INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES INSTITUTE ISSN 1561-2473
NEWSLETTER
FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
No. 31 January-April 2000
About the Newsletter Editorial
The International Plant Genetic The International Undertaking on
Resources Institute (IPGRI) is one of
the 16 Centres of the Consultative
Group on International Agricultural Plant Genetic Resources for Food
Research (CGIAR) with its
Headquarters at Rome. IPGRI’s and Agriculture: Is it Now or Never?
mission is to encourage, support and
undertake activities to improve the For a number of years now, FAO sharing, including articles on funding and
management of genetic resources
worldwide so as to help eradicate negotiators have struggled to revise the Farmers’ Rights (to benefit small farmers
poverty, increase food security and International Undertaking on PGRFA that have been the traditional custodians
protect the environment. IPGRI works (Plant Genetic Resources for Food and of PGRFA, particularly in developing
in partnership with other organizations,
Agriculture) into a legally binding countries).
undertakes research and training, and
provides scientific and technical advice agreement. Many people feel that as we
We need the Undertaking for continued
and information. IPGRI operates in five enter the year 2000, we are also
geographical areas: Sub-Saharan open access to and exchange ofreaching a “now or never” situation for
Africa (SSA), the Americas, Europe,
Central and West Asia and North Africa these negotiations.
PGRFA. Given the high level of PGRFA
interdependence between regions,
(CWANA), and Asia, the Pacific and
Oceania (APO). APO Regional Office A revised Undertaking would constitute convincingly shown in a number of FAO
is based in Serdang, Malaysia with an essential element of FAO’s “Global documents, such an open access and
offices for East Asia and South Asia System” for PGRFA. It would help the exchange regime is crucial for research
located in Beijing, China and New world community achieve the closely
Delhi, India, respectively. and development in agriculture and
related goals of food security and consequently for further agricultural
The APO Newsletter is produced thrice sustainable agriculture. At the same time,
a year and is mainly aimed at promoting progress.
the overall concern on plant genetic the Undertaking is to be harmonized with
resources, with emphasis on their the Convention on Biological Diversity Perhaps more fundamentally, conditions
conservation and use. [Contd. on page 4] (CBD) to serve as an instrument for the affecting agriculture such as pests,
conservation and sustainable use of climate, etc. are continually evolving,
Contents plant genetic resources and the fair and
sometimes in ways that we are not fully
equitable sharing of the benefits arising aware of (cf. the debate on climate
Editorial ................................... 1 from the use of such resources. change). We can say with certainty,
Headquarters ........................... 3 however, that food security and
The Undertaking would establish legally
Regional .................................. 3 sustainable agriculture will be impossible
binding rules to secure facilitated access to achieve without a sufficiently wide
National ................................... 10 to and exchange of PGRFA within a genetic base for food and agriculture. A
COGENT Update .................... 12 multilateral system. In addition, the revised Undertaking will be crucial for
Meetings/Training Programmes 17 Undertaking would also establish the conservation and further
Interesting Books, Periodicals effective ways of cooperation to ensure development of agro-biodiversity as well
and Websites ................... 19 conservation of agro-biodiversity and the as for making it available to countries.
Scientific Contributions ........... 22 further development of PGRFA. To
Useful Names & Addresses ... 24 conform to the CBD, it will also have to What will happen if these negotiations
contain effective provisions for benefit- fail? No one should by believing that
The information, opinions and designations in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of IPGRI
The IPGRI Homepage on the World Wide Web of Internet: http://www.cgiar.org/ipgri
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 2
status quo will prevail. Obviously, there create new products. To put it differently, are not necessarily new and additional
will be a lot of confusion. It is clear that instead of an agreement where PGRFA money, but it is essential that such
ex situ collections made before the entry is managed from the perspectives of food funding should be predictable. These
into force of the CBD are not covered security and sustainable agriculture, resources could be mobilized in several
by that Convention. In many cases, it is PGRFA management would be split ways. However, that PGRFA
not clear where such pre-CBD PGRFA between CBD and World Trade conservation and use ultimately benefits
originated. For all PGRFA exchange after Organization (WTO) provisions, and an the whole society, governments will still
the entry into force of the CBD, the increasing number of conflicts over have to bear the final responsibility.
conditions of the CBD will generally PGRFA would be one likely outcome of
apply. Developed countries should realize thatsuch a situation.
without some credible mechanism for
This means that unless the world Both developed and developing countries benefit-sharing, there would be no
community manages to create will benefit from a system of open agreement on a multilateral system with
multilaterally agreed, legally binding rules access. Open access is in itself an open access to PGRFA. On the other
for germplasm exchange in this field, we important benefit to be shared among hand, developing countries should
could be moving towards a situation all parties to a revised Undertaking. realize that no OECD country will accept
where general CBD principles would However, developing countries demand new obligations (for funding or otherwise)
apply. In addition, we would be faced some commitments, in line with CBD to a system where facilitated/open
with grey zones where it is difficult to tell provisions, from developed countries as access applies only to a very limited
which rules should apply. The CBD was regards the commercial benefits arising number of crops. Consequently,
obviously drafted with other kinds of from access to PGRFA. This should not countries from all regions must make
biodiversity as a primary focus, in surprise anyone. CBD was negotiated some compromises in order to achieve
particular biodiversity where the question in a situation where genetic resources a successful conclusion to these
of origin is less complex than for agro- were considered “freely available” while negotiations. The sacrifices that
biodiversity. Managing agro-biodiversity IPRs were increasingly established over countries would have to make seem
exchange on a bilateral basis would be industrial products based on these rather modest, however, compared to
a nightmare, not only in practical terms, resources, even if the value of these what is at stake [The material is
but also with regard to equity products was developed on the basis of reproduced here with author’s
considerations (what would be “fair and traditional knowledge or traits. Concerns permission. Author: Jan Borring, Adviser,
equitable” benefit-sharing in cases where about this situation resulted in the Ministry of the Environment, Oslo,
a seed contains material from 50 benefit-sharing provisions of the CBD. Norway].
sources?!). Benefit-sharing must, These equity issues are still with us: one
therefore, be clearly regulated by delegate from a developing country to
multilateral mechanisms, and for this we the FAO Commission on Genetic
need the Undertaking. National ProgrammesResources for Food and Agriculture
(CGRFA) recently stated that without are requested to
In fact, confusion as well as obstacles
IPRs the question of benefit-sharing
to open exchange of PGRFA are already contribute short
would not arise and all genetic material
visible. Several countries are developing research articles, news/
could be freely available in the same
access legislation in line with CBD
way as it was historically. notes or other
principles, and it is not clear that important information
sufficient mechanisms are being created Given that benefit-sharing for PGRFA
to safeguard the need for open exchange can not be on a bilateral basis, the most on PGR related topics
of PGRFA. At the same time, intellectual logical starting point for operationalizing including websites for
property rights (IPR) protection over benefit-sharing provisions in the inclusion in the next
PGRFA is increasing, and some forms Undertaking would be the Global Plan
of IPR protection, in particular patents, of Action for PGRFA. One important issue of the Newsletter.
also pose limitations to the accessibility reason to develop this plan was to get a Please send your
of PGRFA. Consequently, the real better idea of funding needs related to contributions to any of
alternative to a legally binding the Undertaking (the International Fund). the three
Undertaking would not be status quo, What we are talking about here is a plan
but rather an increased polarisation with cost scenario in the range of (from IPGRI-APO Offices.
between providers of genetic resources “rudimentary” to “comprehensive”) US$ [See addresses on page 24]
and industries using these resources to 150 – 450 million a year. These sums
3 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
Headquarters
IFPRI Micronutrient and component were created for diversity used by the study population.
Gender Study quantitatively capturing plant genetic Preliminary findings are expected to be
diversity, the first as an indicator of made available in August 2000 [Gina
IPGRI participated in a research study species and the second as an indicator Kennedy, Health and Nutrition
currently being carried out by the of crop varieties. To create these Consultant, IPGRI-Rome].
International Food Policy Research measures, farmers were interviewed and
Institute (IFPRI) in the Saturia region of asked to provide information on the
Bangladesh. This quantitative study number of species and varieties of crops Vavilov-Frankel
involves a sample of 315 households. that they cultivated. Local species’ Fellowships for 2000
The survey will gather information on a names were recorded and then Awarded
wide variety of health, nutrition, income categorized as ‘modern’, ‘locally-
and dietary measures, and now includes The Vavilov-Frankel Fellowships forimproved’, ‘traditional’ or ‘unknown’. The
a Plant Genetic Resources (PGR) 2000 have been awarded to:farmers’ responses were verified with
component. local agriculture experts and BARI Mr Omid Fasihi Harandi of the
The PGR component was developed scientists. Market surveys and field National Research Centre for Genetic
with the help of Dr O. Islam, Head of the observations were also used to Engineering and Biotechnology, Iran
Plant Genetic Resources Centre (PGRC) supplement the development of the two to carry out a study entitled “Analysis
and others at the Bangladesh Agricultural measures. It is felt that the new of genetic diversity and classification
Research Institute (BARI), Joydebpur, measures will provide an indication of of wild and cultivated Iranian
Gazipur. Two measures of the PGR the amount and type of plant genetic Pistachio (Pistacia L.) using molecular
markers”. The work is being
undertaken at the Department of
Horticulture, Pennsylvania State
University, USA under the supervision
of Dr Majid R. Foolad, Assistant
Professor.
Ms Shadila Venkatasamy of the
Mauritian Wildlife Foundation,
Mauritius to carry out a study entitled
“Phylogenetic relationships between
endangered endemic ebony tree
species in Mauritius”. The work is
being undertaken at the Department
of Ecology and Genetics, Aarhus
University, Denmark, under the
supervision of Professor Jens M.
Olesen, the Head of Department.
