Program on
Forests, Trees and Agroforestry, and the Global Crop Diversity Trust, who
financially supported the development of this Strategy, as well as those many
COGENT member-countries and institutions which have allocated staff-time and
other resources to this end. COGENT also gratefully acknowledges ACIAR and
Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT), who supported the
publication of this document. COGENT also acknowledges CIRAD and IMP’ACT
printers, St Gely du Fesc / Toulouse, France who supported printing this document.
Introductory pages i
Table of Contents
Introductory pages
Preface ........................................................................................................................... vii
Foreword ....................................................................................................................... viii
Outline .............................................................................................................................ix
Coconut glossary ............................................................................................................xi
Acronyms ...................................................................................................................... xiii
1. Introduction to the Global Coconut Strategy ...............................................................
1.1 The coconut, a tree of many lives ............................................................................. 2
1.1.1 Origin, history and dynamics of coconut cultivation ........................................ 4
1.1.2 Cultivation and current production of coconut ................................................. 8
1.1.3 Importance of coconut genetic diversity ........................................................ 10
1.1.4 Constraints linked to the biology of the plant................................................. 15
1.1.5 Major threats to coconut genetic resources .................................................. 20
1.1.6 The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network – COGENT ........... 23
1.1.7 The urgent need for a revised Global Strategy ............................................. 25
1.2 Global Strategy vision, goal, objectives, outputs and outcomes ........................... 28
1.2.1 Vision and goal .............................................................................................. 28
1.2.2 Objectives ...................................................................................................... 28
1.2.3 Outputs .......................................................................................................... 29
1.2.4 Expected outcomes ....................................................................................... 29
1.2.5 Link with outcomes of CGIAR research programs ........................................ 30
1.3 Process for developing the Global Strategy ........................................................... 32
1.4 References .............................................................................................................. 34
2. Where we are today? 37
2.1 The genetic diversity of coconut............................................................................. 38
2.1.1 The coconut genepools ................................................................................. 38
2.1.2 Coconut domestication .................................................................................. 39
2.1.3 International coconut nomenclature .............................................................. 41
2.2 Methodologies for conserving coconut genetic resources .................................... 43
ii Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
2.2.1 Ex situ conservation methods ....................................................................... 44

2.2.2 Conservation in situ, on-farm and beyond ex situ collections ....................... 47
2.2.3 Revisiting the classical delineation between in situ
and ex situ conservation ......................................................................................... 49
2.2.4 In vitro culture and cryopreservation ............................................................. 53
2.3 The current global ex situ conservation system ..................................................... 56
2.3.1 Content of ex situ collections ......................................................................... 57
2.3.2 Mandate of institutes managing ex situ collections ....................................... 58
2.3.3 Cost of ex situ collections .............................................................................. 60
2.3.4 Collecting germplasm .................................................................................... 63
2.3.5. Ex situ collection management..................................................................... 66
2.3.6 Germplasm identification, characterization and evaluation........................... 67
2.3.7 Safety duplication of germplasm ................................................................... 68
2.4 Genetic resources information management ......................................................... 71
2.4.1 Local genebank management systems......................................................... 71
2.4.2 Managing international coconut databases................................................... 72
2.4.3 Geographic Information Systems. ................................................................. 74
2.5 Utilization of coconut genetic resources ................................................................ 77
2.5.1 Planting material for farmers ......................................................................... 78
2.5.2 Involvement of farmers in breeding and seednut production ........................ 83
2.5.3 Past and contemporary coconut breeding .................................................... 84
2.5.4 Breeding for yield increase ............................................................................ 85
2.5.5 Breeding for pest and disease resistance ..................................................... 87
2.5.6 Breeding for quality traits ............................................................................... 89
2.5.7 Breeding for drought and other abiotic stresses ........................................... 90
2.5.8. Genomics and DNA markers........................................................................ 91
2.5.9 Coconut, climate change and coastal areas ................................................. 93
2.5.10 Coconut conservation, landscapes and ecotourism ................................... 97
2.6 Coconut germplasm exchange .............................................................................. 99
2.6.1 Benefits of sharing coconut genetic resources ........................................... 102
2.6.2. Safe movement of germplasm ................................................................... 103
2.6.3 International germplasm transfers ............................................................... 104
2.7 Partnerships and networking ................................................................................ 106
2.8 Facing emergency situations: an overview........................................................... 107
Introductory pages iii
2.9 References ............................................................................................................ 109

3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and increase use 113
3.1 Strengthening communication and commitment to conservation and use of
coconut genetic resources ......................................................................................... 115
3.1.1. Targeted audience...................................................................................... 115
3.1.2. Concepts for communication ...................................................................... 116
3.1.3. Implementing the communication strategy................................................. 116
3.1.4. Impact assessment of the communication strategy ................................... 120
3.2. Revisiting the concept of the Global COGENT coconut collection .................... 120
3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks ........................................................ 122
3.2.2. Diversification of coconut genebanks ......................................................... 122
3.2.3 Geostrategy: doubling the number of international genebanks .................. 123
3.2.4 Sharing international resources between genebanks ................................. 127
3.2.5 Towards a concept of a “networked” or “virtual” coconut collection ............ 129
3.3. Securing existing ex situ coconut genetic resources .......................................... 130
3.3.1. Business plans for genebanks ................................................................... 130
3.3.2. Extending the duration of accessions in the fields ..................................... 132
3.3.3. Triplication of germplasm in distinct geographical sites ............................. 133
3.3.4. Cryogenebanking ....................................................................................... 139
3.4 Strengthening conservation beyond ex situ genebanks ...................................... 142
3.4.1 Conservation by use .................................................................................... 142
3.4.2 Multifunctional landscape management ...................................................... 143
3.4.3 Botanists, ecologists and the coconut palm ................................................ 145
3.4.4 Coconut reproduction patterns .................................................................... 146
3.5 Collecting and filling gaps in ex situ collections ................................................... 147
3.5.1 Compact Dwarfs and other special varieties ............................................... 148
3.5.2 Collecting for pest and disease resistance .................................................. 150
3.5.3 Islands most isolated and/or endangered by climate change ..................... 150
3.5.4 Filling geographical gaps ............................................................................. 152
3.6 Strengthening the distribution and the safe movement of germplasm ................ 152
3.6.1. Policies for international germplasm transfers ........................................... 153
3.6.2. Transfer of germplasm via embryo culture and pollen ............................... 154
3.6.3. Disease indexing and quarantine centres .................................................. 154
3.7 Promoting the use of coconut genetic resources ................................................ 155
iv Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
3.7.1 Global objectives in terms of planting material ............................................ 155

3.7.2 Promoting farmer-produced planting material ............................................. 157
3.7.3 Germplasm characterization and evaluation ............................................... 158
3.7.4 International breeding trials ......................................................................... 159
3.7.5 Coconut clones, the next revolution? .......................................................... 162
3.8 Improving databases and sharing of technical information ................................. 163
3.8.1 Data management in genebanks ................................................................ 164
3.8.2 International databases on ex situ conservation ......................................... 166
3.8.3 Databases for and of farmers ...................................................................... 167
3.9 Preparing the area of coconut genomics ............................................................. 168
3.9.1 Sequencing coconut genome ...................................................................... 169
3.9.2 Preparing the era of marker-assisted breeding ........................................... 169
3.9.3 Improving conservation by DNA analysis in ex situ genebanks ................. 171
3.9.4 DNA analysis in farmers´ fields ................................................................... 171
3.10 Enhancing networking and partnerships for global collaboration ...................... 172
3.11 References .......................................................................................................... 175
4. Annexes 177
Annex 1. COGENT-member-countries and linked national institutions..................... 177
Annex 2. Contributors to the Strategy and their parent ............................................. 181
Annex 3. Contributors to the strategy by chapters and sections............................... 190
Annex 4. Reorganization of the COGENT Network .................................................... 196
Annex 5. List of the projects facilitated or coordinated by COGENT and
Bioversity International................................................................................................ 201
Annex 6. Global survey template (2012) ..................................................................... 203
Annex 7. Standard costs for the preparation of coconut germplasm ........................ 213
Annex 8. Schedule of gathering characterization data for a Tall-type coconut
accession .................................................................................................................... 214
Annex 9. Conserving each cultivar in three countries: what does it mean? .............. 216
Annex 10. Estimated costs summary of the Global COGENT collection .................. 218
Annex 11. Useful web links ......................................................................................... 222
Introductory pages v
Tables and figures

Tables
Table 2.1. Date and types of Memoranda of Agreement signed by the five countries
hosting ICG. .................................................................................................................. 26
Table 2.2. Quality of the management of the genebanks (survey conducted in 2013
by the COGENT Secretariat). ....................................................................................... 27
Table 2.3. Estimations on the annual cost per standard accession of activities
conducted in ex situ coconut collections, and following estimation by the COGENT
secretariat. ..................................................................................................................... 27
Table 2.4. Collecting index by region (number of accessions conserved in ex situ
collections per million hectares). ................................................................................... 31
Table 2.5. Analysis of accessions for global efficiency of conservation (Analysis carried
out in 2013). .................................................................................................................. 35
Table 2.6. Typology of coconut varieties classified by importance of use. ................... 48
Table 2.8. Projected numbers of islands to be submerged by the sea - under two
scenarios: A - Rise in sea level by 1 m and B - by 6 m ............................................... 62
Table 3.1. Collecting indexes by region for 2017 ........................................................ 138
Table 4.1. Location and composition of the COGENT Steering Committee Meeting
from 1997 to 2014 ....................................................................................................... 197
Table 4.2. Actual composition of COGENT International Thematic Action Groups. .. 200
Table 4.3. Fund generation and financial support to member countries
and partner institutions. ............................................................................................... 201
Figures
Figure 2.1. Schematic representation of the plantation of Nuusafe’e Island in Samoa
using the Polymotu concept. ......................................................................................... 16
Figure 2.2. The three varieties planted in Nuusafe’e and Namu’a Islands, Samoa:
Tahiti Red Dwarf, Niu Kafa Tall, Malayan Red Dwarf, and the way to identify
progenies in the nursery................................................................................................ 17
Figure 2.3. Evolution of accessions recorded in CGRD ............................................... 23
Figure 2.4. Hectares currently devoted to the genebanks ............................................ 36
Figure 2.5. Ecoclimatic niche model for coconuts ........................................................ 41
Figure 2.6. Coconut collecting gaps .............................................................................. 42
Figure 2.7. Future coconut productivity under different models of climate change ...... 43
Figure. 2.8. Localization of the eight insular biodiversity hotspots which includes
important coconut cultivation areas .............................................................................. 60
Figure 2.9. International transfers of coconut germplasm. ........................................... 71
vi Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
Plates
Plate 2.1. Tall-type coconut varieties from the Pacific region ...................................... 50
Plate 2.2. Diversity of coconut palm trunks .................................................................. 78
Plate 2.3. Coconut, climate change and coastal areas ................................................ 92
Plate 2.4. Coconut for landscaping .............................................................................. 99
Plate 3.1. Progenies of hybrids between Malayan Dwarf-types coconut varieties.... 121
Plate 3.2. Cultivation of Malayan Dwarf-types coconut varieties ............................... 149
Plate 3.3. Compact Dwarf are crucial varieties for the future of coconut breeding ... 160
Plate 3.4. Spicata forms of coconut varieties ............................................................. 165
Introductory pages vii
Preface
Vincent Johnson
Grown on more than 12 million hectares, the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) is a culturally and
economically important livelihood crop for millions across Southeast Asia, the Asia-Pacific, Africa
and Latin America. Fully developed and strategically used, coconuts could help increase food
production, improve nutrition, create employment opportunities, enhance equity and help
conserve the environment. The future of global coconut production and livelihoods critically
depends on the availability of genetic diversity and the sustainable use of this broad genetic base to
breed improved varieties. Harnessing and conserving agrobiodiversity are critical to sustainably
boosting productivity and livelihoods, and addressing important challenges including those posed
by climate change or pest and disease epidemics.
More than 95% of coconut farmers are resource-poor smallholders lacking the voice needed to
influence government policy or private sector practices. In support of these smallholders, the
CGIAR agreed to include coconut in its research portfolio in 1991. Bioversity International’s parent
organization1 organized the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) to
promote global collaboration for the effective conservation and use of coconut genetic resources.
COGENT began in 1992 with 15 coconut-growing countries as members, and has subsequently
expanded to 39 member-countries representing more than 98% of global production.
Over many years, and with the support of Bioversity International and latterly the CGIAR research
program Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA), COGENT has continued to coordinate the
refinement of this progressive global strategy for conserving and harnessing coconut germplasm
(the Strategy), aiming to cost-effectively optimize the conservation and use of as much
representative diversity as possible. During the 2012, 2014 and 2017 COGENT Steering Committee
meetings, agreements were made on finalizing this updated Strategy, and designing further related
research in terms of: conservation in national field collections; conservation in the multisite
International Coconut Genebank (ICG); in vitro embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis and
cryopreservation; in situ and on-farm conservation; promoting conservation through use, and
‘Polymotu’ - a concept employing geographic isolation to avoid costly controlled pollination.
COGENT would like to acknowledge the work and support of those many stakeholders, including
the CGIAR, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, and the more than one hundred contributors who
have been instrumental in developing and refining this important Strategy. It is hoped that, as an
evolving document, it will provide the benchmark for effectively implementing the comprehensive
conservation and research agenda proposed by the international coconut research community, as a
route to the enhanced wellbeing of the millions of coconut smallholders across the globe.

Bioversity International/COGENT coordinator, Montpellier, France
1 The International Board for Plant Genetic Resources (IBPGR) –then becoming the International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute (IPGRI), which finally became Bioversity International in 2006.
viii Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
Foreword
Prof Gabrielle J. Persley AM
Coconut is indeed the “Tree of Life”. More than 100 million people living in fragile coastal
areas of the Indo Pacific region, including the coastal lands bordering South and Southeast
Asia, the islands of the Pacific Ocean and the coastal areas of Africa and Latin America,
depend on coconut for their livelihoods. Coconut provides food and water, timber and
leaves to build homes, and oil and copra for fuel and as a source of income. In times of
environmental disasters, such as cyclones and tsumanis, coconut is often the last tree
standing, able to protect and sustain communities in the immediate aftermath of the disaster,
providing food, water and shelter while people rebuild their lives.
Globally, the demand for coconut products is growing exponentially. The estimated global
market for coconut water alone is predicted to be in the order of USD 10 billion by 2030. This
growing export market for a wider range and higher value of coconut products offers new
opportunities for increasing incomes for millions of small- scale coconut producers.
Increasing productivity and profitability of coconut as both an essential “tree of life” to
sustain livelihoods in fragile environments and as a source of increasing income through the
sale of coconut for higher value products is now feasible.
At a time when the demand for coconut and coconut products is growing worldwide, it is
important to conserve and utilize the rich biological diversity of the crop. The International
Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) took up this challenge in 1992, over 25 years
ago, with the leadership and support of CGIAR, Bioversity International and its predecessor,
amongst the international agricultural research centres. The Australian Government, through
the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) was an early and ardent
supporter for the inclusion of coconut within the portfolio of CGIAR crops, as an important but
orphan crop whose biological diversity needed to be conserved and whose challenges,
particularly in the areas of crop improvement and crop protection needed to be addressed.
It is timely now for Bioversity to be launching a new Global Strategy for Coconut Genetic
Resources for the next ten years and beyond. It is also pleasing to learn that the Asia-Pacific
Coconut Community (APCC) will be joining with Bioversity, the Pacific Community (SPC),
ACIAR and the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) in support for this
new strategy and its implementation through COGENT and its partners across the coconut
producing world.
May I commend this strategy to the readers, congratulate the many people who developed this
impressive document and wish those responsible for it successful implementation every success
in their important endeavours.
Brisbane, August 2018

ACIAR Commissioner, University of Queensland, St Lucia, Brisbane, Australia.
Introductory pages ix
Outline
Chapter 1 introduces the background context and rationale for this new Global
Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources. It articulates the
origin, history and dynamics of coconut cultivation, particularly emphasising the
importance of coconut genetic diversity and outlining the threats it faces. It then
highlights the role of the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network
(COGENT), and urgent need for this revised Global Strategy. The chapter then
outlines the Strategy’s vision, goal, objectives, outputs and outcomes, and how these
link with the CGIAR system-level outcomes (SLOs), and concludes with describing the
participatory approach to developing the Strategy.
Chapter 2 provides a global analysis of the present status of coconut genetic resources
conservation and use. It begins by describing coconut genetic diversity in terms of its
genepools, domestication, and nomenclature. It goes on to outline the current ex and in
situ conservation methodologies, and associated in vitro culture and cryopreservation
methodologies. The third section examines the current global ex situ conservation
system in greater detail, in terms of the collections’ content, management and costs, as
well as current approaches to germplasm collecting, identification, characterization,
evaluation and safety duplication. The fourth section on genetic resources information
management then covers local genebank management systems, and managing
international coconut databases and geographic information systems. Section five
describes how coconut genetic resources are currently used, including: planting
material for farmers; farmers in breeding and seednut production; past and current
coconut breeding efforts in terms of breeding for improved yield; pest and disease
resistance; quality; and drought- and other abiotic stress-resistance or tolerance. The
role of genomics and DNA markers is also explored. The use of coconut to mitigate
effects of climate change, and for ecotourism are then discussed. Section six embraces
the important area of coconut germplasm exchange, including the benefits of sharing
coconut genetic resources; Safe safe movement of germplasm and international
germplasm transfers. Coconut partnerships and networking are then briefly discussed,
before a closing section provides an overview of the emergency situation which
coconut conservation is facing.
Chapter 3 focuses on prioritizing the actions and research needed to effectively secure
coconut diversity and enhance its use, and proposes plans to develop concrete
mechanisms, skills and research that will permit the global coconut community to
achieve the Strategy’s objectives. The chapter is laid out according to following
sequence of these objectives: 1) strengthening commitment and communication; 2)
ensuring ex and in situ conservation; 3) addressing diversity gaps, 4) developing
mechanisms for effective international germplasm movements; 5) comprehensively
characterizing and evaluating coconut germplasm, and 6) reinforcing COGENT.
Section 2 revisits the concept of a Global coconut collection (including a “networked”
or “virtual” collection), stressing the importance of field genebanks and their
diversification and duplication, as well as that of sharing genetic resources. Section 3
focuses on securing existing ex situ coconut genetic resources, in terms of business
planning; extending accessions’ duration; triplication; and cryobanking.
x Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
Section 4 covers the in situ areas of conservation through use; multifunctional

landscape management, and ethnobotanical and reproductive considerations.
Collecting and filling gaps in ex situ collections is covered in the next section, including
a particular focus on compact dwarfs Dwarfs and other special varieties, as well as
collecting for pest and disease tolerance, filling geographical gaps, and prospecting in
islands most isolated and/or endangered by climate change. Section 6 offers
recommendations for strengthening the distribution and safe movement of germplasm
in the areas of policy; germplasm transfer protocols, including for embryos pollen, and
disease indexing and quarantine centres. Section 7 explores ways to promote using
coconut genetic resources. It explores: global objectives in terms of planting material;
promoting farmer-produced planting material; germplasm characterization and
evaluation; international breeding trials, and finally how coconut clones may offer an
innovative means to increased use. Section 8 articulates ways of improving databases
and sharing technical information. Section 9 looks at genome studies for effective
management and utilization of coconut genetic resources, including genome
sequencing, preparing for marker-assisted breeding, and DNA analysis for more
effective conservation. The chapter concludes with recommendations for enhancing
networking and partnerships for global collaboration.
Introductory pages xi
Coconut glossary
Accession: a collection of plant material from a particular location, received by a genebank to
ensure sustainable conservation of a single specific cultivar, landrace or population.
Allogamous: naturally fertilized by pollen from another individual. Most of Tall-type coconut
cultivars are preferentially but not exclusively allogamous. Opposite: autogamous
Allele: different partner version of the same gene (found at the same locus but in homologous
chromosomes or in different individuals.
Autogamous: reproducing naturally by self-fertilization. Many Dwarf-type coconut cultivars
are preferentially but not exclusively autogamous. Opposite: allogamous.
Axis: part of the coconut inflorescence following the peduncle and where the spikelets are
attached (except for the Spicata varieties).
Coconut water: the natural liquid endosperm that fills the cavity of a developing coconut fruit
(sometimes incorrectly called “milk” when used for in vitro tissue culture).
Coconut milk: the liquid white emulsion extracted from the grated meat/kernel of a coconut,
used in food preparation and also sometimes called “coconut cream”.
Coconut oil: the primary product of coconut cultivation with many diverse uses. obtained
from copra or fresh kernel (called virgin coconut in the last case).
Coir: natural fibre extracted from coconut husks. Used in products such as floor mats,
doormats, brushes, mattresses, geotextiles, etc.
Copra: the dried meat (kernel) of coconut, generally with 6% moisture. Once important for
storage and shipment, it yields coconut oil and the residual coconut cake which is mainly used
as fodder.
Cryoconservation: frozen in liquid nitrogen for purpose of conservation (at -196°C).
Cultivar: cultivated variety.
Ex situ: when a species is conserved outside of its usual location, such as in field genebanks as
living trees or in in vitro collections of tissues and embryos.
Genebank: type of biorepository which preserves genetic material. In the case of coconut
palm, all are presently field genebanks conserving accessions of living coconut palms.
Genotype: the hereditary constitution of an individual.
Hybrid: In the case of the coconut palm, the term “hybrid” is defined in its widest sense as the
result of a cross between population, families, or individual palms belonging to different
varieties.
Impact pathways: build on logical models by giving more detail on the contribution of each
activity on its path to impact. Impact pathways unpack the links between outcome and impact.
Impact pathways are commonly presented graphically.
Inflorescence: the part of the plant that bears the flowers, including all its bracts, branches and
flowers, but excluding unmodified leaves. Coconut inflorescences have both male and female
flowers.
Inbreeding: producing offspring by self-fertilization or by crossing of parents that are very
close genetically. Opposite: outbreeding.
In situ: when a species is located/conserved in its usual situation,-in farmers’ fields or in
protected areas.
In vitro: when a species is located/conserved in a glass receptacle such as test-tubes, as a part
of ex situ conservation.
xii Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
Landrace: traditional palms specifically adapted to the environmental conditions from their
region.
Makapuno or Macapuno: : in the Philippines, Makapuno designates a particular type of
coconut palm producing some of their coconuts with thick and soft meat, which are not able to
germinate except by embryo culture.The spelling Macapuno was adopted in the USA and
similar types in other countries have other names.
Monoecious: having both the male and female reproductive organs in the same individual;
hermaphrodite. Opposite Dioecious.
Motu: small island. Scientists generally use mainly this term for small coral islands, while
Polynesians apply it to any small islands were plants are growing.
Peduncle: the lower unbranched part of the coconut inflorescence.
Phenotype: appearance of an organism with respect to a particular character or group of
characters (physical, biochemical or physiological), as a result of the interaction of its genotype
and its environment.
Pollen competition: applies when female flowers pollinated with an equal mix of pollen of
two varieties do not give seednuts resulting from an equal mix of these two parental varieties.
Polymotu: the Polynesian-based Polymotu concept (poly=many, motu=island) is to use the
geographical isolation of dedicated sites for conservation and reproduction of individual
varieties of plants, trees and even animals.
Progeny: the subsequent generation following a mating or crossing of parents.
Seednut: the entire fruit, with the husk arount the nut, when ripe.
Seed-garden: Areas (often up to 200 hectares) planted with one or several coconut varieties for
producing coconut seednuts.
Selfing: Self-pollination and fertilization of an organism, is possible for coconut palms because
inflorescences have both female and male flowers.
Spicata: rare forms of coconut palms where most of the flowers, instead on being attached to
the spikelets, are attached directly to the axis of the inflorescence.
Spikelet: the part of the coconut inflorescence which is attached to peduncle and may bear
female and male flowers. A coconut spikelet usually bears 0-6 large female flowers and 10-
200 smaller male flowers.
Variety: a distinct, often intentionally bred subset of a species that will behave uniformly and
predictably when grown in an environment to which it is adapted. Widest sense includes
cultivar, ecotype, landrace, etc.
Theory of Change: presents an explicit identification of the ways by which change is expected
to occur from output to outcome and impact.
Introductory pages xiii
Acronyms
ACIAR Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research
ADB Asian Development Bank
APCC Asian and Pacific Coconut Community
CBD Convention on Biological Diversity
CDM Coconut Data Management sofware
CDC Coconut Genetic resources Database
CPCRI Central Plantation Crop Research Institute (India)
CFDV Coconut foliar decay virus
CGIAR Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research
CIRAD Centre international de recherche en agriculture pour le Développement
CNRA Centre national de recherche agronomique de Côte d’Ivoire
COGENT International Coconut Genetic Resources Network
CRP CGIAR research programme
DFID Department for International Development
FAO Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations
FTA Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP)
GCDT Global Crop Diversity Trust
ICG COGENT International Coconut genebanksGenebanks
IDEFOR-DPO Former name of CNRA
IDOs Intermediate Development Outcomes
IFAD International Fund for Agricultural Development
IPRs Intellectual property rights
IRHO Institut de recherche sur les huiles et oléagineux
ITPGRFA International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
ITAG COGENT International Thematic Action Groups (7 groups were created in 2012)
KCTA Knowledge and commitment of targeted audience
LYD Lethal yellowing disease
MLS Multilateral system
MoA Memorandum of Agreement
SC Steering Committee
SMTA Standard Material Transfer Agreement
SPC Secretariat of the Pacific Community
1. Introduction to the Global Coconut Strategy 1
1. Introduction to the Global Coconut Strategy

1.1 The coconut, a tree of many lives
Emblematic, aesthetic and strange, the coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.) has long
been valued by many civilizations, and has been endowed with multifaceted
symbolisms and positive cultural references, reflecting its great genetic diversity
and multiple uses. A global strategy to conserve such diversity can therefore serve
as a basis for its sustainable use. However, coconut’s complex biology poses
particular challenges for researchers and curators working in both conserving and
using coconut genetic resources.
Polynesian tradition tells us that coconut
palms only grow well when they can hear
the sea or human voices. However, recent
agronomic progress has boosted palm
yields even when they are a long way
from beaches and houses.
At the global level, coconut research
remains insufficient with regard to the
social, economic and cultural importance
of the plant. Coconut is cultivated globally
on about 12 million hectares, but countless
home gardens also grow a few coconut Street sellers of the famous coconut variety
palms each, to provide food; water and named « King Coconut » or « Rath Thembili »
sap to drink; oil for culinary and non- in Sri Lanka. This variety is mainly used for
edible uses; leaves for thatching and tender nuts for drinking.
fencing; sugar, vinegar and alcoholic
beverages from sap; timber and wood for construction; fuel from the husk, leaves and
shells; materials for artefacts, traditional medicine and ritual purposes; attractive
landscaping and shade, both for people and inter-crops. The custodial role of farmers,
together with these hundreds of millions of gardeners, was and remains crucial for
creating new varieties and transmitting seednuts through their social networks.
The coconut industry is now experiencing an important revival. Although the price of
coconut oil and copra remains highly volatile and subject to much speculation, the
price of fresh coconuts has greatly increased during recent years. Many farmers want
to replant, preferably with high-yielding varieties bred for production of high-value
products. Some countries have recently begun to increase their investment in coconut
research, although this will take time to produce substantial results. Due to the lack of
investment in coconut research over the last 20 years, many farmers continue to plant
varieties with lower yield potential than those alternatively available. Higher-yielding
planting material is not available in sufficient quantities or at an affordable price. The
technical protocols and field management promoting best growth and higher yield are
not adequately disseminated among farmers. The case for coconut research needs to be
more assiduously made.
2 Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
Created in 1991, the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT)

gathers 39 countries producing more than 98% of coconuts worldwide and hosting
24 ex situ coconut genebanks. COGENT’s overall goal is to optimize the conservation
and use of coconut genetic resources, as the foundation of a sustainable coconut
economy (from farmers through research to consumers), by coordinating and
strengthening such conservation and related research efforts of a worldwide network
of stakeholders.
COGENT has played – and continues to play – a crucial role in developing
international projects and in organizing the global coconut conservation system which
is presently based on 5 international genebanks collaborating with the 19 national
genebanks and other coconut stakeholders worldwide.
The previous version of this Strategy 1 was released by COGENT in January 2008, after
an international consultation process which required four years 2. The need to update
this Strategy was highlighted as early as 2009, during a COGENT meeting held in
Korea. One of the main limiting factors of global coordination was identified as
"making decisions with incomplete or obsolete information".
With funding support by the Global Crop Diversity Trust (the ‘Trust’ hereafter),
COGENT’s major achievements for 2012 included: an update of the data regarding
global ex situ coconut conservation (Bourdeix et al. 2012a) and holding the
16th COGENT Steering Committee meeting (Bourdeix et al. 2012b). In October 2012,
another important meeting was also organized in Samoa by the Pacific Community
(SPC) and the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR),
with participation of COGENT, the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community (APCC)
and many country representatives. This meeting contributed to addressing priorities
in coconut research and development. Thanks to CGIAR Research Program on
Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (CRP-FTA), to Bioversity International, to CIRAD
and to all COGENT country-members, this has led to the development of this new
Strategy. Coconut is one of the priority crops listed in the Annex 1 3 of the
International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (ITPGRFA
- ‘the Treaty’ hereafter). Reasons why coconut research remains insufficient and the
possible remedies to improve this situation are comprehensively discussed in this
strategy document, with a special emphasis on the conservation and use of coconut
genetic resources.
1 “A framework for promoting the effective conservation and use of coconut genetic resources developed in consultation with
COGENT members and partners”. Available at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/Coconut-Strategy-
FINAL-28Jan2008.pdf
2 In November 2004, the Global Crop Diversity Trust supported a meeting of the major coconut producing countries to review
and update the Strategy and identify priority conservation activities. The updated Strategy was referred to the COGENT Steering
Committee (SC), to representatives of coconut growing countries and COGENT partner research organizations, and based on
their feedback, a revised draft was produced. The COGENT SC approved the revised Strategy during its meeting in India in
November 2005. In December 2007, participants in the International Coconut Genebank (ICG) and National Genebank Curators
Workshop/COGENT SC meeting reviewed the Strategy to further rationalize the collections.
3 Available at the URL: http://www.planttreaty.org/content/article-xiv
1.1.1 Origin, history and dynamics of coconut cultivation

Evidence suggests that the coconut and its related species already had a wide
distribution during the Eocene to Oligocene eras (28-44 million years ago). At the
dawn of agriculture (around 10,000 years ago), it appears to have been restricted to
a region extending from South-east Asia to near Oceania and to the south of the
Indian sub-continent. It is feasible that when humans started to harvest coconuts
for consumption and multiplication, this initiated a long and progressive
domestication process.
It is likely that within archipelagos
and on islands, the spread of
coconuts was based on a very small
initial sample size, considering the
bulk of the seed material and that
the coconut reproduces by seed. The
natural adaptation of coconuts to a
dispersal mode by flotation means
that sample size may have been
limited to only a few nuts being the
founders of populations on small
islands and atolls. During this
worldwide dissemination, these Diversity of coconut fruits.
continued ‘bottleneck events’ have
resulted in enormous genetic drifts in the founding populations. This process,
facilitating a fragmentation of coconut genetic diversity, was overlain by ritual and
commercial exchanges of seeds, which tended to homogenize populations at a regional
scale. The results of these partially opposed tendencies need to be analysed further
because they have significant implications regarding the current genetic distribution of
coconuts, in particular when being collected for conservation and multiple uses.
Optimizing conservation requires a better understanding of the biological, social and
historical dynamics shaping coconut genetic diversity and its uses. The current pan-
tropical coconut distribution was attained only relatively recently from 3,400 to
100 years ago, involving Austronesian seafarers from Malaysia and Pacific, Arab
traders in the Indian Ocean, and Europeans exploring the Atlantic and the Pacific
coasts of the Americas.
South-east Asia comprising Cambodia, Hainan Island, Indonesia, Malaysia, the
Philippines, Thailand, and Vietnam, is undoubtedly one of the most diverse regions
for coconut cultivation. This is the region where the highly domesticated Dwarf 4
coconuts are likely to have originated.
Archaeological evidence suggests that the coconut was present in the Pacific prior to
human arrival. Early human settlers occupied the Sahul region about 45,000 years ago
4 “Dwarf” and “Dwarf-types” designate ‘Malayan-Type Dwarfs’ and ‘Compact Dwarfs’ in the Strategy (see Plate 1.1).
settling in New Guinea Island and Australia. These first settlers were not cultivators,
but may have used coconuts as floatation aids to reach New Guinea and Australia.
The coconut was associated with the “portmanteau biota” of the Austronesian
peoples emanating from Taiwan (Kirsch 2002), whose navigational skills enabled
colonization of the Pacific starting around 3,400 years ago. They travelled via South-
east Asia islands, the Bismarck Archipelago and via outlying islands of Solomon and
Vanuatu. Coconut fruit provided
portable water and food for their
rapid migration across Pacific Ocean.
In the 1800s, in most of the Pacific
islands, each of the various clans had
probably a limited number of coconut
palms. However, they distinguished
many coconut landraces which
served many different purposes 5.
From 1870, coconut became a major
colonial business and copra an
international commodity. Commercial
Coconut palm and children in Funafuti, Tuvalu
Islands. (R. Bourdeix) plantations of various sizes run by
European settlers or companies had a
ripple effect on the establishment of
small plantations by Pacific islanders, geared to copra production. The number of
coconut palms in the Pacific region greatly increased (probably 50 to 100-fold). In most
cases planting techniques on the atolls consisted of clearing all the natural vegetation,
letting it dry for a month, burning everything and importing coconut seednuts from
another bigger island. These planting techniques were indeed harmful to the
biodiversity of endemic species. They were also damaging from the perspective of
conserving coconut genetic diversity. Agricultural landscapes and practices were
brutally modified.
In many islands, the human population was decimated by diseases brought by
infected European mariners and traders, such as measles and influenza. These
cataclysmic events changed the social representations of the coconut palm for the
Pacific islanders, and exacerbated the erosion of traditional knowledge and the mix of
biological resources. It has been estimated that more than half of the coconut landraces
that had been developed by the islanders over several millennia were lost by dilution
in the mass of coconut palms selected purely to produce copra.
On the Pacific coast of the Americas, coconuts were present in Panama before the
Spanish arrived during the 16th century, and recent studies have shown that they are
closely related to those from the Philippines. Pre-Columbian cultivation of the coconut
was unknown; it only became a plantation crop after European settlement. Further
exploration in northwest South America may reveal untapped diversity from pre-
historical introductions to this understudied part of the Neotropics.
5 Purposes as listed in the introduction of this Strategy, plus coconut shells used as containers and husk fibre to make ropes.
Hindu scriptural references indicate that the coconut was cultivated in the southern
Indian subcontinent even earlier than other recorded cultivations of around 2,500 to
3,000 years ago. Coconuts from the Laccadives, Maldives and Lakshadweep
archipelagos to the south-west of India in the sea of Oman were highly valued for
production of coir 6. Landraces in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands are also highly
diverse and include rare morphologies such as horned coconuts (Rajesh et al. 2008).
The earliest known record of coconuts in Sri Lanka was in the “Mahawansa” historic
chronicle from 101-77 BC; ancient accounts from pre-Portuguese travellers during the
6th century AD further support its antiquity in Sri Lanka, in India and in the Maldives.
The periphery of southern India including Sri Lanka and the island archipelagos
represents one of the two centres of coconut diversity (see Section 2.1.2 on
domestication of the coconut palm).
By the end of the first century AD the Indian Ocean embraced a network of trade
routes and coconut fruit became a popular trade commodity where exchanges were
made between northern Africa, South-west Asia and the east coast of Africa (Cappers
2003). The main hubs were the Maldives and the Laccadives Islands. In Tumbe village,
Pemba, Tanzania, archaeobotanical data suggest that coconuts and rice were already
under cultivation from the 7th to the 10th centuries. In South Oman, the tradition of
using coconut fibre (kambar) to construct dhows and cordage is attested in the 9th
century and has persisted among local fishermen and transoceanic traders (Pereira et
al. 2011) until recently. Coconut is still cultivated in Oman under irrigation. The
Comoros Islands and Madagascar also formed an integral part of this trade route and
show evidence of Bantu and Middle Eastern cultures. Molecular evidence has shown
that a proportion of coconuts from Comoros and Madagascar were admixed with
those from the Pacific and may be traced to earlier migrations around 1,500 years ago
by Austronesians from eastern Kalimantan in South-east Asia. Soon after the opening
of the navigation route to India by Vasco da Gama, coconut was introduced to the
Cape Verde islands and from there to West Africa and to the Caribbean.
Historical and pre-historical knowledge about the dynamics of coconut cultivation
and trade is still incomplete. During the 18th, 19th and even the 20th century 7, full
boats loaded with coconut seeds were sent between continents, from Asia to the
Pacific region and Indian Ocean, and vice versa. Therefore, it is imperative to establish
and understand how traditional knowledge of diverse coconut germplasm might be of
service to current agricultural and economic developments. In order to do this,
coconut conservationists and agronomists should collaborate more closely with
archaeologists and historians 8. Genetic diversity measures from the interface between
the landraces and cultivars have already provided crucial information concerning
agricultural development.
6 The Laccadives were known as Diva-kanbar (Coir Islands) by Arab geographers and writers from the 10th century.
7 For instance, according to Hugh Harries (personal communication) in 1962 a boatload reputed to be 1 million coconut
seednuts, was shipped from Sri Lanka to Cuba.
8At least two PhD students are needed: one archaeologist compiling data regarding coconut prehistory, the other analysing the
numerous international germplasm transfers conducted during the colonial period by private companies.
Plate 1.1
The systematic documentation and collecting of coconut landraces needs to continue

with respect to intellectual property of farmers and countries. This should be
implemented in conjunction with applying a genomics approach.
1.1.2 Cultivation and current production of coconut

The coconut palm is cultivated in at least 94 countries worldwide, in all the tropical
zones of Asia, Oceania, Africa and the Americas (FAO 2014). The coconut has
traditionally been integral to the lives of the coastal people, even in West Africa, the
Caribbean and the Atlantic and Pacific coasts of South and Central America where it
was introduced only around 500 years ago.
To re-iterate, coconut is planted on approximately 12 million hectares worldwide,
and provides the major source of livelihoods for more than 11 million farmers,
mostly smallholders with low
income (Adkins et al. 2006).
Plantings are predominantly on
smallholdings using traditional
cultural practices. These farms
and gardens cater mostly for local
markets, where nuts are sold for
domestic consumption.
The main cash products are copra
(the dried kernel) for oil, husk for
fibre, and tendernut for drinking
the water. Whole mature nuts are
also sold to factories producing Split coconuts.
desiccated coconut, coconut milk
and very recently virgin coconut oil. Some fresh mature nuts may be sold for jelly and
candy manufacture. Coconut water, delivered in whole fruit or in containers, feeds a
very buoyant market in Brazil, India and Thailand, as well as in most areas close to
large urban centres throughout the coconut zone. Husk is processed into fibres and
then geotextiles and coco-peat used for greenhouses substrates. Shells are used to
produce artefacts and activated charcoal.
Throughout the tropics, hundreds of millions are each growing a few coconut palms in
their home gardens. An important part of the genetic diversity is conserved in this way.
People take more care of the few palms providing daily food and drink than of those
planted for commercial production. The role of these millions of “gardeners” remains
crucial for creating new varieties. Coconut is a strategic commodity not only because of
its economic value but also in terms of its social, cultural and religious importance.
According to FAO 2017, in 2014, the 12 million hectares of coconut plantations
produced about 60 million tonnes of coconut (whole fruit). This suggests a world
average of about 4,300 nuts per hectare per year, or about 900kg of copra equivalent
per hectare per year 9. If an average density of 120 adult palms per hectare is
considered, the average production per palm is about 36 fruits or 7.5 kg of copra
equivalent per palm per year.10
Figure 1.1. Global coconut production and surface in 2014 (Source: FAOSTAT 2017).
The diversity of markets in some of the major producing countries is illustrated by the
following examples.
About 64 out of 72 provinces of the Philippines have coconut as a major crop. The
livelihoods of more than 20 million Filipinos (about one-quarter of the country's
population) are directly influenced by coconut that is processed into market
9Taking into account an average proportion of husk in the fruit of 40% and 900g as the weight of the nut (including shell, kernel
and water).
10 To be compared with yields obtained by some private companies (keeping in mind that it is at industrial scale): About 180
coconuts and 45 kg of copra per palm per year for Dwarf x Tall hybrids in Malaysia (more details at the URL:
http://www.unitedplantations.com/Products/documents/coconutbrochure161008.pdf); and 250 tender coconuts per palm per
year obtained by Brazilian companies with Dwarf varieties (see URL above).
derivatives of all the major components of the fruit. There are 1.6 million farmers and
around 1.9 million farm workers. The area devoted to coconut increased by about 16%
between 2000 and 2012.
In 2012, the coconut acreage of Indonesia amounted to more than one-quarter of the
world's total, with about 98% in the hands of 3.2 million small-scale farming families.
The FAO data regarding yield per hectare is probably overestimated because actual
cultivated area is probably larger. Most plantations, intercropped for subsistence, are
adversely affected by soil nutrient deficiencies.
The states of Kerala, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka account for about
90% of the coconut industry of India (Thomas 2012). The shipment of tender nuts to
markets in the large Indian cities is becoming an important part of the market.
Irrigated coconut gardens in India, especially in the state of Tamil Nadu, are regularly
harvesting an average of 250 mature coconuts per palm per year. In case of tender nuts
the average is more than 300 nuts per palm per year.
Tanzania has the fourth largest area devoted to coconut cultivation but yields are low,
partly due to loss from Lethal Yellowing disease (Eden-Green 1997), but also related to
the severity of the dry season. In spite of this, new planting continues.
A significant part of the coconut area in Brazil is under intensive management mainly
for the coconut water trade. Some of these plantations are highly profitable having
adopted drip irrigation and high levels of fertilization. By planting common Dwarf
varieties at industrial scale, such as Brazil Green, Malayan Yellow or Cameroon Red at
200 palms per hectare, a yearly average of 250 nuts per palm can be produced, giving a
total of 50,000 fruits per hectare per year. Each nut yields an average of 400 ml of water,
so that 100 L of water/tree and 20,000 L/ha can be harvested. The area devoted to
coconut cultivation has increased by about 39% over the past 30 years (FAOSTAT 2017)
1.1.3 Importance of coconut genetic diversity

Over millennia, humanity has slowly selected and maintained hundreds of coconut
varieties used for many purposes. It has resulted in an extraordinary morphological
diversity which is expressed by the range of colours, shapes and sizes of the fruit, as
shown in Plate 1.2. Better communication is urgently needed to make this diversity
known at the global level. When looking at the central picture of Plate 1.2, many
people from tropical countries are astonished to discover such an unimaginable
diversity. Most ‘Westerners’ are unable to identify which species are illustrated in this
picture. Furthermore, the huge breeding work conducted by coconut farmers and
scientists remains greatly under-valued.
Coconut genetic resources cover all material from very rare self-sown populations in
some isolated islands to palms growing in farmers’ fields, plantations and gardens,
including also accessions held in national and international genebanks and progenies
tested in breeders’ experiments.
Nursery of coconut seedlings from the variety "Brazil Green Dwarf" used for production on coconut
water in Brazil. (R. Bourdeix)
Coconut germplasm can be conserved in two contexts:

• In situ, i.e. in farmers’ fields, in nature or in protected areas. The 12 million hectares
where coconut is grown as a crop and the hundreds of millions of coconut palms
kept by gardeners in home-gardens are the main places where coconut diversity is
conserved. However, many people owning or cultivating coconut palms are still
not aware of the crucial importance of maintaining coconut genetic diversity in the
production system. Better communication is urgently needed to increase their
commitment to conservation.
• Ex situ, i.e. comprising all coconut germplasm currently maintained in field
genebanks and screenhouses as living trees. Ex situ collections play a crucial role in
the conservation of many varieties, particularly those that are disappearing from
farmers’ fields and home gardens. Presently, the 24 coconut field genebanks
located in 23 countries (as detailed in Table 1.1) and referenced in the International
Coconut Genetic resources database comprises about 90,000 living palms,
equivalent to 530 hectares of coconut plantations.
Plate 1.2
New germplasm is introduced into field genebanks as seednuts. In vitro culture has
more recently been given significant attention in coconut as well as in many other
crops. One of its greatest successes has been using an embryo rescue technique for
germinating and producing homozygous Makapuno plants (Sisunandar et al. 2010).
About Makapuno
Makapuno refers to a special

form described first in the
Philippines. A few of the fruits
produced by these palms have
soft and thick kernel but cannot
germinate naturally. There are
many kinds of Makapuno
differing in the way the nuts are
partially or fully filled by soft
kernel, by the degree of kernel
adherence to shells, and by
textures and tastes of the soft
kernel. Makapuno nuts are
appreciated as delicacies and
are sold at 5 to 10 times the
price of a normal nut, in markets
where the demand still strongly
outstrips supply. Makapuno coconuts in Thailand. (R. Bourdeix)
“Aromatic” varieties (mainly Dwarf-types) produce coconut water with special,

attractive fragrances. The most famous variety is the Aromatic Green Dwarf from
Thailand. There is no evidence that all the Aromatic varieties have the same taste, as
no systematic comparison has been conducted at the global level. In the case of the
Thai Dwarf, the Aromatic characteristic is recessive, where fruit from the aromatic
variety pollinated by another variety will generally not express the aroma. In 2007,
Thai researchers crossed Makapuno with Aromatic varieties. Using in vitro culture of
excised embryos, they succeeded in obtaining a few autogamous Makapuno Aromatic
homozygous Dwarfs. These new varieties will naturally produce 90 to 95% Makapuno
Aromatic fruits (Nguyen Q.T. et al. 2016).
Many traditional varieties, endangered and sometimes not yet collected and described,
have considerable economic potential for developing new products using a local
branding approach. For instance, a project was recently conducted in Samoa for
conserving the Niu afa variety, possessing the longest coconut fruit in the world. This
special variety could generate and service a lucrative niche market. Samoan
communities in Australia and elsewhere would prefer to buy products made from this
special tasty variety bred by their Samoan ancestors. Making better use of their
heritage varieties, farmers and small producers of virgin coconut oil will increase their
incomes and improve their livelihoods. Respect for tradition can sometimes foster
economic competitiveness.
On many Pacific islands and in

some other places, rare coconut
palms are reported where the husk
of the normally tough and
astringent young fruit is tender,
edible and sweet. On ripening, the
husk fibres are much finer and
paler than normal.
Great variability exists amongst
individuals and landraces, with
some fruits being more or less
tender, and more or less sweet. In
the best palms, ripe fruit can be de-
husked with bare hands, which is
impossible with an ordinary
coconut. These coconut palms are
usually called ‘sweet husk’ (SWH).
Various surveys have shown that
such palms are becoming scarce
(Bourdeix et al. 2013). It is Husk of “Sweet husk” variety (right) compared to common
currently very difficult to obtain varieties (left). (R. Bourdeix)
any of their seednuts, as the young fruits are generally all harvested and eaten by children.
The benefits of conserving and utilizing coconut genetic diversity will only be realized
if such diversity gains the attention of farmers and researchers engaged in breeding
programmes. Scientists worldwide have been working for years towards producing
coconut palms that can resist evolving pests and diseases, tolerate drought, strong
winds and other environmental stresses, and can produce higher yields of copra. Their
progress will be accelerated if they are provided with more information on the
germplasm available, including agronomic traits, pest and disease resistance, and
quality characteristics such as flavour, to help them prioritize materials for evaluation
in breeding trials.
Coconut genetic resources are an essential element in the development of new and
improved varieties to achieve a more sustainable and cost-effective foundation for
coconut production (see Figure 1.2). The three coconut hybrids 11 with the widest global
diffusion use a Malayan Dwarf as the female parent and cultivars from Africa and
Solomon Islands as male parents. The famous “Brazilian Green Dwarf”, widely
cultivated in Latin America for production of coconut water, initially came from
South-east Asia.
Although the safe movement of germplasm, including the necessary virus, viroid
and phytoplasma indexing, has yet to be organized at the global level, coconut
genetic resources conservation and exchange play a crucial role as part of the
strategy for the biological control of pests and diseases. Genetic disease resistance
11 Malayan Yellow Dwarf x West African Tall (PB121 or Mawa hybrid from Côte d’Ivoire); Malayan Red Dwarf x Rennell Island
Tall (MAREN Hybrid, from Solomon Islands and Côte d’Ivoire); Malayan Yellow or Red Dwarf x Panama Tall (MAYPAN hybrid
from Jamaica).
factors are often found in introduced varieties. This was the case in Jamaica and
Ghana for varieties tolerant to lethal diseases caused by phytoplasmas. Genetic
resistance may be overcome due to evolution of the pathogen, as occurred recently in
Jamaica. Introduction of new germplasm from safe sources should be encouraged
and rationalized, even though the recrudescence of disease sometimes makes
governmental authorities reluctant.
Figure 1.2. Links between coconut genetic diversity and sustainable coconut production
(modified from C. Turnbull, Reading University, 2012)
It is however acknowledged that the Strategy will encourage both strong coconut
breeding programmes at the regional or national level and a better understanding of
why it has proved so difficult to realize a greater yield potential of coconut.
1.1.4 Constraints linked to the biology of the plant
Large palm and seed sizes

The bulky coconut palm requires a lot of space and time. Planting densities generally
range between 80 and 250 trees per hectare, according to varieties and cultural
practices. The time between planting and flowering varies from one year, for most
precocious Dwarf-types such as the Salak Green Dwarf (Indonesia), to seven years for
certain Tall-types with a thick stem bole, for instance from Comoro and Cook islands.
After pollination, the female flowers take 10 to 12 months to mature as a viable
seednuts. Six to 12 months more are needed for raising the seedlings in the nursery
before planting. The fruit has no dormancy, preventing storage of seednuts. The
large size of both seednuts and seedlings makes their transportation expensive, both
for farmers (from seed gardens to their fields) and for genebanks (international
movements of germplasm). Their large size also increases the risk of disease or insect
transmission, where smaller seeds are easier to disinfect. Only about 65% of seednuts
are generally selected as seedlings for field transfer.
Palm height imposes an important constraint. For the purpose of conserving coconut
genetic resources, the required palm-climbing has a significant human and economic
impact. Tall-types reach a height of about 15 meters (from the ground to the bases of
the crown) 25 to 30 years after planting. However, the real limiting factor is not the
height of the palm but the method to climb it for making controlled hand-pollinations.
Bee flying to drink the nectar from female Two ants from different species drinking the
coconut flowers. nectar of female coconut flower.
Climbing the palm trunk and staying under the leaf crown is quite simple, and
harvesting the ripe fruits from there is not difficult. The many existing remarkably
inventive techniques, are described in several videos on COGENT’s website 12.
However, the real challenge is to climb into the coconut leaf crown to reach the young
inflorescences for making the controlled hand-pollinations.
Low multiplication rate

The low multiplication rate13 is the main
limiting factor both for regeneration and
breeding purposes. Under average
agricultural conditions, most cultivars
annually produce less than 100 nuts per
palm, making seednut production
relatively expensive.
Controlled hand-pollination requires
bagging the inflorescence with an
expensive bag impermeable to pollen
but permeable to air. Palms generally
A bee harvesting pollen of male coconut flowers.
produce 12 to 16 inflorescences per
year, each bearing only 2 to 3 nuts when
12 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/climbing-the-coconut-palm

13 Number of seeds produced per year.
bagged. In this case, the annual yield falls to 20 to 30 fruits per palm. To make only one
controlled cross, for instance using a Dwarf as female and a Tall as male, it is necessary
to climb the palms seven or eight times 14. Thus, the average cost for producing one
seedling from controlled hand-pollination is US$8-10. Such factors considerably limit
the choice between crossing systems and the number of palms per accession to be
conserved in the genebanks.
Size and heterogeneity of accessions

In classical coconut ex situ genebanks, coconut cultivars are conserved as accessions,
generally planted close together. Each accession normally comprises 45 to 96 palms.
Tall-type allogamous varieties need to be regenerated using the controlled hand-
pollination technique. This is the only
way to ensure that these varieties are
conserved true-to-type during success-
ive regenerations and that no genetic
drift occurs.
Complexity of the natural breeding

mode
Coconut inflorescences, borne on the
axils of each frond, have both male and
female flowers which, may or may not
be mature at the same time, depending
on the variety. The male flowers, located
on the top portion of spikelets attached
to the peduncle, are more numerous
than the female ones which occupy the
base of the spikelets. Two mating
systems coexist in coconut: the largest Above are two pictures of the same palm taken
group (Tall-type and a very special type with a ten days interval.
of compact Dwarf) is predominantly (a) the left-hand inflorescence has mature male
cross-pollinating, where the female flowers but female flowers are not yet mature; the
flowers become receptive after the male right-hand inflorescence is not yet open.
flowers in the same inflorescence have (b) ten days later, the left-hand inflorescence has
stopped shedding pollen. Self- lost all its male flowers but the female flowers are
pollination is however possible by now mature; the right-hand inflorescence is now
open and has mature male flowers. The pollen of
pollen from the next succeeding the right-hand inflorescence can pollinate the
inflorescence. A coconut palm mostly female flowers of the left-hand inflorescence.
finds a way to reproduce, even if This palm belongs to the West African Tall variety,
arriving alone on a new island. and is planted in the Koral beach resort garden,
Grand Bassam, Côte d'Ivoire.
14 Climbing the tree is needed to install and remove the bag for collecting the pollen on the male parent, check the status of the
inflorescence to be pollinated, install the bag on the female parent and make emasculation, make three successive pollinations
and remove the bag after the last pollination; assess the level of fruit set at three months. Depending on the countries, harvest of
the seednuts is made from the ground (for instance in Côte d’Ivoire) or by climbing the palm again (India).
Plate 1.3
A smaller group comprises self-pollinating types: all Dwarfs except from the above-
mentioned Compact Dwarfs and a few “semi-Talls” such as the famous “King coconut”
of Sri Lanka. The female and male flowers of these varieties mature at the same time.
Ninety to 95% of all coconut palms worldwide are Talls, whilst Dwarfs are mainly
found in gardens, and are increasingly widely cultivated, especially for coconut water
production.
The complexity of the natural breeding mode of the coconut palm remains a challenge
which needs to be better addressed by scientists. Further research is required to assess
the rate of inbreeding in Talls which probably varies according to the varieties, the
season, the climate and the conditions of cultivation 15. The average pollination
distance, which is a crucial issue for both seed production and in situ conservation, is
also not sufficiently assessed. In the case of Dwarf seed-gardens, it was estimated that
a 300-meter forest barrier was sufficient to guarantee the necessary isolation (De Nucé
de Lamothe and Rognon 1975). In the case of Tall varieties, the average number of
male parents naturally contributing to a coconut bunch has not yet been assessed.
In most scientific publications, it is indicated that coconut palms cannot be vegetatively
propagated. Whilst this is true for most coconut varieties, surveys conducted by
COGENT indicate that such propagation is possible for at least some. Coconuts able to
both produce suckers and fruits have been described in Indonesia (Novarianto and
Miftahorrachman 2000), and a young coconut able to produce suckers was recently
seen (R. Bourdeix, personal communication) 16 during a survey conducted by the
COGENT secretariat in the Fakarava Atoll, Tuamotu Archipelago, in French
Polynesia 17. None of these special coconut palms have been transferred to an ex situ
coconut collection.
Long duration of experiments…

