Safeguarding and deploying coconut diversity for improving livelihoods in the Pacific islands

Expected project outcomes

• Developing and deploying strategies for coconut conservation and use.
• Developing and deploying strategies for addressing biotic threats to coconut.
• Establishing and sustaining a platform for coordinating coconut research-for-development initiatives.

Summary of outcomes to date

2021-22

• 2 collection trips were made in Fiji to acquire coconut germplasm for conservation and cryopreservation research at the Pacific Community (SPC)-Centre for Pacific Crops & Trees (CePaCT) and for the collaborating partner, University of Queensland (UQ). Over 2000 coconuts of eight different varieties growing in Fiji were collected and processed for research at CePaCT and 714 viable embryos arrived in Australia for UQ research. In addition to sourcing coconut germplasm from Fiji, UQ has also sourced explant tissues from India, Vietnam, China, and Indonesia. This was due to shortfalls in supply from Fiji and other country partners.
• Research at UQ has progressed with improvements in the efficiency of the in vitro processes of embryo culture, somatic embryogenesis, cryopreservation in addition to genetic fidelity testing of tissue cultured plants. Obtaining adequate supplies of coconut explants for research will be a priority moving forward.
• CePaCT successfully germinated zygotic embryos from Fijian varieties, and these are growing in vitro. Experiments on pre-treatment of coconut zygotic embryos and meristems were successfully implemented and these experiments will be continued in collaboration with UQ to assist in optimisation of the cryopreservation and tissue culture protocols for both coconut embryos and meristems.
• Research at UQ has made progress into several aspects of coconut plantlet acclimatisation with improvements being made with using improved LED lighting systems and with the enhancement of plant vigour and growth with CO2. Further experiments on optimizing media for acclimatisation will provide further refinements in the protocols which will improve the success of transfer of plantlets to the field and shorten the time to do this. In addition, research on the use of different forms of culture systems for the rapid multiplication of coconut plantlets has identified several variables that improve plantlet production and formation in the somatic embryogenesis (SE) pathway.
• A temporary immersion system has been optimised for the biological density of tissue to be used, the time for the temporary immersion stage and the photoperiod to be used. Some adjustments were required and implemented, specifically concerning obtaining research materials, but also about training and capacity building.
• Work has started on the preparation of several training aids, including video training modules, protocol manuals and online presentations. Although satisfactory as an interim measure, online training alone will not be sufficient to provide partners with a full understanding of the techniques involved in coconut In vitro biology, and hands-on-training would still need to be delivered in year-2 and/or year-3, after travel restrictions have been lifted. To move along more rapidly with the preparation of the training aids, appropriate budget variations were proposed and acted on, appointing Dr Adkins on an ACIAR-funded P/T position for 6 months from June 1, 2021, to help work on the development of the training aids.
• Video training aids for extraction of coconut embryos and shipment of cultures is also underway at CePaCT to complement the materials being produced by UQ.