Interaction with farmer families for nutrition and gender study in Bangladesh
Regional
Update on IPGRI-APO ‘Conservation and Use of Native Tropical A Project Planning Meeting was
Activities Fruit Species Biodiversity in Asia’, has organized at The Mines Beach Resortbeen approved under technical and SPA, Selangor, Malaysia from 15-
IPGRI organizes TFT Project assistance agreement between the Asian 18 February 2000. The objectives of this
Planning Meeting Development Bank (ADB) and the meeting were to: i) apprise the country
International Plant Genetic Resources coordinators from collaborating countries
IPGRI has identified tropical fruit tree Institute (IPGRI). This project has a about the project logistics, administrative
species as one of its priority areas for budget provision of US$3.147 million, and financial aspects, ii) share
work in the APO region, based on the which includes contribution from ADB, information on ongoing research
needs expressed by several countries IPGRI and the National Programmes in activities in the 10 countries, iii) explain
in the region. A 3-year project on 10 Asian Countries. about the project implementation
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 4
resource development aspect for
training, study visits, etc., should be
coordinated by IPGRI with the budget
earmarked for that activity. The common
areas of training identified were: i)
germplasm collecting, evaluation,
characterization, documentation and
conservation, ii) molecular characteriza-
tion and DNA finger printing, iii) in vitro
conservation and cryopreservation, and
iv) database development. Besides this,
need for field genebank management
training for technicians was also
expressed. Database development was
considered as a high priority by all the
10 national programmes. A format may
be developed by IPGRI and provided to
the collaborators for developing
IPGRI TFT Project Planning Meeting in Session databases in different countries on a
uniform pattern. For studies on constraint
arrangements, and iv) discuss and proposals on specific activities on
analysis, a questionnaire needs to be
finalize the workplans for 3 years and different crops as agreed at the meeting
developed and provided to the partners.
workplan and budget for the year 2000. will be submitted by the country
The meeting was organized in five coordinators and funds will be made It was also decided that the PGR
sessions, namely, i) Logistic arrange- available as per approved proposals. The activities being supported under
ments, ii) Current status of work, iii) reporting procedure will include six Underutilized Tropical Fruits Asia
Developing workplans, iv) International/ monthly and annual progress reports as Network (UTFANET) and other funding
Regional collaboration, and v) well as financial reports. The monitoring sources should not be taken up under
Finalization of workplans, and budget. of project expenditure will be done this project. Instead, the resources are
Twenty participants comprising country through project tracking system utilized for those activities on which not
coordinators from 10 Asian countries, developed by IPGRI-APO. For effective much work is being done, to enhance
representatives from international/ and efficient implementation of the effective use of available funds and to
regional organizations, IPGRI staff and project, the activities envisaged to be promote complementarity between
observers attended the meeting. The undertaken have been regrouped into different programmes. It was agreed that
salient points and highlights of the different tasks, which have been the work on tropical fruit species in the
meeting are as under: assigned to different IPGRI professional region should be seen as a
staff with relevant expertise (Task comprehensive effort, funding coming
It was felt that efforts on tropical fruits Managers). from different sources, including
are not well organized in many countries
respective national programmes.
and that very little work has been done In view of budget constraints, it was
in the area of plant genetic resources. decided to concentrate on a few specific
There is, thus, a great need for concerted activities on two priority crops in each
efforts on germplasm collecting, country. Based on this criterion, the crop
About the Newsletter
evaluation, characterization and groups identified were mango (9 Contd. from page 1
utilization, skill enhancement, database countries), citrus (6 countries), rambutan It provides information on plant
development, and developing (3 countries), jackfruit (3 countries), litchi genetic resources activities carried
appropriate conservation techniques. (3 countries) and Garcinia (3 countries). out by national programmes and
The country coordinators appreciated the However, the exercise was very useful other centres in the region.
initiative taken by IPGRI and the funding and it was felt that the activities proposed Information is also periodically
support by ADB for research on PGR by each country are important and could abstracted from recent literature
related activities on selected priority fruit be handled through separate funding (books, periodicals, etc.), and brief
species genepools, namely, mango, proposals that can be developed research contributions published.
citrus, rambutan and jackfruit and in subsequently. Intensive deliberations for With over 2500 addressees on its
addition 1-2 locally important potential two days, jointly and in groups, resulted mailing list, the APO newsletter is
species. in finalization of an agreed plan of widely distributed to focus on
activities for 3 years and also for the IPGRI's mandate to advance the
The project activities will be implemented year 2000. conservation and use of plant
through a series of Letters of genetic resources for the benefit of
Agreements (LoAs) between IPGRI and In view of the training needs of all the present and future generations.
the participating countries. Detailed countries, it was agreed that human
5 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
The presentations made by the Research progress on East to establish the cryopreservation
representatives of International/Regional Asian Vigna species: an IPGRI programme of kiwi fruit tree in vitro shoot
organizations, namely, UTFANET, supported project tips. Different aspects studied were: i)
CIRAD, CABI and TFNet were very In 1999, the East Asian Plant Genetic effect of sucrose concentration and pre
useful. UTFANET’s activities are being Resources Coordinators agreed for a -culture time on the viability of in vitro
supported in 8 out of 10 participating Vigna culture shoot tips, ii) effect of sucrosecollaborative project on East Asian 
countries and collaboration with this pre-culture methods on the viability of
species. During the winter months, two
project will be immensely useful. CIRAD encapsulated and non-encapsulated
scientists visited the National Institute of
is supporting some tropical fruit work in shoot tips, iii) effect of sucrose pre-
Agrobiological Resources, Tsukuba,
Asia and collaborative activities with culture interval and temperature on the
Japan and conducted research on
CIRAD need to be developed. CIRAD’s viability of shoot tips, iv) effect of
Japanese and Korean germplasm of
data documentation software could be dehydration time on the survival rate of
Vigna species belonging to sub-genus
used for this project also. The work being shoot tips, v) effect of sucrose pre-culture
Ceratotropis. Dr Mun Sup Yoon, from
done on tropical fruits in Americas can method on the survival rate of shoot tips,
the Genetic Resources Division of the
be linked to this project. The bibliography vi) effect of pre-freezing temperature on
Rural Development Administration,
on tropical fruit species developed by the survival rate of shoot tips, and vii)
Republic of Korea, undertook AFLP
IPGRI-Americas office was distributed to cryopreservation of kiwi fruit tree shoot
analysis of the East Asian wild Vigna
all partners. Role of CAB International tips.
and Mr Hironobu Jinno from the
in promoting the conservation and use
Hokkaido Prefectural Plant Genetic
of tropical fruit species through These experiments indicated that
Resources Centre undertook RAPD
information dissemination could be compared to axillary buds, the shoot tip
analysis on the same set of materials.
important. The collaboration of Tropical material was better suited for
Fruits Network (TFNet) will also be The findings pointed out to the presence cryopreservation. The viability of shoot
useful. of distinct geographic variation in the tips was higher than that of the axillary
populations of V. nakashimae from buds. Sucrose culture could improve the
The Steering Committee (SC) for this Japan and Korea, and similar geographic cold resistance of shoot tips during
project was constituted which will have differentiation among populations of V. cryopreservation, which had been
the responsibility for monitoring the riukiuensis from southern Okinawa testified in many reports. The experiment
activities, providing direction and prefecture, Japan. The similarity in also confirmed that the high sucrose pre
developing funding proposals. Dr S. P. population parameters for these two -culture was important for getting good
Ghosh from India and Dr Felipe S. dela related species from different regions of results. It was also concluded that the
Cruz from Philippines were elected as East Asia was unexpected. solid sucrose medium pre-culture was
Chairperson and Vice-Chairperson, better than liquid sucrose pre-culture [Wu
respectively. The information will be helpful in Yongjie, Zhao Yanhua, Changli Institute
selecting populations for core collection
The first meeting of the Steering of Pomology, Hebei Academy ofand in situ conservation. The wild Vigna
Committee was also organized. The Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, 100 081,species studied are a potentially valuable
chairperson explained the role and China].source of variation for improving
responsibilities of Steering Committee cultivated Asian Vigna. V. nakashimae IPGRI promotes in situ
and asked the SC members to make it
has been found to have resistance to conservation of Fagopyrum
fully effective. The SC discussed the
seed infesting insect pests and V. species in Nepal
workplan for 3 years and identified the
riukiuensis is being used as a bridging
major activities in each crop on which l There is an increasing threat of
the thrust is to be given during the year species to facilitate hybridization between genetic erosion of crops and their
2000. SC also endorsed the current rice bean (V. umbellata) and adzuki bean wild relatives globally due to several
country coordinators as the SC (V. angularis) [Duncan Vaughan, Crop man-made and natural causes. A
members. Working on tropical fruit tree Evolutionary Dynamics Laboratory, collaborative research project on in
species is a challenging area and with a National Institute of Agrobiological situ conservation between Nepal
firm commitment and support from the Resources, Kannondai 2-1-2,Tsukuba, Agricultural Research Council
Governments of respective countries, Ibaraki 305, Japan]. (NARC) and National Institute of
these joint collaborative efforts in IPGRI supported programme on Agrobiological Resources (NIAR),
partnership mode will certainly bring cryopreservation of kiwi fruit Japan has been in progress since
spectacular success in achieving the 1998. Buckwheat (Fagopyrum spp.)
expected project outputs. SC also The Changli Institute of Pomology, Hebei is a staple food for local people in
acknowledged the financial support of Academy of Agricultural Sciences, China, the high altitude areas in Nepal and
ADB to these efforts by the 10 Asian undertook an IPGRI supported NARC is focusing on exploration
countries together with IPGRI [Bhag Mal, programme on cryopreservation of kiwi and collecting of these species as
Coordinator, IPGRI South Asia Office, shoot tips. Research was carried out to well as on their conservation and
Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012, study the factors that affect the use. Hence, it was considered
India]. cryopreservation of kiwi shoot tips and important to study the extent and
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 6
distribution of genetic diversity in IPGRI supports studies on taro have participated in the project. Major
Fagopyrum spp. in Nepal and so cultivar classification and objectives, hypotheses and preliminary
the collaborative research on in situ taxonomy activities for the project were decided in
conservation in Nepal was initiated. Since the beginning of work on taro 1995 during the first phase of the project.
The objectives of this study are to: (Colocasia esculenta L.), the national The Project began in 1996 and in 1997,
i) conduct field survey, ii) collect partners indicated some confusion in taro major units of data and methodologies
seed samples for DNA analysis, and taxonomy and cultivar classification. for participatory and empirical data
iii) investigate genetic diversity of Considering the importance of this major collection were discussed and six
Fagopyrum populations in situ. underutilized but potential food crop of thematic groups were formed: (i) social,
The results so far indicate that F. the region with two on-going regional economic and cultural factors, (ii) farmer
networks (Taro Genetic Resources selection of agromorphologicalcymosum is distributed over a wide
Network –TaroGen in the Pacific and characters, (iii) crop population andarea in Nepal and F. tataricum ssp.
breeding systems, (iv) agroecosystem
potanini were found only in very Taro Network for Southeast Asia and
factors, (v) seed systems, and (vi) adding
limited area of Mustang. Severe Oceania – TANSAO), it was considered
grazing by water buffaloes and important to redress this problem.
value to local crop resources. In 1999,
Consequently, Dr Alistair Hay, Royal the partners met again in Nepal togoats was found to be a major threat
to the survival of Fagopyrum Botanical Garden, Sydney, Australia was
compare and analyse data collected from
participating countries, discuss
species in the areas surveyed. In retained as a consultant to help in this
matter. During 1999, Dr Hay visited methodologies for data integration withinorder to investigate the genetic
diversity within and between collections in Malaysia, Thailand and
the thematic areas, synthesize methods
populations of F. cymosum, the Vietnam and he noted very few errors of
used to enhance benefits from local crop
analysis of DNA variation is planned classification, none in accessions of ‘true
diversity to all stakeholders, and discuss
progress in increasing access,
for the materials collected by taro’. A very few accessions of species participation and decision-making for
scientists in Nepal [Abstracted from were found to be misidentified. Correct different gender, age and cultural groups.