A field experiment in coconut breeding frequently covers an area of 1 hectare per
cultivar under evaluation for a minimum period of 12 years. In many past cases,
coconut experimental results have been lost even before their completion, due to
research station fires or floods destroying data, computer damage, and high staff
turnover. Consequently, coconut research not only needs high investments but also a
greater functional stability. For obtaining convincing results in the field of coconut
breeding, a research station should be operational for at least 20 years. Scientists
sometimes prefer to work on crops with shorter production cycles and obtain rapidly
15 Although Tall varieties are predominantly allogamous, self-pollination may occur via pollination of female flowers from an
inflorescence by the pollen of the following inflorescence of the same palm. The probability of such an overlap increases with
the rate of inflorescence production, which responds to individual vigour of the tree, growing conditions and climatic
variations. When selecting well-performing Talls it is possible to inadvertently select trees with a higher tendency for selfing
causing a strong inbreeding handicap.
16See also suckering coconut at the URL: http://www.ikisan.com/tg-Coconut-abnormalities.html#Suckering
17 This last survey indicated that farmers do not value and, being superstitious of strange growth, even sometimes destroy
such clonable coconut palms. Planting coconut suckers is much more complicated than planting for instance banana
suckers. The coconut suckers are rare, heavy to carry, and strongly attached to main stem, usually resulting in damage and
death when removed.
publishable results. Donors and ministries often seem to prefer funding projects that
give substantial results in 3 to 5 years, instead of funding coconut experiments that
need 12 years to give complete results. A longer-term vision, a sense of general interest
and working for the future generations need to be vigorously promoted.
... but some pleasant characteristics!
On the other hand, the plant has some advantageous characteristics. Its year-round
production allows for a balanced planning of any breeding programme. No inter- or
intra-varietal sterility has ever been observed, although pollen competition may occur
(Sangare 1981). Its perennial nature allows for long-term conservation over successive
generations and within living collections as well of multiple uses in experiment over a
long period of time. Last but not least, coconut grows mainly in attractive coastal
tropical locations, mostly close to the sea, and many coconut research centres can be
regarded as small paradises from aesthetic, environmental and human perspectives.
1.1.5 Major threats to coconut genetic resources

Despite the existence of more than 1500 live coconut accessions in 24 ex situ
collections worldwide, including 730 accessions that are held in 5 international
genebanks, much of this germplasm remains greatly underused, or indeed at risk,
due to the lack of adequate long-term funding to ensure that it can be conserved and
utilized safely and effectively. Main threats to coconut genetic resources include:
• Social dynamics linked to coconut symbolism and inducing low commitment to
conservation and use of genetic resources;
• Emerging diseases and pests;
• The environmental and social consequences of climate change and extremes;
• Economic aspects;
• Lack of capacity and other resources.
Social dynamics linked to coconut symbolism

The lack of adequate long-term funding for coconut research and ex situ genebanks is
part of the social dynamics threatening coconut genetic resources. The ambivalent and
multifaceted symbolisms associated with the coconut palm sometimes make
stakeholders and even decision-makers forget that coconut cultivation strongly
influences the livelihoods of millions of poor farmers. An ethnological approach of
coconut symbolisms and their consequences was recently developed for the Pacific
region. The modern representation of the Pacific islanders’ coconut palm often appears
as ambivalent. Caillon (2008) described the coconut palm's modern change of status in
Vanuatu: the coconut is perceived by local people as the tree "of the Whites" mainly for
its relation to the place. Quite similar representations are found in Polynesia, although
the expression “plant of the Whites” was not encountered. If this “relation to the
place” is indeed significant, these ambiguous representations also come from
memories of the gruelling colonial times, from “westernization” and, as explained
hereunder, from the simplistic coconut symbolism conveyed by globalization
(Bourdeix et al. 2013).
In the past, many islanders were forced to work in coconut plantations or at smoky
copra drying ovens, during a period when many died from imported diseases. In the
collective Western imagination, the coconut palm has become a symbol of exoticism
and tropical beaches. It is well-known that the image of the coconut palm is widely
used to promote tourism and numerous associated products ranging from fashion
accessories to financial investments. The combination of coconut with “hammocks” or
“monkeys” sometimes reinforces the stereotype of peaceful paradise, far from the
stresses of everyday life, an image which does not reflect the true situation of Pacific
islands. Islanders become disengaged when confronted with such counterfeit
representations that standardize the tropics and diminish their cultural identities.
For reasons linked to both colonization and globalization, many Pacific islanders
simultaneously “love” and “hate” this emblematic palm. Their attitude towards the
coconut is often a mixture of reverence and contempt. Nevertheless, in short
discussions with local people elsewhere in the Pacific, they rapidly change their mind
and acknowledge coconut palm as an integral part of their traditional cultures.
In other tropical regions, symbolisms associated with the coconut palm appear to be
less ambivalent than in the Pacific. For instance, Balinese women were traditionally
forbidden to even touch the coconut tree: females and coconut trees both share the
ability to reproduce and men fear that a woman's touch may drain the fertility of the
coconut tree into her own fertility. Another surprising example of social representation
linked to coconut palm came a few years ago from the Philippines (L. Sebastien,
personal communication): a Bioversity International research manager was told that:
“when you see coconut palms in the landscape, you know that rebels are living there”.
Coconut palms and the poorest people are located in the same places. Because of these
ambivalent representations, the value of implementing and funding research projects
on coconut is sometimes questioned by stakeholders and decision-makers.
Emerging diseases and pests

In many countries, diseases and pests
seriously threaten coconut cultivation
and conservation of genetic resources.
The main diseases are caused by a group
of phytoplasmas18. Often but not always
they are called “Lethal Yellowing
diseases” or “Lethal Yellowing like
syndromes”. Phytoplasmas cause highly
destructive, fast spreading diseases in
coconuts and many other palm species.
In Papua New Guinea, Bogia disease Coconut grove devastated by Bogia disease near
was identified in 2012 at 15 km from the Madang in Papua New Guinea. (R. Bourdeix)
International Coconut Genebank for the
Pacific Region. This disease, also destroying betel nut and even some varieties of
18 Phytoplasmas are obligate bacterial parasites spread by insect vectors.

banana, has forced researchers to relocate the genebank to a disease-free area. In Côte
d’Ivoire, a phytoplasma disease discovered in 2012 is now spreading in the Grand-
Lahou region within 120 km of the International Coconut Genebank which has been
involved in almost half of the international germplasm movements during the last
20 years. A duplication of this genebank is also envisioned to ensure the survival of the
accessions.
Other most important diseases are the Cadang-Cadang viroid in the Philippines, the
Foliar Decay virus in Vanuatu, and various forms of Phytophthora killing the palms
and/or causing massive premature fall of immature fruits. The most important pests
are: the beetles Oryctes rhinoceros and Scapanes australis, which eat young leaves and
facilitate infestation by other insects (red palm weevil Rynchophorus sp.) which
penetrate the heart and kill the palm; Red Ring disease caused by xylophageous
nematodes in Latin America; the coconut eriophyid mite (Aceria guerreronis Keifer)
which attacks the surface of fruit and strongly reduces their size, leaf-eating
caterpillars; the white grub (Leucopholis coneophora), whitefly (Aleurodicus and
Aleurotrachelus spp.), and the hispine beetle (Brontispa longissima) that cause
considerable damage in numerous locations. Leaf hopper insects are known to be
vectors of lethal diseases.
Climate change and hazards

Climate change, drastic changes in land use and progressive replacement of traditional
coconut varieties with modern ones causes irreversible genetic erosion unless further
steps are taken to conserve materials in situ, or to collect and conserve them ex situ.
Traditional varieties growing on low atolls in the Pacific region and on low river deltas
in all regions are especially endangered by rising sea-levels and flooding. Resistance to
strong winds and cyclones is also an important consideration in many islands.
Genetic studies suggest that the material held in ex situ genebanks does not adequately
represent the known range of diversity. More genetic variation remains to be described
and collected in farmers’ fields and in some remote locations where coconut palms
may grow beyond human influence. Much of the germplasm in ex situ collections is
inadequately duplicated outside of the host collection, mainly due to lack of funding.
National laws that restrict access to plant genetic resources have emerged in many
countries. The introduction of Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs, e.g. UPOV variety
protection) for new varieties and their genetic components in developed countries, the
recognition of national sovereignty and restrictions to access genetic resources have
made the availability of genetic diversity in recent years much more difficult.
Insufficient communication and dissemination of reliable information on coconut
accessions held in genebanks hinders efficient management and thus, significantly
reduces their value to breeders, farmers and other investors.
Economic aspects
During the last 20 years, many countries have not invested sufficiently in coconut
breeding, and seednut production, and interactions with coconut farmers have been
inadequate. This was mainly caused by unacceptably low farm-gate prices reflecting
market conditions. Low prices for copra and oil, and their high market volatility, led to
lower interest in replanting coconut even in places where local consumption was
crucial for livelihood. The intense development of oil palm plantations has also caused
a certain loss of interest in coconut, from both farmers and researchers. Many
researchers working on coconut shifted to oil palm, coffee or cocoa. Big companies
planting crops on an agro-industrial scale can afford to support larger research
budgets unlike the millions of small coconut farmers.
Coconut cultivation is actually undergoing a
strong revival. In November 2013, delegates
from the governments of 13 Asia-Pacific
countries, including eight Ministers of
Agriculture, participated in a FAO Regional
Consultation on Coconut Sector Development
in Asia and the Pacific. They concluded that
replanting of coconut trees on a massive scale is
required if the coconut producing countries of
Asia and the Pacific are to meet the world’s
rapidly growing demand for coconut products.
According to Hiroyuki Konuma, the FAO
Regional Representative: “Asia and the
Pacific’s aging coconut trees simply can’t keep
up with the growing demand…/… Indonesia,
the top producer, would need to replant some
450,000 hectares”. For instance, Thailand, who
has diversified into a variety of export products
such as virgin coconut oil and aromatic coconut
water, is presently importing coconuts from
Tender Coconut street seller in Tonga. Indonesia and Vietnam to feed its industry.
(R. Bourdeix)
Thus, the global economic situation seems now
more favourable to coconut cultivation.
1.1.6 The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network – COGENT

In 2017, COGENT gathers 39 country-members and is organized into 5 regional sub-
networks: Africa and the Indian Ocean; Latin America and the Caribbean; South Asia
and Middle East; Southeast and East Asia; and the South Pacific. Table 1.1 provides a
list of the member countries. COGENT brings together national and international
players in both public and private sectors and promotes funding opportunities for
conserving and utilizing coconut genetic resources.
Coordinating the global conservation of coconut genetic resources relies largely on
COGENT, with support from ACIAR, Bioversity International, CGIAR and CIRAD.
The other main institutions which coordinate international coconut research projects
are APCC, SPC and ACIAR.
Table 1.1. Composition (membership) of COGENT by regional networks in 2017.
South Asia Southeast Africa and Latin America and

South Pacific
and Middle East East Asia Indian Ocean Caribbean
Bangladesh China Cook Islands Benin Brazil
India Indonesia Fiji Côte d’Ivoire Colombia
Pakistan Malaysia Kiribati Ghana Costa Rica
Sri Lanka Myanmar Papua New Guinea 19 Kenya Cuba
Sultanate of Oman Philippines Samoa Madagascar Guyana
Thailand Solomon Islands Mozambique Haiti
Vietnam Tonga Nigeria Honduras
Vanuatu Seychelles Jamaica
Tanzania Mexico
Trinidad & Tobago
In Italic: International Genebanks.

In Bold: country members of the COGENT Steering Committee in 2014.
APCC and SPC are mainly involved in research in coconut processing and socio-
economics; although SPC has recently tested a new conservation approach in Samoa,
based on the Polymotu concept, with funding from the Trust, and in collaboration
with COGENT, Bioversity International and CIRAD 20. ACIAR focuses on socio-
economics, plant pathology and in vitro culture. CIRAD is involved in providing
contribution from its researchers to COGENT coordination and in participating in
numerous international research projects. CIRAD researchers are working on the
whole supply chain, from the production to the consumption or uses of the final
coconut products.
COGENT programme priorities and activities are decided by its Steering Committee
and reviewed by Bioversity International to enhance complementarity and effectiveness.
The COGENT Coordinator and Secretariat coordinate the planning, implementation,
monitoring and evaluation of COGENT’s programme, projects and activities, and
establish linkages with collaborating institutions, programmes and donors.
19 The ICG in PNG is currently being relocated, and with support from the UK Darwin Initiative is being upgraded and expanded
to include new collected material, with satellite genebank sites in Fiji and Samoa. See: http://www.spc.int/blog/new-project-to-
save-diversity-of-coconuts-in-the-pacific-islands/
20 See URL: https://lrd.spc.int/our-work/genetic-resources/centre-for-pacific-crops-and-trees/polymotu-conserves-special-
coconut-varieties-in-the-pacific.
Upgrading COGENT’s organization was initiated in 2012 by conducting two

organizational assessments and two participative meetings. The composition and the
role of the Steering Committee (SC) was modified in order both to increase its
stability and to allow other member-countries to fully participate to decision making.
The venue of COGENT meetings was fixed as biennial and linked with the
COCOTECH meetings of APCC, in order to reduce costs and increase interactions
with stakeholders from the coconut value chain. Other innovations are the creation of
six permanent International Thematic Action Groups (ITAGS) 21, and the possibility
of making decision at distance using two distinct processes, remote consensus and
remote voting. Further details on COGENT and its recent reorganization, including a
study to explore alternative hosting arrangements for the Secretariat are provided in
Annex 4 of this document.
COGENT is currently not funded on a sustainable basis, although Bioversity
International and CGIAR were until recently allocating a restricted executive budget to
support the activities of the COGENT Secretariat. For more information on COGENT,
see the website: www.cogentnetwork.org.
1.1.7 The urgent need for a revised Global Strategy

Since 1991 COGENT has played a crucial role in developing the present global coconut
conservation system, which is based on 5 international genebanks collaborating with
the 24 national genebanks and other coconut stakeholders worldwide.
Figure 1.3. COGENT coconut producing countries.

One of the first internationally agreed priorities for COGENT was the development of
a Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Resources.
21 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/action-groups

Nevertheless, from a pragmatic standpoint, the 2008 version of the Strategy for ex situ
conservation did not ensure sufficient sustainability to the global coconut conservation
system. A COGENT project funded in 2012 22 by the Trust has shown that, among the
24 coconut genebanks participating in the network, 18 do not have the capability for
true-to-type regeneration of the germplasm they are conserving. This includes three of
the five international genebanks. Coconut ex situ conservation is thus facing an
emergency situation. As articulated in section 2.3, about half of the many coconut
varieties collected in the 1980s are becoming very tall. If nothing is done within a few
years, their regeneration will prove impossible using currently available techniques.
Despite the recent coconut industry revival many coconut plantations are senile and
unproductive. Most producing-countries cannot meet stakeholder demand for
material for replanting programmes. The two-decade lack of investment has resulted
in widespread planting of low yielding varieties by farmers, mainly due to the
following factors:
• Lack of communication and commitment to conservation and use of coconut

genetic resources at local, national and international levels;
• Under-resourced genebanks are lacking budget, manpower, equipment,
laboratories and technical training to conduct the controlled hand-pollinations
requested for regenerating the germplasm and to implement other activities such
as collecting, characterization and breeding. The constraints linked to the biology of
the plant make coconut conservation and use challenging and expensive using
currently available techniques;
• The safe movement of coconut germplasm remains limited at the global level
because of risks of disease transmissions, insufficient funding, lack of quarantine
laboratories using efficient and affordable techniques for disease indexing; lack of
capacities and the reluctance to share germplasm;
• Lethal phytoplasma diseases are expanding, threatening many farms and
genebanks and destroying coconut genetics resources. In 2012, the rapid expansion
of these diseases has threatened two international genebanks in terms of releasing
germplasm at international level;
• Although the reorganization of the CGIAR system has had strong positive effects,
COGENT is still working without long-term, stable and sufficient funding and is
having thus a limited action. The current CGIAR conservation system still favours
international genebanks directly placed under its authority, as opposed to a
networking approach such as COGENT, which gathers 24 national and
international genebanks in a global system.
22 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/network-projects/past-projects/upgrading-genebanks

The numerous coconut international projects launched by COGENT from 1992 23

demonstrate how multi-sector collaboration and shared priorities can help to set the
agenda at national and international levels, aiming at more efficient use of coconut
genetic resources to achieve common goals. Nevertheless, project-based activities,
together with the past project-based COGENT organization have not been sufficient to
ensure a sustainable global coconut conservation system.
Many crop species already benefit from a coordinated approach to the conservation of
their germplasm supported by the Trust. This was established under international law
in 2004, and was founded by FAO and Bioversity International, acting on behalf of
CGIAR 24. The Trust has established an endowment fund to safeguard ex situ
collections of unique and valuable plant genetic resources for food and agriculture
(PGRFA), with priority being given to those that are included in Annex 1 to the Treaty
or referred to in its Article 15.1(b). Coconut is one of the crops listed in Annex 1.
Therefore the Trust may offer a route to manage funds designated for coconut
conservation.
Funding decisions by the Trust are based on priorities identified and agreed by
internationally recognised networks of experts and key stakeholders, which need to be
defined in global crop strategies. The Trust has developed priorities and guiding
principles for the allocation of funds 25 and a set of specific criteria to be met before a
collection will be considered for long-term funding support. These include:
1. the genetic resources are judged to be important within the context of an agreed
global conservation strategy, and
2. the collection has effective links to users and is willing to act in partnership with
others to achieve a rational system for conserving plant genetic resources and
making them available.
Most nations and regions involved in coconut improvement and production are highly
dependent on genes and varieties developed and conserved in situ and often also ex
situ in countries or regions other than their own. Most of the efforts needed to manage
these resources can therefore only be carried out through international collaboration
and the participation of all partners. There is an urgent need for a revision of the
former global strategy for the conservation and use of coconut genetic diversity and
the dissemination of related information within and beyond the coconut community.
23 See the list of projects in Annex 5 and in COGENT website at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/past-
projects/upgrading-genebanks
24International frameworks such as both FAO and its Global Plan of Action (GPA) for the Conservation and Sustainable Use of
Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture (PGRFA) and the Treaty also call for a more efficient and effective global
conservation and use system. This should be based on better planning and more coordination and cooperation, to reduce costs
and build conservation and management work on crop diversity on a more scientifically sound and financially sustainable
foundation.
25 See URL: https://cdn.croptrust.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/03/The-Role-of-the-Crop-Trust.pdf
1.2 Global Strategy vision, goal, objectives, outputs and

outcomes
1.2.1 Vision and goal
The Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources
envisions all coconut farmers, consumers and other associated stakeholders
significantly benefiting from a wider diversity of coconut varieties that fulfils their
current and future needs. Comprehensively conserved coconut diversity will be
readily accessible while respecting countries’ and farmers’ rights. It envisions
substantial improvements to the resilience, livelihoods, food security and wealth status
of more than 11 million farmers in developing countries across Asia, the Pacific region,
Africa, and Latin America and the Caribbean, and of the many more million people
who depend upon coconut for their livelihoods.
The overall goal of the Strategy is to optimize the conservation and facilitate the use of
coconut genetic resources, as the foundation of a sustainable coconut economy (from
farmers, through research, to consumers) by bringing together national and
international players in both public and private sectors.
The Strategy promotes the rationalization of conservation efforts at national, regional

and global levels through encouraging partnerships and sharing facilities and tasks.
The Strategy is intended to be used as a roadmap towards building a more efficient
and effective global system that focuses mainly on the needs of small-scale coconut
producers. The Strategy aims to be an important guiding document for donors,
international and national research organizations and the private sector. It will thus
facilitate raising support by identifying funding priorities to ensure comprehensively
conserved, readily available and optimally used improved coconut genetic diversity
worldwide.
1.2.2 Objectives
The SMARTER (Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Realistic, Timebound, Evaluable
and Re-evaluable [Yemm 2013]) objectives of the Strategy must be simple,
comprehensive and limited in number. Thus the Strategy focuses on seven main
objectives:
1. Strengthen local, national and international commitment to identify, collect,
conserve, document and better utilize coconut genetic resources;
2. Ensure the sustainable, long-term, efficient and effective conservation of ex situ
coconut genetic resources;
3. Assess the global range of coconut genetic diversity, identify critical gaps in
existing ex situ collections, prioritize and build up missions aiming both to collect
germplasm and to secure local conservation;
4. Promote, strengthen and consolidate in situ and on farm conservation of
landraces and dissemination by local stakeholders of high quality planting
material in a sustainable and equitable manner appropriately integrating gender

consideration;
5. Develop the policies, mechanisms, skills, knowledge, capacity and other resources
required for effective, efficient, safe and easier international germplasm
movements;
6. Strengthen the use of the coconut genetic resources by enhancing characterization
and evaluation of germplasm, by dissemination of breeding results as well as
marketing of improved varieties. This will include exploring the potential use of
molecular tools and genomics information for pre-breeding, and establish links
between breeding programmes;
7. Reinforce COGENT as a sustainable, powerful and effective platform for the
collaborative conception, coordination and implementation of priority projects in
the field of coconut genetic resources conservation, improvement and use.
These seven objectives are fully articulated in the third chapter this Strategy. The
second chapter aims to provide a global analysis of present status of coconut genetic
resources conservation and use. The third chapter focuses on prioritizing the actions
and research needed to effectively secure coconut diversity and enhance its use.
1.2.3 Outputs
The expected outputs of the Strategy are the following:
• Output 1: the coconut genepool is comprehensively and sustainably conserved in
situ and ex situ for the long term by a global network of partners maintaining the
representative diversity of coconut genetic resources;
• Output 2: the use of coconut genetic diversity is comprehensively documented,
valued and strengthened;
• Output 3: an efficient global system for the safe and effective exchange of coconut
germplasm is created;
• Output 4: the sustainability and effectiveness of global efforts to conserve and use
coconut genetic resources is assured.
1.2.4 Expected outcomes

As articulated above, the key outcome of the Strategy will be many coconut farmers,
consumers and other stakeholders significantly benefiting from a wider diversity of
coconut varieties that responds to their current and future needs. There will be
substantial improvements to the resilience, livelihoods, food security and wealth
status of millions in developing countries across Asia, the Pacific region, Latin
America and the Caribbean, and Africa who produce and depend upon coconut for
their livelihoods.
Effectively conserved coconut

germplasm will also allow for
more effective climate change
mitigation in coastal areas,
reducing the vulnerability of
coconut communities.
Outcomes are associated with
changes in behaviour. It is
expected that the implementation
of a communication strategy will
increase commitment to conserve,
use and enjoy coconut genetic
Applying fertilizers in a coconut plantation in Côte resources. There will be more
d’Ivoire. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD) effective national and inter-
national collaboration in both
public and private sectors. This will partly be brought about by reviewing and
optimizing partnerships in a more actor-oriented approach, to clearly understand roles
and responsibilities of all stakeholders involved in further developing and
implementing the Strategy.
The Strategy will guide donors, international and national research organizations and
the private sector. It will thus facilitate raising support by identifying funding
priorities to ensure comprehensively conserved, readily available and optimally used
improved coconut genetic diversity worldwide.
1.2.5 Link with outcomes of CGIAR research programs

The revision and development of this Strategy was funded by CGIAR together with a
significant contribution of researchers’ time from COGENT member countries and
CIRAD staff. CGIAR gathers 15 research centres which are independent, non-profit
research organizations. These centres are home to almost 10,000 scientists, researchers,
technicians, and staff. Only one CGIAR centre is presently involved in coconut
research. Bioversity International hosts the COGENT secretariat, although due to
funding cuts, hosting alternatives are being considered.
Since early 2011, CGIAR has been developing and begun implementing 16 global
agricultural research programs (CRPs). In January 2017 the CGIAR Centres and their
partners began implementing phase 2 of a rationalized CRP portfolio including seven
Agri-Food Systems research programs 26; four cross-cutting Global Integrating
Programs 27 and three research support platforms 28.
26
i) Fish; ii) Forests, Trees and Agroforestry; iii) Livestock; iv) Maize; v) Rice; vi) Roots, Tubers and Bananas; and vii) Wheat;
27
i) Agriculture for Nutrition and Health; ii) Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security; iii) Policies, Institutions, and Markets;
and iv) Water, Land and Ecosystems;
28
i)Platform for Big Data in Agriculture; ii) Excellence in Breeding Platform; iii) Genebank Platform
As one of the retained CRPs, “Forest, Trees and Agroforestry” (FTA) aims to enhance
the management and use of forests, agroforestry and tree genetic resources across the
landscape, from farms to forests. Coconut research is included in its portfolio 29 and
implementing this Strategy should fall within its Flagship 1: Tree genetic resources to
bridge production gaps and promote resilience. Clearly COGENT would benefit from
increased FTA support in implementing its Strategy.
The CGIAR has adopted a strategy and results framework (SRF)30 which outlines three
system-level outcomes (SLOs):
1. reduction in rural poverty;

2. increase in food and nutrition security;
3. more sustainable management of natural resources.
To support achieving these SLOs, a new results-based management (RBM) strategy

will be implemented. Each CRP has articulated an impact pathway arising from its
research activities via intermediate development outcomes (IDOs) to impact at scale.
CGIAR has established several IDOs related to improvements in: productivity; food
security; nutrition; income; gender equity and empowerment; capacity to innovate;
adaptive capacity; policies ; environment; future options (for ecosystem services); and
climate change mitigation. Each CRP has then identified those IDOs relevant to its
research. CRP-FTA had identified the following IDOs relevant to its work programme:
1. Policies supporting improved livelihoods and sustainable and equitable resource

management adopted;
2. Greater gender equity and women’s empowerment in decision-making and control
over forest, tree and agroforestry resource use;
3. Enhanced income from goods and services derived from forestry and agroforestry
systems;
4. Increased and stable access to nutritious food by rural and urban poor;
5. Production of wood, food, fuel and other products from forestry and agroforestry
systems increased;
6. Biodiversity and ecosystem services (including carbon sequestration) from forests,
trees and agroforestry resources conserved or improved.
Implementing the Strategy could contribute to all of the above IDOs, although
principally 3, 5 and possibly 6.
All coconut research activities are presently conducted under the CRP-FTA, although
parts of coconut research conducted by COGENT country-members could be of great
interest to other FTA flagships 2-5, operating further along the coconut value chains,
and other CRPs/research support platforms, such as:
29
See URL: http://foreststreesagroforestry.org/about-us/
30 See URL: http://www.cgiar.org/our-strategy/
• Managing and Sustaining Crop Collections (the ‘Genebanks CRP’);

• Excellence in Breeding;
• Water, Land and Ecosystems;
• Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security.
This Strategy document also describes how links between coconut research, CRP-FTA
and the other abovementioned CRPs and research platforms could be strengthened.
This Strategy also aligns with Bioversity International’s delivery of scientific evidence,
management practices and policy options to use and safeguard agricultural and tree
biodiversity to attain sustainable global food and nutrition security. The scope of this
Strategy falls within Bioversity’s research initiative Effective genetic resources
conservation and use.
1.3 Process for developing the Global Strategy

This Strategy is the result of a long process of consultations involving more than 100
genetic resource specialists, crop researchers and other coconut stakeholders. The
Strategy was developed as a specific output for the CRP-FTA under the coordination
of COGENT. The first draft document was progressively built on:
• the former Coconut Global Strategy published in 2008 and the Cocoa Strategy
published in 2012 by CacaoNet and Bioversity International;
• the four international surveys targeting COGENT country-members; two of which
conducted in 2012 prior to the 16th Steering Committee, the third held from May to
August 2013, and the last one held from December 2014 to January 2015;
• the ten international recommendations emitted in 2012 by the COGENT Steering
Committee 31;
• the numerous interviews conducted from 2011 to 2013 during visits of the
COGENT secretariat to ten countries - namely Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Fiji, Italy
(donors), Malaysia, India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, Samoa and Sri Lanka;
• the participation of the COGENT coordinator to the ACIAR meeting on Coconut
Research and Development held in Samoa in November 2012;
• the recommendations arising from the APCC ministerial meeting held in Fiji in
January 2013;
• meetings with Bioversity International and CIRAD researchers in March 2012;
• the available scientific documentation.
A new outline for the Strategy was drafted using inputs from the above consultations
and the Cocoa Strategy. Based on this proposed outline, coconut scientists and
31 Available at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/53-news/149-10-rec-2012

stakeholders were contacted for technical documentation, advice, and direct

contributions to the writing.
This consultation was conducted via:
• the 78 COGENT representatives and alternative representatives ;
• the members of the six COGENT International thematic action groups;
• the APCC and SPC;
• the 950 members of the Coconut Google Group;
• International experts, most of them members of the coconut Google Group.
For each section of the Strategy, three co-author-contributors were identified according
to their expertise and their geographical location. Where possible, contributors for each
section were chosen from three distinct regions of the world. As shown in Annex 2 and
3, 85 contributors from 38 countries were solicited in this writing process, and many
others provided useful advice. Senior researchers were selected from different regions
(Pacific, Americas, Asia and Africa) to read and edit one of the three main chapters of
the Strategy.
Thus, the whole document was reviewed by a committee of three international
experts, two of whom had little or no authorial involvement.
It is expected that the continuous review and updating of this Strategy will take place
within the framework of COGENT and that this document will serve as the basis for
the direction of the global system on the conservation and use of coconut genetic
resources.
1.4 References
Adkins, S.W., Foale, M., Samosir, Y.M.S., eds. 2006. Coconut revival—new possibilities for the ‘tree of
life’. Proceedings of the International Coconut Forum held in Cairns, Australia, 22–24 November 2005.
ACIAR Proceedings 125.
Bourdeix, R., Ruas, M., Hamelin, C., Johnson, V., Martinez, D., Sepulveda, R. 2012a. Upgrading
international coconut genebanks and evaluating accessions. Terminal Report. (01/11/2011 –
30/05/2012). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France. Available from the URL:
http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/projects/upgrading_genebanks.pdf
Bourdeix, R., Johnson, V., Araujo de Lima, S. 2012b. Organization of the 16th Steering Committee
Meeting of the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT), 8-10 July 2012, Cochin,
India. Terminal Report (01/05/2012 – 30/10/2012). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France.
Available from the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/projects/16thcogentcommittee.pdf
Bourdeix, R., Johnson, V., Saena Tuia, S.V., Kapé, J., Planes, S. 2013. Traditional conservation areas of
coconut varieties and associated knowledge in Polynesian Islands (South Pacific Ocean). Chapter 10
in: Larrue,S., ed. Biodiversity and Societies in the Pacific Islands. Aix-en-Provence: Presses
Universitaires de Provence (PUP), Université Aix-Marseille. pp. 199-222. Available from the URL:
http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/Scientific/Bourdeixetal_Biodiversity.pdf
Caillon, S. 2008. Arbre d'antan, arbre "des blancs". Géographie et culture 87-104. Available from the URL:
http://gc.revues.org/1930; doi: 10.4000/gc.1930.
Cappers, R.T. 2003. Exotic imports of the Roman Empire: an exploratory study of potential vegetal
products from Asia. In: K. Neumann, K. Butler, S. Kahlheber, eds. Food, Fuels and Fields Progress in
African Archaeology. Heinrich Barth Inst., Köln. pp. 197-206.
De Nucé de Lamothe, M., Rognon, F. 1975. Pollinisation assistée et contamination par des pollens
indésirables. Oléagineux 30(8-9):359-364.
Eden-Green, S.J. 1997. History, world distribution and present status of lethal yellowing-like diseases of
palms. In: Proceedings of an International Workshop on Lethal Yellowing-like Diseases of Coconut.
Elmina, Ghana, November, 1995. Eden-Green S.J. and Ofori F. (eds). Natural Resources Institute,
Chatam, UK.
FAOSTAT 2017. FAO Statistics Division. Available from http://faostat3.fao.org/faostat-
gateway/go/to/home/E. Accessed on August 15, 2013, August 6, 2017 and September 25, 2017
Kirch, P.V. 2002. On the roads of the wind: an archaeological history of the Pacific Islands before
European contact. University of California Press.
Nguyen, Q.T., Dharshani Bandupriya, H.D., Foale, M., S.W. Adkins. 2016. Biology, propagation and
utilization of elite coconut varieties (makapuno and aromatics). Plant Physiology and Biochemistry
109:579-589. Available from the URL: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.plaphy.2016.11.003
Novarianto, H., Miftahorrachman. 2000. Unique Coconuts of Indonesia. COGENT bulletin: 13-15.
Available from the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/newsletters/Newsletter4
_nov2000.pdf
Pereira, L., Baudouin, L., Bourdeix, R., Bait Fadil, A., Hountoundji, F.C.C. et al. 2011. Coconuts on the
edge of the desert: genetic diversity of the Cocos nucifera L. in Oman. CORD 27:9-19.
Rajesh, M.K., Nagarajan, P., Jerard, B.A., Arunachalam, V., Dhanapal, R. 2008. Microsatellite variability of
coconut accessions (Cocos nucifera L.) from Andaman and Nicobar Islands. Current
Science 49(12):1627-1631.
Sangare, A. 1981. Compétition pollinique et légitimité des semences produites dans les champs
semenciers de cocotiers. Oléagineux 36:424-427.
Sisunandar, Rival, A., Turquay, P. et al. 2010. Cryopreservation of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) zygotic
embryos does not induce morphological, cytological or molecular changes in recovered seedlings
Planta (2010) 232:435. Available from the URL: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00425-010-1186-x.
Thomas, G.V. 2012. Technological developments on coconut crop improvement, coconut
agronomy/nutrition and coconut based farming system in India. Paper presented at the 2012 APCC
Cocotech meeting held on 2–6 July 2012, Hyderabad, India.
Turnbull, C. 2012. Links between the genetic diversity and sustainable cacao production. p. 9 In: A Global
Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Cacao Genetic Resources, as the Foundation for a
Sustainable Cocoa Economy (B. Laliberté, compiler). Bioversity International, Montpellier, France.
Yemm, G. 2013. Essential Guide to Leading your Team: How to Set Goals, Measure Performance and
Reward Talent. Pearson Education: 37–39.
2. Where we are today?

This chapter presents the status of coconut germplasm conservation and use. It first
describes what scientists currently know about the genetic diversity of the coconut
plant and how it is conserved. The aim of the existing conservation system is to use the
genepool to develop breeding programmes and prepare the hybrids of the future. In
order to implement such research programmes, COGENT members have already
defined a germplasm exchange policy that will be described in this chapter. However,
most recently threats have been emerging, further weakening coconut biodiversity’s
conservation system. The chapter thus also provides an overview of the current
worrying situation.
2.1 The genetic diversity of coconut

This section reviews the status of coconut genetic diversity in the light of coconut
genepools, domestication and nomenclature.
2.1.1 The coconut genepools

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is the sole member of its genus Cocos. It belongs to the
Cocoseae tribe from the Arecaceae family. Its closest genetic relative is the South-
American genus Syagrus. No intergeneric hybrids have been reported. It is a
pantropical species with a coastal natural habitat and seeds naturally adapted for
dispersal water flotation. However, coconut cultivation and spread by human
migrations have contributed greatly to its present distribution.
Microsatellite marker studies (Gunn et al. 2011) show the existence of two highly
differentiated genepools, named after the oceans where they are found.
The Indo-Atlantic genepool originated in South Asia and consists only of Tall-type
coconuts. Its presence in the Seychelles and in the western Indian Ocean can be
explained by natural dissemination, although Indian and Arab travellers also may
have played a role. The presence of this genepool in countries bordering the Atlantic
Ocean dates from the Portuguese expeditions around the African continent. The areas
of repartition of the Indo-Atlantic and Asia-Pacific coconuts remain distinct, except for
the western Indian Ocean and East Africa where the populations are admixed.
In line with neutral genetic markers, genetic diversity in Tall-type coconut palms can
be split into three components, of which:
• about a third is accounted for by the differentiation between the Indo-Atlantic
and Pacific genepools, taken as a whole;
• a sixth by the differentiation among cultivars within these two genepools (and
excluding the differences due to the genepools themselves);
• half by diversity within cultivars (excluding the differentiation between
genepools).
This result shows that genetic diversity of neutral markers is mainly found within
cultivars and between genepools (Gunn et al. 2011).
Phenotypic diversity is considerable in terms of fruit

morphology, vegetative traits and disease resistance.
Most (but not all) of the Pacific group coconuts are of
the Niu Vai type, as described by Harries (1978). This
type is characterized by round fruits with high water
content and a low proportion of husk. In addition,
they exhibit early germination and possess erect
stems. Likewise, most of the varieties from the Indo-
Atlantic group are of the Niu Kafa type as described
by Harries, with sensitivity to lethal diseases caused
by phytoplasmas, curved stems, and triangular fruits
with thick husk, low water content (because the nut
– and therefore its vacuole – is small), and slow
germination. Correlations between microsatellite
data and fruit morphology traits may indicate that at
least some of the morphological differences between
Niu Kafa Tall Tonga (NKF03),
Indo-Atlantic and Pacific coconuts pre-existed
typical type from Indo-Atlantic
genepool. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD) human intervention.
2.1.2 Coconut domestication

The coconut palm is a coastal plant, naturally adapted to high insolation in tropical
environments and sandy, saline soils. Protected by a thick husk and capable of
retaining viability while floating for long periods in sea water, its fruit is well adapted
for long-distance dispersal by oceanic currents. Natural inland propagation is
restricted by its low competitive ability for light among rainforest plants, intense
intraspecific competition due to its large seed mass, lack of dispersal agents and
susceptibility to predation of its fruits and seedlings by mammals. Ethnobotanical and
linguistic evidence suggests its domestication began in two different regions in the
Pacific and Indian Ocean respectively.
Crop domestication is a co-evolutionary process triggered by a combination of
conscious or unconscious selection and modification of the crop environment,
resulting in reductions in the plant’s capacity for autonomous reproduction and
propagation. The particular traits associated with this loss of autonomy constitute the
domestication syndrome. Different populations of the same species may present
different syndromes and hence different degrees of domestication. In the case of
coconut, only the Malayan Dwarf-types appear to be fully domesticated, while the Tall
forms are highly variable in their domestication status, between the extremes of the
“wild” populations bearing small fruit on some uninhabited atolls and the populations
characterized by very large fruit associated with human habitats.
Considering the importance of oceanic dissemination for a strand plant, the coconuts’
domestication syndrome has been associated with (1) thickness of the fruit’s husk for
flotation, seed protection and speed of germination, (2) fruit shape, and (3) the
proportion of coconut water in the fruit, affecting flotation. Indeed, angular oblong
fruits appear more stable than round fruits when deposited by the sea close to the
high-tide line. Fruits with thick husks may have a natural advantage for being carried
further, longer and faster on sea currents. As germinating seeds do not remain viable
when floating in seawater, greater delayed germination seems a further advantage for
long distance travel (Harries 1978). Thus, the coconut’s range of natural dispersal has
been estimated indirectly through flotation experiments, deducing maximum travel
times from duration of retained seed viability, and computing maximal distances
travelled from estimates of current velocity.
A first shortcoming of this speculative
approach is the lack of precise data on the
main dispersal parameters. Their variation
among wild populations is unknown, so
the information is mostly based on
cultivated materials. While seedling
emergence may occur on the tree in some
rare cases, germination can take from 1 to
19 months (Zizumbo-Villarreal and
Arellano-Morin 1998). Furthermore, there
are both advantages and disadvantages
arising from slow germination. For
example, very slow germination may be
related to low vigour or potentially Bunches of the variety "Micro Laccadives
Tall" originating from Laccadives Islands in
increase the risk of predator consumption India, conserved and photographied in Côte
of the young seednuts but is a useful trait d’Ivoire.
for transporting nuts over long distances.
Also, different properties can be related to different dispersal strategies. The particular
properties of differently sized fruits – small versus large – growing on different
bunches of the same palm have not been studied (Bourdeix et al. 2005b).
A second inadequacy is the assumption that dispersal is essentially mechanistic, rather
than probabilistic, based on common variables for the species. It does not take into
account the potential impacts of rare events such as tsunamis or more frequent events
like hurricanes on long distance dispersals.
Thus, differentiating wild coconuts from Tall cultivars selected and propagated by
humans is complex. A big rounded fruit with a thin husk, selected by seafarers as food
and water reserves have been opposed to the supposedly wild type with an oblong
angular fruit and small nut. However, large and long thick-husked fruits were also
selected by Polynesians and Arabs to produce ropes from the husk fibres (coir). A
round fruit may have resulted from long-term selection within seemingly wild
populations (Leach et al. 2003).
All Malayan-type Dwarfs descend from the same ancestral population originating
from South-east Asia. In spite of a low genetic diversity of neutral markers, they
exhibit a high phenotypic polymorphism, resulting in a large number of Dwarf
cultivars, which are closely related but can be quite easily distinguished due to discrete
differences in colour and fruit shape and a relatively fragile trunk. Malayan Dwarf-
types show different combinations of traits that are attractive for humans (short
stature, precocity, sometimes sweet water) with traits that favour reliable reproduction
of this desirable phenotype (such as colour of the germinating sprout-for orange and
yellow forms). Its short stature and short leaves are suitable for the environment where
it is usually found (close to human habitations), but make it a poor competitor in the
wild, where it would soon disappear owing to its low vigour, low wind tolerance and
comparatively short life span.
The origin of this phenotypic diversity of Malayan Dwarf-types is multiple:
• When the self-pollination syndrome was acquired, the ancestors were still
heterozygotes and allelic segregation resulted in a number of distinct lines;
• In addition, mutation may have introduced new polymorphism;
• The above factors together with recombination among Dwarf coconuts contributed
to the enhanced diversity;
• Dwarf x Tall recombination apparently occurred in Papua New Guinea (Ashburner
et al. 2001). This would explain the larger diversity in this region compared to
South-east Asia, and the existence of a number of semi-Tall cultivars. This is
probably a rare event, because the Dwarf habit depends on several independent
traits. Despite the advice of breeders, many farmers plant the progeny of Dwarf x
Tall hybrids (from natural pollination or from advanced material) and this could
result in new attractive Dwarf phenotypes being selected.
Domestication in Malayan Dwarf-types appears to be a rather recent event. The rate of

meiotic abnormalities (during sexual cell division) in Malayan Dwarf-types is
intermediate between that in cross-pollinated Tall-types and self-pollinated Semi-Tall
types (Swaminathan and Nambiar 1961). This suggests that elimination of genetic load
through selfing is still under way. Comparisons of the abnormality rates among
allogamous and autogamous Tall and Dwarf coconuts could provide us with a means
of evaluating the number of generations since acquisition of autogamy.
Other coconut populations might also be described as domesticated: in particular, the
group of other short-statured coconut types called “Compact Dwarfs”. The first
description of this type was the previously-mentioned variety “Niu Leka” in Fiji: a
genetically dominant phenotype, cross-pollinating and similar to a Tall coconut except
for the very short internodes, often short frond petioles and short fronds overall. Recent
surveys conducted in Fiji and French Polynesia indicate that many “Compact Dwarf”
cultivars are yet to be described and collected, some of them probably being advanced
progenies of crosses between Malayan-Dwarf types and other Compact Dwarfs.
Domestication events can create population bottlenecks and cause a reduction in
coconut genetic diversity, as “selective sweeps” of favourable alleles may occur. For
both Dwarf-types, the genetic determinants of dwarfism are not yet fully understood.
They appear to depend on several genetic factors. Understanding the genes
underlying the phenotypic and structural changes as a result of past domestication is
important for the future of coconut breeding and improvement.
2.1.3 International coconut nomenclature

Standardization of coconut cultivar names has been undertaken for decades. During
the first COGENT meeting held in Montpellier, France in May 1992, representatives
from national collections tried to clarify the status of existing collections and outlined
what would become the Coconut Genetic Resources Database (CGRD).
Coconut nomenclature has been quite specific since 1992, when researchers were asked
to systematically provide an international name to any accessions they collect. It is
unclear why and by whom this requirement was established, although COGENT
believes that this nomenclature rule has strongly influenced users’ representations of
coconut diversity and the conservation of coconut germplasm at the global level.
The guidelines “Useful definitions of terms and nomenclature” has been released as an
annex in the book “Coconut genetic resources” 1 published in 2005 by Bioversity and
available on the COGENT website. These guidelines were also more recently
published in the “Catalogue of conserved germplasm” 2, together with an extensive list
of international names of coconut cultivars.
The researchers in charge of the national coconut genetic resources programme are
responsible for giving international names to the germplasm from their country.
However, they are prompted to follow these specific guidelines in order to achieve
international standardization.
Accessions are generally named just after the accession has been planted in the ex situ
genebank. These names start to become “international” only when the passport data of
the collected germplasm has been transmitted to the CGRD, serving de facto as an
international reference. The COGENT secretariat, which has been acting as CGRD
manager, has made sure that the new names meet the nomenclature rules and, if
necessary interacts with national researchers to adjust the proposed name accordingly.
For instance, a new international name must not duplicate any previously recorded
name (including synonyms and abbreviations).
Once the first version of the CGRD was released, twenty COGENT member-countries
were visited by CIRAD experts. National researchers were trained in generating and
inputting data into the database. These visits offered many opportunities to interact
with national researchers about the names of coconut germplasm.
Presently, the only names which have an international status are those of accessions
that are conserved in ex situ genebanks and recorded in the CGRD. Lists of these
names are released on the COGENT website as a FAQ (frequently asked question) 3.
Beyond that housed in the ex situ genebanks, coconut germplasm does not have
registered international names.
1See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/Coconut_genetic_resources.pdf

2 See URL : http://www.cogentnetwork.org/conserved-germplasm-catalogue
3Which Coconut germplasm is presently conserved by COGENT country members?
See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/faq/139-exsitu
In 1991, Dr Hugh Harries (1991) tried to develop a “Coconut Registration Authority”,

but this proposal was not further developed. A more complete list of coconut cultivars
does exist and is based on this early initiative 4 and the subsequent work of some
CIRAD researchers. This list has not yet been officially published or released, due to
lack of time availability of the researchers involved in its maintenance, and lack of
known formal procedures to ratify an official registration.
Each accession planted in a COGENT ex situ
genebank has to be registered under at least a
cultivar name and an abbreviation. National
researchers were advised not to create a new
cultivar name for each and every sample they
collected in farmers’ fields. For that purpose,
the notion of population within a cultivar was
introduced in the nomenclature as follows:
“Populations could denote minor geographical
and/or phenotypic differentiation within a
cultivar”. This helped limit the unwanted
proliferation of cultivar names which could
lead to unnecessary and costly conservation of Pool of coconut fruits collected from the
same cultivar
the same germplasm accessions under different
cultivar names.
There still remain differences between countries regarding the way they are naming
the accessions. For instance, researchers in Bangladesh, Pakistan and Sri Lanka
recently named many accessions as populations of already existing cultivars, whereas
Indonesian researchers continue to give many new cultivar names to the accessions
they collect. As for other crops, also a coconut cultivar should have characteristics that
distinguish it from any other known cultivar. In reality, within a large network of
39 countries, this principle is sometimes difficult to meet and check. The standardized
characterization and evaluation data existing in the CGRD help to compare accessions
and cultivars conserved in different countries.
Using international names in scientific publications is highly recommended. Whilst
there may be good reasons to use another name, it is good practice to include a list
establishing links between the alternative names and the international names.
2.2 Methodologies for conserving coconut genetic resources

For many crop plants, germplasm can be stored as dried seeds and at low
temperatures. Coconut seeds are recalcitrant: they germinate naturally using the free
water available inside the coconut and germination can be prevented if the germ-pore
cover remains dry due to dryness in the adjacent fibres of the husk (M. Foale, personal
communication). Seednuts cannot normally survive the drying process, nor can they
be stored below 8°C. Therefore, coconut germplasm can be maintained in vivo as living
4 COGENT and CIRAD take this opportunity to thank Dr Hugh Harries for having transmitted his huge compilation work of
coconut cultivar names.
trees in field genebanks, in farmers’ fields and gardens, and in some protected areas
such as natural reserves and public places. Other technologies like in vitro plantlets or
cryopreserved embryos, pollen or tissue could be used but are not yet available and
need further refinement.
Emerging powerful new technologies such as molecular genetics, genomics,
proteomics and eco-geographical remote-sensing techniques are greatly expanding the
methodologies supporting the conservation, management and utilization of genetic
resources. Advances in informatics and communication technologies have also
markedly increased our capacity to use, analyse and communicate relevant data and
information, but are not yet in use in the coconut genebanks.
2.2.1 Ex situ conservation methods

Ex situ conservation plays a crucial role in preserving many varieties, particularly
those that are disappearing from farmers’ fields. It forms an essential buffer between
users and the fast evolving in situ genetic diversity in nature and farms.
Effective conservation and management of coconut genetic resources includes the
following routine activities: targeted collecting actions; establishing and maintaining
field collections; regenerating old accessions using controlled hand-pollination;
effective characterization and identity verification studies; evaluation for important
priority traits; information management; safe exchange of germplasm; and sometimes
germplasm pre-breeding. Most of these methods have been described in the numerous
books available on the COGENT website 5.
Presently, ex situ coconut conservation relies solely on the 24 field genebanks as
described in Chapter 1, table 1.1. Conservation in the form of field collections has the
advantage that the growing material can readily provide seednuts or pollen. The
material remains available for distribution, characterization, evaluation, as well as
training and demonstration. The field collections however, are highly vulnerable to
pests and diseases, to other natural disasters such as floods, typhoons hurricanes and
fires, and to land pressure.
The “Stantech Manual” was published in 1996 (Santos et al. 1996) after an extensive
consultation involving researchers from COGENT and International institutions. It
provides agreed standardized research techniques in coconut breeding and
conservation. In coconut ex situ genebanks, the recommended sample size for an
accession ranges from 72 to 96 palms for a heterogeneous allogamous Tall population.
A lower sample size of 45 palms could be used for autogamous homogeneous dwarfs.
These minimum numbers per accession were calculated to represent accurately the
genetic diversity of the populations and to allow both consistent characterization and
workable regeneration (Ramanatha 2005).
5 Available from the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/manuals-and-handbooks

The use of standardized descriptors contributes

to the development of consistent databases and
increases the uniformity of documentation and
the ability to work with other partners. It also
enables greater efficiency in collection
management by helping to identify and reduce
duplication (Gotor et al. 2008). The last
publication of the full list of the international
coconut descriptors dates back to 1996 in the
Stantech Manual. According to Laliberté et al.
(1999) on average, each set of descriptors should
be revised approximately every ten years. Some
coconut researchers and curators believe that Diversity of coconut faces.
present standard descriptors for coconut do not
allow comprehensively identifying most of the allogamous tall coconut cultivars.
There are still no coconut descriptors for roots, inflorescence or pollen morphology, the
upper part of the fruit, the three eyes of the nut, and the top of the canopy.
In 2007, a list of 17 minimum descriptors was extracted by COGENT from the previous
document. This strategic set of descriptors, together with passport data, is the basis for
the global accession-level information system being developed at international level
(Yao et al. 2015).
About pollination
Making controlled hand-pollination (CHP) is costly,
time-consuming and complex. The visits conducted
in many countries by the COGENT Secretariat
highlighted that existing written guidelines are not
sufficient for a research centre to develop de novo
the laboratories and skills needed for making CHPs.
For the rejuvenation of a Tall-type accession, the
CHPs are implemented over a four-month period;
the mature seednuts are harvested one year later,
also over four months; then the old accession is
removed from the field and replaced by a new one.
For regenerating an accession, or for creating a new
hybrid between two accessions, researchers often
use a minimum of 48 female parents crossed with 24
male parents. Each female parent is pollinated three
times with pollen from three distinct male parents. A
CHP gives only 1 to 2 seedlings, so this will allow the
production of about 200 seednuts within a 4-month
period. Production of the seednuts needed for the
duplication of an accession will demand one and half
years’ preparation; and will cost more than
US$2000. Only scientists with healthy research Emasculation is one of the steps of
budgets can afford ordering varieties from coconut controlled hand pollination.
genebanks. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
It has long been recognized that sexual reproduction (in absence of vegetative
propagation) in an allogamous species variety requires isolation to exclude other
varieties. For regeneration of allogamous Tall-types, controlled hand-pollination with
inflorescence-bagging is strongly recommended. Regenerating autogamous Dwarf-
type is much easier: the stem is shorter and seeds can be produced by open pollination
if the variety is sufficiently isolated, or with a simple bagging to isolate the whole
inflorescence and ensure selfing.
The Stantech manual gives a detailed description of the controlled hand-pollination
process. In 2008, the same subject was developed in a shorter version as a part of the
regeneration guidelines for coconut (Konan et al. 2008).
A major constraint that the curators face is the accessibility of the inflorescence for safe
and effective hand-pollination 6. Until recently, the crucial techniques of climbing the
palm crown were not discussed in COGENT documents. In 2013, a compilation of
23 videos on palm-climbing was released on the website 7.
‘Friends of coconuts’
One of the major problems experienced in the
coconut sector of India particularly in the major
producing states like Kerala is the critical shortage
of palm climbers. The number of traditional palm
climbers is consistently in decline due to the
disinterest of the younger generation for this
traditional profession. Consequently, the farmers
experience difficulty in arranging timely harvesting
and also plant protection. To overcome this
problem, the Coconut Development Board initiated
a novel scheme to provide intensive one-week
training courses in palm climbing using a
mechanical device, in nursery management and in
the control measures for common pests and
diseases to groups of educated but unemployed
rural youth.
This scheme named ‘Friends of Coconut’ has
Coconut palm climbing
already trained hundreds of young men and
mechanical device in
India. (A. Prades, women, whose services are now available to the
CIRAD) farmers for harvesting and plant protection.
Although palms can survive for more than 100 years, the average useful lifespan of
coconut accessions in most of ex situ genebanks is only 25 to 30 years. For instance, for
climbing the palms in Côte d’Ivoire, workers of the international coconut genebank 8
6 Several climbing devices exist to reach the top of the stem and harvest the fruits but, for hand pollination, it is necessary to
reach young inflorescences in the centre of the crown.
7 Available at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/videos/climbing-the-coconut-palm
8International Coconut Collection for Africa and the Indian Ocean, located at the Marc Delorme Research Centre, National
Centre for Agronomic Research (CNRA) in Côte d’Ivoire.
use large triple aluminium ladders which can reach a maximum height of 14 meters.
Thus, palms must be regenerated within 25 to 30 years, before their stems extend
beyond 14 meters. If taller, it will be impossible to conduct controlled hand-
pollinations, unless new techniques are developed. A better, safer technique could
enable casualty-free regeneration to be conducted only every 60 years.
DNA studies show that about 50% of total coconut genetic variation is presently found
within heterozygous Tall-type cultivars. Whether the germplasm is transferred (or
regenerated) by seednuts, by in vitro culture of zygotic embryos, or by any other
means, the traceability of the planting material genealogy is crucial for three main
reasons and thus, needs to be properly recorded. Such traceability allows:
• Curators to know the numbers of female and male parents used at each generation
and to control the genetic drift;
• Checking the reliability of progenies by using DNA markers;
• Conducting genetic studies and comparing the progenies of different parents from
the same variety. For instance, within a cultivar, the progeny of a given palm can
be tolerant to a particular disease while the progenies of the other palms will die.
For each coconut palm conserved in a genebank, at least its mother palm needs to be
known. Presently, less than 20% of accessions conserved at global level meet this
requirement 9.
In vitro collections are not yet used for safety duplication of the field collections or for
rapid multiplication and dissemination of disease-free planting material. A benefit of
the approach is that it can act as a barrier to the transmission of many diseases. A
drawback of in vitro conservation is that the material demands regular sub-culturing
and might be subject to somaclonal variation. Therefore, rejuvenation and verification
of the trueness-to-type of the conserved germplasm will have to be performed
periodically. Another major drawback is that today, very few of the coconut ex situ
genebanks are equipped to use this technique or have appropriately skilled staff..
Cryopreservation offers a complementary means to enhance the security of
germplasm collections (Nguyen et al. 2015). Storage of frozen pollen samples may
offer an additional way to conserve coconut, though the parent’s genetic identity
would not be maintained as a whole. Frozen pollen is already used in some of
genebanks, such as in India.
9 Two different cases exist:

