Plant Genetics and breeding – Sélection variétale

The amazing diversity of shapes and colours
of coconut varieties.

This section concerns the genetic diversity of the coconut tree and its use in agriculture: what is a variety of coconut tree, how to recognize it, name it, conserve it, produce it and use it. As shown in the dynamic list below, the topics are varied and diverse. 

©R. Bourdeix, 2021, section CAG.
For illustrating this section, we can produce on request about  ten large size HD posters (up to 180x100 cm in size). These posters should be adapted to each country, on a case-by-case basis, in order to prominently feature locally produced coconut products and local techniques, and to promote the marketing of these local products. It is also possible to buy or rent items from the personal collection of Dr R. Bourdeix.
 
In addition, we have produced short related films which could be screened in a coconut tree eco-museum, and which are presented at the end of each relevant section.
  1. CAGV. Varietal identification - Identification des variétés
  2. CAGD. Coconut Diversity - Diversité des noix de coco
  3. CAGS. Selecting parent palms - Sélection de géniteurs
  4. CAGN. Producing hybrid seednuts - Produire des hybrides
  5. CAGG. Creating a genebank - Créer une collection
  6. CAGO. Coco de mer - Coco fesse
Posters can be produced, for example, on the different types of coconut palm, Tall, Dwarf with thin trunks and Dwarf compact, as well as on certain rare varieties such as spicata. Another poster topic is how to recognize the different varieties by observing the characteristics of the trunks, inflorescences and fruits. The hybrids provide wonderful photographs that can be used to illustrate at least two posters, one on DwarfxGrand type varieties, the other on crosses between dwarf varieties. Finally, some posters may describe seed production techniques, in particular how farmers can produce their own hybrid seeds, in relation to the floral biology of the coconut tree.

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The coconut Genetic Resources Database
helps to indetify coconut varieties.
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Shapes of the stem of (from left to ritgh)
Dwarfs, Compact Dwarfs, Talls from West Africa and Asia.
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Pink color inside the young coconut
Helps to recognize some varieties.
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