IPGRI Project Report: Fukuoka, S., identifications were conveyed directly to
the curators of the collections in three During Nepal meeting, IPGRI decidedO. Ohnishi, H. P. Bimb, M. L.
Vaidya, D. R. Sharma and B K. countries. Dr Hay suggested
to hold two participatory planning and
improvements in the methods of review meetings in order to strengthenBaniya. 2000. Field Survey and
management of taro collections and also the strategy and management aspect ofCollection of Fagopyrum Species for the Project. First, the project scanning
In Situ Conservation in Nepal. highlighted the need for enhanced was done in Nairobi in 19-24 January
IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia]. expertise in practical taxonomy of a
variety of economically important plant 2000 followed by the Phase II Global
l Seeds of 11 populations of F. families. The possibility for short-term project planning exercise in Agadir,
cymosum were collected and two training courses is being examined. Morocco from 9 to 13 April 2000.
accessions from China were used During 2000, visits to other major taro The main objectives of the Nairobi
as controls. Seeds were grown in a collections in China, Bangladesh, India meeting were to: (i) review the
greenhouse at NIAR to produce leaf and Philippines are planned [Abstracted accomplishments of the regional staff
materials for RAPD studies. A from IPGRI-APO Project Report: Hay, within the in situ project; (ii) discuss
population from Lumle, Kaski A. 2000. Report on Taro Consultancy. problems and constraints, both
showed the highest diversity within IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia]. administrative and technical, that the
Nepalese material and another project team has encountered; (iii)
population showed the highest IPGRI strengthens its strategy consolidate experiences of useful
diversity among samples from Dolpa for in situ conservation practices that facilitated project
district. Since they belonged to In situ conservation of agro-biodiversity implementation; (iv) begin harmonizing
different groups, both the has been one of the strategic choices of the technical and administrative aspects
populations of F. cymosum should improving conservation strategies and of the project, and (v) begin initial
be given priority for in situ technologies by the International Plant preparations for the 2000 Global Project
conservation in Nepal. Further Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI). A Planning Meeting scheduled for April in
studies need to be undertaken to major challenge for in situ conservation Agadir. On behalf of APO region, Dr V.
monitor genetic structure within and is the development of the knowledge Ramanath Rao, Dr Paul Quek and Dr
between populations at DNA level needed in national programmes to Bhuwon Sthapit participated in the
[Abstracted from IPGRI Project determine where, when and how in situ Narobi meeting. The most important
Report: Bimb, H.P., S. Fukuoka, K. conservation will be effective. In 1995, impact of the meeting has been that
Ebana and T. Nagamine. 2000. in response to this challenge, IPGRI and IPGRI is strengthening its strategy for
Genetic Variation in Nepalese Wild its national programmes formulated the conservation in situ and also
Buckwheat (Fagopyrum cymosum) global project ”Strengthening scientific strengthening participatory planning and
revealed by RAPD markers. IPGRI- basis of in situ conservation of agro- review process within the project
APO, Serdang, Malaysia]. biodiversity on-farm”. Nine countries staff.
7 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
Soon after Nairobi meeting, ZOPP The participants also agreed to improve 17 June 1999 at the Rajasthan College
planning meeting was held in Morocco. the mechanisms for global strategic of Agriculture (RCA), Udaipur, India [For
National partners, IPGRI’s regional and planning and cross-country exchanges more information contact: Chairman, The
HQ staff, technical advisers and by broadening the base of representation Asian Agri-History Foundation, 47
representatives of donors participated in in project planning, monitoring and ICRISAT Colony-I, Brig. Sayeed Road,
the workshop. Dr Bhuwon Sthapit from evaluation. This included the Secunderabad 500 009, Andhra
APO region took part in the meeting. establishment of a broad-based Project Pradesh, India].
The objective of the Agadir workshop Orientation Committee (POC) and
was to plan for the next three years of enlarging the role of global meetings to Bamboo and Rattan, and
global project implementation using the include planning responsibilities. The Forest Genetic Resources
goal-oriented project planning method planning process was open with Update
ZOPP. The meeting was opened on participatory spirit and all participants
behalf of the Minister of Agriculture who agreed on all the elements of the Project The highlights of activities relating to
welcomed the participants and Planning Matrix [Bhuwon Sthapit and bamboo and rattan and the forest genetic
expressed the Ministry’s belief in the Devra Jarvis, IPGRI In situ Project]. resources are summarized as under:
importance of conserving agricultural
Activities of the Asian Bamboo and Rattanbiodiversity for the present and future
use for food security. On behalf of IPGRI, Agri-History Foundation Species prioritization: In collaboration
Dr Jan Engels, spoke on how the project with INBAR, the second edition of
The Asian Agri-History Foundation
was foraging lasting partnerships “Priority Species of Bamboo and Rattan”
(AAHF), a non-profit trust, was
between researchers, government has been published and widely
established in 1994 to promote interest
officials and farmers. Dr Ahmed Birouk, distributed. In this edition, an increase
in the rich history of agriculture of South
the Moroccan national project co- in the number of useful and/or
and Southeast Asia. The main activities
ordinator welcomed the participants and commercially important species within a
of AAHF are to: i) publish the
wished them a fruitful and enjoyable stay country have been added and briefly
international quarterly journal of Asian
in Morocco. described. New or additional information
Agri-History, and ii) publish translations is added on distribution, climate and soil,
Dr Devra Jarvis, the Global Project Co- of old manuscripts as bulletins. Other current on-going research, untapped
ordinator reviewed the status of the activities include: i) supporting research potential, conservation status, uses and
project to-date, and presented the in universities, ii) organizing seminars, research needs on each of the priority
outputs achieved at the end of phase II summer schools, etc., and iii) promoting species, outlines for further research on
(31 December 1999). The planning inclusion of course work in history of conservation, production and sustainable
workshop reviewed all recommendations agriculture in university curricula. The utilization of various species. In case of
put forward by the SDC and NEDA AAHF has so far published two bulletins. rattan, species that were originally
external reviewers in a participatory The first one, Surapala’s Vrikshayurveda included in the family group of Calamus,
manner and most recommendations (The Science of Plant Life), is a 1000- section Podocephalus and immediate
were incorporated into the global project year old manuscript in Sanskrit and the relatives or sister species of C.
planning. second one Krishi-Parashara (Agriculture subinermis, C. palustris and C. hollrungii
by Parashara) is a 2000-year old text, are now individually described,
Four major outputs of the second phase also in Sanskrit. Both have been highlighting their distribution and
agreed by the planning groups in translated into English and the contents commercial value. Ambiguities regarding
Morocco were as follows: have been analyzed scientifically through common names, synonyms and local
commentaries written by experts. One
Framework of knowledge on on- names have been clarified [Abstractedl
more bulletin, Nuskha Dar Fanni-Falahat
farm management of genetic from Rao, A.N, V. Ramanatha Rao and
(The Art of Agriculture), written in Persian
diversity developed J.T. Williams (eds) 1998. Priority Species
during the reign of the Mughal emperor of Bamboo and Rattan. IPGRI and
l Capacity and partner links among Jahangir (1605-1622), is in advance INBAR. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia].
institutions and organizations to stage of publication. Surapala’s
Assessing patterns of genetic
implement in situ conservation Vrikshayurveda has already been
variation: The University of Agricultural
strengthened acclaimed as an excellent treatise on
arbori-horticulture practised about 1000 Sciences and the Ashoka Trust for
l Process of integrating conservation years ago. Research in Ecology and the
and use of agro-biodiversity into Environment (ATREE), Bangalore were
sustainable agriculture development Another important event in which AAHF supported to conduct work on mapping
understood had participated actively was a 3-week of genetic diversity of bamboo and rattan
Summer School on ‘Ancient and in Western Ghats of India. The work was
l Global project management medieval history of Indian agriculture and carried out to evaluate the status of
(strategic planning and cross its relevance to sustainable agriculture genetic diversity of the identified
country exchanges) improved. in the 21st century’ held from 28 May to populations and to develop the resource
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 8
status maps of bamboo and rattan to extracted from the forest of Karnataka Facilitating regional cooperation and
construct spatial and temporal patterns over the last three decades reflecting networking: To further strengthen
of loss of their populations. About 24 perhaps, the decrease in the resources. collaboration between International
species of bamboo and 19 of rattan were Analysis of the potential consumption Network on Bamboo and Rattan (INBAR)
found in the Western Ghats. Studies and production of bamboo in the state and IPGRI-APO in bamboo and rattan
were conducted to estimate the genetic suggests that the requirements may research, MOU was signed in June
diversity of natural populations of soon outmatch the supply and the worst 1999. The signing of the MOU further
bamboo and rattan using isozyme affected will be the traditional user signifies the close collaboration between
electrophoresis. Six (MR, PGI, PGM, groups and a few industries, that depend the two organizations in their efforts to
SKDH, G6PDH, ME) out of the fifteen almost exclusively on the bamboo and promote the conservation, production
enzyme systems initially assayed rattan resources to eke out a living. and use of these two economically
showed consistently good resolution. [Abstracted from IPGRI Project Report: valuable non-wood forest resources in
Further work is continuing. Shanker, R.U. 1999. Socio-economic the region. Efforts are underway for a
Ochlandra scriptoria is a gregarious causes and consequences of loss of number of joint activities including
shrubby bamboo occurring over a bamboo and rattan resources in publications, workshops and
relatively restricted area in the Western Karnataka. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, development of proposals.