- Open-pollinated seednuts collected from farmers’ fields: In this case, for allogamous varieties such as Tall-type coconuts, the
father palm is unknown. A unique number must be allocated to each mother palm harvested in farmers’ fields. Ideally maps of
farmers’ and genebanks’ fields are documented, using a geographical system and/or satellite image. The unique number given
to each harvested palm features on both types of map.
- Seednuts or embryos harvested in ex situ genebanks. In most of the cases, for allogamous varieties such as Tall-type coconut
palms, both female parents and male parents are located in the genebank. The seednuts are obtained by controlled pollination.
In this case, the female parent number and the male parent number must be kept carefully even after the progeny palms have
been planted.
2.2.2 Conservation in situ, on-farm and beyond ex situ collections

In situ and on-farm conservation of coconut germplasm refers to the maintenance of
coconut genetic diversity in its natural habitat or through the continued cultivation of
landraces or traditional varieties in the agro-ecosystems where they have evolved.
Therefore, it involves the protection of the areas, ecosystems and habitats in which the
plants have developed their distinctive characteristics. This way of conserving genetic
resources should be facilitated through legislative and policy measures as well as
through the use of incentives.
The great advantage of in situ conservation is that it maintains the evolutionary
processes of the species and its traditional varieties in a dynamic way. Its main
drawback is its vulnerability to social and economic changes. Many factors contribute
to the erosion of in situ genetic diversity: drastic changes in land use; adoption by
farmers of high yielding varieties; lethal diseases; rural drift; development of urban
areas, and anthropogenic or natural disasters.
Data from many countries shows that a great diversity of coconut is kept on farms,
and that coconut farmers often prefer to plant their traditional Tall varieties instead
of the recommended new ones. Genetic and agronomic criteria are insufficient to
explain the distinction made by farmers between coconut varieties. From an
anthropological perspective, varietal assessment is not a free or isolated process.
Farmer evaluations are often based on their traditional varieties, which are already
known and used as reference. This comparison has less to do with the biological
characteristics of the plant than with its qualities as a cultural entity within a human
community (Bourdeix et al. 2008).
Sustainable in situ conservation requires community participation, control of land
rights in local communities, systematic documentation of farmers’ knowledge of
coconut diversity, a gendered approach, education, extension and development of
environmental awareness. Of equal importance is the principle that any in situ
conservation programme must also benefit local communities and promote gender
equity. In coconut growing areas, evidence shows that the level of conservation of
existing stands strongly correlates with the extent of profitable coconut-based farming
systems/enterprises on farm (Sangalang 2004). This suggests that such coconut-based
enterprises are critical to successful on-farm/in situ conservation of coconut genetic
resources. Management by local communities can often develop effective links to
national efforts concerning documentation, conservation and use. This attracts
commercial and private agencies to be partners in on-farm conservation efforts and
can lead to linkages between public, community and private sectors in plant genetic
resources conservation.
Through the support of the Department for International Development (DFID), UK,
the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the International Fund for Agricultural
Development (IFAD), a COGENT project testing in situ conservation strategies was
implemented in 35 communities of 15 coconut-producing countries 10. Working in poor

coconut growing communities, this project assessed the technical feasibility, financial
viability, social acceptability and environmental safety of coconut-based technologies
and production systems, namely: (1) producing and marketing high-value products
from all parts of the coconut – kernel, husk, shell, wood, water, leaves; (2)
intercropping cash and food security crops/integrating livestock; and (3) propagating
important local and introduced high-value coconut varieties in community-managed
nurseries and conserving them in situ and on farm.
This project had a consistent impact on poverty alleviation in the targeted
communities and on ex situ coconut conservation. Eighty-nine (89) farmers’ coconut
varieties were identified and a total of over 62,000 seedlings from these varieties were
planted on community farms. Results of this project also outlined issues for optimizing
the in situ conservation approach:
• The project was conducted in too many communities and countries with regards to
the limited funds available. Not enough research time was devoted to specific
genetic resources aspects, and especially the characterization of traditional
varieties.
• From a communications and awareness perspective, farmers’ involvement in
conservation of genetic resources was insufficiently promoted, valued and secured
for the long term. The publication of a “Catalogue of farmer’s varieties”, although
initially planned, was cancelled. This was due to a lack of reliable data; the poor
web visibility of these communities and supplies of their coconut products not
being sufficiently assured for promoting community involvement, helping them to
market their products, and serve as example and success story.
• In some communities, palms from traditional varieties chosen by farmers as
seednut providers were located at less than 20 meters from Dwarf x Tall coconut
hybrids. The cross/open pollinating habit of these Tall-types has certainly led to
unwanted varietal mixing.
The results contributed to the formulation of an international recommendation 11

during the 2012 COGENT SC meeting. This recommendation invites researchers to
develop alternative concepts of conservation.
2.2.3 Revisiting the classical delineation between in situ and ex situ conservation
Many different locations could integrate the conservation of coconut genetic resources
and even seed production by using a multifunctional land management policy.
10 Bangladesh, India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, Thailand, Vietnam, Fiji, Papua New Guinea,
Ghana, Tanzania, Mexico and Jamaica. Report available at:
http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/PRCGC_Vol1.pdf
11 Assessment and improvement of farmers’ technical and traditional knowledge regarding coconut biology, in order to increase
farmers’ autonomy for production of good planting material. Available at the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/i
mages/2012_sc_meeting/cogent_recommendation_3.pdf
The Polymotu concept (poly=many, motu=island), a concept derived from previous

initiatives in conservation by ancient Polynesians, uses the geographical isolation of
dedicated sites or designs for conservation and reproduction of individual varieties of
plants, trees and even animals.
For instance, when a small isolated island is planted with a single Tall-type variety
certified for its true-to-type integrity, breeding occurs only within this variety and
“naturally certified” seednuts are produced. In this case, both the geographical isolation
and the availability of certified seednuts secure conservation. Various kinds of inland
sites can also be used for this purpose as long as they are protected from pollen
contamination. More than one variety per crop species can be conserved in each
location, if genetic markers are available to differentiate progenies at the nursery stage
(Figure 2.1).
The Polymotu conservation concept fits
into a multifunctional land management
policy. Many different locations can be
used for conservation of genetic
resources and even seed production so
long as they meet the criteria required for
biological and reproductive isolation.
These dedicated sites can be small islands
owned by communities or private
individuals, public gardens, university
campuses, golf courses, the backyards of
resorts or research centres, or the bottom
of small valleys. Even an entire small
village may become an established place
for conserving genetic resources and seed
production, if all villagers agree to
cultivate only a well-defined set of
Figure 2.1. Schematic representation of the cultivars or populations. This kind of
plantation of Nuusafe’e Island in Samoa using the
Polymotu concept. (R. Bourdeix 2012) multifunctional land management
strengthens the links between people,
landscape and bio-

diversity. It gives a special
cachet to the sites,
generates income and may
enable related activities
such as eco-tourism.
Using the Polymotu
concept, some of the most
important constraints
encountered in ex situ Participative landscaping of Nuusafe’e Island in Samoa using the
collections are shifted. Polymotu concept. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
There would be no need
for palm climbing and any accession’s lifetime would be extended. Instead of climbing
the palms for making controlled hand-pollination, people only have to wait for the
fruits to fall naturally to the ground. Open-pollination provides true-to-type and cheap
seednuts. Thus, the same accession can be kept as long as a sufficient number of palms
remain alive in the field. In most cases, the duration of a coconut accession would then
be extended from 25 – 30 years (current useful lifespan in ex situ collections) to 75 - 100
years. Even if some of the palms die, there is no need to remove the remainder, as is
done presently in classical genebanks. Dead palms can be replaced by new ones,
without removing the old palms still alive. Such lifespan extension represents a huge
saving of resources.
Three possible applications of the Polymotu concept are currently being studied:
“Ecotourism on Islands” (French Polynesia, Samoa), Inland (to be applied in Côte
d’Ivoire) and “Urban” in Fiji and possibly in Brazil.
Case study 1: the Polymotu approach versus “ecotourism on islands”

Projects testing the Polymotu approach versus
“ecotourism on islands” were recently
implemented in Samoa and, to a lesser extent,
in French Polynesia. In Samoa, a project funded
by the Trust and leaded by SPC was
implemented with collaboration of CIRAD and
the COGENT Secretariat. Six small islands
surrounding Upolu were surveyed, and two of
them, namely Namu’a and Nuusafe’e were
planted in 2012 with 50 seedlings of Niu afa, 20
seedlings of Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) and 10
seedlings of Tahitian Red Dwarf (TRD). The aim
of planting three coconut varieties is to produce
both pure breeds of Niu afa, dwarf seedlings
and natural hybrids between Dwarfs and Niu Figure 2.2. The three varieties planted in Nuusafe’e
afa. As shown in Figure 2.2, the size of the fruits and Namu’a Islands, Samoa: Tahiti Red Dwarf, Niu
and the colour of coconut sprouts allows visually Kafa Tall, Malayan Red Dwarf, and the way to
differentiating between pure strains of Niu afa identify progenies in the nursery by using the
(green sprouts), the Dwarfs (orange) and new shapes of the fruit and the colors of the
hybrids produced (brown). germinating sprouts. (Bourdeix et al. 2005b, 2014)
Thirty other tropical fruit trees (including rambutan, avocado, soursop, and mandarin) were also
planted in each island. In French Polynesia, a motu from the Tetiaroa Atoll is little by little replanted
with progenies of a few rare palms producing “horned coconut”.
Case study 2: the Polymotu approach versus “inland”
A project testing the Polymotu approach versus “inland” has been launched in Africa. In Côte
d’Ivoire, the Marc Delorme Research Centre houses the International Coconut Genebank for
Africa and Indian Ocean. The collection is currently threatened by a Lethal Yellowing Disease
(LYD) which is now at less than 150 km from the centre, on both sides of the coast (in Ghana
and in Grand Lahou region). It is also threatened by intense land pressure due to the
expansion of Abidjan (the capital city) and by a chronic budget deficit that could ultimately
jeopardize the existence of the genebank. In order to address the two first constraints, the
COGENT secretariat encouraged CNRA to duplicate about 50 coconut accessions on 5 of
the 13 other experimental sites belonging to the institute and scattered across the country.
Each accession of Tall varieties will be planted in geographical and reproductive isolation, in
the middle of other tree crop plantations (Rubber, oil-palm, forest trees, coffee and cocoa).
CNRA is presently slowly implementing this project with limited funding.
Plate 2.1.
2.2.4 In vitro culture and cryopreservation

Currently, coconut-planting material is mainly distributed to farmers by using
seednuts and seedlings. International exchanges of germplasm were tested via
transfers of coconut embryos cultivated in vitro and are more often by seednuts (but
their use is often restricted because of inherent phytosanitary risks).
In vitro culture is being assessed by
researchers as an alternative means for
producing coconut clones as planting
material for farmers, for securing
germplasm and increasing its collecting
and exchanges using excised embryo
transfer, and for long-term conservation
using cryopreservation of embryos, their
Coconut cultivated in vitro from excised plumules, or calluses. This section provides
zygotic embryos. (V. Johnson, Bioversity an overview of the research status for each
International)
of these objectives.
Ageing palms, declining productivity and emerging virulent diseases (such as those
caused by phytoplasmas), prompt a growing demand for selected planting materials
with high productivity and robust disease resistance. Such demand is hard to meet
when palms individually produce few seednuts.
Coconut is one of the most recalcitrant plant species to regenerate in vitro. Numerous
explant sources have been tested for micropropagation (or in vitro vegetative
propagation) purposes including: leaves, immature inflorescences, embryo plumules,
and unfertilized ovaries isolated from immature female flowers. Embryo plumules
have initially provided the most reproducible somatic embryogenesis, although
efficiency has initially been low (four to ten somatic embryos per plumule). In order to
increase the multiplication rate, two different approaches have been evaluated:
secondary somatic embryogenesis and multiplication of embryogenic calluses. Using
the latter process, tens of thousands of somatic embryos can now be obtained from a
single plumule, with a plantlet conversion-rate higher than twenty percent.
A similar process is being developed using explants from immature inflorescences,
with very promising results. Anthers excised from male flowers of an adult palm have
also been cultivated in vitro to produce plants via androgenesis (Perera 2010), which is
the development of embryos containing only paternal chromosomes. Normal plants
with a single shoot were observed in low frequencies while weak plantlets with
multiple shoots were observed in abundance. Under similar culture conditions, some
plantlets showed vigorous growth whereas the majority had a slow growth rate.
Androgenesis will be useful to breeders for rapidly obtaining homozygous genotypes,
for instance helping to select Dwarf genotypes within recombinant progenies between
Dwarf and Tall-types.
Some micro-propagated coconut palms have been established successfully in the field
with a true-to-type behaviour when compared with palms obtained from seednuts.
Experience with oil palm suggests that an effective protocol for scaling-up such a
technique from the laboratories to the full-scale development stage is yet to be
developed. Breeding methods will also need to be specifically adapted to identify and
select the best clones. This technique has not yet been applied on a large scale for
producing planting material for farmers.
Methods for in vitro culture of coconut embryos started to be developed in 1950s
(Cutter and Wilson 1954). Producing plantlets from mature embryos has been
successfully achieved rather quickly. It has been more difficult to obtain plantlets with
a balanced development of roots and aerial parts. In the laboratories, the best recovery
rates (from tube to palms in the field) of embryos cultivated in vitro are about 50%. In
traditional nurseries, only 65% of seednuts give rise to palms planted in field 12. The
main challenge is to obtain replicable results in a wide range of situations.
As reported in the CGRD 13, among the
408 accessions transferred from one
country to another, 68 accessions (17%)
were transferred as embryos cultivated in
vitro 14. The CGRD allows comparing the
average number of living palms for the
196 accessions planted in or before 1981,
which were transferred from one country
to another by using embryos versus using
seednuts. These average numbers of
palms per accession are 45 for accessions Coconut embryo extraction. (V. Johnson,
transferred via seednuts and 26 for Bioversity International)
accessions transferred via embryos 15.This
last number is likely overestimated, because those attempts to import coconut embryos
which completely failed have not been recorded in the CGRD. So the practical
application of embryo culture to international germplasm transfers needs further
review and refinement, because it generated a decrease of at least 42% in the
accessions’ sizes.
Funded by the Trust, a project was conducted from 2009 to 2012 to optimize, validate
and apply a standard embryo culture protocol16. This project refined existing
techniques and applied them to a range of genotypes and conditions, which then led to
the publication of improved guidelines (Cueto et al. 2012) available on COGENT
12 Some seednuts do not germinate; some seedlings are discarded at the nursery stage because of low growth or abnormalities.
13CGRD does not take into account germplasm transfers conducted during the recent embryo project funded by the Trust (it is
necessary for the accessions to be planted in the field), and the material recently taken by Mexico and Brazil from Côte d’Ivoire
(no data transmitted by countries to CGRD).
14The first accession transferred via embryo was planted in 1981 in Malaysia. Then Thailand (1991), India (1997) and Sri Lanka
(2005) succeeded in introducing accessions using embryo transfer.
15 Efficient sizes as defined in section 2.2.1 i.e. not null, limited to 45 palms for Dwarfs and 96 palms for other varieties. If real
accession sizes are considered, average accession sizes are 152 for accessions transferred via seednuts and 32 for accessions
transferred via embryos.
16 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/past-projects/validation-of-a-coconut-embryo-culture-protocol
website. However, successful transfer will only be achieved if those involved have the
necessary skills and resources to adhere to protocols such as this.
To ensure long-term conservation, accessions conserved in vitro can also be ‘cryo-
preserved’. Cryopreservation stops both the growth of plant cells and all processes of
biological deterioration, so that the material can be preserved for an extended period
(probably several hundreds of years) and regenerated into fully viable plants. The cost
of cryopreserving accessions is expected to pay off against the recurrent costs of in vitro
or in field maintenance over a number of years, at the exception of the material which
needs to be regularly distributed.
Since 1992 (Assy-Bah and Engelman 1992), cryopreservation protocols for zygotic
embryos have been developed and refined. A protocol based on dehydration of the
embryos was recently applied to 10 accessions representative of coconut genetic
diversity, with germination percentages of cryopreserved embryos between 13.7% and
74.7% (N´Nan et al. 2012). Research is pursued notably at least in Australia (Nguyen et
al. 2015), Brazil, Colombia, France, India (Bhavyashree et al. 2016), Indonesia, South
Korea and Mexico, with publications associating authors from more than one country
(Sisunandar et al. 2010a, Sisunandar et al. 2012). Cryopreservation of coconut zygotic
embryos does not induce morphological, cytological or molecular changes in
recovered seedlings (Sisunandar et al. 2010b), thus suggesting that the method is
appropriate to efficiently preserve coconut germplasm.
Cryopreservation of plumules from zygotic embryos and subsequent production of
somatic embryos has also been developed 17. Researchers are now working to optimize
the techniques and to evolve from validated laboratory protocols to standardized
methods giving regular and consistent results at a large scale and in a wide range of
situations. Cryopreservation of the embryogenic callus obtained from plumules has
likewise been studied. If successful this technique could allow conserving a piece of
tissue with the potential to regenerate thousands of plants from it.
Pollen, which can be easily obtained in large
quantities, can also be cryopreserved.
Exchange of germplasm through pollen
poses fewer quarantine problems than is the
case for seednuts or other propagules. Little
additional research is required to further
develop and refine this technique which is
still not used by ex situ coconut collections. If
a standard dose of desiccated pollen, such as
that prepared in a glass tube for controlled
hand-pollination, is kept for one hour in
Storage of coconut embryos in liquid nitrogen and then extracted, the pollen
cryotubes (PCA-ZRC) will germinate normally (R. Bourdeix
personal communication). Most of the pollen used by genebanks is conserved at -18°C
for only four to six months.
17 http://www.cogentnetwork.org/network-projects/ongoing-projects/korean-cryopreservation-project
Using cryopreservation techniques based on embryos, plumules or pollen carries

certain constraints. It does not allow reproducing and thus multiplying a genotype, but
only the progeny of this genotype. Thus, some of the limitations linked to the
reproduction mode of the coconut palm still apply, such as the requirement of costly
controlled hand-pollinations to duplicate a Tall-type variety conserved in an ex situ
collection. For most allogamous Tall-type varieties conserved ex situ, embryos will
have to be obtained by controlled pollination with bagging.
Therefore, the main constraint to the development of a cryogenebank from ex situ field
collections remains again the cost of controlled pollinations. However, in some cases,
instead of using the palms conserved in ex situ collections, it will be possible to access
the original source of particular genotypes in farmer’s fields. But going back to these
sites will also have a significant cost.
2.3 The current global ex situ conservation system

Currently, coconut germplasm is only conserved as accessions in one or more ex situ
collections. Twenty-four of these field genebanks are located in 23 COGENT member-
countries. Unique and valuable material is kept in these genebanks. They conserve
local traditional varieties, introductions from other collections, and accessions collected
directly abroad by institutions from Côte d’Ivoire, France, India and Jamaica.
Information regarding the content of these collections is gathered in the CGRD,
managed by the COGENT secretariat. Available on the COGENT website, this
database is of crucial importance. It provides the only global compilation of ex situ
conserved coconut germplasm.
Three surveys aiming to collect information on ex situ collections were undertaken by
COGENT in 2012 and 2013 to better understand the objectives of the collections, their
content (in terms of diversity), the long-term security of the collection, the
management of the information, the exchange of materials and the (urgent) needs and
priorities to be addressed through a global collaborative Strategy. Annex 6 provides
the template of the global survey conducted in 2013 and the list of institutions who
responded.
In 2014, a last electronic survey was launched by the COGENT Secretariat to
understand the perspectives of the genebank curators on (i) the optimization of the
current areas of the 24 collections of the network, (ii) the policy regarding backup
accessions, (iii) the support required from the multilateral system, (iv) the level of
collecting in each country, and (iv) whether the collection of new cultivars should
continue or not during the next 10 years.
The ex situ conservation management and activities are described in sections below,
based on information from the surveys conducted in 2012, 2013 and 2014, from the
content of CGRD and from direct interaction with curators.
2.3.1 Content of ex situ collections

Most coconut germplasm international movements before 1940 can be classified in
two types:
• Introduction of very small amounts of seednuts, by farmers or scientists, for
experimental purposes. Generally only one to ten seednuts were introduced for
each cultivar for conservation;
• Introduction of many seednuts to create large plantations with varieties coming
from other countries for commercialization.
Most genebanks started by collecting traditional varieties in their respective countries.

Then, germplasm imports from abroad began.
The total number of registered accessions in collections reached 1760 in 2017. It is
currently estimated that only 1607 accessions 18 are still alive. Detailed lists of the
cultivars, populations and accessions, ranked either by site of conservation or
alphabetic order, are available on the COGENT website 19.
No. of accessions
Figure 2.3. Evolution of accessions recorded in CGRD
Figure 2.3 gives the evolution of the number of accessions recorded in CGRD (Coconut
Genetic Resources Database), ranked in three categories: introduction from farmers’
fields, transfer between ex situ collections, and regeneration within these genebanks.
Regeneration within genebanks started in Indonesia in the 1950s and Jamaica in 1960s.
In 1980, only 20 accessions had been rejuvenated; this number started to increase to
18 Accessions recorded in the CGRD with an accession size superior to zero, but sometimes curators do not update this
information even over a long time frame.
19 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/faq/139-exsitu
reach 103 in 1990. The following decade was the most active, with 188 accessions
rejuvenated from 1991 to 2000. Then it decreased from 2000 to 2012, with only
111 accessions rejuvenated. However, since 2017 Vanuatu started to regenerate the
national collection, showing a continuous interest in the conservation of coconuts
varieties.
Most collections need to combat genetic erosion, where significant losses are often
associated with poor practices in controlled hand pollination techniques. Deviations
from the standard protocol of controlled hand-pollination may cause unwanted mixes
between accessions, resulting in useless material being conserved and errors being
propagated through germplasm transfers around the world. These deviations can
appear when genebank staff are either not well trained or have been replaced. If any
new employee is not trained by the departing staff, he/she will lack crucial
information to perform tricky and demanding conservation processes. Finally, land-
use/tenure issues also threaten the genebanks more often than expected.
Land pressure threats

Material has been lost over the past decade, such as that in the international genebank
located in Indonesia, where 15 hectares of coconut accessions were destroyed. Land tenure
problems and changes at research stations for coconut conservation have induced a global
loss of 54 cultivars, representing 13% of the existing global holdings. In Côte d’Ivoire, about
eight hectares of coconut palms were recently felled by the international genebank in order
to replant with new accessions. Then, villagers from the neighbourhood came and claimed
the land as their own, and preventing replanting. The problem was finally solved in favour of
the international genebank, but it forced the curator to modify the design of the whole
collection. In order to avoid similar problems in other fields, all the new accessions were
planted between the rows of the old living ones. Once new accessions have established,
after three to four years, old accessions can be removed.
Most of collections have not started removing duplicated accessions within the
collection as part of a rationalization or conscious reduction of the collection at the
global level. Although the constitution of international collections has been partially
supported by public resources, this support has not yet been secured for the long term.
2.3.2 Mandate of institutes managing ex situ collections

All the institutes managing the 24 ex situ collections in COGENT member-countries
have an official mandate from their government to carry out research on coconut and
to conserve coconut at the national, regional or global level. The coconut genebanks
mandate includes the following activities:
• Acting as national repository of coconut genetic resources;
• Targeting collecting actions;
• Maintaining field collections of living palms;
• Characterizing and evaluating for important traits;
• Disseminating information about conserved germplasm;
• Providing conserved germplasm to key users;

• Safely exchanging germplasm and all related information.
The prevailing notion that genetic resources are a common heritage for humanity has
been replaced by the national sovereignty concept in the Convention on Biological
Diversity (CBD) which entered into force in 1993. The implications for crop germplasm
exchange were then articulated by FAO, leading to the negotiation of the International
Treaty which came into force in 2004.
Coconut is one of the priority crops listed in Annex 1 of the Treaty, which lists the crop
species that are subject to such facilitated access under the conditions defined in a
Standard material transfer agreement (SMTA). Countries which have ratified the
Treaty can access the coconut germplasm declared by hosting countries as being in the
public domain and thus included in the multilateral system of the Treaty. For those
which have not ratified the Treaty, access can be made through bilateral arrangements.
In order to foster a more efficient and effective system of germplasm conservation,
evaluation and safe movement, the COGENT Steering Committee decided in 1995 to
establish a multi-site International Coconut Genebank (ICG). The ICG today comprises
five regional genebanks hosted by Brazil for Latin America and the Caribbean, Côte
d’Ivoire for Africa and the Indian Ocean, India for South Asia and the Middle East,
Indonesia for South-east and East Asia, and Papua New Guinea for the South Pacific.
However, during the two last decades, most of the germplasm exchanges were done
between national genebank without using the multilateral system.
The five ICG field collections are held in trust under the auspices of FAO through a
formal agreement between Bioversity, the five countries and FAO (Table 2.1).
The designated germplasm is shared under the terms of the SMTA as part of the
multilateral system of access and benefit sharing created by the Treaty or of the
Material Transfer Agreement (MTA) specified in the Memorandum of Agreement
(MOA) establishing the ICG in the case of India.
An important article of these MOA is related to emergency situations. For instance, in
the MOA signed by Papua New Guinea, Article 2g of the agreement (Rights and
obligations of the Parties) states that “if the orderly maintenance of the ICG is impeded or
threatened by whatever event, including force majeure, the Secretary of the Treaty and
Bioversity International, with the approval of the Host Government, shall assist in its
evacuation or transfer, to the extent possible”. Such emergency situations have recently
occurred in Côte d’Ivoire and Papua New Guinea. These two international genebanks
are the most active in providing germplasm, yet within the last few years, they have
been threatened by urban pressure and emerging lethal diseases caused by
phytoplasmas.
In April 2015, the Crop Trust with the help of COGENT and SPC organized a
workshop in Papua New Guinea. The objective of the workshop was to design a
project proposal to safely move the international genebank. The international experts
gathered in Port-Moresby and Madang thanks to the financial support of ACIAR and
prepared a five-year work plan to move the genebank to Punipuni, a safe location in
the south of the country. The plan was presented to the Papua New Guinea
Government in 2016 and the implementation of this plan is currently under the
responsibility of Indonesian department Kokonas Indastri Koporesen (KIK).
Table 2.1. Date and types of Memoranda of Agreement signed by the five countries hosting ICG.
Region Country Date of Signatory bodies of the Memoranda of International

Signature Agreement convention
South Asia India Oct. 1998 Government of India CBD*

and Middle Bioversity International (IPGRI)
East FAO - Commission on Genetic resources for food
and agriculture
South-east Indonesia May 1999 Government of Indonesia CBD
and East Bioversity International (IPGRI)
Asia FAO - Commission on Genetic resources for food
and agriculture
Africa and Côte Sept. 1999 CNRA on behalf of Government of Côte d’Ivoire ITPGRFA**
the Indian d’Ivoire (first MoA) Bioversity International (IPGRI)
Ocean FAO on behalf of the Governing Body of the Treaty.
Feb. 2007
(Final)
Latin Brazil June 2006 Brazilian Agricultural Research corporation CBD
America (Embrapa)
and the Bioversity International (IPGRI)
Caribbean FAO - Commission on Genetic resources for food
and agriculture.
South Papua New May 2007 Ministry of Agriculture on behalf of Government of ITPGRFA
Pacific Guinea Papua New Guinea
Bioversity International (IPGRI)
FAO on behalf of the Governing Body of the Treaty.
* CBD: Convention on Biological Diversity
** International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture.
2.3.3 Cost of ex situ collections

Assessing the cost of coconut conservation was initiated in the framework for preparing
this Strategy. A CGIAR costing study, published in 2011, represents the most
comprehensive and recent costing study of ex situ collections managed under
international standards (CGIAR 2011). This study started to be used as a model for
costing ex situ coconut conservation, together with the strategy document published
for Cacao in 2012.
During the 2013 COGENT survey, curators were questioned regarding the financial
status of the coconut genebank they manage. Table 2.2 gives an overview of the
15 replies obtained. The current status of funding for routine operations and
maintenance is mainly average or inadequate. The staff number is mostly satisfactory
but the technical level of staff was not assessed. Some specific tasks, such as climbing
palms and making controlled pollination, are limiting factors encountered in all
collections conducting pollination programmes. The status of building, facilities and

equipment is mainly average to inadequate: most genebanks do not have the facilities
and laboratories requested for making controlled pollinations necessary for true-to-
type regeneration of Tall-type accessions. The funding for characterizing and collecting
germplasm is mostly inadequate. The level of germplasm use by breeders and
researchers is good to average.
Table 2.2. Quality of the management of the genebanks (survey conducted in 2013 by the COGENT
Secretariat).
Answer options Very good Good Average Poor Very poor
Funding for maintenance 0 3 6 3 3
Number of staff 0 7 3 2 3
Status of buildings, facilities and equipment 0 2 9 2 2
Funding for collecting germplasm 0 2 3 6 4
Funding for research on the collection 0 2 4 7 2
Level of use by breeders, researchers 1 4 7 2 1
During the same survey, curators were asked to estimate the annual cost per accession
of the activities conducted in the genebanks. The responses were extremely variable, as
shown in table 2.3.
Table 2.3. Estimations on the annual cost per standard accession of activities conducted in ex situ
coconut collections, and following estimation by the COGENT secretariat (check the detailed of
calculation in Annex 7).
Activity Average estimation Estimation by the Difference
by genebank COGENT
curators Secretariat
(US$/accession/year) (US$/accession/year)
Field collection maintenance 927 150 + 777
Morphological characterization 285 100 + 185
Molecular characterization 775 12 + 763
Agronomic evaluation 379 200 + 179
Germplasm health (indexing & eradication) 267 100 + 167
Information management 154 200 - 46
Total 2787 762 + 2025

Estimations of average costs were calculated by the COGENT secretariat with the help
of Dr Jean-Louis Konan, the curator of the ICG for Africa and Indian Ocean.
The online survey alone was not sufficient to gather comparable and standardized data;
and so closer interactions with curators are needed. The huge difference between the
estimation cost of the curators and the COGENT Secretariat could be due to several
reasons. Firstly, researchers in charge of coconut conservation are often not only
coconut researchers. They generally assume other tasks, such as conservation of other
tree crops, breeding or other research activities. Thus, it is not always easy to
differentiate what should and should not be included as conservation costs. As such,
some staff cost could have been over-estimated by the curators.
The estimation of the manpower needed for characterizing accessions using standard
international descriptors is indeed tricky. The total staff time needed ranges from
1,409 hours (Côte d’Ivoire) to 2,395 hours (Indonesia) per accession (see Annex 8). It
requires collecting about 19,000 data per accession. As accessions are kept 30 years in
the field, the time needed for characterization is 47-80 hours per accession per year.
Labour cost varies widely between countries, so the cost will not be the same in all
the genebanks.
The other big difference between the survey cost and the COGENT secretariat
estimation (table 2.3) is the molecular analysis. For molecular characterization, a
standardized kit of 15 molecular markers is presently used for assessing the allelic
diversity of accessions. The recommended sampling sizes are 6 palms for Dwarf-type
autogamous varieties and 12 palms for other types of varieties. The cost for analysing a
Dwarf-type accession was estimated at US$204; the cost for analysing other types of
accessions was estimated at US$408 20. As an accession is kept in the field for 30 years,
the annual costs are estimated at US$6.8 per Dwarf-type accession, and US$13.6 for
other types of accessions. As a quarter of the accessions are autogamous Dwarf-types,
the average cost of molecular characterization was estimated at US$11.9.
Finally, the average annual cost for conserving, characterizing and evaluating a
standard coconut accession with the current standardized methods is presently
estimated by the COGENT secretariat at US$762. This amount is provisional, has to
be refined and will change as the methods and tools will quickly evolve during the
next 10 years.
Within the coconut collections, the main expenses normally incurred are for planting,
for characterization and evaluation during the first twelve years and for regeneration
of the accessions by controlled pollination. As the useful lifespan of an accession is
presently 30 years, the total cost has to be divided by 30 to get an average cost per year.
Except during the juvenile phase, which lasts from three to six years depending on the
variety, the value of the production generally far exceeds the cost of maintaining the
accessions in the fields. After 12 years in the field, the cost of conserving accessions is
20The cost of analysing a palm with a 15-marker kit is estimated at US$34: US$10 per palm for leaflet sampling, managing
and/or sending samples and DNA extraction; US$1 per marker for DNA analysis, and US$0.6 per marker for managing and
analysing the data.
considerably reduced. In some genebanks, management of these coconut fields is

allotted to small private companies. These companies clean and fertilize the plantation;
harvest the coconuts and buy them at a lower rate than the market price. This business
model may not be suitable for every genebank and should be assessed, taking into
account the context and legal environment of the collection.
In 2011 the COGENT secretariat launched a global-level initiative to standardize
costs for preparing germplasm for international exchange. This allowed estimating
the cost of controlled pollinations (CPs) which is one of the most costly operations
needed for genebank management. This cost was estimated at US$8 per controlled
pollination. In coconut ex situ collections, the recommended sample size ranges from
72 to 96 palms for a Tall-type accession. For regeneration purposes, curators plan
making one CP for each palm to be planted in the field. Rejuvenating a Tall-type
accession needs 72 to 96 CPs, so a budget of US$576 to $768 is needed just for CPs 21.
This is a one-off expense every 30 years, which is the present average useful lifespan
of a Tall-type accession in the field. In order to obtain an annual cost, this budget
needs to be divided by 30. So regeneration of a Tall-type accession by controlled
pollination costs US$19 to US$26 per annum.
As a whole, COGENT country-members are spending more than US$1.1 million per
year for conserving, characterizing and evaluating at least 1,500 coconut accessions in
at least 24 ex situ collections. A substantial part of this budget is covered by
genebanks’ self-funding, including selling planting material, selling coconuts, and
sometimes selling high-value coconut palm products. This self-funding amount is not
currently known, but could achieve a gross annual income of US$4,000 per hectare.
Countries enjoy sustained benefits from the increase of national coconut production
linked to the use of these genebanks: the conserved germplasm serves as a basis for
breeding activities and allows dissemination of good planting material among farmers.
The cost of conserving genetic diversity is high, but the cost of not taking action would
be much higher.
2.3.4 Collecting germplasm

According to the information available in the CGRD, 1,005 accessions have been
collected in farmers’ fields and successfully transferred to ex situ collections. The three
oldest recorded accessions were planted in the Solomon Islands, Indonesia and
Jamaica respectively in 1912, 1927, and 1935. From 1935 to 1955, India played a leading
role by starting its ex situ collection with 18 local varieties and 26 varieties introduced
from abroad; except for dwarf varieties, which are easier to collect, the number of
palms per accession was low (7 in average). The focus on collecting and exchanging
coconut germplasm strongly increased after 1950. By the early 1960s, about
30 countries had begun to exchange seed or pollen 22.
21Assuming a dedicated laboratory is already fully operational. If a country is just starting to make controlled pollinations, it will
be more expensive as the lab needs to be established.
22 FAO report. In: Batugal, P., Ramanatha Rao, V., Oliver, J. (eds). 1996. Coconut genetic resources. Available from the URL:
https://bioversityinternational.org/uploads/tx_news/Coconut_genetic_resources_1112.pdf
A survivor of an old traditional landrace
In Tuvalu, a unique and remarkable genotype was discovered with striped fruits and
almost no husk. Mature fruits had only 10% husk, whereas most coconut varieties
possess 20 to 50% (35 % on average). Such a fruit quality is highly desirable for some
coconut uses. This combination with striping may indicate that this unique palm might be
a survivor of an old traditional
landrace. A few other palms in the
same field also had striped fruits, with
good but less exceptional fruit quality.
Embryos were taken from these palms
and sent to the Papua New Guinea
genebank via the Fiji SPC lab, but they
all died due to high contamination and
low rooting rates. Farmers and
agricultural officers had been advised
to multiply the best palm locally. As a
result of both the cross-pollination habit
of the palm and the short duration of
the project, researchers do not know if "Lady coconut" variety in the Nui Island, Tuvalu
the farmers succeeded in true-to-type archipelago, with stripped fruits and very low content
reproduction. of husk. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
In the case of coconut, it is indeed challenging to collect and use individual palms
having favourable traits. Twelve to 15 years are needed between discovering rare
palms with favourable traits in farmers’ fields and creating a population usable by
breeders. When such palms are found, researchers generally succeed in collecting 2 to
20 seednuts or embryos and not all of these will germinate. As many coconut varieties
are mainly cross-pollinated, hardly any of this progeny will reproduce the targeted
characteristics. Those that do reproduce will come mainly from selfing, which
generally induces a strong inbreeding depression on yields. If lucky, a few targeted
progenies will be available in the ex situ collection six to seven years later. In this event,
another generation will be needed to breed and multiply this progeny. Pollen can also
be collected but this is rarely done by surveyors. The lifespan of pollen in natural
conditions is no more than five days. Hence pollen collected in farmer’s field would
need to be immediately cryopreserved.
The early international surveys were based on rather specific objectives such as:
tolerance to Lethal Yellowing Disease (LYD) conducted by Jamaica and Tanzania, or
searching for varieties with large fruits conducted by Côte d’Ivoire, and so forth.
Thereafter, more systematic surveys based on geographical grids and/or participative
approaches were launched, including in the Philippines and in Vanuatu. According to
Pernes (1984), the best germplasm collecting programmes are carried out in two stages:
an initial exploration and preliminary survey is conducted and used for planning a
second, more systematic campaign. Such a two-step programme was conducted in
Mexico. Fruit analyses were first realized in 47 locations, and collecting was then
carried out in only 19 locations, mainly on the Pacific coast, where the greatest fruit
variability was found (Zizumbo-Villarreal et al. 1993). However, restricted budgets

seldom permit conducting such two-step surveys.
COGENT recently analysed the extent of coconut conservation at country-level.
Accessions conserved in ex situ collections come from 44 countries and territories.
According the FAO, they are 92 coconut producing countries and territories (CPCT), so
47 CPCT (51%) are not yet represented23 in the germplasm conserved in the
24 COGENT ex situ collections.
Ratios between the area under coconut and the number of accessions conserved ex situ
were calculated. On average, this index is 84 accessions per million hectares, as shown
in Table 2.4. At the regional level, this collecting index varies from 64 (in Africa) to
282 (in the Pacific Ocean) per million hectares of coconut plantation.
Table 2.4. Collecting index by region (number of accessions conserved in ex situ collections per million
hectares).
Region Harvested area* Number of Collecting index

(Million hectares) accessions in (Using areas data
ex situ collections from FAO*)
Asia 9.7 721 74
America and the Caribbean 0.6 45 75
Africa 1.1 70 64
Pacific Ocean 0.6 169 282
Global 12.0 1 005 84
* FAOSTAT data for year 2014.
The calculated index is based on the assumption that data is representative. Some
countries with important coconut production have quite a low collecting index, such
as Mozambique (12), Ghana (17), India (29) and The Philippines (37). On the contrary,
those countries devoting more effort to coconut germplasm collecting have higher
collecting indices: Bangladesh (977), Malaysia (626), Fiji (366) and Sri Lanka (306).
Most of the coconut genebanks have plans for collecting germplasm. They are mainly
planning to collect materials from farmers’ fields in their own countries. For instance,
in Kenya some new high yielding accessions of Dwarf-type and Tall-type varieties
have recently been collected from farmers’ fields. But there is no information
regularly collected and gathered at the COGENT Secretariat for the moment on this
important activity.
23This includes eight COGENT countries namely, by importance of cultivated surface: Myanmar, Venezuela, Colombia, Haiti,
Costa Rica, Honduras, Cook Islands, and Oman.
Additional collecting is strongly encouraged and is still in demand by 87% of the

network genebank curators (based on 2014 COGENT survey) since:
• Most COGENT experts and curators estimate that not more than a third of the
existing useful diversity has been adequately transferred to ex situ collections;
• In some countries and regions, diversity is disappearing from farmers’ fields as a
result of drastic social changes, urban pressure, lethal diseases, rising sea-levels and
other hazards linked to climate change;
• Diversity, such as that embracing Compact Dwarfs, is needed for immediate use
and is not available from the existing collections.
2.3.5. Ex situ collection management

Coconut genebanks from COGENT member-
countries, in addition to collecting and conserving
genetic diversity within their jurisdiction, also have a
responsibility to curate the collection to an
internationally acceptable level. This entails
maintaining the collection, safeguarding it from
genetic erosion, regenerating accessions using
controlled pollination or by re-collecting seeds from
the original source (if that is cheaper and still
feasible), characterizing the collection, documenting
and sharing information so that the accessions can be
utilized, and sharing the genetic resources to support
coconut-breeding programmes worldwide.
All the institutions surveyed in 2013 24 reported that
coconut accessions were maintained only in field
collections. Within a country, all the locations Nut labelling. (RL Rivera, PCA)
devoted to coconut ex situ conservation are more
frequently (72%) under the same national institution. The average number of
conservation sites per country is 2.8 for the 14 countries which provided information.
Genebanks’ teams do carry out field maintenance and labelling, although 40% of the
collections reported inadequate financial resources to support routine operations and
maintenance. The genebank survey demonstrated that the level of collection
management varies widely depending on the country and the resources available.
Excepting Brazil and India, it seems that genebanks do not use irrigation facilities.
Many genebanks do not systematically fertilize the palms. Annual fruit yields per
palm vary from 55 to 147 according to genebanks, with an average value of 80. India
reports annual commercial nut yields as high as 400 per palm. Intercropping is
practiced in only a third of ex situ coconut collections. For instance, in Papua New
24 See Section 1.3 and Annex 6 for detailed information on the survey conducted in 2013 by COGENT Secretariat.
Guinea, at the Stewart research centre, the coconut genebank is intercropped with
cocoa. The Stewart research centre also manages a cocoa field genebank but, although
in the same plantation, this genebank is not located in the same fields as the coconut
collection. In India, at CPCRI Kasaragod, some of the old coconut germplasm
plantations are intercropped. Within the coconut genebanks, crops are generally
intercropped for demonstration or research purposes, or for increasing income.
Plantations are generally designed only for the conservation of coconut genetic
resources and not for conservation of other crops.
Most of the collections do not have post-entry quarantine facilities and do not carry out
systematic virus and phytoplasma indexing. There is no information on the business
models of these structures so it is impossible to know today if they can be cost-effective
or, at least, cost-efficient. Similarly, there are no studies on the social, cultural and
environmental impacts and nor on the ecosystem services these collections account for.
2.3.6 Germplasm identification, characterization and evaluation

Characterization according to standard descriptors is carried out on a routine basis in
about 60% of the collections and occasionally in most of them. All genebanks generate
some degree of evaluation and/or characterization data for their accessions.
Evaluation data comes primarily in the form of duration to planting and flowering,
production of fruits and bunches, fruit component analysis and disease tolerance. In
some genebanks, fruit theft disrupts yield evaluation.
The coconut palm is a polymorphous plant
whose appearance varies considerably
depending on the soil, climate and time of
year 25. Genebanks differ widely regarding
which data are regularly recorded,
occasionally recorded or not recorded at
all, and as to the duration of observation.
For instance, in Côte d’Ivoire and Vanuatu,
fruit analysis data available in the CGRD
Marc Delorme Coconut Research Centre, database are averaged over four years of
Côte d'Ivoire. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD) observation. Most of data from the
international genebank in India come from
a unique harvest of fruits. In the Indian ICG, morphological growth characters are
recorded annually on the juvenile palms as well as period to inflorescence initiation.
The annual yield is computed from their fruit-harvest records
Misidentification of palms within a genebank arising from errors in establishment is a
significant problem. In 2011, DNA fingerprinting using microsatellites or simple
sequence repeats (SSR) markers was introduced for checking the pedigrees of
25At the outset, a coconut palm often produces a few larger and rounder fruits than those it will produce later. Once mature, fruit
production often follows discontinuous rythms, especially for dwarf cultivars cultivated under average management. A coconut
loaded with more than 200 nuts may produce fewer than 10 nuts the following year.
accessions conserved ex situ 26. The first studies were conducted on progenies obtained
by using controlled hand-pollination in India and Côte d’Ivoire, countries which both
are hosting international coconut collections. Such misidentifications are caused by
deviations from the standard protocol of controlled hand-pollination. As well as
inadequate isolation, other errors can occur at every stage, from pollen handling to
nursery management and field establishment or recording planting data. Current
practices therefore need to be reviewed and improved. Lack of fidelity within
collections can result in conservation of useless material and errors being propagated
through germplasm transfers around the world.
The majority of collections carry out screening for pest and disease resistance. This
reflects the objectives of the collections and the key traits of interest for breeding.
However systematic evaluation of ex situ collections for such important traits has only
been partially achieved. Uptake of accessions in breeding programmes has been
restricted. The main limiting factors mentioned by the collection curators for the
germplasm to be used in breeding are: 1) constraints in accessing materials (quarantine
and policies) 2) lack of precise information and knowledge (particularly evaluation) on
the material, 3) dearth of breeding programmes and breeders and 4) lack of funding
for research and breeding programmes.
Characterization using molecular markers is not routinely carried out. This may be
due to inadequate resources and facilities, or to the fact that such an evaluation does
not appear as a priority to curators.
2.3.7 Safety duplication of germplasm

When germplasm is not duplicated in a separate and distant location, accessions are
further threatened by natural and anthropogenic disasters. Coconut genebanks do not
have intentional safety-duplication through a formal agreement with another institute,
outside of the country. Although this duplication is a key aspect in FAO genebank
standards, carefully elaborated for international genebanks, the MOA signed with any
coconut international genebank does not mention such duplication. The only case
where duplication is considered in these documents is the clause relative to
“emergency” cited in section 2.3.2.
For COGENT curators, the lack of safety-duplication agreements with other institutes
is caused by limited funding and by a lack of international and national policies for the
conservation of coconut genetic resources. Furthermore, pests/diseases are an
increasingly serious impediment to the overall welfare of the collections, resulting in
high levels of genetic erosion and severely constraining the ability to safely transfer
germplasm.
The 24 COGENT genebanks referenced in CGRD conserve numerous accessions,
which prove useful to their national programme. Genebanks will continue such vital
26 Basically, this consists of selecting at random a subset of the female and male parents and of analysing DNA from parent
palms and their progenies. This technique can be only used when the precise pedigree of each palm planted is safely recorded,
and when the progenies are obtained by crossing parent palms one by one, and not by mixing pollen from several male parents.
Less than 20% of COGENT genebanks presently meet these two conditions.
conservation work, although using a network approach is critical to such conservation

at the global level.
At present, some cultivars are found only in 1 genebank while some other cultivars are
conserved in more than 15 countries. According to the CGRD, among the 338 living
cultivars conserved in COGENT ex situ genebanks, 269 are conserved in only 1
country. A further 25 cultivars are conserved in 2 genebanks. Another 44 cultivars are
conserved in at least 3 genebanks.
The analysis presented hereunder aims to assess the global efficiency of the present ex
situ conservation system (sensu stricto). The information in the CGRD provides a
crucial global overview. As illustrated in Table 2.5, only a third of the palms referenced
in CGRD can be considered as really effective for conservation of the species at the
global level.
There are 1,760 coconut accessions registered in the CGRD, totalling 144,559 palms
referenced as alive and covering about 900 ha. When removing the accessions which
have been already cut (because already regenerated or for another reason), and those
for which no number of palms have been reported27, there remain 1,374 accessions
with an average of 105 living palms per accession.
Table 2.5. Analysis of accessions for global efficiency of conservation (Analysis carried out in 2013).
Level of Description Total number Total number of Palms per
analysis of “globally useful” “globally useful” accessions
accessions palms
1 All living palms 1374 144,559 105
2 Excluding over representation due 1374 65,460 48
to excessive accession sizes:
- over 96 palms for Tall-types
- over 45 palms for Dwarf-types
3 Excluding (2) and cultivars 987 53,647 54
duplicated in the same genebank
4 Excluding (2),(3) and limiting the 857 47,816 56
conservation of cultivars at no more
than 3 replications worldwide
Some accessions registered in the CGRD have a number of living palms which is too
large for conservation purposes. For instance, the highest accession size was recorded
on an accession of Malayan Yellow Dwarf in Tanzania with 6,400 palms; this rather
coincides with a full seed garden and not with an accession planted for conservation. So
it is important to differentiate between the numbers of palms currently registered in the
27There are 153 old accessions removed from the fields with 0 as accession size; and more than 153 accessions do not have a
recorded size (data not sent by curators).
database, and the numbers of palms really useful for conservation purposes. The
recommended sample size for an accession ranges from 72 to 9628 palms for
heterogeneous, allogamous Tall populations, and 45 palms for autogamous,
homogeneous Dwarfs.
A survey 29 conducted by the COGENT Secretariat in 2014 and 2015 among the
39 country members received a 49% response. Seventy-nine percent of the
24 genebanks (national + international) and 4 out of the 5 ICGs replied. This survey
established that among the 19 genebanks which replied, 80% of survey respondents
agreed that a backup should be applied to a selected set of priority cultivars, chosen to
represent global diversity. Not every cultivar would be secured, although every
existing cultivar would be represented in the priority set by at least one cultivar with a
very similar gene pool.
600
Viet Nam
Vanuatu
500
150 Tanzania
Sri Lanka
400 Philippines
15
95
Papua New Guinea
300 Nigeria
250 Mexico
200 Malaysia
300 50 India
60 Haiti
100
50 110 120 Fiji
21
22 15
8
0 Cote d'Ivoire
AIO LAC SEA South Asia SP Brazil
and Middle
East
Figure 2.4. Hectares currently devoted to the genebanks (concerns 19 genebanks out of the 24)
Sixty percent of respondents estimate that support from the multilateral system should
be provided for a priority subset of the extant accessions proven to be distinct, based
on phenotypic observations. Due consideration should be given to the geographic
repartition of the origins of priority accession (to maximize genetic diversity).
28 96 palms per accession of Tall-types were considered for the present calculations.
29 See the results of the survey at http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/StrategyCOGENT_MadangApr2015.pdf
Accessions of high agronomic or market quality values for the country would be
funded, irrespective of whether they are sufficiently represented elsewhere or not.
Thus, it seems important to distinguish between what is needed at country level and
what is needed sensu stricto for conservation of the species at global level. Most of the
genebanks are interested in acquiring the same set of well-known, well-performing
and representative varieties. Indeed, this is useful for their national breeders, as it
serves as a core collection and basic material for breeding programmes. But when
conservation is assessed at the global level, there is no need for the same germplasm to
be conserved in more than two (according to FAO international standards) or three
genebanks (according to some coconut genebank curators) 30.
2.4 Genetic resources information management

In a perennial plant such as the coconut palm, the constraints linked to its biology
increase the cost of scientific progress and worsen the consequences of possible errors.
Consequently, coconut research and conservation not only need high financial and
human resource investments but also a secure and sustainable information
management system 31.
2.4.1 Local genebank management systems
In various countries, many years of field observation data have been lost as a result of
different types of calamities and constraints, such as fires, floods, revolutions, staff
turnover or simply the lack of funds leading to termination of the breeding
programme. In some cases, due to the very long period between the start and
completion of a breeding project, the data from initial years of bearing have been lost
even before full project completion. High staff turnover has fortunately now reduced
with greater concomitant stability and sustainability.
Data on characterization of accessions can be lost. This was recently the case in some
COGENT member-countries. Acting
on the advice of the COGENT
secretariat, in 2013 and 2014 CRP-FTA
and Bioversity International funded
three internships (two MScs and a
PhD) to assist researchers in cleaning,
reconciling, improving and analysing
the available data on genebanks and
genetic experiments.
Some genebank curators often use
home-made software or Microsoft Tagging palms. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
Excel to store their data, which are
30 Except for some varieties serving as international reference controls. For Dwarf-types, the Malayan Yellow Dwarf; for Tall-
types, there is no consensus yet.
31A coconut accession is presently kept in the field during 30 years, although most of the characterization is conducted during
the first 12 years. A genetic experiment frequently covers an area of 8 hectares for a minimum period of at least 12 years. A
coconut breeder often analyses the experiments established by his/her predecessor and establishes experiments for his/her
successors.
generally scattered in many small files not all having the same structure. This put the
data at further risk, because over time such bespoke software becomes obsolete, or it
becomes difficult to understand the particular structure of the numerous small files
used for storing the data.
The Coconut Data Management software (CDM) was created in 1996 by CIRAD for
managing palm-by-palm data 32. This software is presently used in only three
COGENT member-countries. Its main advantage is an efficient graphic interface for
managing the identity of the palms. The coconut database managed with CDM
software in Côte d’Ivoire is the largest and most comprehensive existing database in
any COGENT member-country. In October 2013, it contained 8.2 million observations
of fruit and bunch harvests conducted on 90,500 palms during 47 years (from 1967 to
2013); and millions of other observations of standard descriptors and fruit component
analysis.
2.4.2 Managing international coconut databases
Information on morphology, evaluation, origins and locations of accessions conserved
ex situ is available in the CGRD 33 which was developed between 1994 and 2013 by
CIRAD. Until 2002, the project was funded by the French Government via Bioversity
International and implemented in collaboration with COGENT member-countries.
In 1999, the COGENT Steering Committee took the decision to release the CGRD into
the public domain, in order to disseminate this useful information and create public
awareness about coconut genetic resources 34. Since 2002 no regular funding has been
available to manage this database.
In the CGRD, data on coconut cultivars are divided in two main components:
(1) passport data and (2) characterization and evaluation data. It takes into account the
standardized descriptors for the coconut palms and the methods detailed in the
STANTECH manual. As indicated elsewhere in this Strategy, the CGRD is a crucial
strategic tool for three reasons:
• It provides the only means to assess coconut conservation at the global level. Most
strategic analyses presented in this Strategy rely on the content of CGRD;
• It provides access to information on conserved germplasm for all users. Curators
can be informed of what exists in other genebanks and request germplasm
transfers. Breeders can search for and identify the accessions they would like to
include in their plans;
• It serves as a data repository, to back up paper documents containing historical
data of accessions in the event of loss.
32
Version 3 of CDM delivered in March 2000 is able to manage the palm identification traits along with data on observations
during the vegetative phase, leaf morphology, stem measurements and state of the palms. It is possible to execute powerful
queries on the database, to export data into external file, and to make statistical analysis of widely used experimental designs.
The software was introduced in a COGENT training course held in Montpellier in 2002.
33 Available from URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/cgrd-version-6-0-test-version
34 Source: minutes of the 8th COGENT Steering Committee held in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, 20 -22 September 1999.
The CGRD software is too technical to be used by farmers and some other
stakeholders from the coconut value chain. In order to make germplasm information
available in the most user-friendly way, two initiatives were developed:
• A catalogue of conserved germplasm compiled and made available online.
Coconut varieties and populations conserved ex situ are each described by a page
of text and a page of standardized pictures 35;
• To aim at an online publication of the coconut data available in CGRD accessible in
a wider database system to be developed by Bioversity International for three
commodities - Musa, cocoa and coconut. This germplasm Information System,
called COCOGIS 36 for coconut, could provide user-friendly access to coconut
germplasm data, with the possibility of visualizing germplasm information
(passport and characterization standard descriptors) on geo-referenced maps and
satellite images. However, development has been suspended due to lack of
resources.
The TropGENE database, created and hosted by CIRAD, manages genomic and
phenotypic information about many tropical crops 37. TropGENE contains coconut
molecular markers and quality trait loci (QTL) data as well as genotyping studies. It is
not envisioned to include other types of information (such as phenotypic data) because
these are already available within CGRD. The data for genotyping studies included in
TropGENE have been generated by CIRAD and by institutions from COGENT
country-members, using 1,293 palms from 160 accessions collected in 34 countries.
Genesys is a global multicrop portal supported by the Secretariat of the Treaty. The
Genesys portal aims to provide users with improved access to the millions of
accessions held in genebanks worldwide. The only coconut accessions referenced in
Genesys are 18 from the USA and 147 from Côte d’Ivoire. It is expected that
COGENT data will be included at some point, but this operation requires the
signature of bilateral data sharing agreements between each COGENT country
member and the repository of the data in order to establish the intellectual property
rights of each party.
Obtaining data from curators can be challenging. More than 80% of the data presently
available on the CGRD database was obtained when COGENT experts went to the
countries and worked directly with curators and their teams. Thanks to CIRAD
(Chantal Hamelin, UMR AGAP) and to the three-month Bioversity/COGENT project
“Upgrading international coconut genebanks and evaluating accessions” funded by
the Trust, CGRD software has recently been updated and improved. Two upgraded
versions were released in 2012 and 2013 respectively. More recently, in May 2016,
35 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/conserved-germplasm-catalogue

36 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/cocogis-version-1-0-test-version
37 See URL: http://tropgenedb.cirad.fr/tropgene/JSP/interface.jsp?module=COCONUT
Version 6.1.2 was released on the COGENT website 38 along with an updated user
manual in a downloadable pdf format.
At present, none of the COGENT databases available online includes the scientific
literature relevant to coconut genetic resources. Such a database is maintained on a
voluntary basis by Dr Hugh Harries as the Coconut Time line 39.
2.4.3 Geographic Information Systems.

