Abstract
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is an oil-bearing crop contributing to the income of more than ten million farmers and their dependents. However, coconut farmers commonly encounter many challenges since productivity is influenced by the senility of the palms, the reduction of soil fertility, and natural calamities. In addition, an important reduction in the cultivated area has resulted from outbreaks of lethal pests and diseases. In this context, micropropagation via somatic embryogenesis (SE) holds a great hope of producing many palms, of a desired genotype in a relatively short period. SE in coconut was first attempted over 40 years ago. Over time, it was discovered that plumular tissue isolated from mature embryo was the optimal explant type to form embryogenic callus. However, this type of explant may not be ideal to produce true-to-type clones due to the outcrossing of some coconut varieties. More recent attention has shifted back to the development of protocols using floral tissue explants such as immature inflorescences. Different compounds have been applied to improve the success rate of somatic embryogenesis, including abscisic acid, brassinosteroids, polyamines, etc. Furthermore, morpho-histological, biochemical, and physiological studies have been undertaken to better understand the coconut somatic embryogenesis. These studies have been helpful in scaling up the plumule-based process which has successfully produced palms in field trials. The protocols developed would be very valuable for the renewal of coconut plantations with appropriate genotypes and the creation of individuals with the desirable agronomic characteristics. Although coconut micropropagation has already progressed to a commercial level, further improvements are still of great demand. This will require active collaboration between the most advanced institutions on this field. It could be achieved through a virtual international institute for coconut research and development, with coordination of internationally recognized organizations, such as the International Coconut Community and COGENT.
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Sáenz-Carbonell, L., Nguyen, Q., López-Villalobos, A., Oropeza-Salín, C. (2020). Coconut Micropropagation for Worldwide Replanting Needs. In: Adkins, S., Foale, M., Bourdeix, R., Nguyen, Q., Biddle, J. (eds) Coconut Biotechnology: Towards the Sustainability of the ‘Tree of Life’. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-44988-9_11
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