Ghats. It is extensively harvested and Malaysia]. Training and Meetings: The meetings
used in mat and basket making. Despite Ex situ and in situ conservation: A in which IPGRI-APO and its partners
its economic importance, little is known study on the phenology of 10 bamboo have participated included: (i)
about its distribution. Genetic variability species and low cost method of International Workshop on Bamboo and
of five populations in Karnataka were micropropagation for 5 species carried Rattan Biodiversity, Conservation,
analyzed using allozymes. No clear out by the Tropical Botanic Garden and Utilization and Technology Exchange.
genetic differentiation based on Research Institute, Palode, Kerala, India April 11-23, 1999. Kuala Lumpur,
geographic distribution could be have been completed. The bamboos Malaysia, and (ii) Consultative meeting
observed. Lack of differentiation may be studied included Bambusa bambos, B. on Bamboo and Rattan, 19 May 1999.
due to the fact that O. scriptoria is a polymorpha, B. vulgaris, Cephalostachyum Bogor, Indonesia.
sporadically flowering and non-masting pergracile, Dendrocalamus brandisii, D.
bamboo, which might facilitate a good giganteus, D. strictus, Melocanna The proceedings of rattan training
exchange of genepool through either baccifera, Ochlandra scriptoria and course/workshop organized in 1996 have
pollen or seeds. The results suggest that Thyrsostachys siamensis. The study been published and distributed (Rao,
conservation plans should be based on reported that all the species investigated A.N. and V. Ramanatha Rao (editors)
genetic variability rather than grew well in Kerala except for B. 1999. Rattan– Taxonomy, Ecology,
geographical distribution of the polymorpha. The 3 phases in the Silviculture, Conservation, Genetic
populations [Abstracted from IPGRI development of a culm (reported by other Improvement and Biotechnology,
Project Report: Shanker, R.U. and workers) i.e. culm elongation, thorn Proceedings of Training Course-cum-
K.N.Ganeshaiah.1999. Mapping genetic emergence and leaf appearance were Workshop, Sarawak and Sabah. April
diversity of bamboo and rattans in the also observed for these genera although 14-26, 1996. IPGRI-APO, Serdang,
Western Ghats of India. IPGRI-APO, variations occurred. The rhizome Malaysia and INBAR, Beijing, China.
Serdang, Malaysia]. separation technique was used for 255 p. Also the proceedings of training
Processes regulating genetic macropropagation studies of 5 course/workshop on bamboo has been
diversity: The impact of human activity commercially important species, recently published and distributed widely
on genetic diversity of bamboo and Dendrocalamus giganteus, D. (Rao, A.N. and V. Ramanatha Rao,
rattan is being studied in the Western membranaceus, D. strictus, Ochlandra editors, 1999. Bamboo – Conservation,
Ghats of India, to examine the social scriptoria and Thyrsostachys siamensis. Diversity, Ecogeography, Germplasm,
and economic consequences of the loss This technique proved successful for all Resource Utilization and Taxonomy.
of bamboo and rattan resources in the the 5 species tested. By keeping the Proceedings of the Bamboo Training
state of Karnataka. Specifically, the study plants in a humidity chamber for 15 days, Course-cum-Workshop, May 10 -17,
attempts to: a) determine the degree of an increase in the number of tillers could 1998, Kunming and Xishuangbanna,
extraction of, and economic reliance on, be obtained. Humidity also reduced Yunnan, China. IPGRI-APO, Serdang,
bamboo and rattan resources at the local mortality, and increased the number of Malaysia and INBAR, Beijing, China. 275 p.).
and state level, b) identify the social and sprouts and therefore is recommended Forest Genetic Resources
economic factors responsible for the for macroproliferation of these species
decline in the two resources, and c) [Abstracted from IPGRI Project Report: Threatened tree species in Vietnam:
examine the social and economic Koshy, K.C. 1999. Phenological studies Research activities on forest genetic
consequences of the decline in bamboo on promising Asian bamboos and resources in Vietnam focus on
and rattan resources. The study has standardization of low cost method of threatened tree species. IPGRI’s
shown that there has been a noticeable macropropagation. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, partners at Research Centre for Forest
decrease in the amount of bamboo Malaysia]. Tree Improvement of the Forest Science
9 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
Institute of Vietnam are carrying out Conservation of forest genetic diversity. It has also increased
detailed assessments on Pterocarpus resources in India: Scientists from the understanding of the underlying
macrocarpus, Xylia xylocarpa, Dalbergia University of Agricultural Sciences, processes that govern the genetic
oliveri and Chukrasia tabularis. In the Bangalore, India and the University of differentiation of the populations of these
past , these species occurred widely but Massachusetts, Boston, USA along with two species in the Western Ghats.
now they are on the verge of extinction The Ashoka Trust for Research in
and require urgent conservation actions. Ecology and the Environment (ATREE) Scientists analysed the genetic variability
and the Karnataka Forest Department of 13 sandal populations from four
P. macrocarpus and X. xylocarpa occur have been addressing in situ southern States of India (Kerala, Tamil
in semi-deciduous or deciduous forests conservation issues for bamboo and Nadu, Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh)
while D. oliveri and C. tabularis mainly sandal in the Western Ghats, Southern in order to identify hot-spots of genetic
grow in evergreen forests. All the four India, supported by IPGRI and Centre variability for in situ conservation.
species are light-demanding and though for International Forestry Research Population genetic variability was
their natural regeneration potential (CIFOR). The project has produced assessed using allozyme analysis
seems to be high, except in P. spatially explicit information on the involving six loci. Observed
macrocarpus, over-exploitation keeps the distribution of intraspecific genetic heterozygosity over all populations and
species at endangered level. The
surveys showed that presently these
species could only be found in some New Professional Staff at IPGRI-APO
national parks and conservation areas.
Changes in forest cover were assessed Mr L.T. Hong has joined IPGRI as the Bamboo and
between 1973-1995 and it was found Rattan and Forest Genetic Resources Specialist with
that, in some locations, forest cover effect from 1 February 2000. His main task is to
decreased remarkably (20–35%) during coordinate research activities on Bamboo and Rattan.
this period whereas other locations faced He will also assist in the work on conservation of Forest
only small reductions (3–7%). Most of Genetic Resources. Mr Hong possesses a B.Sc. Degree
the deforested areas were converted into with honours from the University Malaya and M.Sc.
agricultural and residential land. from the University of Oxford, U.K. Prior to joining IPGRI,
he was with the Forest Research Institute Malaysia (FRIM), Kepong, Malaysia
Socioeconomic studies showed that, for about 27 years, as a researcher and later as a research manager. His last
although major source of employment posting in FRIM was as Director of the Techno-Economics Division. He has
for local people is paddy and milpa worked in the fields of forest protection, timber and non-timber (bamboo and
cultivation, they also utilize forests for rattan) processing and utilization. At FRIM, he had worked specifically in the
their livelihood. Farmers, including ethnic
areas of natural and plantation forest management, processing and utilization
minorities, are extensively using wood
of timber, and bamboo and rattan. He had been Chairman of the Research
for house building and cooking. It was
Projects Evaluation Committee at FRIM and also the Chairman of a sub-
estimated that about 10 m3 of wood is
committee of the national IRPA research programme. He has published more
required to build a house and that the
than 80 scientific and popular articles and has co-edited two books on timber
average fuelwood consumption for each
processing.
family of 5-6 people is 15-20 m3 per year.
Timber of the four species is often used Dr Jarkko Koskela has joined IPGRI as an Associate
for furniture, decoration and construction. Scientist (Forest Genetic Resources) with effect from
Timber of D. oliveri is also used for fine 28 February 2000. He is a Finnish citizen, and obtained
handicrafts owing to the distinctively his M.Sc. and Ph.D. in Silviculture from the University
contrasting colours of sapwood and of Helsinki, Finland. Before joining IPGRI, Dr Koskela
heartwood. X. xylocarpa poles are often worked as a researcher in the Tropical Silviculture Unit,
used as support for growing pepper. Ox- Department of Forest Ecology, University of Helsinki
cart is an another common way of using since 1994 and was mainly involved in a research
X. xylocarpa wood. project focusing on rehabilitation of forest ecosystems in Thailand and Indonesia.
He conducted fieldwork in Thailand for his Ph.D. on the growth and
Representative populations of the
ecophysiology of grass-stage Pinus merkusii seedlings. In addition, the Tropical
species have been selected for
Silviculture Unit has implemented research activities in China, Kenya, Tanzania,
conservation and further investigations.
Future efforts will focus on assessing Sudan, Ghana, Ethiopia and Costa Rica in collaboration with local scientists.
genetic diversity among different Dr Koskela is also familiar with European research collaboration on tropical
populations by isozyme studies forests, as the Tropical Silviculture Unit is a national nodal point of the European
[FORGEN News 2000 (in print) and a Tropical Forest Research Network (ETFRN).
progress report by Professor Le Dinh We welcome Mr L.T. Hong and Dr J. Koskela to IPGRI.
Kha].
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 10
over all loci was 30.0%, which is Regional Workshop on Cooperation and Development (BMZ).
comparable with the estimates reported National Biodiversity Besides global overview and sharing of
earlier for other tropical trees. Strategy Action Plan experiences of Pakistan, Nepal, Bhutan,
Populations from southern Karnataka, and Sri Lanka in preparing the NBSAP,
which are in the core of the geographical (NBSAP) three papers from Bangladesh were also
distribution of sandal, exhibited the In order to share experiences of other presented. These dealt with: i) status of
highest observed heterozygosity (39.1%) South Asian countries in developing the floral diversity of Bangladesh by Mr Farid
as compared to that from northern NBSAP, a regional workshop was Uddin Ahmed, Member Director
Karnataka (33.5%), Tamil Nadu (30.0%), organized by the World Conservation (Forestry), Bangladesh Agricultural
Andhra Pradesh (23.33%) and Kerala Union (IUCN), Bangladesh Country Research Council, Dhaka, ii) status of
(29.4%). Office in collaboration with the Ministry faunal diversity of Bangladesh by Dr
of Environment and Forest, Bangladesh Mahmudul Amin, Professor, DepartmentThe high genetic diversity of the southern of Zoology, Dhaka University, and iii)
Karnataka populations might be and the IUCN Asia Regional Biodiversity
explained by the fact that being located Programme at Rajendrapur, Bangladesh
need for National Biodiversity Strategy
from 13-16 February 2000. The Action Plan by Mr Sunil Kanti Bose,in the core of the distribution range, the
populations can exchange genepool with workshop was attended by the
Deputy Secretary (Environment), Ministry
many other populations. Population participants from Bangladesh, Pakistan,
of Environment and Forests,
Government of Bangladesh. On the
differentiation statistics indicated a poor Nepal, Bhutan and Sri Lanka
representing government, universities, basis of experience gained from theseparation of the individual populations
based on their geographic origin. There research institutes, IUCN and NGOs
papers presented and discussions held,
the workshop developed general
appeared to be two major clusters, one concerned with biodiversity. Financial
of them comprising populations from support for the workshop was provided
recommendations for NBSAP and also
made specific recommendations for
southern Karnataka and the other all the by the United Nations Development
remaining populations. This suggests Programme (UNDP), United Nations
Bangladesh on conservation and
Environment Programme (UNEP), Global management of biodiversity [For morethat in situ conservation measures on
sandal should focus on the populations Environment Facility (GEF), Biodiversity
details contact: Mr Farid Uddin Ahmed,
in southern Karnataka but also include Planning Support Programme (BPSP),
Member Director (Forestry), Bangladesh
representatives from other populations the Swiss Agency for Development and
Agricultural Research Council, Farmgate,
of the entire distribution range [FORGEN Cooperation (SDC), and the German
Dhaka 1215, Bangladesh; Email:
farid@citechco.net].