A Geographic Information System (GIS) may be defined as “a database management
system which can simultaneously handle spatial data in graphic form, i.e. maps, or the
‘where’, and related, logically-attached, non-spatial, attribute data, i.e. the labels and
descriptions of the different areas within a map, or the ‘what’.“(Guarino et al. 2002).
GIS technology has been increasingly used in genetic resources studies and
conservation. For example, mapping collecting sites has allowed visualizing and
extrapolating the distribution of targeted species, as well as locating areas of higher
genetic diversity, and areas that are under-represented in conservation or threatened
with genetic erosion or global change. Thus, in Vietnam, GIS technology has been used
to manage a database of coconut palms selected in farmers’ fields, for producing
planting material, and to evaluate the effects of climate change in the Mekong Basin
through the National Coconut Project led by the Institute for Oils and Oil Plants.
Between 1995 and 2012, coconut researchers from 13 COGENT countries were trained
for inputting data into the CGRD, subsequently allowing geo-referencing 60% of the
CGRD accessions. In 2013, CIRAD collaborated with COGENT and the CRP-FTA to
assess this and other information, and to map global coconut distribution. The
localization of all collection sites was systematically checked, significantly improving
the quality of COGENT data. Coconut global distribution has been studied using
Ecoclimatic Niche Modelling. The resulting maps provide a clearer picture of potential
coconut cultivation areas (Figure 2.5), contribute to our understanding of coconut
dispersal, and allow a better identification of collecting gaps (under-represented in
international collections, see Figure 2.6). This new tool will also be useful for
anticipating the effects of climate and sea-level changes. From this perspective, an
effort has been recently undertaken to map regions of particular genetic diversity.
Figure 2.5 presents climate suitability for coconut. Dark green indicates marginal areas,
while light green and warmer colours are used for increasingly favourable areas.
Highly favourable climates are best represented in the Pacific and Indian oceanic
regions (Southern Asia to Australia, Eastern Africa and Madagascar, and myriad small
tropical islands), corresponding to the natural distribution of the species (Batugal et al.
2005b). Favourable climates are also found in the Gulf of Guinea, the coasts of eastern
Brazil and the Guyanas, in all the Caribbean, (where the coconut was introduced in
historic times), and in the Pacific coasts of Colombia and Panamá (where the coconut
was introduced in Pre-Columbian times).
38 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/cgrd-version-6-0-test-version

39 See URL : http://cocos.arecaceae.com/
The climatic model also suggests some inland areas, as in the basins of the Amazon
and the Congo, where coconut is rare, or only recently introduced.
Figure 2.5. Ecoclimatic niche model for coconuts

Figure 2.6. Coconut collecting gaps

Figure 2.6 (former page) presents the geographic origin of coconut germplasm held in
the international collections under the aegis of COGENT. The Indo-Pacific region has
been relatively densely sampled. However, there are important collecting gaps along
the northern coasts of Australia, several areas in Indonesia, northern Viet Nam, the
Indian coast, southern Somalia, and eastern Madagascar. Western Africa has been
poorly explored, particularly south of the Gulf of Guinea. Similarly, in the neotropics,
germplasm from the Caribbean coasts, Gulf of Mexico, northern South America and
the equatorial Pacific are very poorly represented in the international collections.
Remote sensing analysis is the most cost-effective way to precisely map cultivated
areas and inventory coconut resources. Coconut palms are easily recognisable in
satellite images and can be counted with adapted field controls. Such an approach
was developed in French Polynesia (Teina et al. 2008, Desmier et al. 2011) and in
Kiribati (Forstreuter 2013). With the support of GIZ the same resource-mapping
exercise is in progress for Tuvalu 40. Multi-temporal aerial photographs and high-
resolution satellite images are also used to assess
shoreline changes, coastal erosion and flooding,
especially in low atolls such as Tuvalu (Ford 2013)
and Marshall Islands (Duvat et al. 2013).
In 2008, a process-based dynamic simulation model
for coconut was developed and validated for
different agro-climatic zones of India (Kumar et al.
2008). This model is being used to anticipate the
impact of climate change (Kumar et al. 2013).
Simulation analysis has indicated that agronomic
adaptations such as soil-moisture conservation,
summer irrigation, drip irrigation, and fertilizer
application may not only minimise losses in the
majority of coconut growing regions, but may also
substantially improve productivity. In India, Figure 2.7. Future coconut
implementing such strategies could increase productivity under different models of
productivity by 25–32% by 2050 to 2080, depending climate change. (from Kumar and
on the climate scenario (Figure 2.7). Aggarwal 2013)
2.5 Utilization of coconut genetic resources

As mentioned earlier, the future of the world coconut economy depends significantly
on the conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources. Compared to other crops,
there has been limited investment in scientific research aimed at improving coconut
productivity and quality, and only a limited number of professional breeders are
involved in coconut breeding.
Although evaluation of collections and farmers’ selections has shown wide variation
for yield, disease resistance and quality, most of the planting material used by farmers
40 Available from the URL: http://www.sopac.org/index.php/media-releases/1-latest-news/464-keynote-address-dr-russell-

howorth-2012-pacific-gisrs-conference
remains low yielding and highly susceptible to prevailing diseases and pests.
Furthermore, only a very few varieties have been selected for sensory quality aimed at
the specialty coconut market. This underscores the importance of germplasm
collections and their utilization by farmers, breeders and all stakeholders in the
coconut industry.
2.5.1 Planting material for farmers

Genebanks are repositories where biological material
is collected, stored, catalogued and made available for
redistribution. The main role of a genebank is to
provide safe and well known biological material to
breeders and researchers. However, ex situ coconut
collections are often mandated by their national
hosting institutions to also release conserved coconut
germplasm on demand to farmers and other private
users. This system works well for some Dwarf-type
varieties which reproduce naturally by selfing.
Affordable Dwarf seednuts from natural pollination
are effectively disseminated to farmers. Simple
genetic markers, such as emerging sprout colours,
allow discarding the few outcrossing palms at the
nursery stage.
This system does not work so well for allogamous Tall-
type varieties. In ex situ collections, accessions are
planted close together. The only way to reproduce
true-to-type Tall populations from the genebank is to Beach seller of tender
conduct controlled pollinations with bagging. coconuts in Côte d’Ivoire.
(R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
Producing a batch of the 200 seednuts needed to plant
one hectare will demand a one and half year preparation, costing about US$2,000 in an
ex situ coconut collection. The cost is far less in a dedicated seed garden. The planting
design of the coconut ex situ genebanks today is not convenient to produce affordable
seednuts for the farmers. Only scientists with healthy research budgets can afford to
order Tall-type varieties from classical coconut genebanks. The majority of farmers
and other users cannot afford it.
Some institutions managing ex situ coconut collections are involved in mass seednuts
production for commercial distribution at the request of their Government. From the
ex situ collections, seed gardens are set up for mass-producing a few coconut varieties
which are released to farmers. For a single variety (Dwarf, Tall, Semi-Tall and
composite), the seednuts are produced by open pollination in isolated fields to avoid
crossbreeding with other varieties.
For hybrid production:
• A first technique consists in inter-planting two varieties in the same isolated field
and removing the male flowers on one variety, which will produce hybrid
seednuts;
• A second technique consists in planting two separate isolated fields. The largest
field is planted with only a variety used as female parent, while the other field is
planted with another variety used as male parent 41. In the first field, all
inflorescences are emasculated. In the second field, male flowers are harvested and
processed in order to obtain big quantities of pollen. Then a mixture of talc and
pollen is dusted on the emasculated inflorescences in the first field.
Such seed gardens now exist in several coconut-growing countries. They are managed
directly by a local genebank curator or by another service within the same institution 42.
They can also be run by a private company. Generally, one to four coconut varieties
are released on a large scale to farmers by genebank-operated seed-gardens. Producing
and transporting seednuts and seedlings is expensive. At least a year and half is
needed between pollination and field-planting a seedling. There is a time limit once
the seednut has germinated (usually within a few months of harvest) and the seedlings
are best planted out during the rainy season. A one-hectare Dwarf seed garden
(producing Dwarf x Tall hybrids) requires on average the equivalent of 1.1 full time
field workers (R. Bourdeix, personal communication 43) and generally produces
16, 000 seednuts per year (Dominguez et al. 2003) when managed without irrigation.
In many small countries, the coconut seednuts made available by breeders to farmers
remain extremely scarce. Because of the cost of operations, Government agricultural
services often promote a single variety, such as a Dwarf x Tall hybrid, which is
presented as a ‘panacea’ to farmers. Unfortunately, it was observed that after a short
trial period, farmers often refuse to continue planting this material. Farmers prefer to
think and choose for themselves, and wish to choose from a range of varieties (when
this choice is offered to them, they generally choose to plant more than one coconut
variety in their fields (Bourdeix et al. 2016). India offers a case study regarding farmers’
attitudes to coconut hybrids, as summarised in the box on next page
In almost all cases, farmers have to pay for getting seednuts from national institutions
or private companies. According to the survey conducted in 2013, 80% of COGENT
representatives believe that the genebank and its associated seed gardens provide
good material to farmers, at affordable prices (87%) and farmers are not really
reluctant to pay for new coconut planting material (67%).
41The field used for harvesting pollen is often an accession conserved in the genebank. This second technique needs more
equipment and manpower (workers and a laboratory to process the pollen). It is more flexible because it allows successively
producing hybrids with the same female parent but with different male parents.
42 According to the survey conducted in 2013, genebanks and seed gardens are under the same institution at 80%; for 47%,
they are located in the same place.
43 Based on figures from Côte d’Ivoire genebank: emasculation 0.76 man/ha; pollination 0.14 man/ha; other tasks: 0.2 man/ha.
So the yield of a Dwarf coconut seed garden is about 8.5 seednuts per hour of work. If irrigation and high level of fertilization are
applied, the yields could reach 250 seednuts per palm per year, 50,000 seednuts per hectare per year, and 27 seednuts per
hour of work. Seednuts are often sold at least half a dollar each (and often much more), it give a gross income of at least
US$13 per hour of work which represents an opportunity for many farmers and private companies.
Plate 2.2
Coconut hybrids in India: views from a private company
For decades in India, unscrupulous middlemen and

petty breeders sold so-called ‘improved’ and ‘hybrid’
coconut seedlings to farmers, which have not
performed well. Thus, these farmers never saw true
hybrids in production. Consequently they lost
confidence in private suppliers and came to prefer
Government nurseries. They currently have no
special preference for hybrids. Yet it is unwise to
presume that the standards in Government nurseries
are much better. However the Government has no
personal stake in the sale, so until now the farmers
have put more faith in such Government nurseries.
Now there is a change happening. The real situation
reveals the potential of hybrid coconut seedlings for
increasing returns for the farmer. Genuine, field-
tested hybrids can significantly increase profits. A
private Indian company had absorbed costs of
Coconut in Indian market. investment for development over 20 years before its
(R. Bourdeix, CIRAD) hybrid seedlings became accepted as highly
productive hybrids for copra.
Giving free hybrid seedlings to village leaders, organizing frequent meetings with farmers,
and establishing model farms in coconut growing areas, has taken many years to change
farmers opinions. After 21 years, this private company has recently made its first profit and
now their hybrid seedlings sales are growing. In practice they have proved the superior
performance of their hybrid. The farmers with direct or indirect knowledge know it and spread
the information. Today in India, the only reasons farmers do not buy hybrids are either lack of
awareness or lack of supply. In virtually all other types of agriculture and livestock farming,
hybrids have been the main solution for increased productivity. Food production around the
world would never have increased as it has, without the advent of hybridization.
In this context, collecting appropriate germplasm becomes even more urgent and necessary.
Only when germplasm is easily available to all governments and breeders around the world
will better hybrids be researched and produced. The cost of producing and maintaining
cultivars that are pure is very high, because selfing or inter-se hand pollination is a necessity.
But it is not really so high when compared with the potential value of that stock.
Table 2.6 gives the typology of varieties that are presently used by and released to
farmers. In the case of the coconut palm, the term “hybrid” is defined in its widest
sense as a cross between two structures belonging to different varieties. The term
“structure” here means a population, a family, or an individual (and is not related to
the kind of varieties that are being produced through crosses of inbred varieties as in
the case of maize).
Table 2.6. Typology of coconut varieties classified by importance of use.

Type of varieties Countries using Main characteristics Main reproductive traits
these varieties at
large scale
Tall (allogamous) Everywhere Multiple uses, late bearing, and Reproduced by farmers but
resilient, strong vertical growth naturally mix when distinct varieties
generally low or medium bearing but are planted close together.
some varieties perform very well.
Dwarfs Philippines Precocious, slow vertical growth, less Easily reproduced true to type by
(autogamous- Brazil, Thailand resilient than Tall, sensitive to cyclones. farmers because of autogamy and
Malayan type) Everywhere in Used mainly for coconut water and availability of simple genetic
gardens domestic consumption. Very high yields markers.
obtained with irrigation and high
fertilization level in Brazil.
Dwarf x Tall Almost everywhere Multiple uses, more precocious than Seednuts harvested of these
and Tall x Dwarf Talls, intermediate vertical growth, hybrids do not give the same
hybrids heavy bearing but needs care to reach variety. Cannot be reproduced by
its full potential. farmers at the farm level.
Synthetic varieties Philippines Multiple uses, more precocious than Can be reproduced by farmers.
(CCVs) Talls but less than Dwarf x Tall hybrids,
strong vertical growth, heavy bearing
but less than the best Tall x Tall
hybrids.
Dwarf x Tall Côte d’Ivoire Multiple uses, more precocious than Seednuts harvested of these
Improved hybrids Vanuatu Talls, intermediate vertical growth, hybrids do not give the same
producing 10 to 25% more than the first hybrids. Cannot be reproduced by
generation of hybrid, but need care to farmers at the farm level.
reach its full potential.
Tall x Tall hybrids Vanuatu Multiple uses, more precocious than Seednuts harvested of these
Thailand Talls but less than Dwarf x Tall hybrids, hybrids do not give the same
strong vertical growth, heavy bearing. hybrids. Difficult to produce
because seed gardens grow fast.
Cannot be reproduced by farmers
at the farm level.
Intermediate types Sri Lanka “King coconut” variety in Sri Lanka and Autogamous Semi-tall, reproduced
between Tall and Oman Oman: late producing, not heavy true to type by farmers and
Dwarf India bearing, but traditional variety of great gardeners.
cultural importance strongly
appreciated for coconut water.
Komadan variety in India.
Dwarf (Allogamous In gardens of Some are less precocious than other Reproduced almost true to type by
compact) Polynesia and Dwarfs. Many promising varieties are farmers using simple genetic
Melanesia not yet described and not transferred to markers.
ex situ collections.
Dwarf x Dwarf None Precocious, heavy bearing, less Seednuts harvested of these
hybrids resilient than Talls but more than hybrids do not give the same
Dwarfs. Tested by breeders, not variety, but it remains Dwarf types.
released to farmers but will be Cannot be reproduced by the
important in the future farmers at the farm level.
The term “improved hybrid” also refers to a cross between two structures belonging to
different varieties but at least one of these structures being improved by progeny tests
for combining ability. One more generation of experiments is needed to evolve from
hybrids to improved hybrids.
2.5.2 Involvement of farmers in breeding and seednut production

Farmers seem to produce more than 85% of the planting material from the varieties
they select and (perhaps sometimes unconsciously) conserve germplasm (Bourdeix et
al. 2016). Scientists are quite well aware that the present capacity of their institutions
for seednut production does not adequately meet farmers’ needs, and/or that farmers
are sometimes reluctant to plant the advanced genetic material produced by
“scientific” coconut breeders. It has been demonstrated that the preferences of many
farmers are not only linked with the agronomic value of the planting material, but also
that farmers’ choices take account of the qualities of planting material as a cultural
entity within a human community (Bourdeix et al. 2008).
Many farmers hold some kind of “private
collection”, containing three to ten cultivars
or populations, most of them conserved with
a low number of palms, and planted together
in the same fields. Indeed, for farmers,
creating coconut varieties is not an easy task.
It requires monitoring over several years. Tall
coconut palms often flower after six years,
which is long enough to risk forgetting where
the seednut came from. In most situations,
farmers cannot prevent coconut varieties
from mixing. A coconut palm undergoes
uncontrolled crossing with any of its
neighbours, so mostly the sought-for
characteristics are not found in the progeny.
The more the coconut palm is productive, the
more it will reproduce by selfing (pollination
between successive inflorescences), so the
best palms may not give systematically the Woman farmer next to a Dwarf palm
(R. Bourdeix, CIRAD)
best progenies because of strong inbreeding
depression.
Farmers’ knowledge regarding the coconut reproductive system and the use of genetic
markers such as germinating sprout colour are key factors for breeding purposes. Both
traditional and technical knowledge of farmers and other stakeholders regarding
coconut breeding and its reproductive system are insufficiently assessed. For instance,
in French Polynesia, at least 80% of farmers do not know that each coconut palm has
both female and male flowers. Many farmers’ communities are also losing the
traditional knowledge to cultivate and select coconut varieties and devote less time
than in the past to the management of their palms. A quite frequent trend is to
promote “local Tall varieties”. In some cases, what is now called a “local variety” is an
uncontrolled mixture of various traditional varieties and sometimes modern hybrids.

The “best palms” harvested for seednuts are often natural crosses between traditional
varieties, or crossed between traditional varieties and modern hybrids. Seednuts are
sometimes harvested on Tall-type palms planted very close to Dwarf x Tall hybrids, or
even directly on such hybrids.
Governments in many countries are promoting farmers’ organizations. Some countries
have tried to engage with such organizations and to strengthen their role and
efficiency in seednut production. The idea is for researchers to interact with farmers’
organizations using participatory approaches, and then to use both breeders’ and
farmers’ knowledge to educate trainers to help women and men farmers to improve
their breeding and seednut production, also in gender-responsive ways. Finally, such
interactions increase the knowledge of breeders about the real needs (including
gendered trait-preferences) of the farmers or private sector stakeholders and thus lead
to better breeding scheme’s programing, and more relevant outputs.
2.5.3 Past and contemporary coconut breeding

Coconut breeding programmes aim to improve yield, to develop varieties tolerant to
biotic and abiotic stress and well adapted to the main uses of the coconut palm
(Arunachalam and Rajesh 2008). As with most perennial crops, coconut breeding is
complex and takes a long time, yet despite this, important achievements have been
recorded.
Scientific research on coconut started in India in 1916 but many studies were
interrupted by world wars and by the 1929 economic crisis. (Ratnambal and Nair
1998). The first coconut hybrids created by a scientist were produced in Fiji in 1926, by
crossing the Malayan Red Dwarf (a classical Dwarf) with the Niu Leka Dwarf (a
Compact Dwarf) (Marechal 1928).
Traditional coconut varieties are classified in four types: Tall; two kinds of Dwarfs
(autogamous Malayan type and allogamous Compact type); and a few rare varieties
intermediate between Tall and Dwarf and called Semi-Tall. Coconut breeders have
tested crosses within and between most of these types.
The first “scientific” hybridizations between Dwarf and Tall coconut varieties were
initiated by Indian researchers (Patel 1938). However, recent study shows that Indian
farmers from Kerala have long been able to select natural hybrids within the progeny
of the Chowgat Orange Dwarf. They choose and value the rare seedlings with brown
sprouts in the progeny of the Orange Dwarf that otherwise has an orange sprouts due
to selfing (Bourdeix et al. 2008). Indian scientists very probably observed what farmers
did and then amplified their efforts with scientific research.
"Modern" coconut breeding only resumed after the Second World War, with the first
scientific surveys studying coconut diversity. From 1945 to 1960, numerous
hybridizations were produced thanks to the involvement of institutions like CPCRI
and IRHO with generally a low number of palms per progeny. Even when hybrids
displayed a high yield potential, the lack of reliable seednut production prevented
their distribution to farmers.
The development of mass production techniques for hybrid seednuts dates back to the
1970s. These techniques opened the way for distributing coconut hybrids at scale,
enabling many farmers to adopt them.
The first international meeting of coconut breeders was organized by Burotrop, GTZ
and IPGRI (now Bioversity) and hosted at Marc Delorme Research Station in Côte
d’Ivoire in 1994. The meeting aimed to create a connection between the existing
coconut breeding programmes around the world and to standardize the techniques
employed in coconut breeding (Batugal and Rao 1998, Santos et al. 1996). At the end of
the meeting, it was observed that most of the national breeding programmes preferred
to rely on their local cultivars rather than to introduce advanced varieties from the
largest breeding centres, such as the Marc Delorme research station in Côte d’Ivoire.
In 2001, COGENT supported the APCC in conducting a survey on farmers’ varietal
preferences in 10 coconut-producing countries. The results showed that: 1) social
facts are critical for explaining varietal preferences (Bourdeix et al. 2008); 2) although,
there is no universal hybrid, hybrids generally performed better than the Tall
traditional varieties under adequate rainfall and good soil conditions; and 3) farmers
had not focused exclusively on high yields but were also interested in other traits
such as robustness requiring low inputs and special characteristics for producing
high-value products.
Between 1999 and 2004, COGENT conducted a multi-location trial (CMT) involving
seven countries from Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean. This experiment,
funded by the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) compared the same six
promising hybrids for copra production, shipped from Côte d’Ivoire with hybrids and
traditional varieties produced locally. Sixteen coconut hybrids tested in this project
started to flower two and a half to three years after planting, compared with the five to
six years normally required for traditional Tall-type varieties to reach flowering stage.
Potential annual copra yield projections for the best hybrids was up to 5 t/ha at the
peak of production (10-12 years) compared to the 1t/ha generally produced by the
traditional cultivars (Batugal et al. 2005a). Exploitation of mutations has also been
considered, such as the breeding work on varieties known as Makapuno/Kopyor or
Aromatic (See box next page).
2.5.4 Breeding for yield increase

Coconut yield is expressed in different ways according to uses and markets. Until the
1990s, breeders mainly expressed yield in terms of tons of copra or oil per hectare.
Those focused on coconut water consider the number of fruits per hectare, or the water
volume per hectare. Sometimes yield is also expressed as the weight of whole fruits
per hectare, or quantity of toddy per palm.
Makapuno and Aromatic Green Dwarf: unique cultivars
Some examples illustrating the importance of coconut genetic diversity: a fruit from a
Makapuno palm pollinated by another variety will not have the soft and thick kernel specific
of Makapuno. A tender coconut from an Aromatic Green Dwarf but pollinated by another
variety will lose its special delightful fragrance. Observations conducted notably in Papua
New Guinea reveal a wide genetic diversity in fruit quality, which is extremely difficult to
capture. For instance, 10 to 20% of the fruits produced by some rare palms have tasty
kernels as crispy and tender as apples. In fact, as for Makapuno and Aromatic Green Dwarf,
the quality of the kernel and coconut water relies on the genotype of the pollen: the kernel
will be tender and crispy only when the mother-palm self-pollinates. This phenomenon
occurs less frequently for Tall varieties which are mainly pollinated by surrounding palms.
Most Dwarf varieties are homozygous and self-pollinating, so the three sets of
chromosomes in kernel and coconut water are almost identical.
Yield was the main breeding target in all locations unaffected by lethal diseases. Yield
improvement breeding strategies are either intra-varietal selection (also called mass
selection methods) or inter-varietal hybridization.
Mass selection methods, i.e. selecting the best palms within the best plots began to be
scientifically applied in the 1940s. All the research stations involved with coconut
breeding have used this mass selection method.
There are three variants of mass selection, differing according to the reproduction
system used: mass selection using open pollination; selfing 44; or intercrossing
(Bourdeix 1988). Positive mass selection using open pollination has been the most
practised, but with variable results 45. In the most favourable cases, the drastic selection
necessary to obtain a substantial improvement would considerably reduce the
potential of seednut production. One more generation of multiplication is needed to
multiply the best palms. Thus, it is better to use this generation to evaluate parent
palms not only from their own performance but also from their progeny’s
performance. In any event, breeding methods based on progeny tests within a variety
(intra population) have rarely been used, generally because the pedigree of the
progenies was not kept after planting. Pioneering work was conducted in Indonesia
where evaluation of open pollinated progenies of the Mapanget Tall (Tammes 1958)
started in 1926.
A list of hybrids tested by most coconut breeding centres was published in 1999
(Bourdeix 1999). From 1960 to 1999, about 400 hybrids between traditional cultivars
were evaluated. After 2000, the creation of new hybrids strongly decreased in favour of
44Selfing, also called self-pollination, induces a yield decline without appreciably increasing production homogeneity. In the most
favourable cases, the drastic selection necessary to obtain an improvement considerably reduces seednut production potential.
45 The main drawback of mass selection using open pollination is the unknown rate of selfing, which fluctuates according to
seasons and numerous other parameters. From a genetic point of view, this rate is important because selfing often induces
inbreeding depression in Tall-type cultivars. Efficiency of mass selection in the case of the coconut palm is hotly debated.
the evaluation of existing hybrids in a wider range of environments. A composite

variety was also created in the Philippines and disseminated among farmers.
The genetic progress achievable by crossing two by two traditional varieties appears to
be limited. Improvement of the best hybrids started in 1970, leading to a new generation
of hybrids producing 10 to 25% more that the initial hybrids between traditional
cultivars. The method is based on a half-sib family progeny test and requires
multiplication by selfing of parent palms. This demanding process was applied only in
Côte d’Ivoire and Vanuatu by planting experiments between 1970 and 1998.
Efforts were also initiated to conceptualize coconut breeding as a continuous process,
leading to regular and sustainable genetic progress. The method of recurrent reciprocal
breeding started to be applied in Côte d’Ivoire (Bourdeix 1991) but was stopped by the
political crisis in 2000.
2.5.5 Breeding for pest and disease resistance

Selection for pest and disease resistance in coconut populations has been one of the
primary activities of coconut breeders and pathologists. Fighting crop diseases has
proved challenging, for coconut, where pathogens often persist for 50 years. Efficient
control methods generally include reducing vector populations, eradicating the first
diseased palms, and adopting suitable tolerant varieties. Each of these components
appears to be insufficient to control the diseases individually, but together would
sometimes be capable of reducing its incidence to an economically manageable level.
The average effective lifespan of a gene for
disease resistance has been described as
only 10 to 15 years, and then the pathogen
generally overcomes the resistance. This
happened in Jamaica in the 1980s the
Malayan Yellow Dwarf (MYD) and its
hybrid with the Panama Tall (PNT) or
Maypan were widely used to replant LYD
affected regions. This strategy seemed
successful for the next 20 years, and then
LYD devastated the previously resistant
Diseased coconut leaflets in Mozambique. materials 46. Similar resistance breakdown
(M. Dollet, CIRAD)
could also occur where phytoplasma-
tolerant varieties are used, such as in Ghana, India, Mexico, Sri Lanka and Tanzania.
In the 1980s, Ghana imported many cultivars from the international genebank in Côte
d’Ivoire to test their resistance to local LYD phytoplasma strains. So far, the only
tolerant cultivars identified are the Sri Lanka Green Dwarf and the Vanuatu Tall, both
coming from countries were the Ghanaian phytoplasma does not exist. This clearly
illustrates the crucial value of conserving and using coconut genetic resources.
46Treatment through injection of a tetracycline-type antibiotic is efficient but its high cost and environmental effects prevent its
wide application.
Until the 1960s no coconut disease was apparent in Vanuatu. During a breeding
programme initiated in 1967, many foreign coconut varieties were planted in Espiritu
Santo Island. Within a few years, these imported varieties started to die. Coconut foliar
decay virus (CFDV) is a lethal disease which is endemic in Vanuatu. The local
populations known as 'Vanuatu Tall' (VTT) constitute the only cultivar that is fully
tolerant to CFDV. All introduced cultivars and hybrids were affected to different
degrees. Between 1967 and 2008 a conventional breeding programme was conducted
with the aim of creating hybrid planting-material combining CFDV tolerance with
improved copra yield and high copra weight per nut. This objective was finally
achieved by crossing the progeny of selfed palms of the 'Rennell Island Tall' (RIT)
cultivar, selected for large fruits and CFDV tolerance in field screening tests, with VTT,
improved by mass selection and inter-crossing (Labouisse et al. 2011).
In Colombia, the International Centre for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) has been
involved in research on Red Ring Disease (RRD) caused by a nematode,
Bursaphelenchus cocophilus, transmitted by the coconut weevil Rhynchophorus palmarum.
This disease complex usually kills over 80% of palms in affected areas along the
Colombian Pacific coast. A methodology for screening for resistance by inoculation of
seedlings under greenhouse conditions has been developed.
In Mexico, a second genetic improvement phase began in 2009, to develop LYD
resistance with three components:
1. Developing coconut varieties by self-pollination of three CMT hybrids: MATAG,
Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) x Tagnanan Tall; MRD x Vanuatu Tall (VTT); VTT x
Tagnanan Tall (TAGT); and PB121+ Malayan Yellow Dwarf x improved West
African. These progenies were evaluated from 2002 to 2011 in Tabasco for yield and
resistance to LYD;
2. Cloning open-pollinated progenies of the best MATAG hybrid and multiplication
by somatic embryogenesis. This step was also achieved;
3. Eleven coconut cultivars, (including Vanuatu Tall and Tagnanan Tall), were also
introduced from the International genebank in Côte d’Ivoire to Mexico in 2012 by
using in vitro cultivated embryos. These international transfers are not yet
registered in CGRD. VTT and TAGT will be used as the male parents for producing
seednuts from those LYD resistant hybrids identified in the multi-location trial.
Besides traditional breeding efforts, a number of metabolites have been used as

chemotaxonomic markers to identify pest and disease resistance. These markers help
to elucidate host-pathogen relations and identify potential disease control methods.
For instance a recent 5-cultivar LYD-tolerance study in Mexico, suggested that while
the individual components of cuticular wax do not play a significant role in palm-
insect interactions, their combined presence as wax is critical. In 2005, field
experiments began preparing for MAS by planting Dwarf-by-Dwarf hybrid
progenies, in Côte d’Ivoire 47.
47 For instance, the Sri Lanka Green Dwarf (PGD) is tolerant to LYD in Ghana but it produces small useless fruits on the sandy
African soils. The Malayan Red Dwarf (MRD) has better agronomic value. It was tolerant to the first strains of LYD in Jamaica
2.5.6 Breeding for quality traits

The main commercial products of coconut are obtained from the fruits, and are used
fresh as well as agro-industrially processed for food, human health, cosmetics, and fine
chemicals.
Botanically speaking, the coconut fruit is a drupe, consisting of pericarp and
mesocarp (husk), endocarp (shell) and testa enveloping the mature endosperm
(kernel) which has a central cavity (vacuole) containing liquid endosperm (enriched
water). From a genetic perspective, both kernel and coconut water are triploid,
comprising two sets of chromosomes from the female parent, and one set of
chromosomes from the male parent. So the genetic nature of the pollen strongly
influences the quality of both kernel and coconut water.
The top breeding priority is developing cultivars bearing high quality fruit adapted to
the various uses. Breeding for copra (dried oily kernel) quantity has been the main
target of the last 40 years of selection and often the only one. However, the
international copra market is continuously declining (Prades et al. 2016). In coconut
kernel for instance, high oil content, rich in lauric acid and minerals is much valued
(Dayrit 2015). Thus, instead of breeding for copra content, a more interesting approach
is to seek a specific fatty-acid profile.
Coconut water is naturally tasty, and rich in minerals, along with traces of proteins
and vitamins but very little oil. Its international market has grown exponentially
during the last ten years. In this case, immature coconut fruits are the most suited for
the production of this natural beverage. However, a few countries (mainly Brazil and
Thailand) have launched breeding programme dedicated to the relevant traits: volume
of water, sugar content (measured as Brix), aromatic profile and mineral composition.
Coconut fruits can seem user-unfriendly. The fibrous coconut husk is hard when
mature and generally it is impossible to manually remove it. The shell is also hard and
can be quite dangerous to break if a suitable tool is not used. The kernel is strongly
attached to the shell. It remains too thin, firm and fibrous and sometimes its
consumption can harm gums. Regarding tender coconut harvested for water
consumption, the husk is too thick and the water makes up only 15 to 26% of the total
fruit weight. Thus there remains considerable work for breeders to upgrade the
coconut palm to the status of a fully domesticated species. And new selection schemes
are urgently needed.
Fortunately, breeding programmes are increasingly interested in selection for quality
traits. The most observed quality traits include: husk, shell and kernel percentages in
mature fruits (Aragao et al. 2009); kernel oil content (Abreu et al. 2013); oil fatty-acid
composition (Kumar 2011); coconut water percentage in tendernuts (Passos et al. 2009);
and the sugar content, pH, mineral and vitamin content and flavour quality of coconut
water (Prades et al. 2012). Sensory evaluation of coconut water has recently been
but is sensitive to the Ghanaian pathogen. The hybrid PGD x MRD was created in 1993; in 2005 the F2 generation was planted
by selfing this hybrid, so (PGD x MRD) x (PGD x MRD). From this progeny it is expected to find new Dwarf combinations with
both tolerance to LYD and good agronomic value. See the Plate 3.1 in Chapter 3.
conducted on four cultivars (Assa et al. 2013). The sweeter water of immature nuts
from Dwarf-type cultivars was the most appreciated.
Along with the development of new descriptors, new quality measurement tools and
methods are now available for high throughput phenotyping. Near infrared
spectroscopy, high performance chromatography, digital image analysis combined
with proteomics and metabolomics analyses are available. Some of these tools have
already been optimized for the study of coconut fruits’ quality (Prades et al. 2006).
2.5.7 Breeding for drought and other abiotic stresses

A wide range of anatomical, physiological, and biochemical features contribute to
various stress adaptations in plantation crops. Recent developments in biotechnology
and molecular genetics are essential to fasten the breeding processes. Using diverse
criteria, early mass screening methods have included:
• For drought tolerance: leaf water potential, leaf stomatal frequency, epicuticular
wax content, level of lipid peroxidation, osmotic pressure applied to plantlets
cultivated in vitro (Gomes and Prado 2007);
• For cold tolerance: measurement of coldness on leaves by electrical conductivity
(Caom et al. 2009);
• For resistance to cyclones: presence of a bole, stem base width, stem height 10 and
crown characteristics (weight and volume of fronds and fruits) (Labouisse et
al. 2007);
• For salinity adaptation: leaf stomatal frequency, leaf gas exchange, the quantum
yield of chlorophyll fluorescence, and the relative chlorophyll index (Da Silva et
al. 2017).
Water is an increasingly scarce natural resource required for crop production.

Growing cultivars that use water efficiently is a key step in achieving sustainable
coconut production in the many areas affected by a long dry season.
The coconut palm generally grows
well where annual rainfall is
between 1300 and 2500 mm or more.
An average monthly precipitation of
150 mm is generally considered ideal
in zones where irrigation is not
practiced. A prolonged dry season
lasting for up to four months may
adversely affect the palms. This
constraint occurs periodically in
various coconut growing zones, such
Coconut killed by drought in Nuku Hiva, as in southern India (Kerala), Sri
Marquesas Islands. (R. Bourdeix, CIRAD) Lanka or the West African coast. In
low rainfall areas and in places
where the soils have poor moisture-retention ability, improvement of soil moisture
retention capability will reduce damage to palms and even reduce mortality of palms
when the drought is prolonged. In professionally managed large coconut plantations,

and smaller farms, coconut husks are buried in various patterns to improve soil
moisture retention.
The coconut needs about 44 months to develop from inflorescence primordia initiation
through to fruit maturity. As a result, serious drought affects coconut yield not only
during the drought period but also in the three following years by constraining the
development of female flowers.
Research on drought tolerance has shown variability for revival capacity, water use
efficiency, dry matter production and yield of coconut cultivars. Heterosis was
observed for some of the desirable characters for drought tolerance. Results obtained
in India indicated that hybrids using Talls as mother palms (Rajagopal et al. 2005).are
generally more tolerant to drought when compared with Dwarfs (Malayan types) and
with hybrids using Dwarfs as the mother palm (Rajagopal et al. 2005).
Maoris coming from tropical Polynesian islands tried so many times to grow coconut
palms in New Zealand but never succeeded due to the cold weather 48. Polynesians
living in the Austral Islands (southern French Polynesia) also suffer greatly from scant
coconut production. Because it gives any landscape a more ‘tropical’ look, many
people attempt growing coconuts in non-tropical climates. Studies conducted in
Florida shows that palms subjected to long periods of low temperature have soft,
sunken, reddish areas on the trunk. These cold-damaged trunk areas are often invaded
by secondary fungi and/or bacteria that cause trunk-rot and, several months later, the
collapse of the entire crown. Fertilization may improve cold tolerance (Broschat 2010).
There is a significant potential market for cold-tolerant coconut varieties able to
survive in countries with a temperate climate. The first cold-hardiness studies in
Hainan Island (China) indicated the existence of genetic variability. The semi-lethal
temperatures ranged from 7.3 to 12.4 ℃ according to the cultivar. Local Hainan Tall
coconut varieties had the strongest growth vigour but lower yield when compared
with some introduced cultivars (He-shuai et al. 2009).
Study results have contributed to refining the criteria used for collecting abiotic stress
tolerant germplasm (Kumar et al. 2006). The methodologies developed were mainly
used to compare varieties but not yet to commonly select individual coconut palms
within a given variety.
2.5.8. Genomics and DNA markers

Germplasm curators and coconut breeders who are increasingly using the new
molecular and genomics tools optimize coconut germplasm conservation and harness
its potential. A wide variety of molecular markers have been used to study the
evolving structure of coconut genetic diversity (Lebrun et al. 2005). Genomics
contributes increased specific knowledge at various levels:
• At genus level, it helps to more precisely locate coconut’s position within the
cocoseae subtribe;
48 Latitude greater than 36 degrees.

• At species level, it provides crucial information on the evolving structure and

history of the relevant genepools;
• At cultivar and accession levels, it helps in differentiating between collected
germplasm, checking the reliability of the regeneration process and optimizing
collecting strategies;
• It complements and enhances traditional breeding approaches with regard to use
of genetic markers and candidate genes for commercially important traits, and to
better understand the interactions between genome and environment.
Cross-specific studies utilizing gene sequences have allowed

clarifying the position of coconut within the cocoseae
subtribe, identifying the genus Syagrus as its closest relative 49.
Furthermore, the cross transferability of DNA markers to
closely related palms was demonstrated as early as 2001 and
confirmed in 2012 (Zaki et al. 2012).In 2000, a CFC grant
funded developing a 14 microsatellite markers set by CIRAD.
A population-assignment software was developed as part of
this kit and has since been used by hundreds of teams (Piry et
al. 2004). More than 100 genebank accessions and in situ
populations collected through COGENT were studied using
this kit. The technique has been transferred to nine member-
countries. Using such a common marker system provides the
facility to compare the results of successive studies.
Global level intra-species have allowed identifying two large genetic groups, known as
“Pacific” and “Indo-Atlantic” which can be seen as sub-species (Gunn et al. 2011).
Based on a different set of DNA markers (Illumina transcriptome sequence), Chinese
coconut germplasm has been found similar to a subset of coconut germplasm from
South-east Asia (Xiao et al. 2013).
Molecular markers have been also used recently to monitor the accuracy of the seed
production process, where contamination by allogenic pollen can be as high as 20%.
Molecular markers can be used to monitor the benefit of improved techniques but they
cannot replace such methods. Some molecular studies have focused on marker-trait
association, including one where three linkage maps allowed locating quality-trait loci
(QTL) associated with seedling traits, epicuticular wax, and yield and fruit
components on their respective chromosomes. This study identified alleles statistically
associated with resistance to Eriophyes mite and LYD. In general, populations
showing some degree of resistance to LYD are connected (directly or indirectly) to
South-east Asia and the Pacific region.
49
See more pictures at:
http://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/imagedatabase/large1/cat_single1-4040.htm
http://www.kew.org/science/tropamerica/imagedatabase/large1/cat_single1-4042.htm
Studies have been conducted on the gene sequence, regulation pattern and expression
of various genes involved in fatty acid metabolism during in vitro culture, as well as in
the Makapuno trait and in disease resistance. Single nucleotide-amplified
polymorphism SNAP markers linked to enzymes involved in endosperm
development were shown to be polymorphic when comparing Makapuno/Kopyor
and normal coconut (Sukendahm et al. 2009). Markers associated with the Tall-type
palm trait in coconut were identified using either sequence-characterized amplification
region (SCAR) (Rajesh et al. 2013) or SSR (Bandupriya et al. 2013) markers The
genomes of key coconut pathogens (Phytoplasma, Eriophyes) has also been studied.
Apart from SSR markers, expressed sequence tag (EST)-derived single nucleotide
polymorphism (SNP) and insertion-deletion polymorphism (indel) markers also
been applied in coconut genomics research. Coconut WRKY transcription factor
genes were used to assess variation at the single nucleotide level, and SNPs were
detected. Recently, an extensive transcriptome sequencing campaign has allowed
identifying 57,304 unique genes (Fan et al. 2013) and the complete chloroplast
genome has been obtained (Huang et al. 2013). Thus, the genomics and information
revolution has generated a wealth of information which is now beginning to be used
for breeding purposes.
2.5.9 Coconut, climate change and coastal areas

Many studies have shown that global warming is a key likely threat to future
biodiversity. The impact of climate change on crop cultivation is assessed via
controlled environment experiments and/or simulation models. For perennial crops,
field experiments are expensive and time consuming. However, they provide crucial
information for model inputs which are then used for wider applications. Such
predictive simulations are important for alerting scientists, decision-makers and other
stakeholders. They support the development of proactive strategies to reduce climate
change impacts on biodiversity, food security and livelihoods (Bellard et al. 2012). For
instance, location-specific management of coconut plantations can double yields in
many regions of India.
Although rise in sea level is one of the most certain consequences of global warming, it
remains one of the least studied. Several simulations state that rises in sea level will
accelerate in future with a potential rise from 0.5 to 0.98m by the end of the century
(IPCC 2013 50). Globally, around 180,000 islands (Bellard et al. 2012) enclose a fifth of
In 2016, Bioversity embarked on a UK Darwin Initiative1-This
genebank is being transferred to a safe site in PNG, to avoid
phytoplasma infection. The project is identifying, mapping and
collecting unconserved coconut diversity that is threatened by
predicted climate change, in Fiji, PNG and Samoa. This
diversity will be conserved in a new ICG-SP embracing the
three countries.
50 See the URL: http://www.ipcc.ch/report/ar5/wg1/ More details about sea level change in Chapter 13 of the report at URL:
https://www.ipcc.ch/pdf/assessment-report/ar5/wg1/WG1AR5_Chapter13_FINAL.pdf
the world’s biodiversity) (Kier et al. 2009) and certainly more than 50% of coconut
diversity. At least two thirds of coconut plantations are located in coastal zones and
the majority of coconut growing countries are islands.
Effects of climate change are already obvious. For example, on some Polynesian
islands in the Tuamotu Archipelago, coconut farmers point out increasingly frequent
phenomena of high tidal swell and saltwater incursions from the ocean on atolls. This
phenomenon is not new but this swell sweeps fallen coconuts off the strands and salt
water stays longer on the land and contributes to a high salinization of soils and the
fresh-water lens on atolls, inducing a decrease in coconut production (Prades and
Ollivier 2013).
Recently, a study was conducted on 10 insular biodiversity hotspots (Bellard et al.
2014), eight of which are spread over 3927 islands, which include important coconut
cultivation areas (Figure 2.8). Depending on the sea level rise scenario, the number of
“coconut” islands with submersion risk ranges from 231 to 700 (Table 2.7). Therefore,
priorities for collecting the most endangered germplasm are to be set by integrating
these projections from climate scenarios, the knowledge on in situ coconut diversity
and the analysis of the diversity presently conserved in ex situ collections.
Figure. 2.8. Localization of the eight insular biodiversity hotspots (in red) which includes important coconut
cultivation areas (in pale yellow). Adapted from Bellard et al. 2012.
In addition to sea level rise, climate change is projected to increase mean temperatures,
accentuate skewed precipitation, and increase the frequency and intensity of extreme
rainfall events and tropical cyclones, leading to more frequent flooding. Apart from
low altitude islands, the cultivation zones most endangered by climate changes will be
the river deltas and the zones prone to longer dry or hot periods. Some models project
a substantial decline in winter rainfall in South-east Asia.
Growing more resilient varieties is essential for regions that are projected to be
negatively impacted by climate change. ‘Climate resilient’ coconut varieties possessing
characteristics such as: stronger root systems, thicker and shorter stems for tolerance to
cyclones; drought tolerance for regions affected by longer dry seasons; and tolerance to
greater heat (Ranasinghe et al. 2012) and more saline environments, when appropriate.
Plate 2.3
Table 2.8. Projected numbers of islands to be submerged by the sea - under two scenarios:
A - Rise in sea level by 1 m and B - by 6 m (From Bellard et al. 2012).
Hotspots Total Scenario A Scenario B

Madagascar & Indian Ocean 113 4 13
Sundaland 795 61 122
Walacea 571 39 7
New Caledonia 44 1 5
East Melanesia-Polynesia 597 15 84
Philippines 670 48 113
Caribbean Islands 723 63 356
Total 3 513 231 700
By 2030, 50% of the world population will live within 100 km of the coast (Bindo et al.
2007) and hence inside coconut cultivation areas in tropical countries. Coconut
tolerates moderate salinity and is the most adapted crop to sandy coastal areas. In
India, the CPCRI has developed a coconut-based technology for littoral sandy soil
management by adopting soil-moisture conservation measures and resorting to
intercropping. The technique converts hot sandy stretches of land into highly
productive and remunerative
cropping systems. It involves Palms for Tsunami survival
moisture conservation with coconut People of the Pacific
Region traditionally
husk and coir pith, and intercropping used coconut palm to
during the wet season with a variety survive a tsunami or
of vegetables, pineapple and fodder cyclones: for instance
grass. This system enables farmers to in the Tuamotu
double their income and has potential Archipelago, the
Polynesian practice to
for wider application. survive tsunamis was
Interactions between coconut and the following: when
isolated on a low coral
climate occur in two main ways. island, quickly climb a
While climate change influences tall coconut palm, cut
coconut plantations, the climate itself off all its leaves, and
is also moderated by the plantations. attach yourself with a
Coconut plantations are very good rope to the top of the
trunk, and wait...
candidates for mitigating greenhouse
gas emissions. Depending on their
extent of spread, coconut plantations contribute to microclimates which regulate the
weather and allow intercropping. Coconut plantations capture carbon dioxide and
release oxygen, as for any photosynthesising plant. The carbon sequestration potential
of coconut plantations is estimated to be about 8-32 Mg CO2/ha/year depending on
the age, soil type and management as well as the components considered (Kumar
2009, Roupsard et al. 2002). Apart from these, coconut oil is also used as fuel oil in
remote islands where the cost of imported fuel transportation is high, as well as in
some bigger islands such as those of the Philippines. Utilization of coconut biomass
residues such as shells and husks for heat and power generation is common in the
coconut and allied industries.
Although coconut palms are widely planted in coastal zones to reduce erosion, no
scientific study has yet been conducted to assess, quantify and eventually promote this
use. When used for beach landscaping, these palms tolerate flooding better than
Casuarina trees (filao). For instance, coconut palms played a crucial role during the
2004 tsunami and saved hundreds of lives by reducing the intensity of wave. In many
coastal villages, coconut palms remained standing even when many houses and other
buildings were flattened.
2.5.10 Coconut conservation, landscapes and ecotourism

In 2015, more than 1.2 billion international tourist arrivals were counted worldwide 51.
For a long time, tourism has been associated with sea, sand and sun, often referred to
as the 3Ss. Local and international tourism is significantly associated with coastal
environments. Coconut palms have long been associated with the natural aesthetics of
tropical tourist destinations.
Ecotourism can potentially provide important economic benefits to local people and
help protect biodiversity. Community-based ecotourism has become a popular tool for
biodiversity conservation and sustainably boosting livelihoods; based on the principle
that biodiversity must pay for itself by generating economic benefits, particularly for
local people. Local stakeholders and international companies involved in tourism can
be convinced to develop ecotourism programmes favouring coconut genetic resources
conservation. For the tourism industry evolving in a competitive environment, it
becomes more and more important to stand out from the standard fare that tourism
offers. Coconut palms should not symbolize anonymous exoticism. They can tell true
stories, specifically related to local cultures, and they could be used in the framework
of an ecotourism and anthropotourism approach.
In addition to the beauty of standing coconut palms, there is a wide range of
possibilities to use coconut for tourism and ecotourism activities. The concept of a
coconut park (Coconut World) was elaborated in Australia to harness the potential of
coconut for ecotourism, linked with education, research and genetic conservation
(Samosir et al. 2006).
51 See URL: http://data.worldbank.org/indicator/ST.INT.ARVL

BenTre Festival
A fine example is the 3rd Coconut Festival
held in Ben Tre, Vietnam, with hundreds of
thousands of domestic and foreign visitors
and local people taking part. The festival is
not only a show-case of coconut products
made by local processors but it also
features the unique beauty of the Ben Tre
province. These include highly appreciated
activities such as: A coconut product
exhibition and commercial fair; Community
cultural activities; a coconut road art
installation ; a coconut food festival; a Miss
Beauty of coconut land; Visiting coconut
Dragon made from tender coconuts
plantation; a fine arts & handicrafts contest;
in Ben tre festival, Vietnam
a seminar on how to best promote the
value chain of coconut; a ceremony to
honour coconut farmers;
It is an opportunity for farmers, researchers, managers, processors and traders to
exchange their techniques on growing coconuts and processing high value products to
improve the local Ben Tre coconut industry in particular and Vietnam coconut industry in
general.
The majority of world’s inhabitants are urban. Coconut palms are widely used for
landscaping in cities and towns in tropical regions. The number of coconut palms
planted annually in public places greatly outstrips the total number palms existing in
all the ex situ coconut genebanks. Many coconut palms are planted in public places
without considering genetic resource aspects, and even sometimes without even a
landscaping rationale.
Adult palms for landscaping?
It is feasible to transfer and replant Tall adult coconut

palms, even reaching 10 m high or more. There is a
substantial and very lucrative market for such adult
palms for public places and resorts; the palm prices
are often calculated by the length of the stem, at
US$100 per meter or more.
Some exceptional coconut palms have become local tourist attractions such as the
‘Seven in one’ palm in Rarotonga, Cook Island 52, the “Seven Branch coconut freak” in
Karakit, Malaysia, the Eight-headed coconut palm in Ko Samui Island in Thailand, or
52 See the full story, including DNA molecular analysis, at URL: http://cookislands.bishopmuseum.org/showarticle.asp?id=9
the 14-branch coconut palm at Baa in Maalhos Island, Maldives 53. These rare
“branched” palms were never studied and sampled for conservation in ex situ
collections. They may help understand the functioning of the growing point; this may
contribute to the improvement in vitro cultivation techniques.
A 14 branched coconut palm located on the island of Baa. Maalhos (left) and The “Seven in one”
coconut palm in Rarotonga, Cook Islands (right).
2.6 Coconut germplasm exchange

Coconuts have been moving all over the tropical world. Recognition of the importance
of coconut germplasm collecting, movement, exchange and conservation has
prompted the establishment of national and international genebanks with a
considerable collective range of genetic diversity.
The Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD) entered into force on 29 December 1993.
It has three main objectives:
• The effective conservation of biological diversity;
• The sustainable use of the components of biological diversity;
• The fair and equitable sharing of the benefits arising out of the utilization of
genetic resources.
The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture
(ITPGRFA) is an international agreement with the overall goal of supporting global
food security, allowing governments, farmers, research institutes and agro-industries
to work together by pooling their genetic resources and sharing the benefits from their
use – thus protecting and enhancing food crops while giving fair recognition and
benefits to local farmers who have nurtured these crops through the millennia. It was
adopted in 2001 by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization and came
53 See URL: http://www.flickr.com/photos/48697218@N04/4525383340/

into force in 2004. The Treaty’s truly innovative solution to access and benefit sharing,
the Multilateral System, puts 64 of our most important crops – crops that together
account for 80 percent of the food we derive from plants – into an easily accessible
global pool of genetic resources that is freely available to potential users in the Treaty’s
ratifying nations for some uses. Coconut is one of these 64 crops, listed in the Annex 1
of the Treaty.
However, access to these resources is often restricted by pests and diseases affecting
the germplasm and its safe movement, by the complexity of institutional legal and
policy frameworks for the exchange of materials, and by the lack of commitment of
some countries to provide conserved germplasm at the international level.
As presented below, the safe movement and exchange of coconut germplasm has been
a major focus of COGENT and international organizations like CGIAR and FAO.
Traditional coconut germplasm exchange

Historically, international germplasm movements were sometimes conducted by
monarchs or chiefs. This even influenced the name of some countries. For instance,
Niue is an island nation in the South Pacific Ocean, 2,400 kilometres northeast of New
Zealand which was originally known as Nukututaha. It was renamed after a chief’s sons
and their followers travelled to their ancestors’ original homeland in Samoa. When they
decided to return to Nukututaha, the chief of Manu‘a, Moa, gave them two special
coconut varieties and explained why each one was special. On returning to Nukututaha,
the chief’s sons held up these special coconuts and said “Ko e Niu è!” (Behold the
coconut!). One coconut variety is Niu pulu, the coconut grown especially for making
sennit rope used in constructing traditional buildings and making canoes. The other
coconut is the Niu tea, the medicinal coconut. Its juice, husk, leaves, and just about
every other part are used as medicine for a variety of ailments as well as for drinking
and as food. According to this tradition, the name of the island was changed to Niue to
honour the arrival of these two special varieties of coconut and to remember the chief of
Manu‘a, who gifted them.
Plate 2.4
2.6.1 Benefits of sharing coconut genetic resources
The rapid growth of biotechnology over recent decades has prompted many countries
to recognize the significant economic potential of their genetic resources and
indigenous knowledge. The development of a global system on plant genetic resources
was launched in 1983 under the auspices of FAO. The Commission on Genetic
Resources for Food and Agriculture (CGRFA) aims to provide a flexible, fair and
equitable framework for sharing the benefits and burdens of conservation and use of
genetic resources.
Through the multilateral system promoted by the Treaty, stakeholders benefit from an
easier and simpler access to a broader range of coconut diversity. Such access is often
critical for increasing coconut production. Global collaboration in sharing these genetic
resources should offer numerous benefits:
• Enhanced access to a broader range of germplasm including:
 Populations and cultivars collected in farmers’ fields, conserved and
characterized in several ex situ collections in different geographical areas,
 Breeding populations with enhanced agronomic and quality traits
(especially pest and disease resistance),
 Facilitated and more secure international germplasm movements.
• Enhanced free access to information and knowledge regarding coconut germplasm:
 Global Information Systems providing reliable, standardized and
comparable data, and dedicated to the wide range of stakeholders using
coconut germplasm, such as consumers, farmers, processors and
researchers,
 Easier access to technologies, procedures and methods for coconut
cultivation, conservation, breeding, research, processing and use.
• New or enhanced strategic alliances and partnerships within and beyond COGENT
generate synergies in several ways including:
 Effectively harnessing technologies such as standardized characterization
and evaluation of coconut germplasm; quarantine measures for pest and
diseases; genetic diversity analysis; cryopreservation of pollen, embryos or
plumules; somatic embryogenesis; and a wide range of molecular tools,
 Enhancing the legal status of the genebanks for securing conservation at the
national level and extending the roles and responsibilities of NARS up to
international level,
 The opportunity to interact in a much broader and more efficient manner
and to participate in defining common objectives in this Strategy,
 Developing and harnessing new funding opportunities and commitments to
support the implementation of this Strategy.
2.6.2. Safe movement of germplasm