News 2000 (in print)]. Federal Ministry for Economic
National
BHUTAN than at any other time in history and total land area under forest cover.
Bhutan’s ‘Gift to the Earth’ would have Resource use will be governed by
A Gift to the Earth - From far reaching effect of our efforts in principles of sustainability incorporated
the People of Bhutan conserving our biological heritage. The in Forest Management Plans
Agriculture Minister, Lyonpo (Dr) Kinzang
On 2 November 1999, Her Majesty, the demonstrating protected areas.
Dorji described the Gift as a landmark
Queen Ashi Dorji Wangmo Wangchuck Management of forest resources outside
event in the history of Nature
presided over a function at Thimphu the protected area network is carried out
Conservation in Bhutan and a growing
organized by the Ministry of Agriculture within a system of Forest Management
tribute to His Majesty, the King. Also
to launch a Network establishing the Units (FMUs). It is envisaged that
speaking at the event, Dr Bruce Bunting,
wilderness corridor stretching over 3800 existing and potential FMUs will play an
2 the WWF Vice President for the Asiakm  in the country. The area was important role in biodiversity
and the Pacific Region said that Bhutan’s
identified by the Forestry Services conservation, provide buffers and genetic
Gift would play a major role in long term
Division with assistance from the World corridors between the protected areas.
conservation of the increasingly
Wide Fund (WWF). The corridor will link Forest policy of Bhutan aims to ensure
threatened Eastern Himalayan Eco-
all the protected areas in the Kingdom. that forest resources are used according
region [Druk Forestry News, Issue No.27,
The network stretches from the tropical to principles of sustainability, contributing
December 1999].
south to the alpine north and is a step to social justice and equity. The policy
forward for conservation of endangered Forest Genetic Resources: ensures conservation taking priority over
species. The corridor of mainly utilization of forest resources to deriveConservation and
continuous and virgin forest is a ‘Gift to economic benefits. The Forest and
the Earth’ from the People of Bhutan. Sustainable Utilization Nature Conservation Act of 1995 which
Her Majesty said that the rate of species It is the Royal Government of Bhutan’s replaced the Forest Act of 1969 provides
extinction was the highest at present policy to maintain at least 60% of its a legal context for the protection of the
11 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
country’s forests and biodiversity. index and vigour index were calculated INDIA
Increased concern has been expressed for 34 japonica and 30 indica rice
on threat to genetic resources accessions kept at 45oC. The analysis Oilseeds and Oils -
conservation due to the effect of logging of variance showed that seed Research and
and shifting cultivation, overgrazing, germination potential, dry weight of roots Development
degradation of habitats and clearing of and shoots, germination index and vigour
land for agriculture. Organized efforts on index declined significantly before the A National Seminar on “Oilseeds and
research and development policy germination percentage did so. It also Oils - Research and Development Needs
implementation, participatory approaches showed that seed germination was in the Millennium” was organized from
and inventory of resources, human prolonged and the seedlings were 2-4 February 2000 at Hyderabad by the
resources development and public significantly weakened before the start Indian Society for Oilseeds Research
awareness assume priority in of the rapid declining phase of seed (ISOR) and the Directorate of Oilseeds
conservation and management viability. These two parameters could be Research (DOR), Hyderabad covering
[Abstracted from an article by Nawang used to indicate whether the seed quality important aspects relating to oilseeds
Norbu, Druk Forestry News, Issue No.27, had deteriorated, while the rate of research, development, production,
December 1999]. compatibility of tests (RCT) and processing, marketing and policy issues.
coefficient of variation (CV) could be The objective was to take stock of the
AVRDC Cherry Tomato used as warning indices on the overall current oilseeds scenario in India and to
Variety Released quality of a group of accessions. These formulate strategies and action plans for
A hardy cherry tomato variety CHT 160 warning indices could also be used in
the growth of oilseed production in the
developed by AVRDC has found a monitoring the viability of seeds stored current Millennium. There were 50 invited
welcome place in the kitchen gardens of in the National Genebank [Lu Xinrong, lectures by eminent persons and 275
Bhutan, where it is contributing to year- Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources, poster presentations on the themes
round nutrition. This variety has been Chinese Academy of Agricultural identified for the seminar, viz.,
found tolerant to light frost, and can be Sciences, Beijing, 100081, China]. biodiversity conservation, diversification
grown up to December in the mid-hills. of production systems, biotechnologyNational Azolla Germplasm
It is indeterminate and bears round, and oilseeds improvement, hybridCentre 
bright red fully ripe fruits. Its seeds are research and development, input use
being multiplied and will be distributed The National Azolla Germplasm Centre efficiency, biotic stresses management,
to growers through the Druk Seed stores more than 500 accessions abiotic stresses management, quality
Corporation [Center Point, Vol.17, No.3, representing all the six Azolla species. improvement, processing, product
December 1999]. These accessions are from different development and value addition,
countries and regions of the 5 continents, diversified sources of oil, transfer of
CHINA including the indigenous materials (more technology and policy intervention. Over
Effect of Seed Ageing on than 100 strains) collected from China. 400 delegates including eminent
Seed Viability and Vigour Materials produced from sexual scientists, research managers,
hybridization, recombination of industrialists, administrators and policy
A study on the effect of ageing on seed Anabaena-free Azolla with Anabaena makers participated. IPGRI was
viability and vigour in rice was conducted azollae, and radiation mutants are also represented by Dr Bhag Mal who
at the Institute of Crop Germplasm included in the collections. The presented a paper on ‘Biodiversity
Resources, Chinese Academy of collections are maintained as meristem Conservation and Management in
Agricultural Sciences, Beijing, China. tip culture in the greenhouse and are Oilseed Crops’. The deliberations of
Seeds were stored at ambient, 45oC and also planted in the net house. different sessions and the fruitful
58oC conditions. Changes in seed interactions on diverse issues related to
viability and seed vigour during ageing The common name of Azolla is oilseeds resulted in the following
process were measured to study seed Hongping. It is an aquatic alga that important recommendations: i) augment
viability loss and to determine warning belongs to Azollaceae under the information on the available germplasm
index for seed viability loss. Seed viability subgenera, Euazolla and Rhizosperma; to protect native diversity; ii) increase in
survival curves obtained across different Euazolla includes 4 species Azolla non-traditional areas with proper crop
rice accessions and different ageing filiculoides, A. mexicana, A. caroliniana management for production of oilseeds;
conditions indicated that seed viability and A. microphylla; and Rhizosperma, 2 iii) biotechnology application to introgress
declined inconsistently during storage. species (A. nilotica and A. pinnata). The useful traits from allied sources and
For each variety, a rapid viability- N-fixing Anabaena azollae are located exploit molecular marker technologies;
declining phase was observed during the in Azolla leaf cavities and fix nitrogen iv) enhance research efforts on heterosis
seed ageing irrespective of the survival from atmosphere [Xu Guozhong, breeding in sesame and safflower with
curve. Mean values of germination National Azolla Research Centre of possible identification of CMS lines;
potential, germination percentage, dry Fujian Academy of Agricultural Sciences,
weight of roots and shoots, germination Fuzhou 350013, China]. (Contd. on page 13)
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 12
COGENT Update
ADB-funded Project to produce products from coconut husk Tanzania. Mexico, France and Tanzania
and handicrafts from coconut shell and are funding their own studies. A survey
The ADB-funded project ‘Coconut identification of suitable varieties for the questionnaire on the current application
Germplasm Collecting, Characterization identified viable products”. The countries of coconut embryo in vitro was
and Conservation in Cook Islands, involved include Bangladesh, Indonesia, distributed to institutions worldwide at the
Kiribati, Marshall Islands and Tuvalu’, Malaysia, Papua New Guinea, start of the project. The survey showed
aims to collect available diversity of local Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The that the poor results of the overall
coconut populations which will be used target coconut products are geotextile,
by the countries to mitigate genetic protocol were mainly due to percentagecoir fibre, handicrafts and coir pith.
erosion due to population pressure, palm of embryos developing into whole
ageing and natural hazards (cyclones The objectives of the project are to plantlets in vitro. The acclimatization
and sea level rise) and to develop assess the various aspects of producing phase of the in vitro plantlets was,
improved varieties. The collected and marketing processed coconut however, relatively efficient.
precious germplasm will be conserved products from coconut husk and shell; The main part of the project was the
and used to develop better varieties for recommend viable production modules testing of the four main in vitro culture
the atolls, enrich the collection of the for use in the participating countries; protocols available from PCA, UPLB,
PNG hosted-International Coconut identify the coconut varieties suitable for
Genebank for the South Pacific (ICG- the identified products; and source and
CPCRI and ORSTOM, alongwith those
ship coconut fibre-making equipment to used by the participating laboratories.SSP), and facilitate the exchange of
important cultivars with other countries the participating countries.
The aim was to compare the efficiency
of the protocols using locally available
in the future. The morphometric CFC-funded Project varieties.
description and the molecular markers
Six countries in South America and
analysis of these populations will not only Additional researches were also
Africa are participating in the CFC-
generate information on genetic diversity performed on topics such as the effect
funded project entitled, “Coconut
within these collections but also improve of various growth regulations on the
Germplasm Utilization and Conservation
the knowledge on the origin and germination of embryos, physiological
to Promote Sustainable Coconut
dissemination of coconut in the Pacific aspects, and medium-term in vitro
Production”. The countries involved are
Islands. conservation of the embryos. Results of
Benin, Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Jamaica,
these physiological studies in
The objectives of the project are to train Mexico and Tanzania. The aim of the
participating laboratories in France, India,
researchers in collecting and coconut project is to assist the national
Mexico, Philippines, Sri Lanka and
breeding techniques; collect seednuts programmes of the selected countries in
Tanzania have provided a better initial
and embryos of five local populations; conducting multi-location trials to identify
hybrids or varieties with better yield and understanding of the effect of culturesend the embryos to the Secretariat of
media, light, carbon dioxide,
the Pacific Community (SPC), which will broaden adaptation compared to local
temperature, growth promoters and
grow and subsequently transfer in vitro cultivars. Côte d’Ivoire has successfully
seedlings to the International Coconut produced 5400 seednuts of six hybrids inhibitors, and nutrients on the survival
Genebank (ICG) for the South Pacific in and shipped to the designated trial sites rates of in vitro embryo-derived
Papua New Guinea; gather passport of the other participating countries. At seedlings.
data of identified populations and least 150 seednuts each of the four The second International Coconut
conserve germplasm in situ; plant the selected local varieties have been Embryo Culture Workshop was held from
collected germplasm in the genebank of produced and sown in the nursery of 14-17 March 2000 at the Centro de
the four countries; and submit passport the research facilities for the six Investigacion Cientifica de Yucatan
data to the Coconut Genetic Resources participating countries. (CICY), Mexico. Thirty one participants
Database (CGRD). DFID-funded Project attended the workshop, which included
IFAD-funded Project researchers, project leaders from 15In a DFID-funded project ‘Improvement
countries and resource persons from
Under the IFAD-funded project of In Vitro Techniques for Collecting and IPGRI, COGENT and collaborating
‘Sustainable Use of Coconut Genetic Exchange of Coconut Germplasm’, partner institutions.
Resources to Enhance Incomes and thirteen laboratories in 11 countries are
Nutrition of Coconut Smallholders in the conducting a 2-year research to refine The workshop was conducted to: i)
Asia Pacific Region’, selected COGENT the coconut embryo culture and review recent research on coconut
member countries in the Asia Pacific acclimatization technology. The countries embryo culture and acclimatization and
region will conduct a study entitled, involved are Brazil, China, Cuba, France, upgrade protocols for increased
“Feasibility studies on the establishment India, Indonesia, Mexico, Papua New efficiency; ii) develop research and
of integrated coconut processing projects Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka and development project proposals for
13 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
submission to appropriate donors; iii) International Coconut International Coconut
strengthen research collaboration among Genebank Workshop Conference (ICC)
the members of the Coconut Embryo The International Coconut Genebank The International Coconut Conference
Culture Project Network.
Workshop will be held at Chennai, India (ICC) will be held from 24 - 28 July 2000
ADB and IFAD Funded from 17-18 July 2000 and will be hosted in Chennai, India, within the ambit of the
Project Annual Meetings by the Central Plantation Crops APCC XXXVII COCOTECH Meeting. The
Research Institute (CPCRI), Kasargod, conference will be hosted by the
The annual meetings for the ADB and India. COGENT is establishing a multi- Government of India through the Coconut
IFAD funded projects, specifically for the
site International Coconut Genebank Development Board. The conference will
10 participating South Pacific countries,
(ICG) in India for South Asia. The review the performance of the various
will be held back-to-back from 26 - 30 sectors of the coconut industry to identify
June 2000 in Apia, Samoa, while the meeting will review the progress of work problems and opportunities to be
meetings for the 10 Asian countries will on the establishment of each ICG in the addressed in the new millennium. The
be held back-to-back from 10 - 15 July host countries, and related ongoing conference’s recommendations will be
2000 in Manila, Philippines. research projects and work plans, and used as a guide in developing project
budgets for the next seven years. proposals to address priority activities.
The third annual meeting of the ADB
9th COGENT Steering The conference will be jointly sponsoredfunded project entitled “Coconut Genetic by the APCC, BUROTROP and IPGRI/COGENT.
Resources Strengthening in Asia and the Committee Meeting
Pacific (Phase 2)” will review the 1999/ Coconut Embryo Culture
2000 accomplishments and 2000/2001 The COGENT Steering Committee (SC) Training Course
proposed work plans of the 20 determines programme priorities and
participating countries involved in oversees the various COGENT activities. The Coconut Embryo Culture Training
coconut projects. The 9th SC Meeting will be held from Course will be held from 2 - 6 October
2000 in Albay, Philippines. The course will
The third annual meeting for the IFAD 19 – 21 July 2000 in Chennai, India. teach project leaders from COGENT
funded project entitled, “Sustainable Use The SC members and representatives member countries the upgraded and
of Coconut Genetic Resources for from partner institutions will attend the standardized embryo culture technology
Enhancing the Income and Nutrition of meeting. Specifically, the meeting will to enable them to exchange germplasm
Smallholders in Asia and the Pacific” will review progress of the five COGENT in the form of embryo-derived in vitro
review the 3-year accomplishments of regional networks, projects and activities seedlings. The training course will be
the 14 countries involved in the project in COGENT, IPGRI and collaborating hosted by the Albay Research Centre of
which will end in August 2000. partner institutions. It will also discuss the Philippine Coconut Authority and
funded by ADB, DFID and IPGRI/COGENT.
The project leaders of both the ADB and the COGENT work and action plan for
IFAD funded projects, donors and the Year 2000 and draft plan for the Year [For details contact: Dr P. Batugal,
representatives from IPGRI and partner 2001. The meeting will be funded by COGENT Coordinator, IPGRI-APO,
institutions will attend the two meetings. IPGRI/COGENT. Serdang, Malaysia].
(Contd. from page 11) technologies; x) popularization of station as a ‘National Active Germplasm
improved farm implements for various Site for Mulberry Germplasm’.
v) integrated nutrient, water and weed field and post-harvest operations; xi) Henceforth, all materials related to
management, with emphasis on rational and conjunctive use of vegetable mulberry germplasm, import/export,
improved input use efficiency, reduced oils; and xii) highlighting the success quarantine, phytosanitary certification in
cost of cultivation and enhanced stories of the technologies in the the country will be routed through
competitiveness; vi) IPM should be background of indigenous technical SMGS.
practised in oilseeds for all the key pests knowledge with emphasis on farmers’ The station has brought out two
besides developing resistant varieties participation including gender issues [Dr catalogues on Indian mulberry and
through multidisciplinary approach; vii) D.M. Hegde, Project Director, Directorate silkworm germplasm containing data on
exploit the concept of crop modelling for of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad characterization and preliminary
predicting yield, resource optimization, 500 030, India]. evaluation. The Central Silk Board has
etc.; ix) high priority accorded to export
PGR Activities in Mulberry agreed to establish a network forpromotion through the value added conservation and evaluation of mulberry
products in oilseeds with active support The Silkworm and Mulberry Germplasm and silkworm germplasm in India. SMGS
and involvement of industry and export Station (SMGS), Hosur, is the national as nodal agency is maintaining the base
organizations, in collaboration with nodal organization for all PGR activities collections and monitoring the
public sector agencies besides related to mulberry in India. Recently, conservation activities of different units,
commercialization of the existing viable ICAR/NBPGR has recognized this which would be functioning as Active
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 14
Sites. Further, SMGS will also implement centres through a network of ICAR There are 17 Japanese species of Vicia
the ‘All India Coordinated Mulberry and institutes, State/Central Agricultural which can be divided into three groups:
Silk Evaluation Programme’ involving Universities, and NGOs. The Deputy i) The introduced or naturalised group,
these units. Director General (Crop Sciences), Indian such as of the forage species Vicia
Council of Agricultural Research will be sativa. ii) the Vicia of the Siberia-
Altogether, 806 mulberry accessions are the nodal executive authority of the Chinese-Japanese floristic zone, such
being maintained of which 568 are project and the Project Coordinator as V. amoena, which are distinguished
indigenous and 238 exotic. Each (Small Millets) will be the Mission by their frost resistance, polyploidy and
accession is represented by four dwarf Leader. The National Bureau of Plant extreme polymorphism due to their
trees with a spacing of 2.5-3.0 m and a Genetic Resources, New Delhi is the broad ecological amplitude, and iii) the
crown height of 1.5 m. The station has lead Institute and the Monitoring Cell for oroboid species, such as V. pseudo-
developed the information system for the project. The budget outlay for this oribis, that are of great phylogenetic and
mulberry and silkworm germplasm [For project is presently for a period of three taxonomic interest because they are a
more details contact: Dr S.B. Dandin, years [For details contact: Dr A. link between the genera Vicia and
Director, Silkworm and Mulberry Seetharam, Project Coordinator (Small Lathyrus [Duncan Vaughan, Crop
Germplasm Station, Central Silk Board, Millets), UAS, GKVK Campus, Evolutionary Dynamics laboratory,
PB No.44, Thally Road, Hosur 635 109, Bangalore 560 065, India]. National Institute of Agrobiological
Tamil Nadu, India]. Resources, Kannondai 2-1-2,Tsukuba,
JAPAN
National Agricultural Ibaraki 305, Japan].
Technology Project on Japanese Species of Vicia MALAYSIA
Household Food and Following the MAFF (Japan) International
Nutritional Security Malaysian EnvironmentalWorkshop on Genetic Resources, that
focussed on wild legumes, Drs Elena Education Programme for
The Indian Council of Agricultural Potokina and Nigel Maxted, both experts Schools
Research (ICAR), launched a three year on the Vicia of Europe, joined the staff
project on “Household Food and A National Workshop on Malaysianof the National Institute of Agrobiological
Nutritional Security” with a mission to Environmental Education Programme forResources, Tsukuba, on a trip to Nagano
increase production and productivity of Schools (MEEPS) was held on 24Prefecture, Japan to see habitats of
life support crop species and allied February 2000. From IPGRI-APO, DrJapanese species of Vicia. During the
enterprises of tribal, backward and hilly Percy E. Sajise, Professor H.F. Chin, Drthree-day trip, populations of 6 species
areas. It was inaugurated by Professor Paul Quek, Ms Shalizahanim Shukor andwere found - Vicia unijuga, V. crassa, V.
M.S. Swaminathan, Chairman, M.S. Ms Parimala Rajagopal participated. Theamoena, V. venosa, V. nipponica and
Swaminathan Research Foundation workshop was addressed by ProfessorV. pseudo-oribis. Two varieties of V.
(MSSRF), Chennai, on March 10, 2000. Zakri A. Hamid, Council Member ofvenosa were found at different altitudes
It will be operated under the World Bank Academy of Sciences Malaysia (ASM)on Mount Hakuba; V. venosa var.
funded National Agricultural Technology and Dr Percy E. Sajise, IPGRI-APO. Thecuspidata at 800 m and V. venosa var.
Project (NATP). workshop convened together with theglabristyla at 1285 m. Malaysian Academy of Sciences,
The project aims at increased production
of local crop species such as amaranth,
finger millet, kodo millet, Lathyrus, and
safflower. Special attention will be paid
to rejuvenate fruit orchards of citrus and
mango, and to develop adequate
storage facilities and post-harvest
management. There is also emphasis
on improving livestock breeds
maintained by local farmers and
organizing fish farming in tribal and hilly
areas. The activities will also focus on
adopting value-added technologies that
will increase the shelf-life of agri-
products. Development and
popularization of efficient tools,
implements and machinery suited for
hilly and tribal areas is also envisaged.