Although essential to the utilization of coconut genetic resources, movement of
coconut germplasm may also transfer pests and diseases. The FAO/IBPGR Technical
Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Coconut Germplasm 54 provides country-based
information about the risks associated with each particular pest or disease and
recommendations on appropriate quarantine measures. It recommends that coconut
germplasm be preferably distributed as in-vitro-cultivated embryos to reduce chances
of introducing diseased material into disease-free areas.
COGENT is following these guidelines. At present, recommendations are to transfer
germplasm only from reportedly healthy zones, and using preferably the technique of
cultivating coconut embryos. In vitro techniques should be used for exchanging
coconut germplasm in the form of excised embryos or plantlets grown from these
embryos. However, even if these techniques are working well in the labs, they need
further refinement to be adapted to a wide range of situations and germplasm. Funded
by the Trust and CRP-FTA, a project was conducted from 2009 onwards to optimize,
validate and apply a standard embryo culture protocol. This project applied existing
techniques to a wide variety of genotypes and conditions, and led to the 2012
publication of improved guidelines (Cueto et al. 2012) available on the COGENT
website. However, all the COGENT member countries need to upgrade their capacity
and resources in order to successfully implement the embryo transfer protocol and
thus to benefit from them.
Diseases caused by viruses, viroids and phytoplasmas are particularly serious threats
to the safe movement of germplasm, since some of them cannot easily be eliminated
and, moreover, virus and viroids can remain latent (symptomless) in some genotypes.
In 2004, COGENT and Bioversity International published its Manual on Germplasm
Health Management for the International Coconut Genebank (Ikin and Batugal 2004) which
also serves as a guide for international and national genebank managers and any
quarantine services.
Only a few of the genebanks carry out virus, viroids and phytoplasma indexing or
have this indexing done by a partner institute. Indeed, effective differentiation,
detection and diagnosis are still unavailable. Phytoplasma were detected on excised
embryos taken from diseased palms, but transmission of the disease to plantlets has
yet to be observed. No phytoplasma was detected in seedlings harvested from both
symptomatic and non-symptomatic palms. Seedlings tested after two years did not
develop LYD symptoms (Oropeza et al. 2011). On the other hand, phytoplasma
transmission by seedlings was recently demonstrated in other species such as winter
oilseed rape, tomato and corn (Calari et al. 2011). The Cadang-Cadang viroid was also
detected on embryos, seedlings germinated in vitro and pollen taken from diseased
palms. Transmission of the viroid through pollen, seeds and harvesting tools has been
demonstrated (Pacumbaba et al. 1994).
54 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/TG_safe_movement%20_germplasm.pdf

Pesticide and disinfection treatments are systematically applied to seednuts and

seedlings internationally moved, following the rules and methodologies described in
international guidelines. For endosperm plugs and embryos, disinfection treatments
prior to in vitro culture should always be applied before they are moved from one
laboratory to another. Plant health authorities of both the importing and exporting
countries are involved in the process, by providing and checking the requested
phytosanitary certificates which should accompany any coconut material being
transferred internationally. Post-entry quarantine stations are present in a few coconut‐
producing countries, such as Brazil, and some material has been lost due to the delay
for managing the imported seednuts, and because phytopathologists in charge of
country-level quarantine were not trained to manage coconut seednuts or coconut
embryos cultivated in vitro.
The risk linked to pests and diseases preventing distribution of germplasm has
strongly restricted the development of all the coconut collections. Within this period,
the International genebank for Africa and the Indian Ocean, located in Côte d’Ivoire
and free from major diseases, has provided about 45% of the germplasm distributed
internationally. The recent detection of lethal diseases caused by phytoplasmas in Côte
d’Ivoire and also in Papua New Guinea will probably restrict germplasm exchange,
especially if research does not provide solutions. At time of press, the PNG ICG is
being transferred to a safer location, to avoid the threat of the Bogia phytoplasma. It is
also being upgraded, with UK Darwin Initiative support, to protect Pacific coconut
diversity threatened by climate change, embracing also Fiji and Samoa. These islands
will host satellite genebanks for the PNG ICG.
Currently there is no Coconut Quarantine Centre offering quarantine for regional and
international transfers. Laboratories able to index coconut material for Cadang Cadang
viroid and/or for phytoplasmas are available in India, Sri Lanka, the Philippines,
Australia, UK and France.
2.6.3 International germplasm transfers

CGRD records show that during the past 30 years, among the 145 accessions
transferred from 1 genebank to another, 17 have been moved within the same country
and 128 have been transferred internationally 55. These international transfers have
been conducted using either seednuts or embryos cultivated in vitro. The use of the
embryo technique generated a decrease of at least 42% in accessions sizes, when
compared to transfers conducted by using seednuts.
Figure 2.9 illustrates the international germplasm transfers facilitated between ex situ
collections from 1983 to 2017. International genebanks have been involved in 57% of
these transfers, but in a very unequal manner. The international genebank of Côte
d’Ivoire has contributed 45% of the internationally transferred germplasm
(57 accessions). During the same period, the international genebank of Papua New
55The International Coconut Genetic Resources Database (CGRD) does not take in account germplasm transfers conducted
during the recent embryo project funded by the Trust (it is necessary for the accessions to be planted in the field), nor the
material recently taken by Mexico and Brazil from Côte d’Ivoire (no data transmitted by countries).
Guinea has provided a total of 12 varieties to Côte d’Ivoire, Malaysia, Vanuatu and Sri
Lanka. In India, the international genebank provided only four varieties to Sri Lanka in
2002 and has acquired 22 varieties from other genebanks. International collections
located in Indonesia and Brazil did not distribute germplasm to other countries 56;
However, Brazil has received 10 varieties from Côte d’Ivoire; Indonesia did not receive
any variety from any other genebank. In the 2013 COGENT survey, only 40%
respondents agreed that international collections are effectively playing their role in
distributing germplasm at international level; 73% believed that the number of
international genebanks should be doubled in order to increase efficiency and number
of germplasm movements.
Among national genebanks, the Philippines was the most active germplasm
provider, even exceeding all international genebanks except Côte d’Ivoire. Sri Lanka
has provided varieties to Vietnam, Tanzania, Papua New Guinea and India; and
Bangladesh, Mauritius and Madagascar have provided varieties to India. The
national genebank of Solomon Islands provided the Rennell Island Tall to India,
Vanuatu and Fiji.
Figure 2.9. International transfers of coconut germplasm.
During the past 30 years, according to CGRD records, only a third of the 39 COGENT
country-members benefited from receiving coconut germplasm from 13 countries.
However, this data does not reflect the complete picture of germplasm exchange over
the period. For instance, varieties were also sent from Côte d’Ivoire to Mozambique and
Mexico, from Sri Lanka to Oman. Due to lack of budget and manpower for managing
the CGRD and to lack of response and transmission of data from national researchers,
these varieties have not yet been recorded as transferred accessions in the database.
56 The four varieties sent from Indonesia to Côte d’Ivoire came from a private company.
According to the CGRD during the past four decades, germplasm exchanges have
generally decreased. Transfer between genebanks reached 99 accessions in 1980; it
doubled (104 more accessions) from 1981 to 1990, and then it increased much more
slowly: only 34 germplasm transfers from 1991 to 2000, and 34 more from 2001 to 2017.
This decrease is mainly due to emerging diseases, to the growing complexity of
regulations on germplasm exchanges, and to the technological constraints of in vitro
embryo cultivation. From a global perspective, in recent years, access to crop genetic
resources has been constrained by exclusive technological and legal restrictions
(Halewood 2013).
To our knowledge, since 2004, the year when the Treaty was signed, no Standard
Material Transfer Agreement (SMTA) was used when moving coconut germplasm,
despite the recommendations of the Treaty and the fact that many COGENT members
are contracting parties of the Treaty. The SMTA 57 is a mandatory model for parties
wishing to provide and receive material under the Multilateral System.
The first SMTA was recently signed in 2015 between CNRA and CIRAD while
exchanging very specific material called “mapping population” which was used to
prepare the sequence of the coconut genome.
COGENT countries agreed that the germplasm conserved in ex situ collections is a
common good which is not for sale. Countries requesting germplasm from ex situ
collections do not have to pay for the value of the germplasm itself. Nevertheless,
managing this germplasm is costly, so requesting countries or dedicated projects
should contribute. In 2011, the COGENT Secretariat launched a first initiative to
standardize the cost of preparing germplasm for international exchange. Côte d’Ivoire
and the Philippines, which are the main providers of coconut germplasm worldwide,
agreed on the same germplasm preparation costs which are summarized in Annex 7.
2.7 Partnerships and networking

A wide range of partners are collaborating through COGENT, most of whom have
contributed to developing this Global Strategy. These include national and
international institutions directly involved in coconut research, international
institutions dealing with all aspects of biodiversity management, local and
international NGOs, private companies, international independent experts and some
highly committed individuals.
These partners are too numerous to be cited in the main text of this document. Lists are
given in annexes, as follows:
• Annex 1: the national institutions from the 39 member-countries officially involved
in COGENT;
• Annex 2: the contributors to the Strategy and their parent institution(s);
• Annex 3: the individual contributors to the Strategy by chapters and sections.
57 http://www.fao.org/plant-treaty/areas-of-work/the-multilateral-system/the-smta/en/?q=content%2Fwhat-smta
COGENT’s nascent international thematic action groups (ITAGs- see Annex 4) also
embrace a number of other individuals and institutions who have provided
supporting expertise during the Strategy development. Full lists of proposed members
are available on the COGENT website.
The “Coconut knowledge network for information exchange about Cocos ”, known as
the coconut Google group58 and coordinated by Dr Hugh Harries is the main
international forum in which important subjects have been usefully debated,
contributing to the relevance and focusing of this Strategy.
All these partners, particularly those holding germplasm in the public domain, as well
as any other organizations, institutions or networks involved in coconut genetic
resources in recent years, are likely to participate in the implementation of this
Strategy. The coconut genetic resources scientific community is currently collaborating
through a number of networks, projects and international legal and technical
frameworks. COGENT is linking all of the key partners in the coconut sector,
worldwide.
COGENT aims to harness the benefits of its networked approach, particularly in the
context of the Treaty and its global Plan of action. Since 1992, COGENT has
developed an increasing number of connections with genebank curators, decision
makers from the public and private sectors, scientists, private companies, farmers
from the field until the highest levels. The COGENT Steering Committee, where
official representatives from 39 coconut producing countries stand is a unique place
to produce recommendations going directly to the Governments. These
recommendations, being based on the inputs of hundreds of the most eminent
scientists and hundreds of stakeholders working in the coconut sector for many
years, are strong and highly reliable.
COGENT network is the only global entity able to generate a world vision of the status
of the biodiversity and genetic resources of the coconut crop. Its existence should be
recognized by FAO and UN as crucial to protect and ensure the food security of the
future generations of coconut farmers and stakeholders. Without genetic resources
preservation, the capacity of adaptation of this specific crop to challenges such as
climate change, pest, disease or urbanization will be jeopardised. Thus, the monetary
equilibrium of millions of people on the planet will be threatened.
2.8 Facing emergency situations: an overview

Despite the crucial role of COGENT in the coconut sector at the global level, this
network is today threatened by the lack of interest of major international institutions.
Thus, the key emergency situations to be addressed by the Strategy that can be
concluded from the above are summarised below:
• There is a lack of commitment to conserving and using coconut genetic resources at
local, national and international levels. This situation is mainly due to:
1) insufficient communication between researchers and other stakeholders;
58 See URL: https://groups.google.com/forum/#!forum/coconut

2) the ambivalent and multifaceted coconut symbolisms which often make

decision-makers forget that coconut cultivation greatly influences the livelihoods of
millions of poor farmers; and 3) the huge constraints linked to the biology of the
plant that sometimes discourage both researchers and donors.
• The present global system, based on 5 international genebanks and 19 national
genebanks, has not been fully effective and efficient in terms of both quality of
conservation and germplasm sharing. This system needs to be revised, taking in
account the specificities and the real activities of all COGENT genebanks.
• Emerging phytoplasma lethal diseases have recently threatened two international
genebanks.
• One of the main risks threatening ex situ coconut collections is land pressure, often
due to urbanization. Some accessions have already been destroyed and many
remain endangered.
• Alternative methodologies such as cryopreservation of zygotic embryos and callus
embryogenesis are not yet fully operational.
• Funding and business models for the conservation and sustainable use of coconut
genetic resources are inadequate. As a consequence, many ex situ collections are
conserved to sub-optimal standards, due to lack of sufficient expertise, trained
staff, reliable methodologies and dedicated laboratories. At least 16 of the
24 COGENT ex situ collections have many aged accessions and are presently not
able to regenerate them true to type using controlled hand-pollination.
• In the existing ex situ collections, there is a lack of sufficient variation for
economically important selection traits such as: dwarfism, fruit quality, and
tolerance to biotic and abiotic stresses. This, among others, limits the uptake of
accessions in breeding programmes.
• On-farm and in situ coconut genetic resources are threatened by prevailing socio-
economic dynamics, emerging diseases and the environmental and social
consequences of climate change and hazards. Farmers are losing their traditional
knowledge; their technical knowledge needs to be improved; they lack information
about diversity and availability of planting material; and they often face shortage of
good seednuts. Communication between genebanks staff, farmers and private
sector is not efficient, sometimes even does not exist. Thus the link between genetic
resources and their use is not possible.
• The existing international databases are at risk of becoming obsolete. The COGENT
recording system is not yet linked to any of the various Big Data initiatives
launched around the world. They need continued support to improve sharing,
accessibility and interpretation of the available information. They provide the only
tool allowing a global assessment of ex situ coconut conservation.
• At time of press COGENT is reviewing options for hosting its secretariat, as the
current hosting model is no longer viable (see end of Annex 4).
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3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and promote use 113
3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and

promote use
Coconut cultivation has entered a modern phase. Most growers are no longer
interested in cultivating mixed populations of early and late maturing palms that
produce unpredictable and varying yields, with variably sized nuts, containing
varying kernel and water contents.
COGENT believes that most farmers would like to plant discrete, recognised cultivars,
i.e. as defined in the glossary “often intentionally bred and selected subset of a species
that will behave uniformly and predictably when grown in an environment to which it
is adapted”. Farmers want precocious, high yielding varieties, adapted to market
needs, growing predictably and uniformly. Farmers prefer a diversity of planting
material, but they want to control this diversity. Where they have a choice, most of
farmers will choose to plant more than one cultivar in their fields.
The main objective of this Strategy is to propose a global system, which will allow
efficiently conserving 600 coconut cultivars by the end of the next decade (2018-2028).
This would still represent only 50 cultivars per million hectares of cultivated area.
This approach will include rationalizing the present conservation system (detecting
and merging duplicates, and increasing the size of small accessions), and collecting
additional germplasm.
For sustainable germplasm conservation, facilitated access and efficient use in
breeding programmes, each coconut cultivar should preferably be conserved in three
countries located in three different regions of the world. This triplication system could
include three ex situ field genebanks or, in the future, only two ex situ field genebanks
plus cryopreserved material (which is often conserved in duplicate batches). This is not
such a demanding target as, in any event, breeders from the 24 COGENT member-
countries with genebanks need living material to work with. To reach this optimal
level of conservation, secured germplasm exchanges will need to be conducted
between COGENT member-countries. Coconut breeders will use the germplasm
conserved in the fields to produce planting material, such as the best cultivars from
farmers’ fields, and promising new hybrids or composite varieties.
At the global level, around 419 cultivars are presently conserved in the 24 COGENT ex
situ genebanks, representing a cultivation area of about 12 million hectares. So, the
present “global conservation rate” is estimated to be no more than 35 cultivars per
million hectares. The COGENT Secretariat estimates that a fifth to a third of these
conserved cultivars are duplicates, greatly mixed populations or represented by an
insufficient number of palms. Thus the number of “unique and true-to-type” cultivars
presently conserved at the global level is estimated to be 300-335, so only at most 25 to
28 coconut cultivars per million hectare of cultivated area.
Within the next decade, it is proposed to collect 500 to 600 coconut populations or
phenotypes having targeted favourable traits from farmers’ fields and home gardens.
Curators and breeders will carefully study these populations in order to select the 300
cultivars to be added to and conserved in the ex situ COGENT coconut collections.
Based on the constraints affecting the current conservation systems, the many
discussions conducted within COGENT and with broader coconut community, and
the effective participation of 90 key contributors in developing this document, the
future direction of the Global Strategy has the following ten strategic components (in
order of priority):
1. Reinforce COGENT as a sustainable, powerful and effective platform for the
collaborative conception, coordination and implementation of priority projects
in the field of coconut genetic resources
2. Strengthen local, national and international commitment to identify, collect,
conserve, document and better use coconut genetic resources.
3. Revisit and optimize the present organization of the COGENT coconut
collections in close collaboration with other partners.
4. Develop the mechanisms and procedure, skills, knowledge, capacity,
laboratories and other resources required for safe and facilitated international
germplasm movements.
5. Identify critical genetic and geographical gaps in existing ex situ collections,
prioritize and build up missions aiming both to collect germplasm, boost in
situ and ex situ local conservation and strengthen their interface.
6. Develop and improve national and global coconut germplasm databases and
sharing of technical information regarding germplasm and planting material.
7. Secure the conservation of existing ex situ coconut genetic resources and their
distribution
8. Prepare the field of coconut genomics that will become a crucial tool for
conservation and use of coconut genetic resources. This will be conducted by
seeking and establishing ‘strategic alliances’ with already existing genomic
research teams and set-ups.
9. Strengthen the use of the coconut genetic resources by enhancing
characterization and evaluation of germplasm, dissemination of breeding
results as well as marketing of improved varieties.
10. Promote and strengthen in situ conservation of landraces and dissemination
by local stakeholders of good planting material in a sustainable and equitable
manner. This will integrate a gender approach to better understand and
valorize the effective role of women in these activities.
The following sections gather COGENT recommendations to address the major

constraints to the long-term conservation and use of coconut genetic diversity at the
global level. They provide a clear framework for public and private sector
investment in securing the availability of coconut diversity in perpetuity in the most
cost-effective manner. It should be an important guiding document for donors,
identifying funding priorities.
3.1 Strengthening communication and commitment to

conservation and use of coconut genetic resources
As pointed out in sections 1.1.7 and 1.2.2, the main objective of COGENT
communication strategy is to increase the commitment to conservation and use of
coconut genetic resources.
From the institutional perspective, global communication regarding the coconut value
chain has been mainly conducted by the Asian and Pacific Coconut Community
(APCC), COGENT and the national institutions from its member-countries, and to a
lesser extent, by ACIAR, Bioversity International and the Crop Trust.
The communication strategy of the APCC has been mainly oriented towards
consumers and processors. It focused first on promoting coconut food products as
natural, healthy and nutritious. ACIAR also effectively applied a similar strategy
(Foale 2003). Both were fruitful. Nowadays, marketing by private companies and the
abundant supply of coconut water products are mainly based on the health-giving,
natural qualities of coconut water. Recently APCC developed a broader vision,
enabling policy support and implementation of programmes that will create market
demand and promote greater access to a wider range of coconut products both in the
domestic and export markets, as well as in traditional and non-traditional market
destinations 1. APCC strengthened its role in coordinating market matching activities,
buyers and sellers meetings, including the participation of the private sector especially
the coconut processors and exporters in high impact Trade Fairs and Exhibitions.
3.1.1. Targeted audience
The markets for high-value coconut products are currently expanding, strongly driven
by coconut water and VCO (Prades et al. 2016). It is highly likely that in the future
these markets will become more and more competitive. Producers, processors and
exporters will have to make the difference by ensuring and maintaining a high quality
of their products. The way coconut palms are cultivated in respect to environment and
health of consumers, the special characteristics of the varieties which are cultivated,
and the notions of “terroir” or “branding by origin” will become increasingly
important in marketing coconut products.
The APCC strategy is efficiently orientated towards consumers and processors. To be
really coherent, the COGENT strategy should preferably be complementary to that of
the APCC. Thus, it will focus mainly on national and international research
institutions, international organizations, farmers, decision-makers and to a lesser
extent to landscapers and the tourism industry.
1See: Creating Market Demand and Promoting Market Access for Coconut Products "The Cocommunity" - Monthly APCC
Newsletter Volume 43, Series No. 10, 1 October 2013.
3.1.2. Concepts for communication

The communication strategy will be based on the three following concepts:
• ‘Coconut is not coconut’. All the coconut palms are not the same. They do not
grow the same way; they do not attain the same yields. They are not linked to the
same cultural and environmental contexts. Food products made from different
varieties and in different places do not have the same taste and the same nutritional
qualities. Coconut diversity exists. Coconut diversity matters. Conservation and
use of coconut genetic resources are therefore highly marketable.
• Give back diversity to seedling producers and to farmers. Coconut is crucial for
the livelihood of millions of stakeholders. The agricultural and market contexts
have strongly evolved during the last decade. Thanks notably to Brazil and India,
the profitability of well-managed coconut plantations producing high-value
products is now clearly demonstrated. Indeed coconut breeding takes time. Indeed
coconut conservation is challenging, as not everything can be achieved in a 3-year
period, which is the duration of most international projects; nevertheless a longer-
term vision, and a sense of general interest and working for future generations
need to be vigorously promoted.
• Coconut is an emblematic, aesthetic and attractive plant. Landscapers in tropical
countries could greatly benefit for integrating conservation of coconut genetic
resources into their plans. No other plant is as closely linked to tourism activities
under the tropics than the coconut palm. For the tourism industry evolving in a
competitive environment, it becomes more and more important to stand out from
the standard fare that tourism offers (Bourdeix et al. 2011a). Many tourists are no
longer satisfied by golden exotic beaches bordered by anonymous palms; and those
who are will more likely choose the cheapest destinations. Coconut palms should
no longer serve as symbols of anonymous exoticism. They tell true stories,
specifically related to islanders’ cultures, in the framework of an ecotourism
approach. The wealth of amazing cultural and agricultural coconut stories should
greatly interest the media and especially TV channels and radios.
3.1.3. Implementing the communication strategy

The COGENT website (www.cogentnetwork.org) is a crucial tool for implementing
the communication strategy. This website has been significantly improved in 2012 and
2013, by adding numerous components such as numerous FAQs 2, a new section
“Research ideas”, databases of geo-referenced photographs (on Flickr) and videos
(new YouTube and Vimeo channels). However, this website is not yet fully developed
due to lack of financial and human resources in support of COGENT secretariat. For
the same reason, COGENT is not yet represented within online social networks. More
resources should be devoted to COGENT communications in the coming years.
COGENT needs a full-time position for a communications assistant who will manage
2 Frequently Asked Questions, see the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/faq

the website, coordinate exchanges with media and help produce short videos such as
those recently released on coconut climbing techniques.
All the photographs presented in this Strategy were produced as very high definition
images. They have been made available for downloading from the COGENT website or
in the new website “Planting Material for the Pacific Region” 3. These plates can also be
printed in poster size format. They will be used to promote the various aspects of
coconut genetic resources and use.
Communication with farmers
Recommendation 3 of the 2012 COGENT Steering Committee meeting includes:
• Encouraging local stakeholders (men and women farmers, private enterprise,
NGOs and CBOs) to become more involved in supplying quality germplasm, and
to teach farmers and other stakeholders how to autonomously produce quality
seedlings of hybrids and other varieties, using the Polymotu concept or any other
adopted method.
• Assessing farmers’ knowledge regarding the reproductive biology of the coconut
palm and the use of genetic markers such as sprout colour for breeding purposes.
This study should be conducted by 1) drafting a standard gender-sensitive
questionnaire by ethno-biologists and geneticists, 2) training local researchers to
implement the survey, and 3) interviewing at least 100 farmers in each of at least 20
countries of the 39 COGENT member-countries.
• Developing a communication strategy to increase farmers’ knowledge regarding
coconut reproductive biology and breeding methods, including training tools,
video guidelines, media communication, and an approach for marketing of genetic
resources.
• Conducting a similar survey with the same questionnaire five years after launching
this process, in order to assess progress regarding the farmers’ knowledge.
As it will be discussed in section 3.7.2 and 3.9.3, the access to a database “seednuts for
farmers” will be added to the main page of the COGENT website. As not all farmers
can access internet, the database will include downloadable and multilingual technical
documentation which will be easily printed and distributed if needed.
Communication with media
Researchers cannot replace journalists, but they can greatly assist them in providing
unique raw material. Journalists generally work on a reportage for only a few days;
many researchers are in the field, interacting with stakeholders almost every day. So
researchers can capture images that journalists could never portray. Each research
centre should have at least a small High Definition camera able to record professional
quality images, videos and audio recordings. Researchers should receive a 2-4 hours
training to be able to produce good quality footage and stills. Journalists will obtain
the best footage by mixing their own recordings with those made by researchers.
3 See the URL: https://replantcoconut.blogspot.com

In 2013, twenty–five short videos have been released by the Secretariat on the COGENT
website, of which eight were prepared by COGENT itself. During the next five years,
COGENT plan to make and release about 50 more short videos. They will last from one
to about 13 minutes each and deal with various subjects, such as: guidelines for
controlled hand-pollination and fields observations; presentation of the ex situ
collections and their curators; How do coconuts reproduce? How to distinguish a Dwarf
from a Tall coconut? The amazing diversity of the coconut palm, etc.
A provisional list of these videos is to be prepared, published on the COGENT
website, and submitted for approval during the next COGENT SC meeting. The
COGENT secretariat, together with the NGO Diversiflora International 4 has already
made HD shootings related to the all coconut value chain in more than 15 COGENT
member-countries. At least 60% of the shootings needed for making these 50 videos
are already available.
Communication with decision-makers
The communication with decision makers of COGENT Secretariat and collaborating
institutions in COGENT member-countries should follows the official channels
existing in the various national, regional and international institutions collaborating
with the network. These channels and the identities of decision makers at the
successive levels must perfectly be identified in order for COGENT communication to
be as targeted and efficient as possible.
As part of the “early warning system” for identifying threats to germplasm, an
interesting exercise could be to simulate, in each country, the worrying situation that
happened in Indonesia a few years ago. As mentioned in section 2.3.1, fifteen hectares
of coconut accessions were destroyed with bulldozers to build a horserace track. When
a genebank gets under threats, the curator should precisely know who to contact at
national level in order to solve the problem. She/he also should contact immediately
the COGENT Secretariat. Thus, the COGENT secretariat should be able to react and
alert the accurate people in national and international organizations in order for
warning calls to be instantly given to the Ministry level(s) in the country concerned.
International recommendations emitted by the COGENT SC 5 provide also an efficient
way to communicate with decision-makers on crucial aspect of conservation and use
of coconut genetic resources. This was for instance applied with the recommendation 3
of the COGENT SC held in 2012, which includes:
• Decision-makers at the local, national and international levels to adopt effective
portfolios of strategies and gender-sensitive guidelines for conservation and
sustainable use of coconut genetic resources to meet the needs of men and women
stakeholders, and especially to ensure both effective conservation and availability
of good planting material for coconut replanting programmes.
4 See: https://diversiflora-international.blogspot.com
5 It could be interesting for COGENT to associate with APCC for emitting joint international recommendations.
• National Agricultural Services and breeders to allow farmers to make their own
decisions, and consider not advising farmers to grow a single coconut variety, be it
Tall, Hybrid, Dwarf or whatever.
• Seednut producers and agricultural services to provide farmers, at the national
level, a range of at least six different coconut varieties, including Talls, hybrids,
Dwarfs and eventually composite varieties, and to explain to farmers the specificity
of each variety regarding environmental adaptation and cultural practices. Most
farmers are very likely to choose to plant more than one variety.
Communication between research institutions and stakeholders in charge of

agricultural development (National institutions and NGOs) need also to be
strengthened notably through an approach “train the trainers”. This approach should
aim at more participation and evolves in a situation of “learning and training the
trainers”. Practical and traditional knowledge of agricultural officers and farmers
should and will also benefit the researchers!
Communication with consumers and processors
To be really coherent, the COGENT communication strategy should preferably be
complementary to that of the APCC. Anyway, COGENT communication will also target
consumers and processors but with a unique and precise objective: promoting the
branding of cultivar-specific high-value products. The way coconut palms are cultivated
in respect to environment and health of consumers, the special characteristics of the
varieties which are cultivated, and the notions of “terroir” or “branding by origin” will
become increasingly important in marketing coconut products.
The markets for high-value coconut products are currently expanding, strongly driven
by coconut water 6. It is highly likely that in the future these markets will become more
and more competitive. Producers, processors and exporters will have to make the
difference by ensuring the highest quality of their products.
As far as we know, there is presently only one case of branding a coconut cultivar. The
Thai coconut variety named “Ham Hom” is the most famous for aromatic water. It is
now gaining international acceptance and Thai coconut water is being increasingly
exported to the USA and Canada and several other countries. The Tahiti Monoï is
made only from coconut growing on atolls soils of French Polynesia; it is branded by
geographical origin but not by variety, as farmers in the Tuamotu Archipelago
cultivate different varieties, such as various Tall-types and the hybrid between the
Brazilian Green Dwarf and the Rangiroa Tall.
6 From Dr Vinay Chand, international coconut expert, in Coconut google group, 24th October 2013: “One billion coconuts
processed when fresh generate US$2 billion in export earnings. Three million tons of coconut oil extracted from 20 billion
coconuts exported earns less than US$3 billion. Of course, there are not enough established markets to absorb another
20 billion coconuts of wet process products. But should we not be taking active steps to promoting markets for wet
products?
Communication with landscapers and the tourism industry

Communication with landscapers will include sending them catalogues of coconut
varieties, publishing papers about coconut diversity in their specialized journals, and
through direct interaction. In five to ten COGENT member-countries, interns should
work on how to integrate coconut conservation in landscaping of both public places
and tourism locations. In many tropical cities, the municipality could be engaged in a
municipal coconut planting programme from accessions conserved ex situ or well-
identified varieties from farmers’ fields. The city will communicate about its role in
conserving genetic resources and will develop a positive and popular image about this
role. The same kind of “marketing of genetic resources” could be used for interaction
with hundreds of sites and stakeholders including: tourist centres, university
campuses, research institute sites, municipal parks, botanical gardens, golf courses,
and farms and farmers.
3.1.4. Impact assessment of the communication strategy
The objective of COGENT communication is to increase commitment to conservation
and use of coconut genetic resources. For evaluating such a wide objective, impact
assessment should be conducted by taking into account the targeted audiences of the
communication actions.
Indicators common to all targeted audiences will be those linked to the frequentation
of the COGENT website, and of the pictures and videos channels. These indicators will
be: numbers of unique visitors; numbers of links from and to other websites; and the
number of download of technical documents.
Other indicators to measure the impact of the communication: to the farmers, could be
the diversity of planted material in the fields; to the research community would be the
number of scientific journal articles citing COGENT; to the media, the number of
articles in the press (paper, radio, TV…); to the decision makers, the amount of money
dedicated to coconut genetic resources conservation compared to other crops, taking
into account the level of importance of the coconut tree cultivation for the country; and
to the landscapers, the urban planners and the tourism area, the number of new
plantations citing or including coconut trees.
3.2. Revisiting the concept of the Global COGENT coconut
collection
The present global system, based on five international genebanks and 19 national
genebanks, has been shown to be only partially effective in terms of both germplasm
sharing and quality of conservation (as stated in sections 2.6.3 and 2.8). In the 2013
COGENT survey, only 40% respondents agreed that international genebanks are
effectively playing their role in distributing germplasm at international level, and
73% believed that the number of international genebanks should be doubled in order
to increase the efficiency and number of germplasm movements.
Plate 3.1.
Thus, an improved global system will be established to:

• vigorously encourage better quality of conservation and readily sharing of both
information and germplasm,
• offer a better protection against threats such as the expansion of lethal diseases,
lack of financial resources, land pressure and climate change,
• create new ex situ genebanks, either field conservation or cryopreservation of
pollen, embryos and embryogenic calluses.
3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks
People commonly reiterate that conserving coconut palms in field genebanks is very
costly. However, it should be considered that on the one hand, institutions spend a
lot of money on growing coconut palms for conservation purposes; but on the other,
farmers are becoming wealthy by planting more or less these same conserved
varieties (e.g. in Brazil and Tamil Nadu). Therefore, with an optimal management, the
maintenance of a field genebank could become a financially beneficial affair.
Fields genebanks are important for many reasons. The conserved germplasm is
conserved in a natural environment and thus, continues to evolve in the presence of
pests and diseases and other environmental and management factors. Such
genebanks remain actually the only way for stakeholders to see the germplasm, and
for breeders to characterize and use the material while planted in the field. Tall-type
accessions are not clones but heterogeneous populations. There is a need for breeders
to see and select the best palms within these accessions. Breeders cannot select the
best palms from batches of embryos frozen in liquid nitrogen.
Coconut plantations of 100 to 800 hectares, including those maintained by many
COGENT coconut research centres, also offer high earning potential. They are often
coveted by neighbouring stakeholders, as many genebanks are facing land tenure
problems. As pointed out in section 1.1.2, by planting common Dwarf varieties,
Brazilian farmers have achieved a yield of 250 nuts per palm per year, generating a
gross annual income of US$10,000-14,000 per hectare. So a first objective for field
genebanks could be to generate a gross annual income of at least US$3000 per hectare.
3.2.2. Diversification of coconut genebanks
As discussed in Section 2.3.5, some of the coconut genebank already practices
intercropping. In the absence of constraints, coconut genebanks should strengthen their
involvement in conserving other tree crops. This option has several advantages,
including to:
• Increase the global commitment to promote the importance of these genebanks. If
more than one crop is conserved, genebanks will become increasingly mandatory
and committed places for conservation of genetic resources.
• Increase the visiting frequency to the genebank. Researchers working in genetic
resources of different crops will meet more frequently, exchange more information,
and cooperate more closely.
• Make at least part of the genebank closer to the planting systems used locally by
farmers, as many of them practice intercropping.
• Ensure a better agronomic management, especially for intercropped fields that
often require irrigation facilities and higher fertilization and will serve as
demonstration fields.
• Benefit from the multifunctional use of the landscape. Some coconut plantations,
especially seed gardens, are generally surrounded by other tree crops for pollen
isolation purposes. Instead of planting any tree crops, these buffers areas can also
conserve genetic resources of appropriate species.
Conversely, coconut conservation could also be integrated into many other agricultural research
centres’ programmes within the tropics. Thousands of coconut palms are planted in these
research centres without considering genetic resources and diversity aspects. As
observed for instance in 2018 in Fiji at the Koronivia research station, which is mainly
devoted to cattle breeding, researchers and breeders working on other crops did not
know the names of coconut varieties they are planting in their research centres. Thus,
developing multifunctional land use is one of the highest priorities, and hence has thus
recently been included as a new theme of the CGIAR research program on Forests,
Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). As discussed in section 2.2.3, the CNRA is starting to
implement this last approach by duplicating accessions of the international coconut
collection in Côte d’Ivoire. Coconut germplasm will be planted in isolated small units
of about one hectare, each conserving only one Tall-type accession and each planted in
reproductive isolation in the middle of other tree-crop plantations, in 5 of the 13 CNRA
research centres scattered around the country.
3.2.3 Geostrategy: doubling the number of international genebanks
COGENT will continue to strengthen links between the 24 genebanks of its member-
countries, FAO, the Crop Trust, the Governing Body of the International Treaty,
CGIAR and other international stakeholders in order to promote the placing of
coconut germplasm collections in the public domain under the Treaty’s designation.
This has already officially been achieved with genebanks in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, India,
Indonesia and Papua New Guinea. Once coconut accessions have been given public
domain status, they can become freely available to bona fide users and exchanged
legally, transparently and fairly, via a standard material transfer agreement (SMTA).
Non-contracting parties to the international Treaty are also encouraged to use SMTAs
to facilitate germplasm exchange.
Despite set-up costs, designating or creating new international coconut genebanks should not
been seen as a costly and demanding strategy. This will often involve using pre-existing
facilities and providing them with extra status. Two additional international coconut
genebanks (large coconut plantations of minimum 200 ha) could also be de novo
established. These new genebanks could become profitable and self-funding within a
few years. Success regarding self-funding will depend very much on quality and stable
management to achieve potential yields, and added value generated from the
production of coconut products.
In Southeast Asia, the Indonesian international genebank now faces many difficulties.
As discussed above, part of the genebank was recently destroyed. The genebank lacks
the necessary manpower and budget to conduct controlled hand-pollinations. Until
2012, all the Tall-type allogamous accessions had been regenerated by open
pollination, resulting in unwanted varietal mixes. Excepting a few common varieties,
the conserved germplasm originated from within Indonesia only. According to the
CGRD, no germplasm was released from the ICG to other COGENT countries. Within
the region, the Philippines are the most active in exchanging germplasm, and their
genebank is more diversified than the Indonesian one. Considering the constraints
encountered in Indonesia, part of those facilities already existing in the Philippines or in
another COGENT country from the region could be formally developed as a new ICG, thus
doubling the number of international genebanks in the region.
In South Asia, the international genebank located in India is very active for collecting
germplasm abroad, as well for breeding and research activities. However, as discussed
in section 2.6.3, during the past 15 years, only a few coconut accessions were released
by India to other COGENT countries. At the regional level, Sri Lanka is the most active
country in term of exchanging germplasm. It has a smaller genebank than the Indian
one, but well-managed and efficiently maintained. Considering constraints faced in India,
part of those facilities already existing in Sri Lanka or in another COGENT country from the
region could be formally developed as a new ICG, thus doubling the number of international
genebanks in the region.
For Africa and the Indian Ocean, the Marc Delorme research centre, based in Côte
d’Ivoire, has been the main provider of coconut germplasm worldwide. It is now
threatened by urban development 7 and by the spreading of a phytoplasma lethal
disease, which is at about 150km from the genebank. Other countries, such as Ghana,
Kenya, Mozambique, and Tanzania are also strongly affected by these kinds of
diseases. As recently highlighted by a COGENT recommendation 8, Madagascar has
unique coconut genetic diversity. Indonesian travellers visited Madagascar more than
ten centuries ago, bringing their own coconuts that created exceptional mixes between
the Indo-Atlantic and Pacific coconut groups. Considering the threats faced by the
genebank in Côte d’Ivoire, Madagascar could provide a good location for the creation of a second
ICG, and could significantly strengthen its role in providing germplasm and planting material
at the sub-regional level - on the condition that the phytosanitary situation of this country
is adequate and well documented.
For Latin America and the Caribbean, Brazil is the actual international genebank but
faces several challenges to reproducing its existing accessions, including: high labour
costs, senile palms becoming too tall, lack of manpower, unsafe palm-climbing
techniques and land availability issues. It is presently envisioned to regenerate some
old Tall-type from material planted by a private company in the north of the country.
Up until 2013, no germplasm has been released by Brazil to any other COGENT
7 CIRAD has conducted a reconnaissance mission in early 2018.

8Recommendation 5 in 2012, see URL:
http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/2012_sc_meeting/cogent_recommendation_5.pdf
member-countries. Also, the Brazilian genebank has yet to succeed in regenerating its
own accessions, so producing seednuts by controlled hand-pollination for other
countries is currently not practically feasible. In Jamaica, lethal yellowing is spreading
and is a concern in regards to the country size. In Mexico, LYD is also very active,
especially in Yucatan, where CICY is located. Any other country from the region could
host a new ICG - on condition again that the phytosanitary situation is adequate and
well documented. Colombia is an interesting option: national institutions are already
conducting coconut research in collaboration with the CGIAR CIAT research centre located in
Cali, in the south of this country; this cooperation could be strengthened in the framework of the
creation of a new international coconut genebank.
For the Pacific region, the SPC-ACIAR regional coconut meeting held in Samoa in
October 2012 endorsed SPC to be the focal point leading a negotiation role with
technical assistance from the COGENT secretariat and linked with APCC. The current
international genebank is located in Madang, Papua New Guinea. Although it needs to
be duplicated to escape Bogia disease 9, it may not be able continue to serve as the
international genebank because of the disease. It will continue to play a crucial role for
screening coconut varieties for tolerance to the Bogia disease. Considering these
constraints, the scenarios envisioned are for Fiji and/or Samoa, or another country of the
region, to host (a) new international coconut genebank(s). The UK Darwin Initiative has
funded work to expand the ICG-SP to include sites in Fiji and Samoa. Transferring
coconut genetic resources from Madang will need to be carefully assessed and subject
to biosecurity protocols of the selected countries. As pointed out in section 3.6.3, the
creation of quarantine centres appears as a real necessity.
COGENT will continue to strengthen links between the 24 genebanks of its member-
countries, FAO, the Global Crop Diversity Trust, the Governing Body of the
International Treaty and other stakeholders, in order to promote the placing of coconut
germplasm collections in the public domain through designation under the Treaty.
This has already been achieved with genebanks in Côte d’Ivoire and Papua New
Guinea. Once coconut accessions have been given public domain status, they can
become freely available to bona fide users and exchanged legally, transparently and
fairly, via a standard material transfer agreement (SMTA).
Today, the existing ICGs face challenges which constrain their capacity to share their
germplasm and these constraints need to be addressed as COGENT envisions
upgrading selected genebanks’ status (from national to international) or increasing the
number of international genebanks, or both.
COGENT proposes a certification system to be managed in a similar manner to a
Quality Management System for the ICGs. This label should be renewed at
9 This genebank was very recently threatened by the rapid expansion of the Bogia disease (caused by phytoplasma) which
has now spread to an area less than 15 km from the collection. The genebank is isolated from both geographic and scientific
points of view. It never had the facility for making controlled pollination, so coconut breeding remains limited. Except for a few
common Dwarf and Tall varieties, all the conserved germplasm originates within Papua New Guinea. During the past
ten years, many commercial coconut hybrids were planted in the centre, but the accessions of the genebank were not
rejuvenated. These accessions have become very tall. Technicians rarely climb tall palms, and the only way they do it is
using ladders, which are now too short to reach the inflorescences.
appropriately frequent and regular intervals. To maintain funding from the Trust or
other international donors, genebanks should comply with any specific rules defined
by within the certification system. These rules should be defined by and within
COGENT member countries.
The COGENT Secretariat will promote the establishment of a concerted set of criteria
for the quality management system of the international genebanks. These “COGENT
Standards for ICG management” will be adapted for use by coconut field
collections from those standards already published by FAO, the Treaty and the Trust
or other institutions conserving germplasm.
Criteria for funding the conservation of accessions by international agencies could
include the following:
• Accessions placed in the public domain and available for international germplasm
transfer or which can be simply exchanged using a multilateral system.
• Size of accession reaching the standard (45 living palms for Dwarf and 92 for Tall).
• Quality of conservation: accession reproduced with a reliable technique; field
observations done; passport and characterization data available in the CGRD and
secured in two different sites; off-types well detected and removed from the fields.
• Quality of management = training session and planning for staff, safety measures
in place for coconut climbers.
• Quality of equipment = good maintenance of the equipment (field, laboratory,
computer, and vehicles), along with adequate regular investments.
• Accessions available in a zone free of those lethal diseases that are transmissible by
embryos.
• Accessions preferably conserved first in their country of origin,
• Then preferably conserved by the genebank that shared most of this germplasm at
the international level,
• Then in a cryobank if feasible.
Other criteria will be proposed by a group of experts in charge of presenting the

“COGENT standard for ICG management” at the SC meeting, followed by discussion
and endorsement.
Based on this quality baseline, the international genebanks will be regularly audited
in order to maintain their international status. National genebanks will also be able to
apply for such audits. These regular audits will help the genebank curator and the
Director of station to plan and evaluate the cost of the investments, the capacity
building of the staff, anticipate the regeneration period, etc.
Within this system, some existing national genebanks could graduate to international
status, as using pre-existing facilities and providing them with extra status will
provide cost-savings.
Maintaining efficient genebanks, including developing cryobanking facilities, doubling

the number of international genebanks will probably require more than the decade
covered by this Strategy. On the other hand, for some of the already existing coconut
genebanks, evolving from national to international status could be achieved at much lower cost.
3.2.4 Sharing international resources between genebanks
Activities for conserving and using coconut genetic resources are currently funded by
the many national research institutes, with no help from industry and almost no help
from international organizations. Even the funding for the five international collections
is assumed by national governments. Presently, network structures for genetic
resources conservation seem to be under-valued within the CGIAR system. Thus,
crops having their genetic resources under the mandate and management of one of the
CGIAR centres seem to have huge advantages when compared to species like the
coconut palm for which no CGIAR centre has taken such responsibility. Therefore, it is
proposed to bring this imbalance to the attention of the Funding Council.
As a first priority, the Strategy calls for the development of an endowment fund (or similar
sustainable funding mechanism) dedicated to the conservation and use of coconut genetic
resources. The Crop Trust 10 has been established to do so for the crops included in
Annex I of the Treaty. Such an endowment would ensure that coconut conservation is
placed on a firm financial foundation for the foreseeable future. This section discusses
the questions about how such an endowment could help to improve conservation and
the sharing of responsibilities between genebanks, and about how the revenues of this
endowment could be shared between genebanks.
COGENT proposes creating a label to be managed along the lines of a Quality
Management System for the ICG. This labelling should be reviewed or audited on a
regular basis. To maintain funding from the Trust or other international donors,
genebanks should comply with specific rules defined under this label. These rules
should be defined by and within COGENT member countries. This approach has
already been launched thanks to the 2012 Crop Trust project “Upgrading Genebanks” 11
and was approved by recommendation No. 5 of the COGENT Steering Committee in
November 2017 12 on Genebanks Audit.
The specific interests of countries may sometimes differ from the global conservation
approach, for justified reasons. For instance, if the objective, in its strictest sense, is to
optimize conservation at the global level, there is no need to conserve the Brazilian
Green Dwarf (BGD) 13 by using 20 accessions located in 9 genebanks and totalling 2690
10The Crop Trust was founded by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and Bioversity International,
acting on behalf of the foremost international research organizations in this field (CGIAR).
11 See the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/network-projects/past-projects/upgrading-genebanks
12 See the URL:
http://www.cogentnetwork.org/meetings/steering-committee-meetings/18th-cogent-sc-meeting-and-workshop-fiji
13 Brazilian Green Dwarf (BGD) remains presently also referenced in some genebanks under another cultivar name
(Equatorial Guinea Green Dwarf). In Côte d’Ivoire which is the collecting country, the cultivar “Equatorial Guinea Green
Dwarf” was renamed as a population of BGD: Brazilian Green Dwarf Equatorial Guinea. In other genebanks, this renaming is
yet to be fully achieved.
palms. Three replications of 45 palms are sufficient to ensure an efficient global

conservation of this cultivar.
Conversely, many researchers from other countries may also be interested to introduce
the BGD in their breeding programmes. If COGENT ensures that BGD remains fully
available to these countries, the cost of transferring BGD to another country (and
subsequent conservation costs) will no longer be covered by the international system,
because BGD is already adequately conserved at global level.
The future endowment fund should be devoted to optimizing the conservation of the
species at the global level. Its sharing may result in articulating donor requirements
and collective wishes of COGENT country-members as described below; the future
endowment fund could be used for the following priority activities:
• Helping genebanks to comply with the COGENT standards for ICG management
and authorize regular audits by independent experts.
• Strengthening conservation quality. For instance, it seems inappropriate to fund
Tall-type accessions which have been rejuvenated by open pollination within an ex
situ genebank (even if at an international genebank). These accessions are mixing
when reproduced by open pollination.
• Favouring the observation and the sharing of passport and characterization data.
Those compliant genebanks who effectively release their data to the CGRD should
be prioritized.
• Developing and applying genebanks’ capabilities regarding controlled hand-
pollination, in vitro cultivation of coconut embryos, and all techniques for
extending the lifespan of field-based accessions.
• Helping genebanks to improve their self-funding capability.
• Conducting phytosanitary measures that would avoid the spread of pests and
diseases along with the germplasm.
• Safely duplicating internationally agreed accessions in another genebank in a
country of a different continent.
To re-iterate the example of the Brazilian Green Dwarf (BGD), there is a need to
identify the three accessions of BGD located in three genebanks which would best
serve global conservation and which could be supported by a putative endowment
fund. Criteria for choosing these accessions could be the following:
• Accession placed in the public domain and effectively available for international
germplasm transfer or which can be exchanged using a bilateral or multilateral
system.
• Size of accession reaching the minimum standard (i.e. at least 45 living palms).
• Quality of conservation: accession reproduced with a reliable technique; field
observations being carried out; passport and characterization data available in the
CGRD; off-types within the variety well detected and removed from the fields.
• Accession available in a zone free of lethal diseases transmittable by embryos.

• Preferably conserved in its country of origin: in this particular case, Brazil.
• Then preferably conserved by another genebank that shares readily its germplasm
at the international level: in this case, Côte d’Ivoire.
• Then in yet another genebank. BGD is also conserved in Ghana, Sri Lanka,
Tanzania, Vanuatu, Vietnam, Ghana and the Philippines. Three countries, namely
Ghana, Tanzania and Vanuatu suffer under high pressure of lethal-diseases and
cannot be considered for global conservation activities. So the third accession could
be conserved in one of these other countries chosen according the criteria list given
above and preferably based in yet another continent.
The responsibility of funding such a global system could be shared by participating countries
(who could provide part of the infrastructural costs) and by donors (through an endowment
fund focusing on improvement of ex situ conservation of priority accessions). In order to
improve the quality of conservation, funding could be partially allocated on an
accession basis, according to expert evaluation conducted collectively by the
COGENT network (Bourdeix et al 2009a). The cost of managing such an organization
should not exceed 10% of the total amount of available funding.
Building such an endowment fund and securing funding for all the components of the
Strategy will certainly take time. The highest priority will be to secure the conservation
of the genetic diversity currently held in the public domain in ex situ collections and
facilitate its distribution.
3.2.5 Towards a concept of a “networked” or “virtual” coconut collection
A networked collection, also called a virtual collection, is located at more than one
geographical/institutional site; it spans the genetic diversity of a given species
(genepool) and gathers stakeholders having a mutual interest for rationally conserving
and exchanging germplasm (Bourdeix et al. 2009b). In the extreme application of this
concept, each accession could be conserved at a distinct site, as illustrated by the
CNRA project in Côte d’Ivoire described in section 2.2.3 and the recent planting of two
small islands in Samoa. All intermediate strategies are thus conceivable.
The establishment of a networked collection would involve more countries, sites and
stakeholders in the global coconut conservation system. Because most coconut
varieties are allogamous, the main limiting factor to effective conservation is the
regeneration of true-to-type accessions via controlled hand-pollination. In the case of
coconut, this regeneration technique is very costly, requiring a well-equipped
laboratory, well-trained technicians able to climb the palms, and considerable
manpower. Not all genebanks can yet afford this. In order to overcome this limiting
factor, the Polymotu concept involving reproductive isolation (see section 2.2.3) is being
proposed as a new approach and will have to be fully evaluated. Several coconut
accessions could be planted, each in a distinct, isolated site. These sites could be islets
near bigger inhabited islands, insulated valleys, large plantations of a unique variety,
large urban facilities such as university campus or golf course, or any other designs
using a pollen barrier. Reproductive isolation will ensure true-to-type breeding of the
crop varieties through free and natural pollination.
The criteria for an accession to be included in a possible networked collection have
been discussed: germplasm uniqueness, genetic representativeness, ability to
reproduce its trueness-to-type and policy considerations.
There is no plan to push the global system of coconut conservation into a
networked/virtual collection over the next decade. Gathering accessions held in
international genebanks (in the same legal framework, network and database) poses
the biggest challenge, including those accessions conserved on islets owned by
municipalities, islanders' clans or tourism enterprises. This possible future approach
could lead to the modification of the classical delineation between in situ and ex situ
conservation.
3.3. Securing existing ex situ coconut genetic resources

The immediate priority of the Strategy is to rationalize and secure the conservation
and accessibility of existing and valuable genetic diversity currently maintained in ex
situ collections worldwide. The following sections present possible solutions to
reduce threats to ex situ genebanks and to the accessions maintained within them.
3.3.1. Business plans for genebanks
Coconut genebanks could greatly increase their capability for self-funding
An international project should help COGENT genebanks to increase their
profitability, in order to secure conservation of coconut genetic resources. Socio-
economist internships should be conducted in at least ten COGENT member-countries for
costing conservation activities, for increasing self-funding of genebanks and for
integrating coconut conservation in landscaping of both public places and tourism
locations, using a multifunctional land management approach.
Many genebanks and research centres have been established close to cities which are
now rapidly expanding. Land pressure on these genebanks is mounting. For instance
in India, the CPCRI genebank is now surrounded by Kasaragod residential areas. In
Côte d’Ivoire, the ICG-AIO genebank will soon be completely engulfed by popular
residential areas of Abidjan, the capital city. Some genebanks will soon remain the
main or only green space available in their respective areas. The status of the coconut
genebank should evolve towards and be recognized as a higher benefit for neighbouring citizens.
Genebanks might no longer be seen as exclusive spaces reserved only for researchers.
They could evolve towards a kind of botanical garden, public park or green space,
open to citizens and where researchers work as well. As citizens will benefit from
sharing these spaces, land pressure should decrease.
The first opportunity for self-funding is by selling coconuts produced by the
genebanks. A factor limiting genebank fruit yield is often linked to the organization of
host institutions. Curators do not have clear interests to increase the level of
production of their genebanks 14. For varieties such as Brazilian Green Dwarf, some
genebanks currently record an average annual fruit production of less than 60 fruits
per palm 15, when Brazilian farmers succeed in achieving annual yields of 250 fruits per
palm under comparable conditions. For both demonstration purposes and income
generation, most of genebanks should have at least one field of Dwarf cultivars
managed in a sustainable way
Another way to increase self-funding would be to process high-value coconut
products (HVCPs) within the genebank. During the SPC-ACIAR meeting held in 2012
in Samoa, the COGENT secretariat recommended that pilot units for developing new
HVCPs and integrated coconut processing centres should preferably be located in
coconut genebanks. This kind of approach has recently been initiated at the Taveuni
coconut centre (Fiji). It allows coconut stakeholders to see both the available planting
material and the new processes for producing HVPs. It will also provide a wide range
of germplasm to researchers in processing for testing their techniques and equipment.
Other by-products that could be valorized by genebanks include coconut timber and
palm hearts 16 obtained when felling old accession trees. For landscaping public places
and tourist areas, adult palms are often sold for about US$100 per meter of trunk.
Genebanks could be particularly well placed on this market because they can sell adult
palms from certified varieties. Genebanks could also produce and process toddy
which is often more profitable than selling fruit.
Another method of increasing self-funding is linked to diversification of coconut
genebanks, as discussed in section 3.2.2. A very lucrative option could be to include in
coconut genebanks plots devoted to the conservation of other palm species. There is a huge
and very profitable market for adult palms used for landscaping of public places and
tourist areas. So the genebank could also sell adult trees from other palm species and
replace them in the genebank as long as this operation remains profitable.
Thus, another way for genebanks to increase their resources could be to develop joint-
ventures with the tourism industry at both international and local levels. As stated in section
1.1.4, many coconut research centres can be regarded as small paradises from aesthetic,
environmental and human perspectives. There is great potential for developing
ecotourism activities. Ecotourism could be emphasized by the concept of coconut
genebanks being autonomous for energy. Every site could have a small unit to
produce coconut oil and biodiesel. This oil can easily run electric motors that provide
14 In many cases, the management and the sale of agricultural production fall under separate administrative services. This
situation has already been encountered in two international genebanks, but may concern many more. A curator told us that
she spent half her annual budget buying fertilizers for the genebank, yet the genebank did not benefit from the resulting yield
increases, as all the income was pooled and kept by another service.
15 Calculated on the period 9-12 years for an accession of BGD conserved in one of the international genebanks.
16 The palm heart, also called palm cabbage, has a flavour resembling fresh hazelnut. It is eaten under the name of
"millionaire's salad". Coconut hearts are sold in La Réunion, for €80 per unit (about US$108). When the COGENT secretariat
tried to convince farmers to reduce the price and increase production, farmers replied that customers agree to pay high
prices for food such as caviar, so there is no reason for customers to pay less for coconut hearts.
energy to the laboratory, offices, engines and, of course, guest-house for the visitors,
reducing carbon footprint.
3.3.2. Extending the duration of accessions in the fields
Extending the duration of accessions in the field should contribute to reduce costs of
maintaining ex situ coconut genebanks. Most of the expenses are conducted during the
first 12 years and when regeneration is conducted. After 12 years, the cost of
maintaining coconut palms should be covered by the value of fruit production. Thus
extending the duration of coconut accessions from 30 years to 60 years could thus
halve the conservation costs per accession. Three approaches could help extend the
lifespan of field-based accessions:
• ensure palm longevity by appropriate management.
• improve palm-climbing techniques.
• Reducing palm height.
Longevity could be increased by addressing the causes of palm degeneration or death.