The work under the project will be NATP Workshop on Household Food and Nutritional Security
carried out by over 50 cooperating inaugrated by Dr M.S. Swaminathan
15 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
proposed a multi-sectoral programme at NEPAL Conservation IPGRI-APO, Pokhara,
the national level for Malaysia, which will Nepal].
integrate efforts in managing existing National Multi-disciplinary
information towards the development and Group Meeting (NMDG): In Diversity Fair Held at
distribution of the ‘Environmental situ Project Begnas In situ Village
Education Teaching Materials’ for On 28 February 2000, Minister of
schools. PGR material will be part of the National Multi-disciplinary Group Meeting Agriculture, Mr Chakra Bastola and Dr
Environmental Education. The Multi- was organized by Nepal Agricultural
Research Council (NARC) from 25-27 Dhruva Joshy, Executive Director ofSectoral programme will serve as a NARC participated in the Diversity Fair
clearing house and coordination centre February 2000. Dr Bhola Pradhan
Planning Director of NARC, participated at Sundari Danda. It was organized byfor activities in developing Environmental
Education materials currently undertaken on the opening day, whereas Dr Dhruv
local community based organization
by the Government, Non-Government Joshi, Executive Director of NARC,
(CBO) and was well received. All NMDG
participated in the concluding session members and selected farmers fromand Corporate sectors taking off from
and appreciated NARC-NGO partnership Jumla and Bara ecosites alsothe successful public awareness project
in the in situ project as a model for participated in the event. All the twentyof IPGRI with the state of Sabah and
with the University of Malaysia, Sabah. NARC. Site Coordinators presented the
two groups took part and Majhthar
progress for the planned activities. The women group was selected as the best.
During the National Workshop, strong
support was expressed by all sectors
including private corporations such as
Shell and the Timber Organization. For
further follow-up, an interim Working
Committee will be formed to refine and
formalize the MEEPS project proposal
with the Malaysian Academy of Sciences
as the lead institution.
This is part of the efforts initiated by the
Ministry of Education, Malaysia. The
Workshop was a great success judging
by the response from both the public
sector and the NGOs. A total of 85
representatives including several from
East Malaysia and Shell Malaysia from
the private sector participated. The
deliberations of the workshop, following Women group at the diversity fair at Sundari Danda, Nepal
group discussions resulted in identifying
the following items for follow-up in the thematic leaders reviewed activities of The thematic leaders also interacted with
immediate future: the following themes: socio-economics, farming community. It was held for two
population structure, agro-morphological days so that more interaction and
l A Committee would be set up to and molecular diversity, agro-ecosystem, exchange of information and materials
identify and appoint members to a seed supply system, adding benefits between farmers takes place [Bhuwon
Steering Committee (SC)/Working through participatory plant breeding Sthapit, Scientist, In situ Crop
Committee, drawing up on multi- (PPB), and gender/policy research. Conservation, IPGRI-APO, Pokhara,
sectoral stakeholders. Identification of gaps and new areas of Nepal].
research were prioritized; Participatory
l SC will determine long-term protocols were developed through group PHILIPPINES
direction and implement the discussion and budget estimates NaRDSAF - IARC Forum
MEEPS. reviewed, by preliminary review of
protocols by Dr M.P. Upadhyay, National The Department of Agriculture through
l Contents of MEEPS would be
Project Coordinator (NPC) and Drs A. the Bureau of Agricultural Research
further elaborated based on feed
Subedi and B. Sthapit. Finally, action (BAR) organized the Philippine National
back and recommendations from
plans and individual operational plans of Research and Development System for
time to time.
each researcher were developed. These Agriculture and Fisheries (NaRDSAF) –
[Abstracted from IPGRI Project Report: will be discussed for budget approval in International Agricultural Research
Gan, S.L. 2000. A report on the National the next Technical Coordination Centres (IARCs) Forum in Manila on
Workshop on MEEPS. IPGRI-APO, Committee (TCC) meeting [Bhuwon October 4-5, 1999. The NaRDSAF-IARC
Serdang Malaysia]. Sthapit, Scientist, In situ Crop forum aims at determining the thrusts,
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 16
priorities, programmes of the IARCs as and local markets requiring value implementation [SPC Agricultural
related to Philippine R&D requirements; addition of agricultural products to Newsletter, Vol.8, No.2, January 2000].
assess the current Philippine-IARCs improve shelf-life and development
partnership and to increase awareness of quality assurance systems. SRI LANKA
of BAR programmes and activities in International Training
relation to RP-IARCs partnership. Dr l Liberalization of world trade,
Agustin B. Molina, Regional Coordinator establishment of the WTO and
Programme on PGR
of INIBAP-ASPNET, represented Dr G. development of free trade areas. Conservation and
Hawtin, Director General, IPGRI, and The objectives to address the major Management
presented a paper on “IPGRI and the emerging issues have been identified as Plant Genetic Resources Centre
Philippine NaRDSAF: Highlighting follows: i) increase efficiency and (PGRC), Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Sri
INIBAP’s Role.” The many collaborative sustainability of agriculture, ii) improve Lanka conducted a four-week training
activities between IPGRI and the food security and public health, iii) on ‘Plant Genetic Resources
Philippine National Agricultural Research facilitate trade in agricultural products, Conservation and Management’ from 25
System (NARS) in genetic resources and iv) decrease impact of natural January to 21 February 2000. This was
management, conservation and use disasters. The following general the Third Country Programme, an
were presented. INIBAP’s role in the strategies to provide overall guidance for important activity supported by the Japan
improvement of this priority fruit crop in programme activities were adopted: i) International Cooperation Agency (JICA).
the country was highlighted. In the promote meaningful exchange with PGRC was the first genetic resources
dialogue between INIBAP and the stakeholders to identify emerging issues project established by JICA in Asia, and
Philippine Banana Research, and priorities, ii) network with people and part of the JICA commitment to support
Development and Extension Network, external agencies at various levels - PGRC to use its facilities and staff to
the following areas of possible international, regional, and national conduct series of annual third country
collaboration were identified: germplasm (Governments, NGOs, CBOs, Farmer training programmes with the objective
conservation, evaluation, utilization and Groups) to improve public awareness to provide training on different aspects
exchange; organizing seminars, and participation, and operational of plant genetic resources to young
workshops and training; information efficiency of SPC’s agricultural scientists involved in genetic resources
development management and programme, iii) strengthen internal conservation and management in other
exchange; and research and linkages within SPC Land Resources Asian countries.
development on banana IPM. Division to ensure better integration
across disciplines, iv) investigate funding Nine trainees from six South and
SOUTH PACIFIC opportunities at a regional and Southeast Asian countries, namely,
COUNTRIES international level in support of national Bhutan (1), Cambodia (1), Laos (2),
priorities and assist agricultural ministries Nepal (1), Vietnam (2) and Sri Lanka (2)
SPC’s Agricultural to secure donor funds for priority participated. The resource persons were
Programme projects, v) provide countries with timely from PGRC and some experts from other
information to assist decision making, institutes of the Department of
The SPC’s Agricultural Programme has
and vi) promote gender awareness as a Agriculture, Sri Lanka, Universities of
started working on a draft Strategic Plan.
tool for agricultural planning and Peradeniya and Colombo, one from the
The following key issues in the Pacific
Islands' Agriculture Sector have been
identified:
l Increased intensity of land use as a
result of population growth and cash
cropping leading to unsustainable
agricultural practices, reduced
efficiency of production, household
food insecurity, and environmental
degradation.
l Decreased biodiversity and
intensification in crop and animal
production systems making them
more prone to emergencies such as
outbreaks of disease and pests that
pose a risk to public health, trade
access and food security.
l More rigorous quality standards for Participants of training course on PGR Conservation and Management
agricultural produce in international at PGRC, Sri Lanka
17 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
National Institute of Agrobiological characterization, evaluation, utilization, expected to be held at the beginning of
Resources, Japan and one from IPGRI, conservation and data management. every year until 2004 [A.H.M.
New Delhi, India. There were lectures There were also two study tours for Jayasuriya,    Senior Deputy Director,
and hands-on training covering all understanding/studying PGR diversity in PGRC, Gannoruwa, Peradeniya, Sri
aspects of plant genetic resources various agro-climatic regions of Sri Lanka].
including exploration and collecting, Lanka. This training programme is
Meetings/Training Programmes
INDIA: Global Conference on
Potato, New Delhi, 6-11
December 1999.
A Global Conference on potato was
jointly organized by the Indian Potato
Association and Central Potato Research
Institute/Indian Council of Agricultural
Research, New Delhi. The theme of the
Conference was “Fighting Hunger with
Potato”. The Conference was attended
by over 460 delegates from 27 countries,
including private entrepreneurs. The
scientific programme comprised of three
theme-based Symposia, viz., Potato
Biotechnology; Potato Late Blight; and
Potato Storage, Processing and
Marketing; and four sessions, viz., Crop
Production, Cropping Systems and Crop
Global Potato Conference inaugurated by Shri Nitish Kumar,
Modelling; Genetic Resources and Crop
Hon'ble Minister of Agriculture, Govt. of India
Improvement; Diseases, Pest
Management and Seed Production; and
True Potato Seed (TPS) and other Non- Specific recommendations on genetic biodiversity- Conservation and
Conventional Methods of Propagation. resources and crop improvement Sustainable Use” in two technical
A total of 78 lead presentations and 283 emphasized on the need for collecting sessions. In addition, a panel discussion
poster presentations were made during more variability, more exchange of on ‘Role of agro-biodiversity for
the conference. germplasm, information, global enhancing global food production’, and
cooperation in potato breeding and in plenary lectures were delivered by Dr
The Conference deliberations led to developing core collections [For details R.S. Paroda and Dr Peter Raven. In
several general and specific contact: Dr G.S. Shekhawat, Director, conjunction, a poster session
recommendations laying emphasis on: Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla representing voluntary participation and
i) potato as a food crop in developing 171 001, Himachal Pradesh, India; Fax: display of nearly 100 research papers
countries, especially in India, as it has a 91-177-224460; Email: director@ was also held. The presentations by
major intervention in our food security; cpri.hp.nic.in or shekhawat@ experts and the deliberations held by a
ii) role of biotechnology in future crop mailexcite.com]. large number of delegates in the
improvement and the need to technical sessions and the panel
complement conventional breeding with INDIA: International Conference discussions, led to a number of useful
biotechnological efforts; iii) the core on ‘Managing Natural Resources recommendations. Some of these which
collection be established to get rid of for Sustainable Agricultural are pertinent to plant diversity are
redundant types and the gaps in material Production in the 21st Century, summarized below:
and information be identified and filled; New Delhi, 14-18 February 2000.
iv) exchange of potato germplasm by l Emphasis needs to be given to fill
The conference was organized by a
national programmes. This calls for up the gaps in germplasm collecting,
establishment of strong quarantine group of Societies including the Indian particularly of the underutilized
facilities. The germplasm should first be Society of Plant Genetic Resources and crops, and of the major crop species
cleaned up prior to its exchange to avoid inaugurated by Dr M.S. Swaminathan, (case to case basis) and their wild
introduction and spread of exotic Chairman, M.S. Swaminathan Research relatives. In order to enhance
diseases; and linkage/partnership of Foundation (MSSRF), Chennai, India. utilization of genetic resources,
national programmes and International Apart from other deliberations, a large representative sets, i.e. core
Potato Centre (CIP) may be further number of experts and delegates collections should be developed for
strengthened. discussed upon the theme “Agro- different crops.