Diseases and pests need to be controlled where possible. In some genebanks, soils are
depleting due to compaction, excessive grazing by livestock and lack of fertilization. In
disease-free areas, the main cause of palm death is lightning, which strikes more
frequently in specific places. If accessions are kept for 60 years in the field, earthling
against lightning will have to be considered.
COGENT therefore, needs to implement a project for selecting one or two secure climbing
techniques that are well adapted to controlled hand-pollination, and to diffuse this technique
among all genebanks (see sections 1.1.4 and 2.2.1 for more details).
Reluctance to innovation in coconut climbing

An experiment was conducted in Côte d’Ivoire more than 15 years ago. Workers use triple
ladders reaching 15m, without any security system. They were advised to establish a secure
system, but collectively declined, arguing that such a system would make them think that they
could fall, would psychologically perturb them and would increase workers’ falling rate. . These
psychological aspects will have to be taken in account when climbers will be requested again to
change their climbing methods. Palm-climbing is dangerous. In Côte d’Ivoire, during the last
genebank regeneration, two workers fell and were severely injured. Field workers have
ingrained climbing habits on which their life depends. It is not be easy to encourage them to
change their habits, even when their technique has proven to be unsafe. In some genebanks,
palm-climbers are very poorly paid, almost as little as daily labourers, despite the complexity
and danger of the task they perform. One solution could be to increase palm-climbers’ wages
for those using the safer techniques.
Research must also be conducted to reduce the palm-height of Tall-type varieties:

• Vertical growth of coconut palm has not been sufficiently studied and quantified.
The rapid growth of Tall-type coconut palms occurs mainly during the first
25 years. Later, their growth becomes very similar to that of Dwarf-types.
• Farmers of the Mekong Delta use a technique to stunt Tall-type coconut varieties. A
study should assess if this technique, as shown in a recent movie 17, is manageable
for genebanks.
• The genetic determinism of Dwarfism is still unknown, but the vertical growth of
the coconut palm is very probably under phytohormonal control. When these
mechanisms will be elucidated, it could become possible to apply phytohormones
during a 2-4 years period for strongly reducing the vertical growth.
In the future, it is envisioned that regenerating an accession will be undertaken only

when the palms are 60-years old, when more than a fifth of the palms are dead, or
when their annual yield drops below 20 fruits per palm during two successive years.
3.3.3. Triplication of germplasm in distinct geographical sites
Coconut germplasm is highly vulnerable to disease and other threats, making safety
duplication and rationalization of its conservation at the global level an immediate
priority. As pointed out in section 1.1.5, much of the germplasm in ex situ collections is
poorly safety-duplicated outside of the host collection. This puts the material at risk
from loss.
Physically speaking, a coconut accession in an ex situ field genebank is something very
consistent. This is not only a small handful of seeds; it is often more than half a hectare of
large palms planted in the field for 30 to 60 years. COGENT believes that, in the case of
the coconut palm, the most efficient way to globally manage coconut genetic resources is
to do it at the accession level. The specificities and history of each accession conserved in
ex situ genebanks must be meticulously recorded for optimizing conservation and use.
Triplication as a practical and pragmatic approach
The numerous discussions conducted with genebank curators and COGENT
representatives led to the proposal that coconut cultivars should preferably be
conserved in three different countries. They could be planted in field genebanks in
three different countries on three distinct continents. Alternatively, in the future, they
could be planted in the field genebanks of only two different countries, and
cryopreserved in another country. As discussed in section 2.3.7, this “triplication”
system would be applied at the cultivar level, and not for all the accessions presently
conserved in ex situ genebanks.
This triplication proposal is based on a simple, practical and pragmatic approach. For
curators, safety duplication is effectively reached only when the coconut germplasm
is available for international transfer. The present system of five international
genebanks does not meet this requirement: in reality (as discussed in section 3.2.3),
three of the five existing international genebanks released little or no germplasm
during the last 20 years. Moreover, in 2012 and 2013, the international genebanks of
PNG and Côte d’Ivoire (the most active in releasing germplasm) became threatened
by lethal yellowing diseases caused by Phytoplasma. So the situation is critical. It
17 See the URL: http://coconutvietnam.blogspot.com/2016/01/coconut-bonzai-reducing-vertical-growth.html

becomes more and more difficult to move germplasm. The great majority of curators
and member-countries agree that each cultivar should be kept in three countries. In
this way, it will be easier to access the germplasm they need.
Meticulous management of conservation at the accession level: a practical example
In order to better understand the constraints and specificities of this triplication
proposal, and to show how germplasm should be carefully managed, accession by
accession, it is better to illustrate the triplication process by using practical examples.
The example of the cultivar “Sri Lanka Tall” is developed in this section while some
other examples are also presented in annex 9 of this document.
The cultivar Sri Lanka Tall (SLT) is presently conserved worldwide by 103 accessions
totalling 7082 palms. The proposed triplication system is to internationally conserve
the SLT population Ambakelle in just 3 accessions of no more than 96 palms, and
located in 3 distinct countries on 3 continents. Table 3.1 gives details about some of the
accessions of Sri Lanka Tall presently conserved worldwide.
Table 3.1. Some of the 103 SLT accessions registered in CGRD and the 3 of them (in grey) to be
presently considered for conservation at global level.
Country Accession Population Population Conservation Acqui- Number

Number Number name site sition of living
date palms
Sri Lanka CRI SLT02 SLT02 Ambakelle Ambakelle 1954 1609
Sri Lanka CRI SLT02 R2 SLT02 Ambakelle Pothukulama 1988 81
Sri Lanka CRI SLT03 SLT03 Debarayaya Pothukulama 1991 79
Sri Lanka CRI SLT04 SLT04 Goluwapokuna Pothukulama 1991 74
Sri Lanka CRI SLT83 SLT83 Thatin Pallama 2008 14
Sri Lanka CRI SLT84 SLT84 Unawatuna Pallama 2008 18
Côte d’Ivoire SMD GSL SLT02 Ambakelle M. Delorme 1972 266
Côte d’Ivoire SMD GSL R1 SLT02 Ambakelle M. Delorme 2002 144
India IND015 SLT Kasaragod 1939 11
India IND015 R1 SLT Kasaragod 1990 13
India IND015 R2 SLT Kidu 2001 90
Jamaica CIB SLT SLT CIB 1966 NULL.
Solomon YSI SLT SLT RIPEL 1965 43

Islands
Thailand CHRC010 SLT02 Ambakelle Chumphon 1965 133

Sri Lankan researchers have collected many SLT populations across their country.
They have been working on this germplasm with the help of a PhD internship partly
funded by CGIAR research program FTA. As explained in the box below, Sri Lankan
researchers will have to make decision about the future of these populations.
International cultivar names may evolve with time. For instance, researchers from Vanuatu, a
Melanesian Archipelago, gave population names to the many Tall-type accessions they
collected, under the cultivar “Vanuatu Tall”: Pélé, Nipeka, Waluembue, Walanaro, etc...
Researchers will observe in the genebank the characteristics of these populations, using
morphological, productivity and molecular traits (DNA analysis). For instance, if the population
"Vanuatu Tall Nipeka" proves to have distinct traits, its name will have to evolve: it will be
renamed as a new cultivar, probably “Nikepa Tall”. On the other hand, if the populations
"Vanuatu Tall Waluembue" and "Vanuatu Tall Walarano" prove to be identical, these accessions
or cross between selected palms of these accessions could be merged under one name only, to
be chosen by curators; when the accessions will have to be regenerated, the two accessions will
be merged, as there is no need to conserve the same germplasm as two separate accessions.
If for instance, the population Thatin (SLT83) is proven to be an interesting distinct

cultivar, they will have to change the status to rename this population: The SLT
population “Sri Lanka Tall Thatin (SLT083)” will probably become the new cultivar
Thatin Tall (THIT). If such an evolution occurs, and if Sri Lankan researchers agree to
release this new cultivar in the public domain or to exchange it, THIT will also have to
be conserved as three accessions located in three countries on three continents.
On the other hand, if some of the other SLT populations prove to be similar (for
instance: SLT15, SLT16, SLT17 namely Palugaswewa, Pitiyakanda and Razeena), Sri
Lankan researchers will have to make the decision to merge these populations or
discard some of them from the accessions conserved by their national genebank.
Which cultivars need triplication?
Some cultivars are found only in one genebank while some other cultivars are
conserved in more than 15 countries. According to the CGRD, among the 338 living
cultivars conserved in COGENT ex situ genebanks:
• 269 are conserved in only one country, thus they would theoretically need to be
transferred in 2 more countries,
• 25 more cultivars are conserved in 2 countries so these would theoretically need to
be transferred to only 1 genebank,
• 44 cultivars are already conserved in at least 3 countries.
So theoretically 563 accessions need to be moved internationally.
A comprehensive and documented list of the coconut cultivars presently conserved in
ex situ genebanks has been released on the COGENT website 18. Among the cultivars
18 See the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/FAQ/2012_04_419_cultivars_ranked_by_names.pdf

conserved in only 1 country, 11 are conserved with only 1 to 5 living palms, and 58
Tall-types are conserved with 6 to 40 living palms, values which remain far below the
recommended standard size for effective conservation. For some of these cultivars, the
first priority will be to increase their genetic bases by re-collecting seednuts, embryos
or pollen from farmers’ fields. Some of these cultivars with low palm numbers are at
risk of being also discarded from the list of cultivars to be internationally conserved if
they are deemed to have no special advantageous characteristics.
A few cultivars will also be kept by the countries which do not want to share this
particular germplasm at the international level. Despite the problems encountered
with international genebanks, COGENT past experience indicates that this case will
not be very frequent if the countries receive germplasm from abroad in exchange to their
own cultivars.
As discussed in section 2.3.6, there is another level of analysis which is not yet fully
implemented: choosing among accessions conserved under different names but which
are appear genetically similar, although molecular analysis must be supported by
phenotyping and other means to avoid the risk of excluding epigenetically-based
diversity. So in order to avoid additional and unnecessary duplication, there is a need
to prioritize deploying a three-step approach:
1. Improve the data available in the CGRD. For instance, Mexico recently obtained
many varieties from Côte d’Ivoire, but this transfer was not registered in CGRD. In
order to rationalize conservation at global level, it is highly recommended that all
the germplasm movements be appropriately registered in CGRD and done
through SMTA or at least MTA in order to be registered at the Treaty level. If not,
this will conduct COGENT to undertake useless international transfers of cultivars
which are already adequately triplicated.
2. Increase the characterization and evaluation level of selected accessions. This will
include field observations, assessment of quality traits and genomic analysis.
Encourage capacity building and/or technology transfer on coconut genomic
analysis for regions that have established laboratories and or regions that could
afford to establish genomic facilities.
3. Coordinate at COGENT level the germplasm movements for conservation
purposes with the best common interest of both member-countries and the global
conservation approach.
As discussed in section 2.6.3, from a global perspective, access to crop genetic

resources has been recently subject to various forms of exclusive technological and
legal restrictions. COGENT’s opinion is that promoting the Treaty at the international
level should not become a constraint that limits germplasm exchanges. During the past
15 years, COGENT’s practical experience shows that some countries that placed
coconut germplasm in the public domain have released little or no germplasm to
other countries, whereas some countries working under a bilateral or multilateral
exchange system have exchanged and shared a considerable amount. The procedure
for a set of accessions, or even a single accession, to be released into the public domain
should also be optimized, streamlined, and published as an international guideline and
facilitated through the COGENT website. Beyond the Multilateral System (MLS),
other systems for exchanging germplasm already exist at local and national levels
(traditional and cultural exchanges in the Pacific and in Africa for example). Other
movements like the Open Source Seed Initiative 19 are emerging today and moving
material in some countries. In the future, COGENT will try to keep its members
informed of these initiatives.
International management of the cultivar Sri Lanka Tall

In the specific case of the cultivar “Sri Lanka Tall”, global triplication is already achieved. The
most renowned SLT population is Ambakelle (SLT02). In fact Ambakelle is a large isolated
seed garden, interplanted with Dwarf varieties and SLT, which have produced tens of millions
of hybrids and Tall-type seednuts from the 1940s.
This seedgarden is still active, with more 1,600 living palms of Sri Lanka Tall Ambakelle. For
conservation purposes, Sri Lankan researchers have also regenerated 81 palms of SLT02 in a
distinct conservation site (Pothukulama). So Sri Lanka is obviously the first component of
the triplication system. Although in Sri Lanka, SLT02 is not under international mandate, this
population was already released from Sri Lanka to many countries.
In Côte d’Ivoire, SLT02 was planted in 1972, regenerated in 2002, and is under international
mandate. Côte d’Ivoire was very active in releasing coconut germplasm. Although the lethal
yellowing disease is now at about 150 km from the genebank, Côte d’Ivoire can be
considered as the second component of the triplication system.
In India, the SLT accession held at the Kidu International genebank is under international
mandate. In 1939, only 11 palms were planted at Kasaragod, Kerala. This initial introduction was
regenerated in 1990 by planting only 13 palms, again at Kasaragod. In 2001, the palms
available in Kasaragod were used to plant 90 palms at Kidu. The three successive
regenerations are still alive in the field. This population was named SLT and not SLT02. India
never released this population to another country. The accession has a narrow genetic basis
1
and its genetic integrity is questionable . So, at this stage, and although this accession is under
international mandate, this ‘SLT’ population cannot be considered as part of the triplication
system If needed, India could renew its accession by importing pollen from Sri Lanka.
The SLT02 accession held in Thailand was obtained from open pollinated seednuts harvested in
the isolated Ambakelle seed garden. The palms are 48 years old, Thailand does not have the
skills for conducting mass controlled hand-pollination on such tall palms, and the accession is
not under international mandate. However, Thailand could be considered as part of the
triplication system. The accession held in Solomon Islands is very old; as no recent
information was transmitted by curator, and we do not know if the palms are still alive in the field.
In the present situation, a country requesting SLT02 would probably obtain a lot of embryos
2
from open pollinated seednuts harvested in the Ambakelle Seed garden in Sri Lanka , or
a more costly lot from controlled pollination produced in Côte d’Ivoire.
_________________________
1 It would be necessary conduct a molecular study (by using the 15 SRR markers kit) in order to understand the
composition and pedigrees of SLT accessions in India, and to compare them to the SLT accessions presently held
in Sri Lanka and Côte d’Ivoire. From this study, and from the comparison of the field characterization data, a
decision could be made to include the accession conserved in India in the triplication system.
2So the isolated Ambakelle seed garden, initially designed for seednut production, will be used de facto for
conservation and multiplication purposes, avoiding the need to reproduce this accession by using expensive
controlled hand-pollinations.
19 http://osseeds.org/
Such a global triplication process needs again to be precisely quantified, but would aim
to move about 250 accessions within a period of ten years. A possible strategy could be for
international donors to pay for preparing and sending the germplasm (embryos or
plantlets cultivated in vitro), and for the interested recipient countries to assume other
costs (from reception of embryos or plantlets cultivated in vitro to palms growing in
the field).
Coordinating and implementing the triplication process
Coordinating and implementing these germplasm transfers will have to integrate the
following aspects:
• The countries’ willingness to release their germplasm, be it in the public domain or
under a bilateral or multilateral exchange system.
• The curators’ and breeders’ knowledge of the germplasm they conserve and use,
part of it being made accessible in the CGRD.
• The curators’ and breeders’ preferences for germplasm they would like to receive.
• The status of accessions: is there a sufficient number of living palms? Is this
accession conserved in a place free from lethal disease(s), or transferred with a
technique ensuring that the disease(s) will not be transmitted? This last point is first
under the responsibility of the germplasm provider, but is also addressed via the
quarantine sites.
• The characterization and evaluation data of these accessions, including field data
and genomic, transcriptomic, proteomic and metabolomic analyses when available.
• The requirements in terms of global efficiency of the conservation. The
international system would not pay for the same germplasm to be conserved in
more than three countries. The requests from curators can be different from was it
needed for global conservation: for instance, many curators could ask for receiving
the Rennell Island Tall, when this cultivar is already well conserved at global level.
• The willingness of countries to place the received germplasm in the public
domain. Countries that place the received germplasm in the public domain will
be favoured for the exchanges devoted to conservation purposes at global level.
The higher costs of cryopreservation is due to the higher number of embryos needed.
It is not expected that the improvement of the technique will allow a great reduction of
embryo numbers to be preserved: one cryogenebank is generally constituted by two
sets of similar accessions; lots of embryos should also be made available for
regeneration and for the genebanks which will request the germplasm. Cryo
genebanking is discussed in the next section.
3.3.4. Cryogenebanking
A cryogenebank of pollen is feasible now
Pollen cryopreservation is simple and affordable (Karun et al. 2006, 2014). Pollen can
be easily collected in ex situ genebanks when accessions start to flower. Frozen pollen
will serve for exchange, breeding and regeneration20. A novel application of pollen
cryopreservation could use systematically cryoconserved pollen from farmers’ fields
or from the original accession for successive regenerations. In this way, we will be sure
that at least 50% of the genes are fully conserved- those coming for the male parents
from which the pollen was cryoconserved. The drift resulting from successive
regenerations will therefore be reduced.
As pointed out in section 1.1.4, climbing the palms for implementing controlled hand-
pollination is one of the main constraints to coconut conservation and breeding. Pollen
could be harvested easily when the accessions are six to eight years old and
immediately cryoconserved. Thirty to sixty years later, when regeneration time comes,
this pollen will serve for making the controlled hand-pollination 21.
Cryopreservation of embryos
Creating a cryogenebank of embryos is indeed important. The main limiting factor is
the cost of the controlled pollination needed for producing true-to-type accessions of
Tall-type varieties already conserved in ex situ genebanks.
A drawback of the controlled pollination (CP) process could surprisingly benefit the
constitution of a cryogenebank of frozen embryos. The yield of CP is erratic, due to
many factors including climate variability and the varying physiological status of
palms and pollen. To produce enough progeny, curators and breeders are forced to
plan high numbers of controlled pollinations: one CP is normally planned to
establish one palm planted in the field. Controlled pollinations may be much more
successful. Larger numbers of seednuts are obtained, sometimes more than twice the
expected yield. In this case, surplus seednuts can be cryopreserved as embryos with
very limited additional cost. So the cryogenebank of embryos could be preferably be
constituted with embryos from surplus seednuts obtained during programmes of
field regeneration and germplasm exchange across the world.
For conserving an accession in a coconut cryogenebank, the number of embryos is still
to be identified. As the technique is not yet mature, it is difficult here to provide a
reliable figure. Some researchers propose that about 600 embryos will be needed per
accession: 200 embryos on a recurrent basis, 200 embryos as safety duplication, and
200 embryos to afford a facility for responding to requests for germplasm supply from
field genebanks and other users but this proposal has to be refined.
20For regenerating an accession or creating a new hybrid, about 25 g of pollen from about 24 male parents is
generally used. When coconut palms start to flower, 100g of pollen should be collected palm by palm and frozen.
Thus, cryopreservation of an accession will consist in 100 units of 1g, and 25 palms each producing 4g of pollen.
21 This will not fully address the constraints to palm climbing (those used as female parents) but it will reduce the
number of old palms to climb. This could also probably allow reducing the minimum size of accessions conserved
in the field.
Cryopreservation of embryogenic calluses

If the method for obtaining coconut clones becomes widely applicable, it will have
significant repercussions on both conserving and breeding coconut palms. It could
allow conserving a piece of tissue with the potential to regenerate thousands of plants
from it. Recommendation 9 from the 2012 COGENT SC meeting states that:
• A project to be implemented to address the need for an alternative conservation
system based on the cryopreservation of embryogenic calluses, involving a group
of researchers from different COGENT member-countries.
• The research on in vitro cultivation of zygotic embryos and cryopreservation of
zygotic embryos to be continued and the results compared with the new alternative
conservation system based on embryogenic callus generation.
Mexico and Australia seem to have recently made progress, the only method fully
available is presently to produce clones from embryo plumules. This rather unusual
situation has important consequences. It remains impossible to clone a palm, to
reproduce identically its genotype: only “sexual clones” are obtainable from the
progeny of this palm.
So, if any Tall-type accession is to be conserved via cryopreservation of the
embryogenic callus and if it is economically viable, the following steps will need to be
carried out:
• make the 75 to 96 requested controlled hand-pollinations using preferably
48 female parents and 24 male parents,
• extract the embryos from 100-120 seednuts,
• grow independently these embryos into embryogenic calluses,
• cryoconserve at least 75 sets of embryogenic calluses, each coming from a different
embryo and representing a different genotype.
Thus, conserving a coconut accession as it is presently conceived will be challenging. On

the other hand, when coconut clones will become available, their conservation would
have to be envisioned.
If the method for obtaining coconut clones becomes widely usable, cryopreservation of
embryogenic calluses will also be applied when collecting germplasm in farmers’
fields, for instance when prospecting for disease resistance, or other important traits, as
discussed in section 3.5.3.
Collecting coconut embryos and pollen by boat
The accessions presently conserved in field genebanks are in relative security when
compared to the many farmers’ varieties endangered by socio-economic and climate
changes. Thus, cryoconservation should be used as a priority to safeguard the
endangered varieties still existing only in farmers’ fields.
Collecting embryos and pollen from these endangered varieties is envisioned and, at
the first stage, to keep them only as cryoconserved material 22. Later, when COGENT
genebanks and breeders will have both the interest and the available funding to plant
the accessions, or to use the pollen, part of the frozen material could be released. In
exchange, these genebanks will have to provide double the quantity of embryos
and/or pollen from the next generation.
For the specific purpose of collecting in the small islands most isolated and/or
endangered by climate change, a boat, possibly equipped with cryopreservation
facilities, could be used to visit selected islands and collect coconut germplasm. The
scientific expedition could also collect whole nuts and bring them to the
cryoconservation facility. Criteria for selecting these islands are discussed in
section 3.5.4.
For an economy of scale, this boat should collect not only coconut palms but also other
crops or natural resources. A multi-crop research team could be assembled to develop
this emblematic project.
Cryopreservation of embryos from farmers’ fields will require a refinement of the
techniques. The example of cassava well illustrates that the efficiency of the
cryopreservation process can drop considerably (70%) when applied during surveys in
farmers’ fields in comparison to plants sampled from ex situ genebanks (Dumet et
al. 2013). Cryopreservation will still be needed for pollen collected from farmers’ fields.
As pointed out in section 2.2.4, the challenge is now to evolve from validated
laboratory protocols to standardized methods giving regular and consistent large-scale
results in a wide range of situations.
Where to locate cryogenebank(s)?
The question of where the cryogenebank could be located has been debated. COGENT
representatives agree that each genebank should have a small cryopreservation unit,
linked to a tissue culture facility to facilitate local conservation of pollen and to allow
exporting cryopreserved samples (both embryos and pollen). In some COGENT
countries, large cryo-facilities and tissue culture laboratories are already available for
other crops that could be used for coconut conservation.
For safety duplication, a centralized cryogenebank should be established which would
conserve the coconut germplasm of all COGENT countries. For economy of scale, this
genebank will probably be best developed from a structure already serving as a
cryogenebank for other crops. As pointed out in section 3.6.3, the future centre(s) could
serve both as cryogenebanks, as disease-indexing centres, and as export facilities for
embryos and plantlets cultivated in vitro. This genebank could be located anywhere. It
could be even easier to locate it outside of the coconut cultivation zone as this could
simplify quarantine processes (as for Bioversity’s International Transit Centre (ITC)
22 A probabilistic decision support tool will be used to refine the exact number of embryos to be conserved in the
cryogenebanks, but globally it can be assumed that about 40% of conserved embryos will result in palms in the fields; the
sample size must allow for planting the accession twice in the field, so 150 palms for Tall-type varieties. This allows
conserving one “accession” as frozen and using the “other” for field regeneration or testing new hybrids. When available,
about 400 embryos and 50 to 100g of pollen per accession should be collected and frozen.
managing the Global Musa Genebank in, Leuven, Belgium). Thus, the centralized
cryogenebank will be located in the first politically stable country which, in accordance
with COGENT, will:
• agree to devote appropriate funding to this crucial facility with expected support
from international agencies,
• develop consistent capability for coconut cryopreservation, including regular
verification of genetic integrity of plant material maintained,
• ensure that the germplasm will be kept in trust and safely transferred to recipient
countries and stakeholders,
• make the germplasm available in perpetuity for COGENT country-members and
other committed stakeholders.
• and preferably also serve as a disease-indexing centre.
3.4 Strengthening conservation beyond ex situ genebanks

The following sections are mainly focused on in situ conservation, but as described in
sections 2.2.3 and 3.2.4, some of the concepts developed in this strategy overstep the
classical delineation between ex situ and in situ conservation.
3.4.1 Conservation by use
Tree species have been the focus of increasing interest regarding a conservation-
through-use approach, which aims to achieve conservation by increasing the value of
resources to local communities, and thus to ensure that the crops/species stay in use.
In the case of the coconut palm, this approach mainly relies on production of high
value products from specific varieties thus creating niche markets, on production of
seednuts of both traditional and hybrid varieties, and on ecotourism activities.
COGENT will assist APCC for increasing and diversifying the production of high
value coconut products at local level. Traditional coconut varieties sometimes have
lower yield; some of them could acquire a reputation for quality and be increasingly
appreciated by gourmet specialty markets. Higher farm-gate revenues from the
premium market may provide incentives for demand-driven on-farm conservation.
The branding of coconut products by origin or variety should be promoted as it creates
lucrative niche markets from which farmers benefit. .
Farmers producing coconut-planting material should be identified and registered in a way
which will help them to market the seednuts and seedlings they produce. They need to be
trained for better understanding of the reproduction mode of the coconut palm and to
use appropriate techniques for improving the quality of their planting material. For
instance, production of seednuts of traditional varieties should not be conducted on
Tall-type palms planted close to coconut hybrids or other varieties, because the
resulting seednuts will not be true-to-type.
The initiative launched in Samoa by replanting two small islands using Polymotu concept
needs to be pursued and evaluated. Tools such as ecological management of small islands,
production of coconut hybrids by farmers and linked ecotourism activities must be

fully developed and applied to other countries. As part of a conservation-through-use
approach, an ecotourism “kit’ will help stakeholders to develop new lucrative
ecotourism activities. It will include downloadable documentation and video
guidelines. For instance, basic ecotourism activities will consist of: creating a small
nursery; recognizing Dwarf, Tall and Hybrid by using colours of the germinating
sprouts; emasculating inflorescences for producing hybrids; and the floral biology of
Dwarf and Tall coconut palm. Preliminary tests conducted in Amanu’a island in
Samoa indicates that both American and local tourists really enjoyed to learn such
details, which gives to them a completely different view of what are coconuts and their
diversity 23. From this common base, stakeholders will develop other ecotourism
activities specific from their own culture and location.
Regarding on-farm conservation, farmers make the ultimate decisions about
conservation and use in their community. It is crucial to better understand the socio-
economic determinants that influence farmers’ decisions about the conservation and use of
particular varieties in their community. From an ethnological perspective, as discussed
in section 1.1.4, the symbolisms associated with the coconut palm strongly influence
the stakeholder behaviours. These symbolisms and their consequences should be further
studied, and particularly by integrating a gender approach. Mechanisms for identifying
negative trends in crop genetic vulnerability and genetic erosion should be developed
at national and international level. These “early warning systems” will draw attention
to immediate threats to in situ conservation of traditional varieties.
3.4.2 Multifunctional landscape management
The example of Vanuatu
The case of Vanuatu illustrates how the involvement of local stakeholders could be
strengthened in producing good, diverse and advanced planting material. The
Vanuatu archipelago contains 80 islands, but “official” improved coconut varieties are
only produced in one of those, Espiritu Santo 24. Until recently, VARTC was mainly
producing two varieties for farmers: the improved Vanuatu Tall (IVTT) and the hybrid
between the Vanuatu Tall and the Rennell Island Tall (RIT).
Although this hybrid is performing well, production of hybrid seednuts was stopped
in 2013: managing a seed garden of Vanuatu Tall for producing this hybrid is highly
challenging since these palms grow very fast; and climbing for inflorescence
emasculation is dangerous. Transportation cost also considerably limits the use of
these varieties by farmers.
Instead of using a unique seed garden under the method of assisted pollination, which
requires climbing the palm, isolated units could be planted in farmers fields scattered
over islands. These units would consist in planting 60 Green-coloured IVTT palms and
23 Valerie Saena Tuia, personal communication

24 Only two plots of Improved Vanuatu Tall were recently planted by farmers in an other island (Pentecost) ; in the future
these plots could serve for producing planting material. Tiata Sileye, personal communication.
40 Brown-coloured RIT palms 25. These fields would need to be protected from pollen
contamination by any kind of design. These units will produce, simply by open
pollinated, seednuts of IVTT, RIT and their hybrid IVTTxRIT, as follows:
• Green sprouted seedlings harvested from IVTT will be IVTT.
• Brown sprouted seedlings harvested from IVTT will be natural hybrid IVTT x RIT.
• Seedlings harvest from RIT, all of brown of brown-green colour, will be either RIT
or the hybrid between RIT and IVTT.
In this scenario, palm climbing is not required; production of planting material is de-
centralized across many islands; planting material is made more accessible; more than
only one variety is released to farmers; and responsibility of producing the planting
material is shifted, at least partially, from the national institution to farmers.
The case of the University of South Pacific in Fiji
The University of South Pacific (USP) is a regional facility supported by 12 Pacific
Island Countries 26. Contact has been initiated to locate a “Polymotu unit” inside the
Suva campus (Fiji), using the amazing red compact Dwarfs recently found in Fiji and
a Tall-type sweet husk variety from Rotuma island in Fiji. The coconut palms will not
be all planted in one small separate location, but scattered between all the campus
buildings as in standard landscaping. This design offers an extraordinary
opportunity to strengthen the commitment and interest of the thousands of students
and teachers from all Pacific regions regarding more effective coconut genetic
resources conservation.
More examples from Indonesia, Fiji again, Côte d’Ivoire and Thailand
In Indonesia creating many “Kopyor” islands is envisioned, similar to the “Makapuno
Island” existing in Thailand but with a different design 27.
Fiji plans to create a “sweet husk” island such as the traditional conservatoire already
existing in Tonga but with a different design 28.
Côte d’Ivoire plans to create artificial “coconut islands” designed for conservation
purposes and seednut production and planted in the middle of plantations of other
tree crops (as described in section 2.2.3). Another project has been designed in
25These palms will have to be carefully selected using information on their progenies because they need to be genetically
homogeneous for colour.
26 Cook Islands, Fiji, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.
This public research university is a regional centre for teaching and research on Pacific culture and environment. USP's
academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students and staff from throughout the Pacific Region as well as
from other regions and beyond.
27 The “Makapuno Island” in Thailand is planted with a mix of Tall-types and Green Dwarf types of Makapuno varieties. In
Indonesia, it is envisioned to plant in each island with a different set of varieties including both Tall-type and Dwarf types
(preferably red or yellow) Kopyor varieties, obtained or not from vitroculture.
28 The traditional conservatoire in Onoiki islet, Tonga; has been planted with only one Tall-type sweet husk variety; in Fiji, an
island will be planted with a Tall-type sweet husk variety and two red Dwarf compact varieties. This will allow conservation of
these three varieties, production of hybrid seednuts by farmers and linked ecotourism activities.
collaboration with the NGO “Ivoire Développement Durable”. It plans to landscape a

new large customs-free area located near the city of Grand Bassam with 20,000 fruit
trees belonging to 200 varieties of 40 species, including 15 coconut varieties.
Thailand is also proactive in developing this multifunctional landscape approach.
Coconut varieties have been collected and planted at King Rama IX Botanical Park in
Bangkok (50 varieties) and King Rama II Memorial Park in Samut Sakhon
(85 varieties). In 2014, 115 varieties (now already in the nursery) will be grown in a
privately-owned area in Samut Songkham but where the public can visit freely. French
Polynesia plans to build a new museum close to the CRIOBE research centre in
Moorea Island; landscaping the gardens of this new museum will integrate a
conservation of the local compact Dwarf coconut varieties.
Whether inland or on islands, it is expected that many COGENT countries will be
interested in testing and scientifically evaluating these designs to allow conserving
traditional varieties, producing advanced planting material and developing
ecotourism activities, often with strong involvement of local stakeholders and beyond
ex situ genebanks.
3.4.3 Botanists, ecologists and the coconut palm
Botanists’ and ecologists’ approaches towards the coconut palm, in terms of biological
diversity, are sometimes problematic. Both observe a great variation within coconut
populations but this variation may seem inconsistent. Botanists sometimes do not
understand the dynamics of the species in its historical context. In many locations and
especially in the Pacific islands, landraces are mixed. Within the same small field or
large plantation, one may observe big and small fruits; large roundish coconut with
flat bottom used in the past as container; long thick-husked fruit used to make rope;
palms selected specifically for copra, with medium fruits and thick kernel; fruit with
very thin kernel very probably selected as tender nut to drink; and all intermediate
between these forms, including some depressed consanguineous progenies resulting
from occasional natural self pollination. Therefore it is difficult to distinguish between
these mixed landraces, especially when the palms are old and tall. When focusing their
interest on other species, botanists and ecologists often seem to perceive the coconut as
industrial, invasive and harmful. When renowned scientists write that the coconut
palm is environmentally damaging (Young et al. 2010a, 2010b), this may negatively
impact conservation and use of coconut genetic resources.
Indeed, as described in section 1.1.1, excessive and reckless coconut planting on atolls
has damaged and could still threaten local biodiversity. In any event, there are
solutions to manage conservation of both endemic species and coconut palms, for
which genetic diversity is also strongly threatened. Experiences in implementing the
Polymotu concept in Samoa islands shows that organizing coconut conservation in
Nuusafee Island has led to removing around 12,000 seedlings (done), felling about
200 senile palms (not finished), and replanting only 150 coconut palms from
3 varieties. As described in section 2.5.9, the design planned for Tetiaroa Atoll
consists of removing between 1500 and 2000 coconut palms in favour of endemic
vegetation and bird nesting, and then replanting only 500 coconut palms from
5 traditional varieties.
Coconuts and tourism

In 2012, two small Samoan islands started to be converted to traditional coconut conservatoires
Namu’a Island hosts a small resort owned by local people. Nuusafe’e Island is uninhabited, but
tourists regularly hire boats from fishermen and resorts for day trips. Funding for the research
programme and the subsequent scientific visits to these islands was insufficient to fully develop
and follow ecotourism activities. Nevertheless some recommendations have been drafted:
• Planting of the islands needs to be continued. For a while, tourists could be invited to
sponsor/plant a seedling (especially in the hard but picturesque slopes of Namu’a). During the
initial planting, Niu afa seedlings were planted by American female tourists,
• When the new coconut palms bear fruit, after all unwanted palms have been felled; it will
become possible to create nurseries from the seednuts harvested in the islands. Tourists could
be taught how to recognize the different varieties produced by the islands by using the colour
of the germinating sprout: red for Dwarf, green for Niu afa Tall and brown for their hybrids,
• Tourists could be taught about floral biology and how to emasculate Dwarf inflorescences in
order to increase the proportion of hybrid seednuts produced by the islands,
• Extracting and braiding fibres from the Niu afa variety could be demonstrated and the resulting
artefacts sold.
Beyond ex situ genebanks, rationalizing coconut conservation can often be achieved by

reducing the total number of coconut palms and simultaneously by increasing their
genetic diversity. It is crucial for COGENT to convince the scientific community,
including botanists and ecologists, to share these views. The research programmes
initiated in Samoa islands and Tetiaroa Atoll needs to be pursued by integrating a
broader ecological approach. Moreover, as highlighted in the next section,
collaboration with botanists and ecologists is crucial in other areas related to
conserving coconut genetic resources.
3.4.4 Coconut reproduction patterns
As pointed out in section 1.1.4, the complexity of natural breeding modes of the
coconut palm remains a challenge that needs to be better managed.
The most important topic relates to pollination distance. Although some experiments
have been conducted in the past (Sangare 1981), further study is needed on the
pollination distance for optimizing the production of certified varieties in
geographical and reproductive isolation. As discussed in section 3.4.1, production of
seednuts of traditional varieties should not be conducted on Tall-type palms planted
close to coconut hybrids or other varieties; otherwise the resulting seednuts will not
be true-to-type. Three elements need to be determined:
1. The minimum isolation distance needed to produce at least 95% of true-to-type
seedlings.
2. As an alternative guarantee of sufficient isolation for seednut production, the size
and thickness of a buffer zone made from the same varieties and surrounding the
seed garden. This kind of design was envisioned for replanting the Samoan ex situ
collection 29.
3. If such buffer zones can feasibly be used in ex situ genebanks in order to avoid
making controlled pollinations, as explained in the above Samoan example.
Presently it is estimated that conserving one accession by using buffer zones will
require 8 to 10 ha, when compared to 0.7 ha for conserving the same accession in
classical ex situ genebanks.
Another important topic is related to self-pollination, inducing an inbreeding

depression of 20-30% in the yields of 10-30% of the natural progenies of most Tall-
type coconut palms. Simple techniques need to be tested for selecting the seednuts,
which result only from cross-pollination. This will consist in sowing seednuts
selected only from green-coloured parents in populations mixed of green and brown
colours; then comparing the yields of the progenies according to the colour of their
sprouting. In this case, seednuts from natural self-pollination show a green sprout.
Seednuts with brown sprout come from the cross between a Green coloured female
parent with a brown coloured male parent, but never from self-pollination. Thus, in
these progenies, comparing the yields of green sprouting and brow sprouting palms
will allow to estimate the losses in yield due to self-pollination.
As discussed in section 2.5.6 with regard to fruit quality, the characteristics of the
triploid kernel are influenced by the set of chromosomes transmitted by the pollen.
Thus, it is important to assess how many male parents are represented in a coconut
bunch.
Many farmers plant seednuts directly harvested on Dwarf x Tall hybrids, so the
reproduction mode of these hybrids needs further assessment to better understand the
consequences of this practice. We presently do not know the percentage of selfing in
such seednuts.
From a more general perspective, it appears crucial to convince ecologists to conduct
more fundamental research on the coconut palm. Most of ecological studies are
presently devoted to wild palm species. The coconut palm is an extraordinary model
for ecological studies because of its dispersal pattern, because of the co-existence of
different reproduction modes and because of the specificities of its coastal habitats
and associated fauna.
Thus, a better understanding of the natural reproduction pattern of the coconut palm
could greatly benefit the quality of conservation and of production of planting material.
3.5 Collecting and filling gaps in ex situ collections

The global objective of COGENT for filling gaps within the next decade in ex situ
collection is to collect up to 500 well-chosen populations or varieties and
successfully transfer them in ex situ genebanks. COGENT country members will
probably collect more germplasm in the framework of their national programmes; but
29 See the URL : http://coconutsamoa.blogspot.fr/2010/03/15.html

common priorities and rationalization need to be defined at the global level for a
coordinated international action.
The COGENT Secretariat will work to identify adequate funding for carrying out
collection trips and subsequent establishment of the collected materials in ex situ
collections (in national as well as international). Missions should no longer be devoted
only to prospecting or collecting germplasm; they must also contribute to strengthen
links between in situ and ex situ conservation at local level and make a detailed
characterization/description of the material in its geographical original site. This
approach will be systematically included in the terms of references of the surveyors.
The successful establishment of collected germplasm in an international collection will
require the willing cooperation of the host country holding this germplasm.
Experience suggests that release of such genetic resources by host countries is not
always easily achieved. COGENT will facilitate this process. Although priority setting
may need some refinement, COGENT already have a clear appraisal of which
germplasm should be collected during the next ten years, and where to collect it (see
recommendations from 2012 and 2014 Steering Committee.
3.5.1 Compact Dwarfs and other special varieties
One of the ten international recommendations emitted in 2012 by the COGENT SC
meeting deals with collecting activities 30. Recommendation 4 focus on
“Strengthening coconut genetic research, coconut conservation and specific uses
of traditional coconut varieties in the Pacific Region.”
Cultivation of Dwarf coconut varieties is rapidly expanding. This expansion is based
on a narrow genetic basis, mainly the “Malayan Dwarf” type, characterized by thin
stem easily felt down by cyclones, low resilience and sensitivity to drought. As soon as
possible, COGENT should introduce in the global system the cultivation of compact
Dwarfs and/or crossed between compact and Malayan Dwarfs. These types have
thicker stems, slower vertical growth and a better resilience. Pollen of compact Dwarfs
should be collected and sent to the coconut breeders working in COGENT country
members.
Coconuts able to both produce suckers and fruits have been described. This
germplasm urgently need to be safeguarded and further studied, especially by
researchers who are trying to propagate the coconut palm in vitro. The organization of
national or regional coconut varietal contest was recently proposed as a new approach
to locate crucial germplasm and increase public awareness about coconut diversity
(https://replantcoconut.blogspot.com).
Within the next decade, it is envisioned to collect up to 50 varieties or populations of
compact Dwarfs (or intermediate forms between compact and Malayan-type
Dwarfs), and up to 50 Tall-type varieties or populations having both special
characteristics such as sweet husk, special taste and texture of kernel, special taste of
coconut water, medicinal uses or other rare quality traits.
30 http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/2012_sc_meeting/cogent_recommendation_4.pdf
Plate 3.2
3.5.2 Collecting for pest and disease resistance

Collecting actions may be directed to areas where disease resistance is expected to be
found. These areas are not necessarily those under disease pressure.
These surveys will also often consist in collecting the few palms remaining alive in a
zone devastated by a pathogen. Observations conducted notably in Mozambique
indicate that it could be better to collect before reaching the stage where most of the
palms are dead: In the fields threatened by high pressure of Phytoplasma disease, the
rotting stems induce a proliferation of insects, such as Oryctes or Rynchophorus sp.,
which finally kills all the remaining palms, be they tolerant to Phytoplasma or not.
Within the next decade, the Strategy aims to collect about 100 populations having
putative pest and disease tolerances. In such surveys, phytopathological aspects are
crucial because of the risks of transmitting the pathogens with the germplasm.
Thus, the use of quarantine centres and disease indexing methods appears as a
necessity for releasing such collected germplasm to ex situ genebanks.
Large companies in Brazil are investing millions of dollars in producing coconut planting material,
in optimizing plantation management and in coconut processing. However, they face the
constant risk of losing consistent production due to pest and disease damage and the risk of
introducing even greater disease problems, such as Lethal Yellowing Disease. Companies from
Brazil would like to be able to access sources of interesting genetic material, as well as to
participate in implementing strategies to protect the genetic material. Public-private participation
will facilitate developing and implementing strategies of common interest for the crop.
Establishing exclusion zones or quarantine for introducing new germplasm for breeding
purposes would enhance effectiveness and efficiency. Private companies already operate in the
acquisition of new genetic material. A large, worldwide programme would give greater security to
private companies for new investments as well as the expansion of existing projects, ensuring
profitability and reducing business risks, especially with regard to industry of tender coconut
water, which is in expansion, with new companies working in the field every year.
3.5.3 Islands most isolated and/or endangered by climate change

Genetic diversity can be split into two dimensions; one concerned with adaptive
variation and the other with neutral divergence caused by isolation. Different
evolutionary processes suggest alternative strategies for collecting and eventually
conservation. Planning should emphasize the survey protection of historically
isolated lineages because these cannot be recovered (Moritz 2002).
It is envisioned to collect germplasm in remote small islands. These islands needs
to be carefully selected using a multidisciplinary approach based on the following
criteria:
• most endangered by climate change,
• most geographically remote and only accessible by boat (no airport) but preferably
where people are living,
• islands where copra was never a business because traditional varieties will
probably be better conserved,
• island where coconut was or is culturally important,
• and, as it is envisioned to collect more than coconut, islands having special interest
for researchers working on the other concerned crops or animals.
Numerous historical data and information from old planters and their families will
also be collected, so participation of an ethno-biologist to this survey will have to
be considered.
This kind of survey may concern many archipelagos, such as Maldives, Tuvalu,
Kiribati, Tuamotu, the many Indonesian atolls, etc. Highest priority is Tonga for
reasons linked to cultural context and high isolation index of some islands. The
choice of islands will also depend on willing cooperation of the host countries
holding the germplasm. As the cost of such missions is high, COGENT Secretariat
will strengthen links with international organizations, national museum, botanical
gardens, universities and research institutions programming collecting expeditions
in order to join existing collecting missions organized by national or international
teams. During these missions, scientists involved (on behalf of COGENT countries)
will follow the International Code of Conduct for Germplasm Collecting and
Transfer 31. It is envisioned to collect embryos and pollen from coconut populations,
the majority of which will be directly (and only) conserved as cryopreserved material
This activity is only envisioned when protocols for cryoconservation of coconut
germplasm will be available.
The dynamics for the Pacific Region described in section 1.1.1 have important
consequences regarding the appropriate methods for collecting Tall-type coconut
germplasm. Palms with special characteristics will be sought within populations in
farmers’ fields. In many cases, the classical approach that consists of selecting palms at
random in a given population seems no longer appropriate. Such a method samples
and conserves an uncontrolled mix of traditional varieties 32. Due to the low
multiplication rate of the coconut palm, such mixes are of little interest to breeders,
except in certain cases when prospecting for disease resistance. Thus, the collecting
method will focus on the few palms having desirable traits within populations existing
in farmers’ fields. The number of fruits collected per population will probably be
reduced when compared to previous surveys. A “change detection database” would
allow visualizing increase or reduction of plantations, deforestation or reforestation,
and coastal erosion 33. It will help prioritizing the areas where endangered coconut
germplasm must be collected.
31 SeeThe URL: http://www.fao.org/biodiversity/instruments/en/

32Some of the accessions collected in the Pacific region and presently conserved in ex situ genebanks are this kind of varietal
mix: for instance Rangiroa tall, Rotuma Tall...
33 SPC SOPAC Division Published Report 45.
The Strategy aims to collect embryos and pollen from 100 to 200 coconut
populations, the majority of which will be directly (and only) conserved as
cryopreserved material.
3.5.4 Filling geographical gaps
As discussed in section 2.4.3, gap analysis is applied to map the actual distribution,
agro-climatic preferences, and potential distribution of coconut. Geographic
Information Systems (GIS) are used to analyse spatial distribution of different
coconut populations. The degree of variability expected to be found in new collecting
areas is another important consideration. Information on allelic diversity in the
coconut populations could provide an important criterion to guide future collecting.
A first analysis was conducted by the COGENT secretariat at country level. Accessions
conserved in ex situ genebanks comes from only 45 countries and territories of which
30 are COGENT member-countries. According to FAO, there are 92 coconut producing
countries and territories (CPCT), so 47 (51%) are not yet represented in the germplasm
conserved ex situ. The ratio between coconut planted area and the number of
accessions conserved ex situ was calculated by region. On average, this ratio is 90
accessions per million hectares, and ranges from 64 (Africa) to 282 (Pacific Region).
This first approach indicates some basic trends, but it needs to be refinemd by adding
other criteria. Based on this single geographical criterion, the higher the ratio, the
higher the range of geographical diversity represented in the ex situ collections.
This analysis was pursued using predicted area calculated from the maps produced by
Ecoclimatic Niche Modelling. Prioritization of areas for collecting will not consider
only sizes of predicted areas, but their isolation status (for example isolated valleys
will be preferred). The ethno-biological literature and, when available, predicted allelic
diversity will also be taken in account.
Based on the sole geographic criterion, some areas like Latin America, the
Caribbean and Africa should benefit from more accessions’ registration and
preservation. The Strategy aims to collect 100 to 200 populations following the
approach of filling geographical gaps.
3.6 Strengthening the distribution and the safe movement of

germplasm
The introduction of new accessions is generally driven by a specific goal,
e.g. germplasm tolerant to phytoplasma diseases in countries that suffer significant
losses due to these diseases. Another objective can be to introduce germplasm with
resistance to diseases that are not yet present in the country, so that resistance can be
incorporated into breeding lines as a safeguard in case of the accidental entry of the
disease. Furthermore, countries may wish to introduce germplasm from a particular
genetic group that is under-represented in their national germplasm collections, such
as for instance compact dwarfs, aiming at broadening the genetic base of these
collections. Each country generally have its own policy.
3.6.1. Policies for international germplasm transfers

The legal situation regarding access to coconut genetic resources needs to be assessed,
clarified and influenced by improving awareness on COGENT activities and by
disseminating information regarding benefit-sharing and dedicated legislation. This
will facilitate the involvement of decision-makers in formalizing arrangements for
germplasm movements. It will also improve their political understanding of the
interest of conservation and use of coconut genetic resources towards supporting the
development of a sustainable coconut industry in their country.
Linking legal expert groupss to various initiatives like pest and disease monitoring
projects in coconut fields in EMBRAPA Brazil for instance, the IPM network from
APCC at the regional scale, and international groups such as the International Plant
Protection Convention 34 (IPCC) and (FAO), is crucial to get the most accurate and
updated information. COGENT will engage with the IPPC and its Regional Plant
Protection Organizations to ensure that updated guidelines for safe movement of
coconut germplasm will be widely available to those responsible for the phytosanitary
systems in coconut producing countries. Another important field of collaboration is
risk analysis and policy making for avoiding spreading pests and diseases via
stakeholders from other countries or regions (Zu et al. 2010).
For collecting missions, an important step is to secure the administrative authorization
necessary before any collecting trip. When the permits for germplasm collection are
obtained from the authority concerned in a given country, the aims and objectives of
the project will be explained to the local populations using language that they can
understand. Missions should no longer be devoted only to collecting germplasm; they
must contribute to strengthening conservation at local level. Local farmers associations
and NGOs might be important links in facilitating such meaningful communication.
The COGENT ITAGs on Phytopathology and coconut germplasm movements
should have opportunity to meet in order to update the guidelines as new
information becomes available on coconut pests and diseases and integrate new
technologies as they become available. The guidelines should be formally reviewed
every two years. If new information become available in the meantime, e.g. on the
spread of a particular pest, then the guidelines will be updated accordingly.
This will ensure the most effective means of raising awareness and communicating the
importance of safe germplasm movement to the coconut community. Without this
understanding, there is the danger that illicit movement of coconut plant material will
spread pests and diseases.
34 The IPPC works with Convention contracting parties, to develop phytosanitary measures that underpin the parties’ ability
to manage pest risks and the environmental, economic and social impacts of plant pests. Its Commission on Phytosanitary
Measures (CPM) meets annually to review the state of plant protection, identifies action to control the spread of pests into
new areas, develops and adopts international standards and establishes procedures for the sharing of phytosanitary
information. The IPPC works with Regional Plant Protection Organizations and international organizations to build
phytosanitary capacity, to identify and address risks that cross national borders.
3.6.2. Transfer of germplasm via embryo culture and pollen

As pointed out in section 2.2.4, the application of embryo culture to international
germplasm transfers needs further review and refinement, together with strong
concerted capacity building. A recent Trust-funded project clearly demonstrated that
coconut embryo transfer is only feasible where the provider and recipient have
sufficient capacity and other resources to strictly apply the recommended protocol.
Further support is needed to build such capacity and resources within many of the coconut
genebanks.
As discussed in section 2.6.3, from a global perspective, access to crop genetic
resources has been recently subject to various forms of exclusive technological and
legal restrictions. Thus, it seems very important for countries and stakeholders to be
allowed to receive coconut germplasm even if they do not have facilities and expertise for in
vitro culture of coconut embryos. A solution could be to cultivate the plantlets in vitro
up to the stage where they are ready to be removed from the tubes and transferred to
the nursery; then to send young plantlets in sealed tubes to the receiving country and
stakeholders. This will need further research and the publication of simple guidelines
explaining how to cultivate these young plantlets after removal from the tubes.
International transfer of pollen is the cheapest way for exchanging germplasm and the
fastest way to include this germplasm in breeding programmes. So, another research
area will be to optimize international transfers of pollen. Even if previous studies
indicate that the exchange of pollen is a safe method, there is a need to re-assess the
risks of transmission of pest and disease via coconut pollen.
3.6.3. Disease indexing and quarantine centres
Pest and diseases seriously constrain or even prevent international germplasm
movement. Germplasm collected as embryos and pollen often needs to be transferred
from the surveyed country to other countries hosting genebanks. This germplasm
should preferably transit by quarantine centre(s). Such centre(s) will grow the embryos
into plantlets, conduct disease indexing and securely transfer the germplasm to
genebanks around the world.
Where to locate these future quarantine centres? If a coconut lethal disease exists
within a country hosting a quarantine centre, the entire quarantine process needs a
reinforced and fully isolation protocol, with no contact between embryos, plantlets and
the exterior. Thus, quarantine centres could also be located out of the coconut
production area. On the other hand, research on disease indexing need also be
pursued; it is easier to conduct such research close to the disease-infected areas. For an
economy of scale, it seems also interesting to merge these quarantine centres with
cryopreservation facilities for embryos and pollen. One centre, at least, should serve
both as quarantine and cryogenebank.
Two options are to consider a unique site serving both as quarantine centre and
cryogenebank, or to organize disease indexing centres in a more regional basis. In this
last case, each or some of the world regions (such as Africa, America, Asia, Europe,
Oceania) could host a quarantine centre. Feasibility studies will assess these options. It
would be preferable that these activities will not be implemented in newly built centres,
but by adding a coconut component to the facilities already existing for other crops.
As discussed in section 3.3.4 on cryogenebanking, disease indexing centre(s) will be
located in the first country(ies) which, in accordance with COGENT and other
institutions, will:
• agree to devote appropriate funding to this crucial facility with expected support
from international agencies,
• develop consistent research and capability for coconut disease indexing,
• ensure that the germplasm will be kept in trust and safely transferred to recipient
countries and stakeholders,
• and preferably also agree to host a cryogenebank.
COGENT will support developing such international quarantine centres in areas

preferably (but not necessarily) free from lethal coconut disease.
3.7 Promoting the use of coconut genetic resources

In the light of promoting the effective use of coconut genetic resources, this section
considers the following important elements: global objectives in terms of planting
material; promoting farmer-produced and certified varieties; germplasm
characterization and evaluation; international breeding trials, and the development of
coconut clones whenever possible.
3.7.1 Global objectives in terms of planting material
The current status of coconut planting material production has been outlined in section
2.5.1. However, there is a need to assess more precisely the amount, type and quality of
the coconut-planting material produced by national institutions, private companies and,
especially, farmers. Information regarding the planting material will need to be widely
disseminated among stakeholders.
As pointed out in section 2.5.2, farmers are collectively much more involved in coconut
breeding and seednut production than scientists are. Farmers produce more than 80%
of the planting material by themselves from the varieties they breed and conserve.
For sure, COGENT does not advocate a
situation where farmers become only
diversity users, and where all conservation
and breeding is implemented by national
institutions or large private companies, as
illustrated by the example of maize in
‘Western’ countries.
The question of global objectives in terms of
planting material has been debated at various
levels. Even if COGENT exerts influence on
Nursery at PCA, A. Prades, CIRAD
coconut-planting material at global level, its
objectives must be realistic and feasible in a global context mainly driven by market
forces. Thus, COGENT will focus on the three following targets:
1. Reach a situation where farmers will have the choice. The amount and diversity of
planting material should become sufficient to fulfil farmers’ needs. At the national
level, seednut producers and agricultural services should provide a range of at
least six different coconut varieties, including Talls, hybrids, Dwarfs and eventually
composite varieties 35. Most farmers will choose to plant more than one variety.
2. Help farmers to preserve and increase their knowledge regarding coconut palm
diversity and breeding. The specificities of each variety regarding environmental
adaptation and agricultural practices must be clearly explained to farmers. Farmers
and other stakeholders can be trained to autonomously produce quality seedlings,
including self-production of hybrids 36 using the Polymotu concept or any other
adapted method.
3. To better understand the reasons for farmers’ and consumers’ preferences. Coconut
is not only ‘agricultural’; it is a highly cultural plant. Profitability and economic
aspects are not the sole drivers of farmers’ preferences. In India for instance, farmer
preferences also embrace the planting material qualities as a cultural entity within a
human community (Bourdeix et al. 2008).
In this context the market will continue to play its regulatory role, where farmers will
enjoy better control of their business. At the global level, a reasonable objective for
the next decade could be to reach in each country the target of a maximum of a third
of the planting material produced by national institutions and large private
companies (NIPC); and to support farmers in enhancing the quality of their farm-
produced planting material.
How long it will take to achieve a third of total planting material to be produced by
NIPC depends mainly on market forces. Recently, private companies have strongly
increased their involvement in coconut seednut production, notably in India and Brazil.
Large companies in Brazil are investing millions of dollars for producing planting
material, for optimizing the management of plantations and the processing of the fruits.
Such an evolution is foreseeable, in the short term, at least in the Philippines and
Indonesia, and potentially in many other COGENT member-countries.
At the end of the next decade, the Strategy plans that, in each COGENT member-
country, at least five varieties will be made available as planting material to farmers by
national institutions and/or private stakeholders. At least 80% of these varieties will
have to be documented in the future online database described in section 3.8.3. The role
of COGENT will be to make a balance of the existing and to help countries in
developing action plans for reaching this objective.
35 As stated in Recommendation 3 of the COGENT SC 2012.

36 See the URL: https://replantcoconut.blogspot.com.
3.7.2 Promoting farmer-produced planting material

Farmers are disseminating coconut planting-material. This is often restricted to social
networks such as family, clan or village. Researchers and their institutions could help
local stakeholders (men and women farmers, private enterprise, NGOs and CBOs) to
document, promote and supply larger amounts of good quality germplasm.
Information on farmers and the seednuts they produce must be collected and
compiled in a dedicated database, as described in section 3.8.3. This database and other
communication tools will help the interested local stakeholders to market the varieties
they produce.
Local traditional knowledge, especially from the elders, must be preserved and shared
by elders with other community members and the younger generation. Scientific and
technical knowledge produced by researchers must be made more easily accessible,
understandable and user-friendly to these farmers. In some cases, the scientific and
traditional knowledge can be contradictory. Such situations must be carefully
managed because scientific knowledge can obliterate traditional knowledge.
As pointed out in section 2.5.1 and 3.1.3, farmers’ knowledge regarding the coconut
reproductive system and the use of genetic markers such as germinating sprout colour
is a key factor for breeding purposes. Farmers’ traditional and technical knowledge
needs to be further assessed. This study that should include the following steps:
1. Drafting a standard gender-sensitive questionnaire by ethnobiologists and
geneticists.
2. Training local researchers on survey implementation.
3. Interviewing at least 800 farmers in at least 20 countries of the 39 COGENT
member-countries.
4. Developing communication tools to increase farmers’ knowledge regarding
coconut reproductive biology and breeding methods.
5. Conducting a similar survey with the same questionnaire five years after launching
this process, in order to assess the evolution of farmers’ knowledge.
Here again, there is an evident interest in such conducting research not only on the
coconut palm but also on other tree crops.
As discussed in section 3.3.2, farmers and other stakeholders can be taught how to
autonomously produce seedlings of hybrids and other varieties. On-farm conservation
can be strengthened through activities such as participatory variety selection, coconut
breeding and farmer field schools. There is also a great interest for developing a
simpler controlled hand-pollination method 37 which could be used by farmers and by
small research centres lacking pollen-processing labs. Such an approach was initiated
in India by transcending gender barriers and teaching Indian women to climb the
37 It will be a technique where spikelets with fresh male flowers will be introduced inside the bags isolating the emasculated
inflorescence.
palms for pollination purposes 38. As discussed in section 3.1.3, videos should describe
these techniques and help make them workable for farmers. Researchers in charge of
collecting germplasm could bring some pollination bags and teach these techniques to
local stakeholders.
3.7.3 Germplasm characterization and evaluation
The benefits of conserving and utilizing the coconut genetic diversity will only be
realized if this diversity is of interest and is made available to researchers engaged in
breeding programmes. Funding to support characterization and evaluation of
accessions as well as to support the systematic documentation and dissemination of
the information is imperative to ensure efficient genebank management and use of
genetic resources by breeders. This should include the digitization and dissemination
of important historical data.
The use of accessions depends on their evaluation for economically and culturally
important traits. The main traits to be assessed are yield
determinants, adaptation to biotic and abiotic
stress,yield components, precocity and tree size (quality
and vigour). Although increased yield potential is the
main aim, yield potential can only be reliably estimated
in collections with uniform planting conditions or by
the use of appropriate statistical tools.
The list of international coconut descriptors dates back
to 1995 and needs to be revised and completed. For
instance, although a few traits regarding fruit quality
are included in the international list of standard
descriptors, there is a need to increase and standardize these quality descriptors, and
to promote their systematic evaluation. For instance, no specific data regarding tender
coconut is yet included in the Stantech Manual whereas the international market for
coconut water represents today more than two billion US$.
In order to increase differentiation of cultivars, putative new descriptors should be
studied, especially for roots, the morphology and size of female and male flowers, the
morphology of pollen, the upper part of the fruit, the three eyes of the nut, and the top
of the canopy. Organoleptic and physicochemical components linked to nutritional
qualities of the kernel and the water are other important criteria and should be better
taken into account. For some products, such as Makapuno fruits, tendernut and even
mature coconut sold as fresh fruits, the short shelf-life is limiting markets for fresh
consumption; genetic diversity for these characteristics should be assessed in
conjunction with the available preservation techniques.
Heavy winds damage coconut palms in cyclone prone locations of many countries
such as Philippines, Fiji, Jamaica, Vanuatu and India. Drought tolerance and
establishment ability in coconut have also become important traits due to the growing
concerns about climate change, notably with the dry seasons getting longer, harsher
38 See : http://www.icar.org.in/en/node/5913
and less predictable in some regions. Especially, draught tolerance could be linked to
changes in the coconut fruit biochemical composition and could lead to different nut
yields and qualities. Tolerance of coconut germplasm to such natural calamities should
be added to the descriptor list and existing databases
About the guidelines “Useful definitions of terms and nomenclature”

International cultivar names may evolve with time. For instance, researchers from Vanuatu, a
Melanesian Archipelago, gave population names to the many Tall-type accessions they collected,
under the cultivar “Vanuatu Tall”: Pélé, Nipeka, Waluembue, Walanaro, etc. Researchers will
observe in the genebank the characteristics of these populations, using morphological,
productivity and molecular traits (DNA analysis). For instance, if the population "Vanuatu Tall
Nipeka" proves to have distinct traits, its name will have to evolve: it will be renamed as a new
cultivar, probably “Nikepa Tall”. On the other hand, if the populations "Vanuatu Tall Waluembue"
and "Vanuatu Tall Walarano" prove to be identical, these accessions or crosses between
selected palms of these accessions could be merged under one name only, to be chosen by
curators. When the accessions will have to be regenerated, the two accessions will be merged,
as there is no need to conserve the same germplasm as two separate accessions.
Further prioritization on specific traits will be required under the coordination of

COGENT. Pre-breeding activities, such as for instance selecting the best palms within
accessions, should be supported so that advanced material can be made widely
available to accelerate progress in breeding efforts. Once evaluated, pollen or embryos
of selected progenies could be sent to quarantine centre(s) before being released in
trust to breeders.
The manpower needed for characterizing accessions using standard descriptors was
estimated in section 2.3.3. This analysis led the COGENT secretariat to issue an
international recommendation applicable to the coconut palm and any other crop: an
evaluation of the manpower and equipment needed for observation of standard
descriptors should be included as annex to all new versions of lists of standard
descriptors.
3.7.4 International breeding trials
As discussed in section 2.5.3, there is insufficient activity in practical coconut breeding.
Many countries are still utilizing the same hybrids for over 20 years whilst farmers and
exporters demand for new varieties that meet their needs. Breeding programmes are
under-resourced in most countries. Coconut breeding itself is of no use if it is not
followed by efficient programmes to multiply selected varieties, either in seed gardens
(hybrid varieties) or using appropriate designs such as Polymotu. Plate 3.3
demonstrates the potential for wider future diversity from hybrids that could be
incorporated into breeding programmes
Although past international surveys and experiments have been fruitful, a globally
coordinated coconut breeding programme, as stated in the previous version of the
Strategy has not been achieved. Coconut is used in a wide range of regions and
countries, with a wide diversity of soils, climates, and pests and diseases, and for a
great diversity of uses.
Plate 3.3
Risks of disease transmission and quarantine restrictions also limit the exchange of
seednuts, although it remains possible to exchange pollen and embryos. It has proved
difficult to engage the interest of both decision-makers and coconut breeders to
collaborate on common genetic experiments. Breeders prefer to make their own
choices, closely related to the specificities of their countries.
COGENT will no longer promote a globally coordinated coconut breeding
programme. If some member-countries are interested in exchanging breeding
progenies, COGENT will continue to support them. Such a possible exchange was
recently discussed for Makapuno/Kopior varieties. The main challenge will be to
obtain the commitment of researchers, their parent institutions and countries to
exchange this sensitive material. Sending pollen is the fastest and the cheapest way to
conduct such exchanges.
The role of COGENT in breeding activities will mainly focus on the following
objectives:
• Help understand the genetic determinism of the two kinds of dwarfisms existing in
the species by using field experiments and molecular approach.
• Evaluate the value of the seednuts harvested on Dwarf x Tall Hybrids, as many
farmers are planting this material.
• Ensure that appropriate methods and equipments are available for conducting
reliable controlled hand-pollination (breeders will benefit from the actions
undertaken for regeneration of genebanks).
• Promote international exchanges of pollen between breeding programmes.
• Promote multi-location trials involving research centre, small farmers and the few
existing large plantations, and increase interactions between these three categories
of stakeholders. These experimentations will be devoted in priority to complex
crosses between Dwarf types and search for tolerance to diseases caused by
Phytoplasma.
• Help seednut producers to market their planting material.
• Promote the use of genomics in breeding, as discussed in section 3.9.2.
Conventional breeding is cumbersome in plantation crops. It involves many

generations running for decades; it is expensive in terms of time, space and the large
volume of individuals to be handled. Recent developments in molecular genetics and
biotechnology are now accelerating the breeding process. Therefore, it is crucial to
combine marker-assisted selection, genomics and genetic engineering techniques with
classical breeding, as discussed in section 3.9.
The yields reached by the few large plantations and even small Brazilian farmers are
often higher than those obtained by breeders in national research centres. New dynamic
breeding programmes should be encouraged, technically strengthened and conducted
in collaboration with private sector with technical assistance by COGENT and selected
development partners. While some large companies in Brazil and India already have
breeding programmes for their specific purposes, a more comprehensive breeding
programme, which brings together information from existing varieties within

companies, in research institutions and in farmers’ fields, in a network model, would
bring a great benefit. As stated in recommendation 7 from the 2012 COGENT SC,
private companies and farmers need to be more involved in coconut breeding by
hosting at least half of the field experiments under supervision of scientists from
national institutions.
If breeding experiments are to be conducted with farmers, the past experience obtained
from India must be fully taken into account. Protocols will integrate the fact that
farmer’s choices rely on the qualities of planting material as a cultural entity within a
human community. COGENT will encourage large plantations to host new
demonstration plots and to help training smallholders to modern cultivation practices.
Two of the ten recommendations developed during the 2012 SC COGENT meeting
focused on establishing multi-location coconut breeding trials. One focuses on
breeding Dwarf varieties in Latin America, the Caribbean and Africa; the other
deals with conducting an international breeding trials in Asia.
3.7.5 Coconut clones, the next revolution?
As discussed in section 2.2.4, embryogenic callus from obtained from embryos
plumules can be regenerated as in vitro plantlets. This technique has not yet been
applied to producing planting material for farmers. Cloning needs further study, as access
to clones could greatly benefit farmers.
In Brazil, large companies are already considering coconut cloning as a reality.
Companies seek high and consistent productivity and standardization of the final
product, which would be considerably improved with the advent of the cloning
technique in scale, enabling the planting of clones over large area. For this technique to
become economically viable and taken to scale, clone bio-factories should be
established with the participation of private enterprises in financing, as well as for
large-scale acquisition of clones. A partnership of private companies with Brazilian
producers, who receive the cloned seedlings, will provide superior and uniform
genetic material with guarantees from the private companies in terms of purchasing
the fruits.
The availability of clones would have important consequences for both coconut
conservation and breeding. The coconut cloning technique presently available has a
particularity, in that the clones are not obtained from the vegetative parts of the palms.
They come from embryos resulting from sexual reproduction. Breeding methods will
need to be specifically adapted to identify and select the best ‘sexual clones’.
A practical example will better illustrate such an evolution. In Colombia, CIAT has
collected 300 embryos from 90 palms 39 that have survived recurrent waves of the Red
Ring disease (caused by the nematode Bursaphelenchus cocophilus) during more than
40 years. Embryos are presently multiplied in vitro by using the technique of somatic
embryogenesis from embryo plumules.
39 from local and imported Dwarf and Tall coconut varieties.

Nutless coconut varieties

There is an attractive potential market for nutless coconut varieties. The tourism industry and
municipalities in Florida, Hawaii and other tropical areas are spending several million dollars per
year only to remove coconut from the palms to avoid accidents due to falling coconuts. Globally,
much more money is spent in removing these coconuts than for conservation of coconut genetic
resources. This could be one of the first marketable applications of in vitro clonal propagation,
although presently clones are generated mainly from embryos. Many customers would be
prepared to pay a lot of money for a coconut palm with attractive fronds and no fruit at all. Such
rare, nutless palms could quite easily be found in farmers’ fields and genebanks, and they
generally gain height more rapidly than conventional varieties.
The collected material will be tested for disease tolerance. From the genetic
perspective, the samples presently multiplied do not have the same genotypes as the
palms in the fields; they come from open-pollinated progenies. It is expected that the
cause of tolerance in the parent palms is principally due to genetic factors. In this
case, if the genes involved in tolerance are dominant, the tolerance will be
transmitted to these progenies. But if these genes are recessive, only a very few of the
progenies (those resulting from natural self-pollination) may express the expected
tolerance to the Red Ring disease.
In the meantime, the embryogenic callus lineages obtained from embryos will need
to be carefully preserved. They are the only material from which the best clones
could be multiplied. The whole experiment, including field testing, will take 8 to 12
years to achieve full results. Thus, an efficient means of conserving these
embryogenic calluses is vital. As discussed in section 3.3.4, cryopreservation could be
the most effective way to conserve this material.
There is an evident interest to apply cloning both to the material existing in farmers’
fields, and to breeders’ best progenies. For instance, in the case of Colombia, it could
be interesting to cross the putative tolerant Dwarfs with the putative tolerant Talls,
and to use the resulting embryos for somatic embryogenesis and subsequent
breeding work. It will probably take again time for scaling-out such a technique from
the laboratories to the full-scale development stage.
Another application of coconut cloning could be to create bi-clonal seed gardens.
This would allow releasing seednuts from the cross between two selected coconut
palms (and no longer the crosses between two populations, as it is presently done).
The availability of clones would have strong consequences on both conservation
and breeding of the coconut palm. Such a methodology will apply first to the
selection of palms tolerant to phytoplasma diseases and to any other
characteristics wanted by breeders and other stakeholders.
3.8 Improving databases and sharing of technical information

As pointed out in section 1.1.5, inadequate communication and dissemination of
reliable information on coconut accessions held in genebanks significantly reduces
the accessions’ value to breeders, farmers and other users of the germplasm. The
existing germplasm information systems need more support to improve accessibility and
interpretation of the information available. The COGENT website 40 provides a single

point of access for all the elements of the Coconut germplasm Information System.
3.8.1 Data management in genebanks
As seen in section 2.4.1 (‘Local genebank management systems’), data loss in
genebanks is a real threats. Therefore, it is imperative to make sure that all collected
data remains available and securely stored for many years. Initiatives are needed in
most genebanks to install and/or improve local information management systems to
facilitate accession management and data sharing.
Characterization and evaluation data from ex situ genebanks and breeding trials should be
computerized and systematically duplicated in another geographically different location.
These may be two different national institutes, or a national institution cooperating
with a specialized international research institute. The COGENT secretariat already
played a role in safeguarding data, especially in Côte d’Ivoire. This role could be extended
with respect to intellectual property of institutions and countries if appropriate resources
are made available.
Given the rapid evolution of information technology, the software “Coconut Data
Management” (CDM) is now becoming obsolete. A more complete and modern software
should be developed for managing palm-by-palm data. The many technical operations
linked with controlled hand-pollination need also to be computerized. Homemade
basic software is sometimes used for this last purpose, but a more global and
standardized approach would favour efficiency and quality in the management of
controlled pollinations. Genebanks may hold collections of other crops; they are often
spread over several locations, and coordination would require a significant amount of
time or computer equipment. The local genebank information system should be able to
compute the average values for data obtained from specific trees in the field, that are stored as
characterization data in the CGRD database. This will facilitate the task of curators for
documenting the international database.
A possible option could be to adopt a widely standardized system such as GRIN-
Global 41. However GRIN-Global was initially conceived for annual and seed crops and
may need to be customized for managing coconut germplasm. This is exemplified by
exchanges with the Genesys multi-crop database, where coconut data transmitted
more than 18 months ago is yet to be included in this database (2013). So before engaging
in GRIN-Global, COGENT must receive a clear commitment from the software providers and
agree with them on detailed planning. This should include training, with GRIN-Global
experts carrying out this initial set-up in collaboration with genebank curators.
40 See the URL: www.cogentnetwork.org

41 GRIN-Global is a project whose mission is to create a new, scalable version of the USDA’s Germplasm Resources
Information Network system (GRIN) suitable for use by any interested genebank in the world. It is being developed in a joint
effort with the Crop Trust, Bioversity International, and ARS/USDA. The project’s goal is to provide the world’s crop
genebanks with a powerful, flexible, easy-to-use global plant genetic resource (PGR) information management system. The
database and interface(s) will be designed to accommodate both commercial and open-source programming tools, to be
database-flexible, and to require no licensing fees for genebank use.
Plate 3.4
Research needs to be conducted regarding the techniques for numbering palms in the
fields. Presently, numbers are painted on the stems but these last only four to five
years. Missing or erased numbering was identified as a main source of error for field
characterization and evaluation. Technologies such as Global Positioning Systems
(GPS) and barcoding are currently not used in coconut collections, but these are
becoming less expensive and more widely available, and likely to be increasingly
important in managing genetic resources in the future. In some countries like Brazil,
this process has already started: under a new law, all germplasm accessions of all
species will have to be geo-referenced (GPS positioned). Another cheaper and simpler
technique could be to carve numbers on the stems with basic precautions for avoiding
diseases transmission.
For a fully efficient management of palm-by-palm data and controlled pollinations, it
is expected to develop a new dedicated software. Curators of the coconut genebanks
will need to be trained to its use. Already existing data will be carefully transferred
under this new system, which will include a systematic data duplication, at least
within countries.
3.8.2 International databases on ex situ conservation
The coconut genetic resources database (CGRD) is the database gathering specific data
(passport and characterization using agreed standard descriptors) from all the
genebanks of COGENT member-countries, be they national or international 42. Given
evolving computer standards, CGRD will become outdated. So there is a need to
upgrade the CGRD. During the transition phase to upgraded software, where CGRD is
no longer operating due to material constraints, Excel templates could be developed to
help curators provide standardized information whenever possible.
The new CGRD will need to link to existing international databases (utilizing
standardized variety identification codes), such as TropGENE (a multi-crop database
storing data on molecular marker, genetic and physical maps, and phenotyping or
genotyping studies), in order to access additional information of interest to potential
users of the germplasm. This will take the form of either a direct link (taking the user to
the other database) or a web service (where information is retrieved from another
database, but integrated into the host’s output). Users of these international databases
will also be able to link back to CGRD to access information on individual accessions
and their availability.
COGENT plans to develop a data-sharing agreement (DSA) 43 between each
COGENT country-member as the data provider, and the COGENT Secretariat as
the data receiver, to increase the level of legal protection of the data and to
42 See http://www.cogentnetwork.org/cgrd-version-6-0-test-version
43A Data Sharing Agreement (DSA) comprises a number of regulations for managing shared data between the Data-provider and the
Receiver in several specific domains and contexts. This is an official accord between the parties that distinctly establishes which type of
data is being shared, the obligations involved, the permissions required and how the data can be used. It ensures the protection of the
Data-provider and the Receiver, by establishing regulations and agreed terms and conditions of use in diffusion to third parties.
acknowledge the stake of each COGENT member-country. Targeted end-users

concerning this DSA include genebank managers, plant breeders, taxonomists,
policy-makers, educators, and students, as well as the broader scientific community.
Sharing data encourages researchers, provides vital input and support for academic
research, and renders the data available to other investigators. A Frequently asked
questions (FAQ) section about DSA can be found on the COGENT website 44, together
with the Database Portal Terms and Conditions of Use and a draft proposal for DSA.
Movement of material into and out of COGENT genebanks should be monitored
and carefully recorded, including transfer for safety duplication. This would
provide up-to-date information on the global management of accessions. The
monitoring system would link to local genebank management systems to the
future quarantine centre(s) and cryogenebank(s), providing up-to-date information
on the location and availability (e.g. quarantine status) of the germplasm.
As is already in place for other crops, a likely future development for an information
portal is the provision of a germplasm ordering system that would allow the user to
select the most appropriate germplasm accessions in the collections accessible in the
public domain based on passport, characterization and evaluation data. The
germplasm ordering system would take account of the guidelines for safe movement
of coconut germplasm and link accessions to an MTA or SMTA. The ordering system
would also serve the purpose of tracking movement of germplasm in a similar way
that the global information system for the International Treaty does.
COGENT envisions entrusting the global management of accessions data to one of
the institutions linked to COGENT country-membership.
3.8.3 Databases for and of farmers
Farmers’ access to appropriate and diverse planting material is an essential condition
for sustainable coconut production. COGENT envisions an information management
system for farmers that will provide comprehensive and updated information on
coconut planting material, and on where and how to find it. Not all farmers will be
able to directly access this online database, so simple and accurate documentation
could also be made available (easily downloadable and printable) from the COGENT
website, in conjunction with the websites of member-countries.
COGENT country-members should create and make available on line national
databases “coconut planting material” that will include sources of coconut seednuts
produced by national institutions, private companies, farmers and other
stakeholders. Each extension service should also have a farmers’ database facilitating
the diffusion of information and innovation to farmers.
The national “coconut planting material” databases could be made accessible under a
section “seednuts for farmers” added to the main page of the COGENT website. It
44 See http://www.cogentnetwork.org/index.php/faq/137-what-is
will include two search options: by country, and by type of variety. This section will
include coconut seednuts produced by national institutions, private companies,
NGOs, farmers and other stakeholders at the national or global level, respectively.
Such a database will gather information about the planting material and also about
people and sites involved in its production, with respect to intellectual property
rights of the countries, farmers and other stakeholders. A significant amount of
information already exists, even on the COGENT website, but this information is
presently not sufficiently accessible 45.
The private sector is also very interested in contributing to such a database. Contacts
recently initiated with private companies in Brazil, for instance, have highlighted the
following issues: an interconnected network indicating producers of superior genetic
seednuts, and the varieties most suitable for each purpose and environment, would be
of great value for farmers and companies involved in coconut production.
The number of visits and downloads of technical documents from this online
“Databases for and of farmers” will serve as an indicator for measuring the
COGENT’s success in communicating with coconut stakeholders.
3.9 Preparing the area of coconut genomics

As previously discussed in section 2.5.8, the range of techniques for genome study is
rapidly expanding and coconut genomics information is quickly accumulating.
Genotyping and sequencing approaches will continue to change rapidly. It is
anticipated that some of the technical specifications given below will need to be
revised to take into account the evolution of the methods and the decreasing cost and
increasing reliability of high throughput methods. In particular, we believe that, even
if microsatellite studies retain their usefulness, they will be quite quickly replaced by
more powerful methods.
The coconut genomics approach is not only restricted to the Cocos nucifera genome. It
also applies to associate pathogens such as the phytoplasmas involved in the lethal
yellowing diseases. Meta-genomics analysis of soil samples collected at collection-
evaluation sites could also help explain part of the prevailing phenotypic variation.
Landscape genomics could also be helpful for a better understanding of the coconut
climate adaptation in relation with climate change (e.g. higher global temperatures and
sea-level rises). Genome wide association studies, when applied to environmental
factors, help to select and breed “adapted” genotypes. However, data management
and analysis may become the weakest element of the chain to allow full exploitation of
these technical advances. Both the conservation of coconut genetic resources and
breeding efforts can significantly benefit from genomic approaches and become more
effective and (cost-) efficient!
45See for instance the illustrated descriptions of coconut hybrids available pages 115, 117,119 and 121 of the following
document :http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/publications/part4_CFCTechPaper42.pdf
3.9.1 Sequencing coconut genome

Having a high-quality whole genome sequence was the first step in deciphering the
organization of the coconut genome. It now provides the requested basis for mapping
and characterizing key genes for economically and agronomically important traits
such as fertility, flower and fruit development, oil production, dwarfisms or disease
resistance. By unraveling evolutionary events such as sequence duplications or
deletions, as well as chromosome rearrangements, whole-genome sequencing offers
the possibility of benefiting from data obtained on related species such as oil palm or
date palm.
The Malayan Yellow Dwarf, a highly homozygous variety already available in most
COGENT genebank, was used as the first genotype to be sequenced. The
transcriptome data, was also obtained for the Hainan Tall (variety from China). Both
will be used as references for functional annotation.
New generation sequencing technologies will be used for genome wide association
studies. The de novo sequence thus developed will become the future reference genome
for coconut 46. It will pave the way for rapid and much cheaper “resequencing”of extra
genotypes (e.g. as parents in mapping populations, etc…) which will allow the
development of marker-assisted breeding 47.
3.9.2 Preparing the era of marker-assisted breeding
In order to identify a large number of QTLs responsible for phenotypic differences,
COGENT intend to focus experiments on four sets of populations: Indo-Atlantic Talls,
Pacific Talls, Pacific Dwarfs and introgressed Talls. Each of these genetic groups will
be represented by two cultivars with 25 individuals per population, so about one and
half hectares of coconut plantation will be required. This set will have to be planted by
the breeders interested in developing a genomics-based approach and who are ready
to plant the field plots needed for this approach. Germplasm exchanges will have to be
carefully monitored, preferably going through a quarantine centre having disease
indexing facilities.
Phenotypic characterization will include:
• Phenology and biomass assessment (leaves, stem, roots and reproductive
apparatus) which provides the net balance of the ontogenic development and the
entire integration of the metabolism efficiency at plant scale.
46 Nuclear DNA will be sequenced using two complementary techniques, Illumina HiSeq2500 (~150 bp) with a ≈ 80 x
coverage, Roche 454/454+ (coverage ≈15x). A new BAC library will be constructed for dwarf genotype and BAC clones will
be sequenced to get the coverage of 4 x. Targeted re sequencing of the coconut genome for the specific loci will be done
using solexa. A saturated map will be produced by anchoring a core set of SNP markers and available SSR markers to the
existing map. Genotyping by sequencing will be followed for a minimum of 100 individuals each from a population created in
Côte d’Ivoire (for saturated linkage map itself), and from a population created in the Philippines (for subsequent QTL
mapping). These progenies and their parent palms will represent the global diversity of coconut. A progeny from China,
derived from the cross between the Hainan Tall and the Malayan Yellow Dwarf, will also be integrated within a few years.
47 Functional annotation consists of attaching biological information to genomic elements to annotate their biochemical,
biological, regulatory or interactive functions.
• Measure of water use efficiency (WUE) and gas exchanges, possibly complemented
by the carbon isotopic signature (13C/12C ratio) is liable to uncover variations
between genetic groups and between individuals in the transpiration and
photosynthetic processes.
• Assessment of leaf functional traits (leaf life-span, leaf area, specific leaf area, etc)
are likely to shed light on the differences between Tall and Dwarfs.
• Finally, metabolomic analyses of biological samples (leaflets, inflorescence stalk,
sap, fruits) will reveal variations of the amount of components, such as minerals, in
relation with total non structural carbohydrates as well as metabolite profiling
across cultivars.
In complement to this approach, collecting soil samples from the sites of these
experiments for future metagenomics analysis will indicate if performance/
characteristics are related to soil microflora rather than genotype or epigenetics.
It is also essential to develop a genomic approach to identify and link molecular
marker associations with disease resistance genes. This will allow marker-assisted
selection (MAS) in segregating populations from various resistant or tolerant
germplasm sources.
Large breeding experiments have been planted during the last decade in COGENT
member countries. Most of these experiments devoted to improvement of hybrids are
still alive in the fields. As field data are fully available, it It is proposed to sample them
for further molecular analysis. Leaf samples will be collected and kept (or their DNA)
extracted. Molecular analyses of these samples, combined with results of hybrid’s
performance recorded for several years during the field experiment will provide
precious information
We intend to concentrate on four sets of populations corresponding to Indo-Atlantic
Talls, Pacific Talls, Pacific Dwarfs and introgressed Talls respectively. Each of these
genetic groups will be represented by two cultivars with 25 individuals per
population, so about one and half hectares of coconut plantation will be required. This
set will have to be planted by the breeders interested in developing a genomics-based approach
and who are ready to plant the field plots needed for this approach. All germplasm
exchanges will have to be carefully monitored, preferably going through a quarantine
centre having disease indexing facilities.
In order to benefit from this opportunity, associated trait data characterization should
be undertaken as early as possible. The targeted traits (e.g. oil or coconut water yield,
quality etc) should be disaggregated into as many elementary factors as possible. The
use of transcriptomics 48 and generation of expressed sequence tags (ESTs) when
analyzing genetic activity (e.g. in pathogen - host interaction or the fatty acid
conversion) can decipher genes involved in essential processes. As discussed in section
2.5, new phenotyping methodologies are likely to be introduced, based on increased
48The classification and analysis of RNA molecules with coded genetic information transcripts and their formation, structure,
and function in an individual.
understanding, knowledge and the underpinning genetics. These might include

IRGA 49 measurements of water use efficiency, metabolite profiling, increased
partitioning of phenotype components, or in vitro disease early screening.
As discussed in section 2.5.4, about 400 hybrids between traditional cultivars have
been evaluated worldwide, and some of them were improved using half-sib family
progeny tests. Planting of such experiments (improvement of best hybrids) was
discontinued after 2000, especially in Côte d’Ivoire. Such large breeding experiments
have not been planted elsewhere during the last decade. Most of these experiments
devoted to improvement of hybrids are still alive in the fields. As field data are fully
available, proposals have been made to sample them for further molecular analysis. Leaf
samples will be collected and kept, or their DNA extracted. When molecular breeding
techniques will become fully available, analysis of these samples will provide precious
information. Some more phenotypical/morphological observations could also be
conducted on these trials, such as for instance additional fruit quality traits.
3.9.3 Improving conservation by DNA analysis in ex situ genebanks
The SSR microsatellite marker kit developed in 2002 is now widely used. The results of
most analyses conducted in COGENT member-countries are kept in the TropGENE
database. Within the next decade, the actual kit will evolve or even it will be replaced
by another technique in order to have a more precise appraisal of the genetic diversity.
The existing database will have to be updated by conducting additional analysis with
the new technique, as the material newly sampled will need to be compared to the
material previously studied.
Within the next decade, countrywide studies are envisioned in Sri Lanka and at least
another COGENT member-country 50. Locally collected accessions will be sampled in
order to assess their inter-and-intra differentiation. This will help collection curators to
optimize the sizes and numbers of accessions. At the global level, accessions that were
previously analysed with an insufficient number of individuals will be further
sampled. DNA analysis will also be used check the reliability of the controlled
pollination process, as it has already been done in Côte d’Ivoire and India. Pollen will
be increasingly exchanged and cryopreserved; thus developing a method for DNA
analysis on pollen will be needed.
3.9.4 DNA analysis in farmers´ fields
As discussed in section 3.5, collecting about 500 new accessions is planned within the
next decade. Molecular analysis will help to better understand the structure of genetic
diversity and to efficiently select the most diverse germplasm to be included in ex situ
genebanks. Samples will have to be collected in some geographical zones that are
insufficiently studied, and on specific biological material:
1. The contact zones between the Indo-Atlantic and Pacific coconuts.
49 Infrared Gas Analyzer.

50It will be probably the Philippines, Indonesia or India, or another of COGENT member-country which collected many local
accessions, such as for instance Bangladesh or Pakistan.
2. The pattern of diversity in the Polynesian outliers (from Palau to the Marshall
Islands and possible early Austronesian migrations.
3. The historically documented Polynesian migrations from Central Polynesia to
Hawai’i.
4. The contribution of foreign influences to the build up of coconut diversity on the
East African coast and Maldives.
5. The extent of the distribution of the Pre-Colombian coconuts on the Pacific coast of
America.
6. A comparative analysis of spontaneous and sub-spontaneous coconut populations51.
7. ... and possibly some other aspects as well.
Landscape genomics could also be helpful for a better understanding of the coconut
climate adaptation in relation with climate change (e. g. higher global temperatures
and sea-level rises). Genome wide association studies can be applied to environmental
factors and QTLs to select and breed “adapted” genotypes.
Molecular analysis will also be particularly useful for analysing the surveys conducted
in the islands most isolated 52 and/or endangered by climate change (see section 3.5.3)
and in the framework of geographical gap filling (section 3.5.4).
3.10 Enhancing networking and partnerships for global

collaboration
The global system for conservation and use of coconut genetic resources is based on
safeguarding the unique and critical diversity, making it available to breeding
programmes and other research institutes via a system for safe movement of
germplasm. It aims to ensuring a safe and sustainable long-term conservation of this
diversity and to facilitate its use to contribute to food security and farmers’ livelihoods.
The system therefore relies on a network of partners, including effectively-functioning
and efficiently-managed international and national ex situ coconut collections.
Developing this Strategy has provided an extraordinary tool for strengthening
relationships between COGENT researchers, and between these researchers and other
coconut stakeholders. With more than 130 sections all co-authored by 2 to
5 contributors from all over the world, and the necessary adjustments between
sections, it has created more than 400 opportunities to interact and co-publish (see
Annex 3).
The creation of the COGENT International Thematic Action Groups (ITAGs, see
section 1.1.6 and Annex 4) was extremely useful for building this Strategy. These
groups will continue to evolve. The level of interaction between their members needs
to be increased, as most of them never meet face-to-face. Each of the seven ITAG
51 Plus some special varieties called Niu Afa in Samoa or Niu Kafa in Tonga, with long thick-husked fruit selected for making
sennit from the fibre of the husk.

52 Here the scientific question is to understand the effect of Island dispersal on the fragmentation on coconut diversity.
should meet at least once every four years. Thus, including the Steering Committee,
about two COGENT meetings per year should be held on average. As indicated in
section 1.1.6, piggybacking the APCC and COGENT meetings in the same location
increase interactions with stakeholders from the coconut value chain and generate an
economy of both time and financial resources. Once fully resourced, effectively led and
operational, these ITAGs will also oversee the implementation of this Strategy.
Through an active participation in COGENT, all relevant national institutions will be
able to ensure that the decisions made by the network are advantageous to their
country in managing and using coconut diversity. Strengthening international
cooperation under the auspices of the Treaty will facilitate the rationalization of
existing and future coconut collections; it will reduce duplication of effort to address
any gaps, and will greatly limit the risk of spreading diseases.
COGENT will engage with the International Plant Protection Convention (IPPC) 53 and
its Regional Plant Protection Organizations to ensure that updated guidelines for safe
movement of coconut germplasm will be widely available to those responsible for the
phytosanitary systems in coconut-producing countries. Another important field of
collaboration is risk analysis and policy making to avoid pest and diseases
transmission by stakeholders coming from other countries or regions.
National public sectors are investing considerable resources in R&D coconut projects,
but the cost-effectiveness of these efforts could be enhanced through clearer policies
and strengthened global coordination. Capacity building, including training, is
needed to allow genebank curators and breeders to adopt new conservation and
breeding technologies.
Thus, COGENT Steering Committee and Secretariat, along with the ITAGs will
continue to support and strengthen the following aspects:
1. Represent the 39 COGENT member-countries through one voice within the
international community in order to inform and raise awareness on coconut genetic
resources conservation and use.
2. Ensure effective long-term and cost-efficient conservation of important coconut
genetic resources.
3. Provide easy access to information and knowledge on coconut genetic resources
worldwide, on quarantine regulations and precautions, on germplasm
characterization and evaluation, and on genomics data.
4. Facilitate access to standardized protocols on characterization, evaluation, data
management and long-term conservation of germplasm.
53 The IPPC works with Convention contracting parties, to develop phytosanitary measures that underpin the parties’ ability
to manage pest risks and the environmental, economic and social impacts of plant pests. Its Commission on Phytosanitary
Measures (CPM) meets annually to review the state of plant protection, identifies action to control the spread of pests into
new areas, develops and adopts international standards and establishes procedures for the sharing of phytosanitary
information. The IPPC works with Regional Plant Protection Organizations and international organizations to build
phytosanitary capacity, to identify and address risks that cross national borders.
5. Facilitate access to technologies, procedures and methods to conserve, improve and

breed coconut, such as genomics tools; cryopreservation; somatic embryogenesis, etc.
6. Provide pertinent legal information, assistance and advice, on germplasm access
and benefit-sharing and help members in implementing dedicated regulations.
7. Help member-countries to identify funding sources, to build and implement
regional and international projects, and to secure long term funding of the key
elements of this Strategy.
Country-members and their representative institutions will continue to play a key role
in the following aspects:
1. Provide international access to a wide range of diverse coconut genetic resources
and information on these resources.
2. Build trust between country-members by providing information to facilitate
rationalization.
3. Create national awareness of the importance of sharing responsibility for the
conservation and use of coconut diversity.
4. Seek a dialogue with decision-making political and administrative bodies at the
country-level.
5. Work towards the development and implementation of access and benefit-sharing
national legislation that is conducive to COGENT’s proposed policy.
6. Facilitate implementation of safe-movement guidelines and coconut quarantine
regulations.
7. Seek funding opportunities, inform the COGENT Secretariat about it, and help
develop international project proposals.
As discussed in section 1.2.1, COGENT coordination needs to be pursued on a

sustainable, long-term basis rather than on a project basis. The COGENT Secretariat
needs contractual continuity for all its research and administrative functions. At the
end of 2017, the Australian Department for Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) and
the Australian Centre for Agricultural Research (ACIAR) provided support to
finalize and publish this Strategy. They have also expressed a willingness to support
the transfer of the COGENT secretariat from its long-standing CGIAR host to the
Asia Pacific Coconut Community (APCC) as soon as it becomes a global organization
the International Coconut Community (ICC)- a move endorsed by COGENT’s
Steering Committee. Subject to satisfactory genebank audits, it is hoped that
genebank support may also be available from other key organizations such as the
Global Crop Diversity Trust and the International Treaty.
3.11 References
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southern India : Natural, technical and social facts. Journal of ethnobiology, 28 (1): 39-54. Available
from the URL: http://www.bioone.org/doi/abs/10.2993/0278-0771%282008%2928%5B39%3
AMANCHI%5D2.0.CO%3B2?journalCode=etbi
Bourdeix, R., George, M.L., Baudouin, L., Joly, H.I., L. Guarino, L., Engels, J. 2009a. The concept of
“Networked collection” or “Virtual collection”: new developments and their applications to the
conservation of the Coconut palm. Paper presented at the 2nd European Congress of Conservation
Biology, 1-5 September 2009, Prague, Czech Republic.
Bourdeix, R., Weise S.F., Planes S., Guarino, L., T. Bambridge, T. Lusty, C. 2009b. The concept of
"Networked collection" or "Virtual collection": revisiting the classical delineation between "in situ" and "ex
situ" conservation and its consequences on database management. Paper presented at the congress of
the Biodiversity Information Standards (TDWG), 9th-13th November 2009, Montpellier, France.
Weitzman, A.L. (ed). Available from the URL: http://www.tdwg.org/proceedings/article/view/584
Bourdeix R., Johnson, V. Baudouin, L., Saena Tuia, V., Kete, T., Planes, S., Lusty, C, Weise, S. 2011.
Polymotu: a new concept of island-based germplasm bank based on an old Polynesian practice.
Ogasawara research 37: 33-51.
Bourdeix, R., Johnson, V., Saena Tuia, S.V., Kapé, J. & Planes, S. 2013. Traditional Conservation areas of
Coconut Varieties and Associated Knowledge in Polynesian Islands (South Pacific Ocean). In: Larrue,
S. Biodiversity and Societies in the Pacific Islands. University Press of Provence (PUP), Aix-Marseille
Université, Aix-en-Provence, France. pp. 199-222.Dumet, D., Diebiru, E., Adeyemi, A., Akinyemi, O.,
Gueye, B., Franco, J. 2013. Cryopreservation for the 'In Perpetuity Conservation of Yam and Cassava
Genetic Resources. Cryoletters 34(2):107-118.
Dumet, D., Diebiru, E., Adeyemi, A., Akinyemi, O., Gueye, B. & Franco, J. 2013. Cryopreservation for the 'In
Perpetuity' Conservation of Yam and Cassava Genetic Resources. Cryoletters 34(2):107-118.
Foale, M. 2003. The coconut odyssey: the bounteous possibilities of the tree of life. Canberra: Australian
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Gunn, B. F., L. Baudouin et al. 2011. Independent Origins of Cultivated Coconuts (Cocos nucifera L.) in the
Old World Tropics. PLos ONE 6(6):e21143.
Huang, Y.Y., Matzke, A.J.M. & Matzke, M. 2013. Complete sequence and comparative analysis of the
chloroplast genome of coconut palm Cocos nucifera. PloS ONE 8(8):e74736. Available from doi:
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Karun, A., Sajini, K.K., Nair, M., Kumaran, P.M. & Samsudheen, K. 2006. Cryopreservation of coconut
(Cocos nucifera L.) pollen. Journal of Plantation Crops 34(3):568.
Karun, A., Sajini, K.K. et al. 2014. Coconut (Cocos nucifera) pollen cryopreservation. Cryoletters 35(5):407-
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Systematic biology, 51(2):238-254.
Prades, A., Salum, U.N. & Pioch, D. 2016. "New era for the coconut sector. What prospects for research?"
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Sangare, A. 1981. Compétition pollinique et légitimité des semences produites dans les champs semenciers
de cocotiers. Oleagineux 36 :424-427.
Young, H.S., McCauley, D.J., Dunbar, R.B. & Dirzo, R. 2010a. Plants cause ecosystem nutrient depletion via
the interruption of bird-derived spatial subsidies. Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences,
107(5):2072-2077. Aoconut (Cocos nucifera L.) in the Old World Tropics. PLoS ONE 6(6):e21143.
Young, H.S., Raab T.K. et al. 2010b. Coconut palm, Cocos nucifera, impacts forest composition and soil
characteristics at Palmyra Atoll, Central Pacific. Journal of vegetation science 21(6):1058-1068.
Zhu, H., Yu, F.Y., Wu, D.Y., Niu, X.Q., Tang, Q.H. & Quin, W.Q. 2010. Risk Analysis of Coconut Lethal
Yellowing Phytoplasma Imported into China. Acta Agriculturae Jiangxi 11:027.
Annex 1. COGENT member countries and linked national institutions 177
4. Annexes
Annex 1. COGENT-member-countries and linked national
institutions
This list will be regularly updated on the COGENT website.
Country Institution name (s) Contact

Bangladesh Horticulture Research Centre (HRC) Joydebpur, Gazipur-1701,
Bangladesh Agriculture Research Institute (BARI) Bangladesh
Tel: +880 29252529
Benin Institut National des Recherches 01 BP 884

Agricoles du Bénin (INRAB) Cotonou, Benin
Tel: +229 95369014
Brazil Empresa Brasileira de Pesquisa Agropecuaria – Av. Beira Mar, 3250 Atalaia
EMBRAPA, Centro de Pesquisa Agropecuaria dos 49025040
Tabuleiros Costeiros Aracaju, SE
Tel: +55 79 40091332
Fax: +55 79 40091374
China Coconut Research Institute- 496, Wenqin Road

Chinese Academy of Tropical Agriculture Sciences 571339 Wenchang City,
(CRICATAS) Hainan Province, China
Tel: +86 89863330184
Colombia CORPOICA - Centro de Investigación Palmira Calle 23 Carrera 37

Continuo al Penal
Palmira, Valle, Colombia
Tel: + 57 3311058
Cook Islands Ministry of Agriculture PO Box 96

Research Division Ministry of Agriculture Rarotonga, Cook Islands
Tel:+682 28711/25403
Costa Rica Ministerio de Agricultura y Ganaderia Frente Servicentro Siquirres –

Limón, Costa Rica
Tel: +506 7186092/7688403
Côte d’Ivoire Station de Recherche Marc Delorme, 07 B.P. 13 Abidjan,

Centre National de Recherche Agronomique (CNRA) Côte d'Ivoire.
Tel: +225 01135852
Fax: +225 23472411

Cuba Instituto de Investigaciones en Fruticultura Tropical Avenida 7a. No. 3005,
entre 30 y 32, Miramar
Playa Havana 1600, Cuba
Tel: +53 72025526/28
Fiji Koronivia Research Station PO Box 77, Nausori, Fiji

Tel: + 679 3477044
Ghana Oil Palm Research Institute Council for Scientific and

Industrial Research
PO Box 74
Kade, Ghana
Tel:+233 244526566
Haiti Ministry of Agriculture, Centre de Recherche et de PO Box 1441

Documentation Agricoles (CRDA) Institute Damien, Port-au-Prince
Haiti HT 6125
Tel: +509 22 4503/4592/4705
India Central Plantation - Crops Research Institute, Kasaragod,

Indian Council of Agriculture Research (ICAR) Kerala 671 124, India
Tel: +91 4994232893
Indonesia Indonesian Coconuts and Palm Research Institute JI. Raya Mapanget,
(ICOPRI) Kotak Pos 1004
Manado 95001 North Sulawesi
Indonesia
Tel: +62 431812430
Jamaica Coconut Industry Board 18 Waterloo Road,

PO Box 204, Jamaica
Tel: +1876 9261770
Kenya Kenya Agricultural Research Institute PO Box 57811

City Square 00200
Nairobi, Kenya
Tel: +254 204183323/344
Kiribati Department of Agriculture, Ministry of Bikenibeu Tarawa

environment, PO Box 267, Kiribati
Lands and agricultural development (MELAD) Tel: + 686 92951/98014
Madagascar Directeur Général PO Box 36

Société SOAVOANIO Sambava, Madagascar
Tel: +261 320514575
Malaysia Rice and Industrial Crop Research Division PO Box 12301,

Malaysian Agricultural Research and General Post Office
Development Institute (MARDI) 50774 Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Tel: +60 389437218 / 6489242
Annex 1. COGENT member countries and linked national institutions 179

Mexico Centro de Investigación Científica de Yucatán Calle 43 No. 130,
(CICY) Colonia Chuburna de Hidalgo,
97200 Merida, Yucatán, Mexico
Tel: +52-999-9813923
Nigeria Plant Breeding Division, Nigerian Institute for Oil Benin-Akure Road,
Palm Research (NIFOR) PMB 1030
Benin City, Edo State, Nigeria
Tel: +234 8037033231
Pakistan Coastal Agriculture Research Station (CARS) Post Box 9028,

Quaidabad, Landhi, Karachi
75120 Pakistan
Tel: +92 219248621
Papua New Cocoa Coconut Institute PO Box 642, Madang,

Guinea Stewart Research Station Madang Papua New Guinea
Tel: +675 9839208
Philippines Agricultural Research & Development Branch, 7th/f PCA Bldg., Elliptical Road,
Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA) Quezon City, Philippines
Tel: +63 29284501 to 10
Fax: +63 29267631
Samoa A/CEO for Crops Division PO Box 1874, Apia, Samoa

Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Tel: +685 20605
Fax: +685 20607
Seychelles Seychelles Agricultural Agency PO Box 166,

Grand Anse, Victoria, Mahe,
Seychelles
Tel: + 248 4378252
Solomon Island Under Secretary Technical PO Box G13,

Department of Agriculture and Livestock Honiara, Solomon Islands
Tel: +677 27987
Sri Lanka Genetics & Plant Breeding Division Bandirippuwa Estate

Coconut Research Institute (CRI) Lunuwila 61150,
Sri Lanka
Tel: + 94 313127954
Sultanate of Agricultural & Livestock Research Stations Salalah, Dhofar,

Oman (ALRS) Sultanate of Oman
Tel :+968 23290186
Tanzania Mikocheni Agricultural Research Institute P O Box 6226,

Ministry of Agriculture, Food Security and Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
Co-operatives Tel: +255 754298946
Fax: +255 222775549

Thailand Horticulture Research Institute Phaholyothin Road, Chatuchak
Department of Agriculture 10900 Bangkok, Thailand
Tel :+66 25792759
Tonga Research & Extension Division, PO Box 14

Ministry of Agriculture, Food, Forests Nuku'alofa,
& Fisheries Tonga
Tel :+676 23038/32125
Fax: +676 32132/24271/23093
Trinidad & Ministry of Agriculture, Central Experiment Station

Tobago Land and Marine Resources Research Division Centeno via Arima
Post Office Centeno,
Trinidad & Tobago
Tel : +868 6426008
Fax: +868 6461646
Vanuatu Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Training Centre P.O. Box 231,
(VARTC) Espiritu Santo,
Vanuatu
Tel: +678 36320/36420
Vietnam Planning & International Cooperation Department 171-175 Ham Nghi St. District 1
Research Institute for Oils and Oil plants (IOOP) Ho Chi Minh City,
Vietnam
Tel :+84 88297336/8243526/
Annex 2. Contributors to the strategy by chapters and sections 181
Annex 2. Contributors to the Strategy and their parent
Name Email Institution Country
Adkins Stephen [email protected] The University of Queensland - Australia

School of Agriculture and Food
Sciences and Centre for Plant
Science,
Brisbane Queensland QLD 4072
Allou Kouassi [email protected] Station Cocotier Marc Delorme, Côte d'Ivoire
Centre National de Recherche,
Agronomique (CNRA),
07 BP 13, Port Bouet
Andreas Claude [email protected] Société SOAVOANIO Madagascar

PO Box 36, Sambava
Arachchi V R M V [email protected] Coconut Research Institute (CRI), Sri Lanka

Tissue Culture Division,
Bandirippuwa Estate,
61150 Lunuwila
Arunachalam [email protected] Indian Council of Agricultural India

Vadivel Research (ICAR),
[email protected]
Research Complex for Goa
m
Bourdeix Roland [email protected] CIRAD, TA A-10/03 France

Avenue Agropolis
34398 Montpellier Cedex 5
Canja Liberty [email protected] Philippine Coconut Authority Philippines

Davao Research Center,
Bago Oshiro, Davao City
Chong Fasan dit [email protected] Académie des Pa’umotu French

Jean Kape BP 43768 Papeete-Tahiti, 98713 Polynesia
Collins Samantha [email protected] Bioversity International, Italy

Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a 00057
Maccarese (Fiumicino), Rome
Coppens Geo [email protected] CIRAD, Biological Systems France
Department UMR CEFE,
Montpellier
Cueto Cristeta A. [email protected] Philippine Coconut Authority Philippines

Albay Research Center (PCA-ARC),
Tissue Culture Division,
Banao, Guinobatan Albay 4503
De la Mata de la Isla ex-Bioversity France

Diana
De la Presa Ane ex-Bioversity France
De Lima Araujo [email protected] Bioversity International, France

Silvia Parc Scientifique Agropolis II,
Devakumar [email protected] Indian Council of Agricultural India

Krishnamoorthy Research (ICAR)
Dollet Michel [email protected] CIRAD, Etiologie UPR 29, France

Campus International de Baillarguet,
34398 Montpellier
Dona Fologo Danièle [email protected] Ivoire Développement Durable, Côte d’Ivoire

04 BP 2733 Abidjan 04
Duong [email protected] Research Institute for Oils and Oil Vietnam

Ngo Thi Kieu plants (IOOP),
Perennial Oil Crops
Dpt,171 - 175 Ham Nghi Street,
District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
Engelman Florent [email protected] Institut de Recherche pour le France

Développement (IRD),
911 av. Agropolis, BP 64501
34394, Montpellier
Er-rachiq Leila [email protected] ex-Bioversity France
Foale Mike [email protected] School of Land Crops and Food Australia

Sciences,
Level 4, Hartley Teakle Building,
University of Queensland
Goirand Renaud renaud.goirand.rci@gmail. Cocopack Enterprise

Côte d’Ivoire
com 06 BP 2897 Abidjan 06
Gouigou ex-Bioversity France

Marie Astrid
Gunn Bee [email protected] Division of Evolution, Australia

Ecology and Genetics.
Research School of Biology,
The Australian National University
Bldg. 116, Gould Wing
Guarino Luigi [email protected] The Crop Trust Germany

Platz Der Vereinten Nationen 7
53113 Bonn
Haeng-hoon Kim [email protected] Bioversity International, Malaysia

Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific
[email protected]
and Oceania.
PO Box 236, UPM Post Office,
43400 Serdang, Selangor
Haikuo Fan [email protected] Coconut Research Institute, China

Chinese Academy of Tropical
Agriculture Sciences (CRICATAS),
No. 496 Wenqing Road
Hamelin Chantal [email protected] CIRAD, Biological Systems France

Department (UMR CEFE),
Campus CNRS, CEFE
1919, Route de Mende
34293, Montpellier
Hegde Vinayaka [email protected] Central Protection Crops Research India

Institute (CPCRI),
Kasaragod 671 124, Kerala
Heslop-Harrison [email protected] Department of Biology, United

John S. University of Leicester, Kingdom
Adrian Building,
Leicester LE1 7RH
Issali Auguste [email protected] Station Cocotier Marc Delorme, Côte d'Ivoire

Emmanuel Centre National De Recherche
Agronomique (CNRA)
Johnson Vincent [email protected] Bioversity International. France

Parc Scientifique Agropolis II,
Kanniah J. [email protected] SE Asia

Karun Anitha [email protected] Central Plantation Crops Research India

Institute (CPCRI),
Indian Council of Agriculture
Research,
Kasaragod Kerala 671124
Kembu Alfred [email protected] Papua New Guinea Cocoa Coconut Papua New
Institute Guinea
Stewart Research Station Madang
PO Box 642, Madang
Kete Tevita [email protected] Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees Fiji
(CePaCT),
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC)
Private Mail Bag, Suva
Konan Konan [email protected] Station Cocotier Marc Delorme, Côte d'Ivoire

Jean-Louis Centre National de Recherche
Agronomique (CNRA)
Konelio Misa [email protected] Crops Division Ministry of Agriculture Samoa

and Fisheries,
PO Box 1874, Apia
Kumar Vijendra [email protected] Coconut Industry Development Fiji

Authority (CIDA),
PO Box 5160,
Raiwaqa
Laliberté Brigitte [email protected] Bioversity International Italy

Via dei Tre Denari, 472/a
00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino),
Rome
Lobo David J. [email protected] DEEJAY Group, 3rd floor, St. India

Patrick’s Complex, Brigade Road
Bangalore, Karnataka 560025
Lusty Charlotte [email protected] The Crop Trust Germany

Platz Der Vereinten Nationen 7
53113 Bonn
Manimekalai R. [email protected] Central Plantation Crops Research India

Institute (CPCRI),
ICAR, Kasaragod, Kerala
Martinez Dorine [email protected] ex-Bioversity France
Maskromo Ismail [email protected] Indonesian Palm Research Institute Indonesia

(Balit Palma), Jl. Raya Mapanget
PO Box 1004, Manado 95001
Masumbuko [email protected] Mikocheni Agricultural Research Tanzania

Linus.I Institute,
PO Box 6226,
Dar es Salaam
Mirisola Luiz [email protected] Grupo Regon Brazil, Brazil

Angelo Rua Centauro, 241 - 3° andar,
Bairro Santa Lucia
Belo Horizonte MG 30360-310
Myrie Wayne [email protected] Coconut Industry Board, Jamaica

18 Waterloo Road,
Kingston 10 PO Box 204
Naresh Kumar [email protected] Indian Agricultural Research India

Soora Institute,
Centre for environment and climate
resilience, New Delhi
Niral Vittal [email protected] Central Plantation Crops Research India

Institute (CPCRI),
ICAR)
Kudlu PO
Kasaragod, Kerala, 671124
Odewale Joshua [email protected] Plant Breeding Division, Nigeria

Nigerian Institute for Oil Palm
Research (NIFOR),
Benin-Akure Road, PMB 1030,
Benin City
Ollivier Jean [email protected] CIRAD, Biological Systems France

Department UMR CEFE,
Montpellier
Omuru Eric [email protected] Cocoa Coconut Institute, Papua New

Stewart Research Station, Guinea
PO Box 642, Madang
Oropeza Carlos [email protected] Centro de Investigación Científica de Mexico
[email protected] Yucatán (CICY),
Biotechnology Unit,
Colonia Chuburna de Hidalgo,
97200 Merida, Yucatán
Parra Pedro [email protected] International Center for Tropical Colombia

Pablo Agriculture (CIAT)
Km 17 Recta Cali-Palmira
CP 763537
Apartado Aéreo 6713, Cali
Pereira Messias [email protected] Universidad de Estadual do Norte Brazil

Gonzaga Fluminense (UENF),
Av. Alberto Lamego, 2000,
Parque California
Campos dos Goytacazes
RJ 28013-602
Perera Lalith [email protected] Coconut Research Institute (CRI), Sri Lanka

Genetics & Plant Breeding Division
Bandirippuwa Estate, 61150,
Lunuwila
Perera Prasanthi [email protected] Coconut Research Institute (CRI), Sri Lanka

Tissue Culture Unit,
Bandirippuwa Estate 61150,
Lunuwila
Perera SACN [email protected] Coconut Research Institute (CRI), Sri Lanka

om Genetics & Plant Breeding Division
Bandirippuwa Estate, 61150,
Lunuwila
Persley Gabrielle [email protected] The Doyle Foundation United

41 St Germains, Bearsden, Kingdom
Glasgow,
G61 2RS
Petraglia Marcia [email protected] Bioversity International. France

Picq Claudine [email protected] Ex-Bioversity France
Pilet Fabian [email protected] CIRAD, BIOS - UMR Résistance des France

Plantes aux Bioagresseurs,
Av. Agropolis,
34398 Montpellier
Planes Serge [email protected] Centre de Recherche Insulaire et French

Observatoire de l’Environnement Polynesia
(CRIOBE), Labex «Corail»,
USR 3278 CNRS-EPHE, Moorea
Pokou Désiré [email protected] Centre National de Recherche Côte d'Ivoire

N'Da Agronomique (CNRA),
Laboratoire Central de
Biotechnologie,
01 BP 1740 Abidjan 01
Pole Finyange [email protected] Kenya Agricultural Research Kenya

Institute,
PO Box 57811 City Square
0200 Nairobi
Prades Alexia [email protected] CIRAD, Département PERSYST, France

Unité Mixte de Recherche
"QUALISUD", TA B 95
16 73, Rue JF Breton,
34398 Montpellier
Ramos [email protected] EMBRAPA Coastal Tablelands, Brazil

Semiramis [email protected] Av. Beira Mar, 3250,
Rabelo Ramalho [email protected] Bairro, Jardins, Aracaju
Rivera Ramon l. [email protected] Zamboanga Research Center Philippines

(PCA-ZRC)
Breeding and Genetics Division,
San Ramon, PO Box 236,
7000 Zamboanga City
Ruas Max [email protected] Bioversity International, France

Samosir Yohanes [email protected] University of Queensland, Australia

Integrated Seed Research Unit,
School of Agriculture and Food
Sciences,
St Lucia, Queensland
Santos Gerardo Zamboanga Research Centre Philippines

A. (PCA-ZRC),
Breeding and Genetics Division,
San Ramon,
PO Box 236, 7000 Zamboanga City
Sebastian [email protected] Bioversity International, Malaysia
Leocardio Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific
and Oceania,
PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
Serdang Selangor 43400
Sentoor Kumeran [email protected] Rice and Industrial Crop Centre Malaysia

Govindasamy Stesen MARDI Hilir Perak
Peti Surat 25,
36307 Sg Sumun, Perak
Sileye Tiata [email protected] Vanuatu Agricultural Research and Vanuatu

[email protected] Technical Centre (VARTC),
PO Box 231, Espiritu Santo
Stoian Dietmar [email protected] Bioversity International France

Sundaramari M. [email protected] Faculty of Agriculture & A.H., India

Gandhigram Rural University,
Gandhigram 624 302,
Dindigul Dt., Tamil Nadu
Thakshan [email protected] TBC Sri Lanka

Kumara Gamini
Ranasinghe
Thampan P.K. [email protected] Peekay Tree Crops Development India

Foundation,
Kochi, Kerala 682020
Thomas George [email protected] Central Plantation Crops Research India

V. Institute (CPCRI),
Indian Council of Agriculture
Research (ICAR),
Kasaragod, Kerala 671 124
Tuia Valérie [email protected] Centre for Pacific Crops and Trees Fiji
Saena (CePaCT), Genetic Resources Unit
Tulalo Meiti [email protected] Indonesian Coconuts and Palmae Indonesia

Research Institute (ICOPRI),
Jl. Raya Mapanget,Kotak Pos 1004
95001 Manado, Sulawesi Utara
Tutwiler Ann [email protected] Bioversity International Italy
Rome
Ullivari Álvaro ex-Bioversity France
Weise Stephan [email protected] Bioversity International Italy

Rome
Wilson Menezes aragaowilsonmenezes@hotmai Embrapa, Brazil

Aragão l.com Rua Celi Prado de Oliveira, 94
Aracaju Sergipe 49.025-050
Yaodong Yang [email protected] Tropical Oil Crops Research Institute China

[email protected] (TOCRI),
Chinese Academy of Tropical
Agricultural Sciences (CATAS),
Wenchang, Hainan, 571339
Annex 3. Contributors to the strategy by chapters and sections
Participation in drafting and refining the Strategy was done on a voluntary basis. All
coconut stakeholders were invited to participate. The COGENT secretariat has taken in
account the effective involvement of each contributor and his/her willingness to
synthesize not only personal views, but also those of the wider coconut community.
Region colour codes for contributors
Southeast Asia and Middle East

South East Asia
South America and the Caribbean
Pacific region
Africa and Indian Ocean
Cogent Secretariat
Experts from Europe and North America
Chapter and section Contributors (main contributor in bold)

Chapter 0
Cover page A de la Presa
Disclaimer V Johnson, C Picq
Acknowledgements R Bourdeix, V Johnson
Contents R Bourdeix, V Johnson
Preface V Johnson
Foreword G Persley
Outline R Bourdeix, V Johnson*GV Thomas
Coconut glossary V Johnson, R Bourdeix*C Picq
Acronyms C Picq, V Johnson
Chapter 1. Introduction to the Global Coconut VS Tuia
Strategy
1.1 The coconut, a tree of many lives R Bourdeix, V Johnson*GV Thomas
1.1.1 Origin, history and dynamics of coconut cultivation B Gunn, WW Myrie* L Baudouin
1.1.2 Cultivation and current production of coconut C Liberty, M Foale*R Arancon
1.1.3 Importance of coconut genetic diversity L Baudouin, VS Tuia*M Tulalo
1.1.4 Constraints linked to the biology of the plant R Bourdeix, E Issali*VS Tuia
1.1.5 Major threats to coconut genetic resources V Hegde, F Pilet*E Omuru
1.1.6 The International Coconut Genetic Resources R Bourdeix, GV Thomas*K Allou

Network – COGENT
1.1.7 The urgent need for a revised Global Strategy R Bourdeix, GV Thomas*S Weise
1.2 Global Strategy vision, goal, objectives, outputs and R Bourdeix
outcomes
1.2.1 Vision and goal R Bourdeix, B Laliberté*K Allou
1.2.2 Objectives R Bourdeix, V Johnson*GV Thomas*A Tutwiler
1.2.3 Outputs R Bourdeix, D Stoian*V Johnson
1.2.4 Expected outcomes V Johnson, R Bourdeix*D Stoian
1.2.5 Links with outcomes of CGIAR research programs R Bourdeix, L Snook*D Stoian
1.3 Process for developing the Global Strategy R Bourdeix, B Laliberté*VS Tuia
2. Where we are today SRR Ramos
2.1 The genetic diversity of Coconut B Gunn
2.1.1 The coconut genepool L Baudouin, L Perera*M Tulalo
2.1.2 Coconut domestication G Coppens, B Gunn*L Baudouin
2.1.3 International Coconut nomenclature R Bourdeix, L Baudouin*GA Santos
2.2 Methodologies for conserving coconut genetic resources JL Konan
2.2.1 Ex situ conservation methods JL Konan, RI Rivera*R Bourdeix
2.2.2 In situ and on-farm conservation VS Tuia, L Sebastian*R Bourdeix
2.2.3 Revisiting the classical delineation between in situ R Bourdeix, VS Tuia*JL Konan
and ex situ conservation
2.2.4 In vitro culture and cryopreservation C Oropeza, F Engelman*CA Cueto*PIP Perera
2.3 The current global ex situ conservation system R Bourdeix
2.3.1 Content of ex situ collections R Bourdeix, C Hamelin*M Ruas
2.3.2 Mandate of institutes managing ex situ collections GV Thomas, R Bourdeix*S Weise
2.3.3 Cost of ex situ collections R Bourdeix, JL Konan*NTK Duong
2.3.4 Collecting germplasm R Bourdeix, K Devakumar*F Pole
2.3.5 Ex situ collection management SRR Ramos, V Niral*JL Konan
2.3.6 Germplasm identification and characterization E Issali, M Tulalo*V Kumar
2.3.7 Safety duplication of germplasm CA Cueto, R Bourdeix*JL Konan
2.4 Genetic resources information management M Ruas
2.4.1 Local genebank management systems R Bourdeix, V Arunachalam*C Hamelin
2.4.2 Managing international coconut databases M Ruas, C Hamelin*R Bourdeix
2.4.3 Geographic Information Systems G Coppens, NTK Duong*A Ullivarri
2.5 Utilization of coconut genetic resources MG Pereira
2.5.1 Planting material for farmers E Omuru, L Perera*D Lobo*RA Castillo* RI Rivera
2.5.2 Involvement of farmers in breeding and seednut R Bourdeix, M Konelio*PK Thampan

production
2.5.3 Past and contemporary coconut breeding MG Pereira, R Bourdeix*JO Odewale
2.5.4 Breeding for yield E Issali, T Sileye*R Bourdeix
2.5.5 Breeding for pest and disease resistance V Hegde, LI Masumbuko*PPG Parra
2.5.6 Breeding for quality traits MA Wilson A Prades*A Kembu
2.5.7 Breeding for drought and other abiotic stresses Fanhaikuo R Bourdeix*TKG Ranasinghe
2.5.8 Genomics and DNA markers R Manimekelai, Y Yaodong L Baudouin*
2.5.9 Coconut, climate change and coastal areas S NareshKumar, J Ollivier*R Bourdeix
2.5.10 Coconut conservation, tourism and ecotourism Y Samosir, VS Tuia*R Bourdeix
2.6 Coconut germplasm exchange CA Cueto
2.6.1 Benefits of sharing coconut genetic resources GV Thomas, JL Konan*M Tulalo
2.6.2 Safe movement of germplasm CA Cueto, V Hegde*F Pilet
2.6.3 International germplasm transfers JL Konan, L Perera*E Omuru
2.7 Partnerships and networking V Johnson, S Weise*R Bourdeix
2.8 Facing emergency situations: an overview JL Konan, E Omuru*R Bourdeix
3 Where we need to be to secure diversity and L Perera
promote use
3.1 Strengthening communication and commitment to R Bourdeix
conservation and use of coconut genetic resources
3.1.1 Targeted audience L Perera, D DonaFologo*N Chomchallow
3.1.2 Concepts for communication T Kete, D DelaMatadelaIsla*R Bourdeix
3.1.3 Implementing the communication strategy V Johnson, A Delapresa*C Picq
3.2 Revisiting the concept of the Global COGENT R Bourdeix
Coconut Collection
3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks RI Rivera, K Allou*V Niral
3.2.2 Diversification of coconut genebanks JL Konan, T Sileye*V Niral
3.2.3 Geostrategy: doubling the number of International VS Tuia L Perera*C Andreas*RI Rivera E Issali
genebanks
3.2.4 Sharing international resources between genebanks L Perera K Allou*RI Rivera
3.2.5 Towards a concept of a “networked” or “virtual” R Bourdeix, L Guarino*C Lusty
coconut collection
3.3 Securing existing ex situ Coconut genetic resources K Allou
3.3.1 Business plans for genebanks L Perera, JL Konan*M Tulalo
3.3.2 Extending the duration of accessions in the fields NTK Duong, M Tulalo*JL Konan
3.3.3 Duplication of germplasm in distinct geographical sites R Bourdeix, K Allou*E Omuru
3.3.4 Cryogenebanking K Haeng-hoon, F Engelman
3.4 Strengthening conservation beyond ex situ genebanks VS Tuia
3.4.1 Conservation through use V Kumar, R Goirand*J Kanniah

3.4.2 Multifunctional landscape management R Bourdeix, D DonaFologo*S Planes*
N Chomchallow
3.4.3 Botanists, ecologists and the coconut palm F Chong, E Issali*T Kete
3.4.4 Coconut reproduction patterns R Bourdeix, Planes*KG Sentoor
3.5 Collecting and filling gaps in ex situ collections SACN Perera
3.5.1 Compact Dwarfs and other special varieties V Kumar A Prades*SACN_Perera*MG Pereira
3.5.2 Collecting for pest and disease tolerance SACN Perera, JO Odewale*E Omuru*L Mirisola
3.5.3 Filling geographical gaps G Coppens, P Komba*A Ullivarri
3.5.4 Islands most isolated and/or endangered by climate R Bourdeix, F Chong*I Maskromo
change
3.6 Strengthening the distribution and the safe movement A Karun
of germplasm
3.6.1 Policies for international germplasm transfers R Bourdeix, GV Thomas*F Pilet
3.6.2 Transfer of germplasm via embryo culture and pollen A Karun, K Haeng-hoon
3.6.3 Disease indexing and quarantine centres M Dollet, A Karun*VRMV Arachchi
3.7 Promoting the use of coconut genetic resources T Kete
3.7.1 Global objectives in terms of planting material R Bourdeix, G Yace*T Sileye
3.7.2 Promoting farmer-made planting material M Konelio, J Kanniah*T Sileye
3.7.3 Germplasm characterization and evaluation A Prades, MA Wilson*R Goirand
3.7.4 International breeding experiments NTK Duong, G Yace*MG Pereira
3.7.5 Coconut clones, the next revolution? PPG Parra , JL Verdeil*L Mirisola
3.8 Improving databases and sharing of technical M Ruas
information
3.8.1 Data management in genebanks R Bourdeix, V Arunachalam*C Hamelin*M Ruas
3.8.2 International databases on ex situ conservation M Ruas, C Hamelin*R Bourdeix
3.8.3 Databases for and of farmers R Bourdeix, J Kanniah*L Mirisola
3.9 Genome studies for effective management and L Baudouin
utilization of coconut genetic resources
3.9.1 Sequencing coconut genome. R Manimekelai, Fanhaikuo* L Baudouin
3.9.2 Preparing the era of marker-assisted breeding L Baudouin , P Heslop Harrison*MG Pereira
3.9.3 DNA analysis in ex situ genebanks DN Pokou, R Manimekelai*Fanhaikuo
3.9.4 DNA analysis in farmer’s fields SACN Perera, B Gunn*RI Rivera
3.10 Enhancing networking and partnerships for global V Johnson, L Perera*VS Tuia
collaboration
4. Annexes
Annex 1. COGENT-members countries, linked national R Bourdeix M Petraglia*S de Lima
institutions
Annex 2. Contributors to the Strategy including their R Bourdeix M Petraglia*D DelaMatadelaIsla
parent institution(s)

Annex 3. Contributors to the strategy by chapters and R Bourdeix M Petraglia*MA Gouigou
sections
Annex 4. Reorganization of the Cogent Network R Bourdeix M Petraglia*D Martinez , V Johnson
Annex 5. List of the projects facilitated or coordinated by R Bourdeix M Petraglia*V Johnson
COGENT and Bioversity International
Annex 6. Global survey template (2012) and list of R Bourdeix D DelaMata delaIsla*V Johnson
responding institutions.
Annex 7. Standard costs for the preparation of coconut R Bourdeix JL Konan*RI Rivera
germplasm
Annex 8. Schedule of gathering characterization data for R Bourdeix JL Konan*M Tulalo
a Tall-type coconut accession
Annex 9. Conserving each cultivar in three countries: R Bourdeix M Petraglia*V Johnson
what does it means?
Annex 10. Costs summary of the Global COGENT R Bourdeix M Petraglia
collection
Annex 11. Useful web links L Er Rachiq R Bourdeix*C Picq
Annex 4. Reorganization of the COGENT Network

In 1991, acting on the suggestion of the CGIAR, representatives of 15 coconut-
producing countries recommended establishing an international coconut genetic
resources network. Based on the results of this consultation process, CGIAR decided to
include coconut in its research portfolio, in response to studies indicating that
international support and global coordination of research in coconut is essential to
make the crop more productive and beneficial to smallholder coconut farmers.
In 1992, endorsed by CGIAR and its donors, the International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute (IPGRI) now Bioversity International, established the International Coconut
Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) to promote an international collaborative
programme on genetic resources conservation and use. Coconut-producing countries
lack both human and material resources to conduct expensive and time-consuming
research that could address many of the challenges that face the crop. Conservation
and improvement of genetic resources were identified as the most urgent and strategic
areas to strengthen for increasing productivity and yield security.
Currently, only coconut producing countries can become COGENT members. To
apply for free membership, an authorized government official should write to the
COGENT Secretariat and provides dedicated information 1.
Between 1992 and 2017, 18 meetings of the Steering Committee (SC) have been held.
(Table 4.1) gives the location and composition of the SC meetings held from 1997 to
2014. This illustrates how COGENT has aimed to maintained equitable representation
of countries, regions and continents in its deliberations and support. The SC meetings
were regularly held from 1997 to 2007 (except 2006). No meeting was held from 2007
until 2012, when an important reorganization of the network was achieved.
Until 2012, each country member was represented in COGENT by a single national
Official representative, chosen by the country. Two regional coordinators from each of
the five regional networks constituted the Steering Committee 2.
Upgrading COGENT’s organization was initiated in 2012 by conducting two
organizational assessments and two participative meetings. Since 2012, each member
country has to nominate two COGENT representatives:
• An Official Country Representative. She/he can be a staff member of the Ministry
of Agriculture supervising coconut research, the director of an institute involved in
coconut research, the head of a national coconut research programme or the
curator of a coconut genebank.
• An Alternative Representative. She/he can be the director of an institute involved
in coconut research, the head of a national coconut research programme or the
curator of a coconut genebank.
1To be eligible for COGENT membership, a country must meet a number of criteria that have recently been articulated and
published on the COGENT website. (see http://www.cogentnetwork.org/faq/34-membership)
2 The Chair and Vice-Chair of the Steering Committee are elected for a two-year term and each must come from a different
regional network. The members are also elected for a two-year term.
Table 4.1. Location and composition of the COGENT Steering Committee Meeting from 1997 to 2014
Annex 4. Reorganization of the COGENT Network
197
Engaging two people (one official and one alternative representatives) in COGENT
instead of only one (as before 2012) for each member-country makes communication
much more efficient and sustained.
The composition and role of the SC were modified in order both to increase its stability
and to allow other member-countries to fully participate in decision-making. It was
decided that any country hosting an international genebank will be de facto member of
the SC and involved in the coordination of its respective regional networks.
All COGENT member-countries are now invited to join the SC meetings, by sending
their official or alternative representatives, or any other delegate mandated by the
above. All stakeholders and NGOs involved in the coconut value chain and all donors
agencies involved in funding coconut research are also invited to apply for
participating in the meeting 3.
All the member-countries’ representatives who attend the SC meeting now fully
participate in decisions and votes implemented during the meeting. Decisions will be
ratified by consensus (as it was done during the 2012 SC meeting for this important
change in decision-making) or by a majority of participating member-countries, taking
account one vote per member country.
In 2012, the venue of COGENT SC meetings was fixed as biennial and linked to the
COCOTECH 4 meeting of the APCC. Organizing the two meetings back to back in the
same location allows increased interactions with stakeholders from the coconut value
chain, generates economies of scale, and proves more environmentally friendly in
reducing the number of international flights. Furthermore it is no longer necessary to
wait for separate decisions on the venue of the SC meeting. A remote decision-
making process was endorsed, using two distinct processes, remote consensus and
remote voting.
Another important innovation introduced in 2012 was the creation of seven permanent
International Thematic Action Groups (see Table 4.2 for composition). ITAGs are not
decision-making bodies. Their objectives are:
• to gather the best specialists in order to strengthen communications between
researchers working in different countries in the same thematic field,
• to provide useful recommendations and new research ideas to the COGENT SC
(the decision-making body and to the COGENT secretariat),
• to help to protect the specific research interests of COGENT member-countries.
To enable effective hosting for the COGENT Secretariat, ongoing funding is needed for
IT support, finance, administration, HR, communications, fundraising and other
associated services. CIRAD has supported COGENT by providing technical expertise
3 In 2012, all the stakeholders who applied were welcome and participated in the meeting: three representatives of private
companies located in India and Brazil, a professor from a Brazilian University, and representatives from APCC, SPC and the
Coconut Development Board of India. A representative from the Global Crop Diversity Trust also attended the meeting.
4 COCOTECH is the permanent panel on coconut technology of the APCC. This gathering of coconut development workers,
researchers, farmers, processors, importers, exporters and government policy makers in APCC member countries is held once
every two years. For more information, visit the URL: http://www.apccsec.org/meeting.html
Annex 4. Reorganization of the COGENT Network 199
and coordination for Secretariat, whereby two researchers were successively seconded
to Bioversity for coordination support from 2011 to 2016
In the wake of CGIAR systemic changes (since 2011) Bioversity has reduced access to
funds to continue its current hosting support for the COGENT Secretariat.
Furthermore, Bioversity does not have core research expertise in coconuts (although
offers farming-systems expertise linked also to other palm spp.)
For these reasons, COGENT and Bioversity have identified a new arrangement for
hosting the Secretariat to keep network effective and ensure implementation of this
Global Coconut GR Strategy. Different hosting options were considered by COGENT
and Bioversity. Any Secretariat host must have global reach, embracing all regions
(LAC, Africa/Indian Ocean; Asia - Pacific), to be able to support the network of
39 member countries, and the 24 national and 5 International Coconut Genebanks. The
final decision was made by COGENT through its Steering Committee, at its
18th SC meeting in Fiji in 2017 to transfer the Secretariat to the APCC as soon as it is
formally renamed as the international coconut community (ICC) in September 2018.
Bioversity will also transfer article 15 obligations under the Treaty, regarding ICGs in
PNG and Côte d’Ivoire, as these obligations may transfer to another organization in
any new hosting arrangement.
As articulated in Recommendation 4 issued at the COGENT 18th SC meeting 5 in
November 2017, the SC also voted for COGENT members to update the International
Thematic Action Groups (ITAGs - see table 4.2 next page for current ITAGs), in terms
of leadership and composition, and nature (adding ITAGs if a new thematic area is
deemed appropriate). The SC also recommended that a COGENT Strategy
Implementation Taskforce (SIT) be established, by remote voting, composed of the
ITAG leaders, the COGENT Coordinator, Chair and Vice-chair, along with
representatives of the ICGs and external observers. The ITAG teams will then develop
appropriate sections of the strategy implementation timeline and budget for those
activities relevant to their thematic area, with reference to the work plan developed by
Dr Bourdeix, and updating this after the ITAGs leaders have been appointed. This also
will require a fundraising task force being established and proposals developed via the
ITAG team task force (essentially ITAG team members and COGENT Secretariat).
5See the URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/images/COGENT_-Recommendation_1-10-_2017-

_COGENT_interim_coordination-signed.pdf
Table 4.2. Actual composition of COGENT International Thematic Action Groups.
Name of the ITAGs # senior # junior # countries Leadership

members researchers involved country
Ex situ Coconut conservation and 5 3 5 Côte

related methodologies d’Ivoire
Phytopathology and coconut 5 1 6 Côte

germplasm movements d’Ivoire
Ethnobiology and socioeconomics 13 8 None
Coconut breeding 7 1 5 Brazil
Coconut genomics 13 9 India
Coconut in vitro culture 12 11 Mexico

Annex 5. List of the projects facilitated or coordinated by COGENT and Bioversity 201
Annex 5. List of the projects facilitated or coordinated by

COGENT and Bioversity International
Table 4.3. Fund generation and financial support to member countries and partner institutions.
Name of the project Dates Number of Budget donor Funding

countries only agency/
involved (KUSD) donor
Regional technical assistance 1994-1997 13 800 ADB

for the establishment of a
coconut genetic resources
network for Asia and the Pacific
Region
Regional technical assistance 1998-2000 20 1,200 ADB

for a coconut genetic resources
and human resource
strengthening for Asia and the
Pacific Region
Developing sustainable 1998-2000 8 1,000 ADB

coconut-based income
generating technologies in poor
rural communities
Sustainable use of coconut 1997-2000 14 907 IFAD

genetic resources to enhance
incomes and nutrition of
smallholders in the Asia-Pacific
Region
Cryopreservation technical 2001- 2015 1 170 South Korea

support , Korean Associate
Scientist
Overcoming poverty in coconut 2005-2008 19 1,000 IFAD

growing communities
Coconut-based product Jan 2005 – Dec 1 62.4 Philippines

diversification to reduce 2009 (DA-BAR)
poverty in coconut-growing
communities
Coconut germplasm utilization 1997-2002 6 1,199 CFC

and conservation to promote
sustainable coconut production
Name of the project Dates Number of Budget donor Funding

countries only agency/
involved (KUSD) donor
Project regeneration Côte 2004 - 2011 1 262 Global Crop

d’Ivoire Regeneration of Diversity
Accessions in the International Trust
Coconut Genebank for Africa
and the Indian Ocean
Establishment of the June 2006 – Dec 1 200 Brazil

International Coconut 2011 (EMBRAPA)
Genebank for South America
and the Caribbean
Training and research Sep-Dec 2008 14 63 Global Crop

workshop: ‘Coconut embryo Diversity
culture to improve collecting Trust
and safe movement of
germplasm’
Project Upgrading international Jan 2011 - March 6 35 Global Crop

coconut genebanks and 2012 Diversity
evaluating accessions Trust
Project COGENT Steering May 2012 to Oct 17 19.9 Global Crop

Committee Meeting 2012 2012 Diversity
Trust
Project Validation of a coconut October 2009 4 295.6 Global Crop

embryo culture protocol for the April 2012 Diversity
international exchange of Trust
germplasm
Project Developing Nov 2015 – 2 338.2 South Korea

cryopreservation protocols for October 2018
sub-tropical crops and
establishing cryogenebank at
RDA, Korea
Project Upgrading and June 2016- May 3 494.5 UK, Darwin

broadening the new South- 2019 Initiative
Pacific International Coconut
Genebank
Project Coordinating the Oct 2017-March 27 64.7 Australia
conservation of coconut 2018
diversity in the Asia-Pacific
region and globally
Total 8,111.3
Annex 6. Global survey template (2012) 203
Annex 6. Global survey template (2012)
COGENT survey on cost and long-term sustainability of the coconut genebanks

for COGENT representatives and alternative representatives 6
(Please note that the narrative below dates from 2012)

The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network is updating a global strategy for the conservation and use
of coconut genetic resources. In order to describe the current situation as accurately as possible, we need
updated information and your opinions on the status of coconut collections.
As a COGENT representative or alternative representative, we kindly request you to complete this
questionnaire. Your opinion will be a key factor for convincing donors and other stakeholders to invest
more in coconut research and conservation. The questionnaire can be filled on internet at the following
address:
http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/COGENT-Survey
At the global level, coconut conservation is presently facing an emergency situation. We will probably need to
rethink and modify the global organization of coconut conservation. We have learned, from researchers of the CNRA
“Marc Delorme” research station, that a Lethal Yellowing Disease was identified for the first time in Côte
d’Ivoire, in the Grand-Lahou region, at about 150 km from the International Coconut Genebank for Africa and Indian
Ocean. In Papua New Guinea, the International Genebank for the Pacific Region is also strongly threatened by a
new Phytoplasma disease (see the video at: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/bogia-syndrome-disease).
In 2012, the COGENT secretariat released an important report which gives an overview of coconut
conservation and provides an evaluation of several genebanks. This report may help you to articulate an opinion.
It is available on line at: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/network-projects/past-projects/upgrading-genebanks
If you do not succeed to connect or use the Internet version of the survey, we also provide a Word version of the
questionnaire. Please return this questionnaire by 1st July 2013, even if it is not fully completed.
For all quantitative data, we do not need very precise data but a rough estimated average. We prefer to have
now your opinions on strategically important points than to wait a long time for having a full set of
quantitative data.
The feedback received will contribute to the Global Strategy and you will have an opportunity to review its content
and provide further feedback. Your participation in the development of this initiative is highly valued. If you have
any questions or difficulties, please do not hesitate to contact Dr Roland Bourdeix, COGENT coordinator, or
Diana De la Mata, COGENT Communications.
Yours sincerely,
Dr Roland Bourdeix
COGENT Coordinator
6 A list of respondents is available on request. Please contact [email protected]

INSTITUTIONAL INFORMATION
1. Name and address

Name and address of institution holding the collection
Name of institution
Address
2. Please give your information details

Last name (family name)
First name
Position
Institute
Address
Email:
3. Please indicate the type of institute that holds the collection:

 Public-funded institute (government institute, university, public-funded research institute)
 Private institute
 Other, please specify:
4. Please indicate what responsibility the institute has in maintaining the collection (only one tick per row):
Yes No Don’t know

Does the institute own the collection?
Does the institute have an official mandate from the government to

conserve Coconut?
Does the institute have an official mandate from the government to carry
out research on Coconut?
Does the institute have an official mandate for conserving Coconut at the
regional or global level?
Does the institute have sole responsibility for management decisions
concerning the collection?
Does the institute provide most or all of the recurrent costs for the
collection?
5. If you have answered “no” to any of these questions, please specify, where possible, who is the responsible
institute(s):
LONG-TERM SECURITY OF THE COLLECTION

The responses to the following questions are important in providing baseline information to estimate the
costs of supporting Coconut conservation at a global level.
6. What is the current status of the collection with respect to the following factors?
Factors Very good / Good / Average / Poor
/ Very poor / I don’t know
Funding for maintenance
Number of trained staff
Status of buildings, facilities and equipment
Funding for collecting germplasm
Funding for research on the collection
Level of use by breeders, researchers or growers
7-8. Who funded the genebank activities during the last (in USD per year, yearly average)?
Factors Total amount per year
Self-funding (resources generated by the genebank from raw
coconut products excluding planting material)
Self-funding (selling germplasm and planting material)
Self-funding (selling high value coconut products
processed in the genebank)
Self-funding (selling other products than coconut)
National Government
National Private companies
International Private companies
International agencies
Other (______________________________________)
Total
9. Please estimate the annual costs in US$ per accession of the following activities carried out on the
collection
US$ / accession / year
Field collection maintenance
Morphological characterization
Molecular characterization
Agronomic evaluation
Germplasm health (indexing & eradication)
Information management
10. Please provide the details of any other major costs related to your activity(ies)
11. Location and surface of coconut genebanks

How many locations are devoted
to ex situ conservation of coconut palms in your country?
Under your institution, how many locations are devoted
to ex situ conservation of coconut palm?
What is the total area of centers from your institution where are
located ex situ coconut genebanks? (rough estimation, hectares)
What is the total area devoted to ex situ coconut genebank(s)
in your institution? (rough estimation, hectares)?
12. Typology of coconut genebanks

Are all the locations devoted to coconut ex situ conservation in
your country under the same institution?
Are the coconut palms from the genebank
under-planted with other crops, and which one?
Under your institution, are the sites for ex situ coconut
conservation also serving for ex situ conservation of other crops?
13. Please provide the average production of the genebank (estimation on adult palms,
average last five years)
Number of Average weight Average weight Average coconut Average
fruits of the mature of kernel water planting
per palm coconuts (g) per mature coconut per young coconut density
per year (g) (ml) (Palms per
hectare)
14. What are the main factors presently threatening the genebank?
15. Please describe the major concerns threatening the long-term sustainability of the collection in
your country
Land pressure
Lack of budget
Lack of profitability of the genebank
Lack on manpower
Lack of infrastructure
Pest
Disease
Drought
Low agronomic management
Geographical isolation of the genebank
Scientific isolation of researchers working at the genebank
Researchers do not want to stay working at the genebank
Low commitment to coconut conservation at local level
Low commitment to coconut conservation at national level
Low commitment to coconut conservation at international
level
Other
If other (please specify):

PLANTING MATERIAL FOR FARMERS
16. Links between the genebank and production of planting material

Yes / Mostly/ Neutral /
Not really / No
The coconut genebank and the seed gardens are under the same institution
Seed gardens are located in the same locations as the coconut genebanks
The institution in charge of ex situ coconut conservation
is also the main producer of coconut seednuts
The private sector plays an important role in managing seed garden
for mass production of coconut planting material
The genebank provides good planting material to farmers at national level
The genebank provides a sufficient amount
of good planting material at national level
Farmers are reluctant to pay for coconut seednuts
The cost of seednuts released by the institution is affordable to farmers
Genebank help farmers to produce good planting material by themselves
Coconut farmers are well organized regarding
the availability of good planting material
Most of the planting material is produced by the farmers themselves.
If other (please specify)
17. Please provide the average production of the seed gardens from your institution
(rough estimation on adult palms, per year, average of last years)
Type of seednuts Number Total area Number Number of Number of Number of
of mother (hectares) of fruits seednuts seednuts seedlings
palms per palm produced released to released to
per year per year farmers farmers
Dwarf
Tall
Tall x Tall hybrids
Dwarf x Tall hybrids
Composite varieties
Other
18. Please tell us anything else about planting material
COMMUNICATION ASPECTS
19. How does the genebank from your country interact with stakeholders on the importance of
conservation and use of coconut genetic resources?
From 1 (very effecively)
to 5 (very weak)
0 = Don’t know
The website of the institution provide accurate information
on the genebank
The website of the institution provide information on germplasm
descriptors and yield characteristics
The website of the institution provide pictures of the conserved
germplasm
The website of the institution provide videos on conservation and use
of coconut germplasm
Books and paper catalogues on coconut germplasm are available at
national level
The links between the genebank and the coconut stakeholders
(farmers, industrials) are satisfactory
The links between the genebank and the citizens are satisfactory
20. How many people are visiting the genebank? (Rough estimation, yearly average for the last five
years). If you do not have a gender estimation, please fill only the column “Total”
Female Male Total
Total number of people
Students for primary school
Students for secondary school
Students from university
Students for internships on coconut research
Farmers and other coconut stakeholders
Researchers from other institutions
Local tourists
International tourists
Other
If other, please specify:
21. Do you think the genebank should be visited by more people? Why and by whom?
22. Do you have any advice to improve the communication aspects?

GLOBAL ORGANIZATION OF COCONUT GENEBANKS
23. International genebanks are effectively playing their role in:

Strongly agree / Agree / Neutral / Disagree /
Strongly disagree / I don’t know
Conserving germplasm of their region
Conserving germplasm from other regions
Distributing germplasm at national level
Distributing germplasm at international level
Capacity building at national level
Capacity building at regional level
Enhancing commitment to conservation and
use of coconut genetic resources
24. Do you think that the present global organization, with only five genebanks classified as
International, should be modified?
Strongly agree / Agree / Neutral / Disagree /
Strongly disagree / I don’t know
The number of international genebank should be
increased (two per region instead of one, for
instance the Philippines and/or Sri Lanka could also
become international genebanks)
The number of international genebanks should be
maintained (one per region only)
Add a comment if necessary
25. What changes to the present situation would you consider to be essential for the long-term
conservation of Coconut at a national or global level?
RULE AND EFFICIENCY OF NATIONAL COCONUT GENEBANKS

26. Please answer this question, ONLY if the coconut genebank in your country does not have the
status of international genebank
From 1 to 5
1: strongly agree
5: strongly disagree
0= Don’t know
The national genebank is effectively playing its role in:
1. conserving germplasm from the country
2. conserving germplasm from other country
3. distributing germplasm at the local level (100 km around the
genebank)
4. distributing germplasm at the national level
5. capacity building at local level (100 km around the genebank)
6. capacity building at National level
7. enhancing commitment to conservation and use of coconut
genetic resources
27. How the COGENT network can help to strengthen the genebank in your country?
28. How the COGENT network can help to increase commitment at local, national and International
level to conservation and use of Coconut Genetic Resources?
Thank you for completing this questionnaire

7. Standard costs for the preparation of coconut germplasm 213
Annex 7. Standard costs for the preparation of coconut

germplasm
Standard costs for the preparation of coconut germplasm

for international movements between the countries
members of the COGENT network
These costs apply from 2012 to 2014 for quantities superior to 200 units sent in the
same package. Prices include the harvest and preparation of the germplasm, the
required chemical treatments, obtaining the phytosanitary certificates in the country
sending the material, and the packaging. These costs do not include the cost for
sending the germplasm and obtaining the phytosanitary certificates in the receiving
country.
In the case of an international project involving a national research institute from a
COGENT country and other partners such as farmer’s organizations or private
companies, these prices apply to all the partners. In the case of direct negotiation
between genebanks and private partners, these prices do not apply. Costs are given in
US$.
Material Seednuts Sterile Embryos Desiccated Leaf
treated embryos stored in vitro pollen, or root
with in albumen and tagged per gr samples
appropriate cylinders individually for DNA
chemicals in bulk with parent palm analysis
numbers
From open 2 2.5 2.5 2 0.5

pollination
(no bagging of
the inflorescence)
From assisted 3 3 3 Not applicable 0.5
pollination
(emasculation
of the female
parent without
bagging)
From controlled 8 8 10 3.5 0.5
pollination
(bagging of
the inflorescence)
The Secretariat of the COGENT Network

Dr R. Bourdeix
COGENT coordinator
Annex 8. Schedule of gathering characterization data for a Tall-

type coconut accession
Annex 8. Schedule of gathering characterization data for a Tall-type coconut accession 215
Annex 9. Conserving each cultivar in three countries: what does

it mean?
As discussed in Section3.3, the easiest way to explain which system curators would like
to adopt is to give practical examples:
1. The Salak Green Dwarf (SKD) is a cultivar conserved under international mandate
by Indonesia7. Presently there are six living accessions of SKD, all located in
Indonesia. SKD is a very interesting Malayan Dwarf type: it starts flowering after
one year, about one year before similar kinds of Dwarfs. It is self-pollinating so it
can be exchanged, but using seeds or embryos from open pollination.
Thus we need to consider: a) For an efficient global conservation, SKD must be
planted in two more countries; b) Which countries are interested to obtain SKD?8; c)
Among these countries, which ones are ready to place the received accession under
international mandate?9; d) Which ones have really shared coconut germplasm
during the last 20 years? e) Which ones provide the most secure conservation?
Then, negotiations at COGENT level will designate the two reviving countries. It is
expected that the international system will cover the cost of the two required
international transfers.
2. The Nicobar Tall (NCT) is a cultivar conserved under international mandate only in
India. There are six populations of NCT, namely Auck Chung, Campbell Bay,
Katchal, Kimios, Kimmai and Tamaloo. All are conserved as living palms
numbering between 36 and 45; per accession, which is less than the recommended
size but sufficient enough to conduct a controlled hand pollination programme. At
least one population of Nicobar Tall must be conserved at international level,
meaning conserving three accessions in three distinct countries. Does COGENT
need to conserve more than one population of NCT at the international level?
Curators will have to make a decision on this point according to available data. As
an allogamous Tall-type, NCT must be reproduced by controlled hand-pollination
(CHP). CPCRI has access to good skills in CHP although some minor points need
improvement. How can the international system help CPCRI to improve its CHP
technique? Which are the most interesting populations of NCT? Then the process (a,
b, c, d, e) described in the previous paragraph will be applied to at least one NCT
population. Negotiation within COGENT will designate the two receiving countries.
It is expected that the international system will help CPCRI to improve its CHP
method and find ways of covering the cost of the required international transfers10.
3. The Brazilian Tall (BRT) is a cultivar under international mandate conserved only in
Brazil with more than 10 populations. At least one population of BRT must be
conserved at international level. Does COGENT need to conserve more than one
7 This means that, in the Memorandum of Agreement signed by Indonesia, the Salak Green Dwarf (SKD) is one of the cultivar
listed as available for the coconut community.
8 Probably more than 20.
9 Probably more than eight.
10 At the rate of US$500 per cultivar.
Annex 9. Conserving each cultivar in three countries: what does it mean? 217
population of BRT at the international level? Curators will have to make a decision
on this point according to available data. As an allogamous Tall-type, BRT must be
reproduced by CHP. Unfortunately, the International Genebank in Brazil does not
currently have adequate skills, climbing methods and the manpower needed to
conduct CHP. Could the international system help the Brazil genebank to overcome
this constraint? Is it possible to come back to the collecting site and get BRT seednuts
from open pollination? Yes, it would become possible to transfer BRT to other
countries by developing skills for CHP technique in Brazil or by coming back to
collection site for getting BRT seednuts,. Then the process (a, b, c, d, e) described in
earlier paragraph will be applied to at least one BRT population. Negotiation within
COGENT will designate the two receiving countries. It is expected for the
international system to help Brazil genebank to improve its CHP method and to
cover the cost of the required international transfers.
4. The Rennell Island Tall (RIT) is a very useful cultivar already well conserved in 15
countries. The international system will no longer fund RIT international transfers.
Negotiation with COGENT will have to designate three RIT accessions in three
countries which will be considered as part of the global coconut collection. This
process will not only take into account the present international mandates. It will
also take into consideration the real involvement of countries in international
exchanges during the past 20 years, and their willingness to place RIT accessions
under international mandate. Then, the international system is expected to cover
part of the cost of conserving these three accessions. Of course, RIT will remain fully
available for the other genebanks which want to acquire it. This acquisition process
will be greatly facilitated by the existence of three accessions of RIT conserved
preferably under international mandate by three distinct countries.
Annex 10. Estimated costs summary of the Global COGENT

collection
Operation (as Estimated No. FN* Cost per FN* Capital FN* Total Periodicity
described in Annex 7) of accessions accession cost cost
Acquisition 20 1 255 2 520 3 5,620 Annual
Field genebank 2,500 4 38 5 7,678 6 102,678 Annual
Characterization – 200 7 21 8 800 9 5,000 Annual

morphological
Characterization – 200 10 101 11 1,800 12 22,000 Annual

molecular
Regeneration 200 13 105 14 1,600 15 22,600 Annual
Health testing 200 16 292 17 9,200 18 67,600 Annual
Maintenance of in vitro 250 19 28 20 1,000 21 8,000 Annual

collection
Introduction/ 75 22 231 23 3,300 24 20,625 Annual

multiplication of
accession in vitro
Maintenance of the 300 25 18 26 1,200 27 6,600 Annual

cryopreserved
accessions
Safety duplication (or 300 31 25 32 1,500 33 9,000 Annual

security duplication)
Distribution 200 34 74 35 1,000 36 15,800 Annual
Identification of 200 43 155 44 10,200 45 41,200 Annual

duplicates and integrity
Information 2,500 37 15 38 2,500 39 40,000

management
General management 2,500 40 8 41 2,500 42 22,500 Annual
Total 1366 Annual
Total of annual costs 389,223 Annual
Introduction of 300 28 1,557 29 79,200 30 546,300 One-off

accessions into
cryopreservation
Total of one-off costs 546,300 One-off

∗ Footnotes (FN) for the table
Annex 10. Estimated costs summary of the Global COGENT collection 219
1 Estimated annual acquisition of new accessions

2 Average based on acquisition activities of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava) CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato and
sweetpotato) and IITA (cassava) for a total of 631 accessions with total cost of 161,048 USD
3 Estimated at 26 USD per accession based on capital costs of CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato and sweetpotato) and
IITA (cassava) for a total of 631 accession with total cost of 16,323 USD
4 Estimated size of the CNCC
5 Average based on field genebank activities of CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato and sweetpotato) and IITA (banana
and cassava) for a total of 12,770 accessions with total cost of 483,718 USD
IITA (banana and cassava) for a total of 12,770 accession with total cost of 39,221 USD
7 Estimated number of accessions to be introduced and/or regenerated every year
8 Average based on basic characterization activities of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and tubers)
and IITA (yam) for a total of 5503 accessions with total cost of 114,259 USD
9 Estimated at 4 USD per accession based on capital costs of CIP (Andean roots and tubers) and IITA (cassava and yam)
for a total of 3978 accession with total cost of 15,562 USD
10 Estimated number of priority accessions per year
11 Average based on molecular characterization activities of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava), CIP (potato and
sweetpotato) and IITA (cassava) for a total of 2608 accessions with total cost of 263,027 USD
12 Estimated at 9 USD per accession based capital on costs of CIP (potato and sweetpotato) and IITA (cassava) for a total of
2583 accession with total cost of 23,773 USD
13 Estimated number of accessions regenerated per year
14 Average based on regeneration activities of CIP (Andean roots and tubers) and IITA (yam) for a total of 1526 accessions
with total cost of 159,761 USD
15 Estimated at 8 USD per accession based on capital costs of CIP (Andean roots and tubers) and IITA (cassava and yam)
for a total of 1526 accessions with total cost of 11,692 USD
16 Estimated number of coconut accessions tested every year (for distribution, acquisition and regeneration)
17 Average based on activities of health testing (virus pre-indexing, indexing and therapy) of Bioversity (banana) for a total of
135 accessions with total cost of 39,450 USD
18 Estimated at 46 USD per accession based on capital costs of CIAT (cassava) for a total of 553 accessions with total cost
of 25,663 USD
19 Estimated number of coconut accessions expected to be distributed from the CNCC every year
20 Average based on activities of maintaining accessions in vitro of CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato
and sweetpotato) and IITA (banana and cassava) for a total of 21,257 accessions with total cost of 603,534 USD
IITA (banana and cassava) for a total of 21,257 accessions with total cost of 74,116 USD
22 Estimated number of new coconut accessions requested for distributed from the CNCC every year
23 Average based on activities of introducing accessions in vitro of Bioversity (banana), CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato
and sweetpotato) and IITA (banana and cassava) for a total of 814 accessions with total cost of 188,342 USD
24 Estimated at 44 USD per accession based on capital costs of Bioversity (banana), CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato
25 Estimated number of accessions to be maintained in cryopreservation
26 Average based on activities of maintenance of the cryopreserved accessions of Bioversity (banana) for a total of 800
accessions with total cost of 14,655 USD
27 Estimated at 4 USD per accession based on capital costs of Bioversity (banana) for a total of 800 accessions with total
cost of 3442 USD
28 Estimated number of accessions to be introduced into cryopreservation
29 Average based on activities of introduction of accessions into cryopreservation of Bioversity (banana) for a total of 35
accessions with total cost of 54,495 USD
30 Estimated at 264 USD per accession based on capital costs of Bioversity (banana) a total of 35 accessions with total cost
of 9250 USD
31 Estimated number of accessions for security duplication in a distant location (in addition to the accessions in
cryopreservation).
32 Average based on activities of security duplication of CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and tubers,) and IITA (cassava
and yam) for a total of 4141 accessions with total cost of 105,572 USD
34 Estimated number of accessions distributed every year
35 Average based on activities of distribution of CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and tubers, potato and sweetpotato) and
IITA (banana, cassava and yam) for a total of 4911 accessions with total cost of 361,274 USD
IITA (banana, cassava and yam) for a total of 4911 accessions with total cost of 22,739 USD
37 Estimated number of accessions of the CNCC
38 Average based on activities of information management of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and
tubers, potato and sweetpotato) and IITA (cassava) for a total of 27,742 accessions with total cost of 422,461 USD
and sweetpotato) and IITA (cassava) for a total of 27,742 accessions with total cost of 39,633 USD
40 Estimated number of accessions of the CNCC
41 Average based on general management of collection of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and
tubers and sweetpotato) and IITA (banana, cassava and yam) for a total of 43,707 accessions with total cost of 344,388
USD
42 Estimated at 1 USD per accession based on capital costs of Bioversity (banana), CIAT (cassava), CIP (Andean roots and
tubers and sweetpotato) and IITA (banana, cassava and yam) for a total of 43,707 accessions with total cost of 39,940
USD
43 Estimated number of accessions verified for identification of duplicates and integrity
44 Average based on activities of identification of duplicates and integrity of CIAT (cassava) for a total of 233 accessions with
total cost of 36,180 USD
45 Estimated at 51 USD per accession based on capital costs of CIAT (cassava) for a total of 233 accessions with total cost
11,795 USD
Annex 10. Estimated costs summary of the Global COGENT collection 221
46 Estimated number of new germplasm collected annually

47 Estimated cost per sample of collecting based on pers. communication
48 Estimated cost of travel and equipment per year.
Annex 11. Useful web links

ACIAR www.aciar.gov.au
Bioversity www.bioversityinternational.org
CABI www.cabi.org
COGENT www.cogentnetwork.org
Caobisco www.caobisco.eu
CATIE www.catie.ac.cr/en
CBD www.cbd.int
CEPICAFE www.cepicafe.com.pe
CEPLAC www.ceplac.gov.br
CFC www.common-fund.org
CGIAR www.cgiar.org
CIRAD www.cirad.fr; http://www.cirad.fr/en/home-page
CNRA www.cnra.ci
COPAL www.copal-cpa.org
CPCRI www.cpcri.gov.in
CPQP www.idhsustainabletrade.com/CPQP
CRIN www.crin-ng.org
CRU/UWI www.sta.uwi.edu/cru
FAO www.fao.org
FHIA www.fhia.org.hn
GPA www.fao.org/agriculture/crops/core-themes/theme/seeds-pgr/gpa
ICA www.ica.gov.co
ICCO www.icco.org
ICCRI www.iccri.net
ICT www.ict-peru.org
IDIAF www.idiaf.gov.do
IDH www.idhsustainabletrade.com
IICA www.iica.int
IITA www.iita.org
INGENIC http://ingenic.cas.psu.edu
INIA www.inia.gov.ve
IPPC www.ippc.int
IRAD www.iradcameroun.org
IT IS www.itis.gov
ITPGRFA www.planttreaty.org
MCB www.koko.gov.my
Trust www.croptrust.org
WIEWS http://apps3.fao.org/wiews/wiews.jsp

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2.2.1 Ex situ conservation methods ....................................................................... 44

2.9 References ............................................................................................................ 109

3.7.1 Global objectives in terms of planting material ............................................ 155

Tables and figures

Brisbane, August 2018

Section 4 covers the in situ areas of conservation through use; multifunctional

1. Introduction to the Global Coconut Strategy

Created in 1991, the International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT)

1.1.1 Origin, history and dynamics of coconut cultivation

The systematic documentation and collecting of coconut landraces needs to continue

1.1.2 Cultivation and current production of coconut

1.1.3 Importance of coconut genetic diversity

Coconut germplasm can be conserved in two contexts:

Makapuno refers to a special

“Aromatic” varieties (mainly Dwarf-types) produce coconut water with special,

On many Pacific islands and in

1.1.4 Constraints linked to the biology of the plant

Large palm and seed sizes

Low multiplication rate

12 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/climbing-the-coconut-palm

Size and heterogeneity of accessions

Complexity of the natural breeding

Long duration of experiments…

1.1.5 Major threats to coconut genetic resources

Social dynamics linked to coconut symbolism

Emerging diseases and pests

18 Phytoplasmas are obligate bacterial parasites spread by insect vectors.

Climate change and hazards

1.1.6 The International Coconut Genetic Resources Network – COGENT

Table 1.1. Composition (membership) of COGENT by regional networks in 2017.

South Asia Southeast Africa and Latin America and

Bangladesh China Cook Islands Benin Brazil

India Indonesia Fiji Côte d’Ivoire Colombia

Pakistan Malaysia Kiribati Ghana Costa Rica

Sri Lanka Myanmar Papua New Guinea 19 Kenya Cuba

Sultanate of Oman Philippines Samoa Madagascar Guyana

Thailand Solomon Islands Mozambique Haiti

Vietnam Tonga Nigeria Honduras

Vanuatu Seychelles Jamaica

Trinidad & Tobago

In Italic: International Genebanks.

Upgrading COGENT’s organization was initiated in 2012 by conducting two

1.1.7 The urgent need for a revised Global Strategy

Figure 1.3. COGENT coconut producing countries.

21 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/action-groups

• Lack of communication and commitment to conservation and use of coconut

22 See URL: http://www.cogentnetwork.org/network-projects/past-projects/upgrading-genebanks

The numerous coconut international projects launched by COGENT from 1992 23

1.2 Global Strategy vision, goal, objectives, outputs and

The Strategy promotes the rationalization of conservation efforts at national, regional

material in a sustainable and equitable manner appropriately integrating gender

1.2.4 Expected outcomes

Effectively conserved coconut

1.2.5 Link with outcomes of CGIAR research programs

1. reduction in rural poverty;

To support achieving these SLOs, a new results-based management (RBM) strategy

1. Policies supporting improved livelihoods and sustainable and equitable resource