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 18
l Use of on-farm participatory themes, namely, trends in national Centre of Chinese Academy of
approaches should be integrated for resources policies and management, Agriculture Science, No. 30 Bai Shi Qiao
conservation and genetic natural resource management, cultural Road, Beijing 100081, Republic of China.
enhancement of traditional cultivars resource management, information Tel: +86-10-68975098; Email:
that will help development of systems issues and regional cooperation lius@mail.caas.net.cn].
sustainable production systems, and networking. The different sessions
th 
including promotion of formal and will be organized under a series of panel USA: The V International
informal seed production, presentations and dialogue to stimulate Safflower Conference to be held
conservation and genetic knowledge and information dissemination jointly in Williston, North Dakota
enhancement. [For more information contact: Mr U-Tin- and Sidney, Montana USA, 23-
Kim-Yong or Jureerat Thomas, PO Box 27 July 2001.
l Inventories and national/regional 181, CMU Post Office, Chiang Mai The Conference is the fifth in a series of
check lists of species should be University, Chiang Mai 50502, Thailand, premier world meetings of scientists and
prepared to update the taxonomic Fax: 66-53-414121]. industry personnel interested in all
information, and advance aspects of safflower - production,
techniques like the Geographical CHINA: International research and development, processing,
Information System (GIS) should be Symposium on Biotechnology and marketing. Williston is the
used. Application in Horticultural Conference headquarters with
Crops, Beijing, 4-8 September
l In the light of the global conference facilities at the North Dakota2000.
interdependence for genetic State University Williston Research
resources, nations are obliged to The Symposium is being sponsored by Extension Centre. The Montana State
develop their own effective sui the Chinese Society for Horticultural University Eastern Agricultural Research
generis systems for IPR regime, Science (CSHS), International Plant Centre at Sidney, Montana (about 70
safeguarding the national interests. Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and km from Williston) will provide a tour of
The Conference noted that less than the International Potato Centre (CIP) its safflower research on the second day
40 countries have their instruments Liaison Office in Beijing. The theme of of the conference. The conference is co-
already in place or are in final the symposium is ‘Biotechnology sponsored by North Dakota State
stages. Others should also come Benefiting Mankind’. The symposium University, Montana State University,
forward. will deal with topics such as tissue United States Department of Agriculture/
culture, cell fusion, genetic Agricultural Research Service (USDA-
l International community should lay transformation and molecular markers in ARS), the American Society of
more emphasis, in further horticultural crops [For more information, Agronomy, Crop Science Society of
negotiations on protection of contact: Dr Fang Zhiyuan, ivgcaas@ America, Soil Science Society of
“Indigenous Community Rights” over public3.bta.net.cn.]. America, and the Food and Agriculture
biodiversity and associated Organization (FAO). The conference will
knowledge and fair and equitable CHINA: International Conference run as a series of successive sessions
benefit sharing on commerciali- on Computer Application in with limited number of oral presentations
zation. Agriculture of 21st Century and papers presented as posters [For
(ICCA 2000). Chinese Academy
l The advent of biotechnological tools details, contact: Janelle Jensen (Tel.:of Agriculture Science, Beijing,
has created single genepool of the 406.482.2208; email:  jjensen@sidney.17-19 October 2000.
global bioresources , comprising of ars.usda.gov].
plants, livestock, fish and microbes. The conference theme includes: JAPAN: International
This requires an integrated Database and CAI; Internet and Network Symposium on Sago (SAGO
approach for their management, Technology; Computer Aided Design 2001), Tsukuba, 15-17 October
conservation and sustainable use (CAD) and Image Processing; Artificial 2001.
[Director, National Bureau of Plant Intelligence and Automation; Geographic
Genetic Resources, Pusa Campus, Information System (GIS), Global This International Symposium will be
New Delhi 110 012, India]. Positioning System (GPS) and Remote organized by the Japanese Society of
Sensing and Precision Agriculture. All Sago Palm Studies with a support of
Forthcoming Meetings above mentioned technologies should be the Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
demonstrated to have applications in Fisheries, Japan International
THAILAND: International
research, education and management of Cooperation Agency, the Japanese
Symposium on Montane Mainland
agriculture, forestry, animal husbandry, Society for Tropical Agriculture and the
Southeast Asia (MMSEA)
fisheries, horticulture, and rural Japanese Society of Applied Glyco-
Governance in the National and
development [For details contact: science. The five scientific sessions will
Cultural Landscape, Chiang Mai,
Secretary General, Conference stress on: i) science and technology on
1-5 July 2000.
Secretariat, Society of Computer sago palm cultivation and starch
The symposium will have five major Applications in Agriculture, Computer production, ii) genetic studies on sago
19 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
palm, iii) roles of sago palm in the information and ideas on various Inc. Sabo-kaikan Bekkan, 2-7-4
tropical wetland ecosystem, iv) roles in aspects of sago palm and its products Hirakawa-cho, Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 102-
sago starch in the world-wide starch in the world [For details contact: Dr Keiji 8646, Japan. Fax: 81-3-3263-7318;
industry, and v) sago-eaters' Kainuma, Chair, Organizing Committee, E-mail: sago@ics-inc.co.jp <mailto:
communities and their culture. The SAGO 2001 Secretariat Office, c/o sago@ics-inc.co.jp>; http://bio.mie-
symposium aims at sharing useful International Communications Specialist, u.ac.jp/~ehara/sago/sago2001]
Interesting Books, Periodicals and Websites
Brush, Stephen B. (ed.). 2000. Genes examined. IPGRI encourages the medicinal plants covering over 432
in the Field: On-Farm Conservation collecting of data for all five types of pages. A very exhaustive list of literature
of Crop Diversity. Co-published by descriptors, whereby data from the first referred is given (information condensed
International Development Research four categories - Passport, Management, from PROSEA Newsletter No.23,
Centre and International Plant Genetic Environment and Site, and December 1999).
Resources Institute, Rome and Lewis Characterization - should be available
Publishers, 2000 N.W. Corporate Blvd. for any accessions. Descriptors listed Pradhan, P., M. Moktan and P.K.
Boca Raton, FL 33431 USA. 288 p. under evaluation allow for a more Legha. 1999. Perspective on
Sustainable Use of Pipla (Piper
[ISBN: 0-88936-884-8]. extensive description of the accession.
species) in Bhutan. RNR Research
This format represents an important tool
The book elaborately presents different Centre - East, REID, Ministry offor a standardized characterization
issues relating to on-farm conservation Agriculture, Thimphu, Bhutan. 42 p.system. The descriptors list provides an
of crop genetic resources. There are international format and thereby This report deals with the result of a
eleven papers (chapters) classified under produces a universally understood study on Pipla (Piper species) and lays
four sections. Section I presents language for plant genetic resources emphasis on its cultivation, management
introduction and review of the broad data. The two Annexes contain multi- and conservation. Pipla is important to
perspective of on-farm PGR crop passport descriptors and the pharmaceutical industry and the study
conservation. Section II considers collecting forms for citrus research. conducted to assess the status of the
questions on population biology and resource-base, its contribution to the
social sciences and deals with genetic IPGRI. 1999. Descriptors for Rocket socio-economy and avenue for its
structure of landraces and the challenges (Eruca spp.). International Plant Genetic sustainable use. Participatory tools were
to conserve them on-farm. Section III Resources Institute, Rome, Italy. 56 p. used in this assessment study. The fruits
presents different case studies for [ISBN: 92 9043 421 x]. are of economic value and are collected
different regions for different crops and
This descriptor list represents an output from the forests, and add to householdmanagement of traditional diversity on-
farm. Section IV relates to policy and of the Rocket Genetic Resources
income of farmers in remote areas in
eastern Bhutan.
institutional issues. A thought provoking Network, and is specific to Eruca species
foreword by Cary Fowler, Geoffrey only. Data for all the five categories; Ramanatha Rao, V. and P. Batugal,
Hawtin and Toby Hodgkin provides due passport descriptors, management editors. 1998. Proceedings of the
emphasis and importance that this study descriptors, environment and site COGENT Regional Coconut Genebank
deserves and the many problems that descriptors, characterization descriptors Planning Workshop, 26-28 February
still need to be resolved in research and evaluation descriptors have been 1996, Pekanbaru, Riau, Indonesia.
studies on in situ conservation of crop included. Collecting form for rocket IPGRI-APO, Serdang. 115 p. [ISBN: 92-
diversity. (Eruca spp.) has been provided. 9043-365-5].
IPGRI. 1999. Descriptors for Citrus. Padua de L.S., Nuntavan The proceedings deal with: Background
International Plant Genetic Resources Bunyapraphatsara and R.H.M.J. papers which provide basic information,
Institute, Rome, Italy. 66 p. [ISBN 92 Lemmens (eds.). 1999. Medicinal and and institutional and legal requirements
9043 425 2]. Poisonous Plants. 1-Hardbound edition. for establishing the genebanks; reports
PROSEA 12(1), Backhuys Publishers, on evaluation of host countries, namely,
Descriptors for Citrus is a revision of the Leiden, The Netherlands 711 p. [ISBN: Indonesia, India, Papua New Guinea and
original IBPGR publication of 1988. The 90-5782-042-0]. Low-priced paperback Côte d’ Ivoire as regional genebanks;
revised descriptors list is based on the edition: PROSEA, Bogor, Indonesia. genebank guidelines funding strategies
work of a team of SRA INRA-CIRAD, 1999. [ISBN 979-8316-27-4]. and draft agreements between FAO,
France with inputs from the EGID-Citrus host countries and IPGRI, that will
Network. It also covers Asian crop The publication contains an elaborate govern germplasm acquisition,
diversity through contributions provided introduction followed by an alphabetical conservation and proposed 7-year work
by UTFANET. The UPOV Technical treatment of 92 genera and the selected plans and benefits for each of the four
Guidelines for Citrus have also been species treatment providing details on regional genebanks.
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 20
Rao, A.N. and V. Ramanatha Rao, past one and a half years. The reports questionnaire, existing databases and
editors. 1999. Bamboo - Conservation, also deal with P. alba material for ex literature. The publication will serve as a
Diversity, Ecogeography, Germplasm, situ conservation. Information has been source of information to promote the
Resource Utilization and Taxonomy. presented on in situ conservation conservation and use of safflower
Proceedings of a Training Course strategies for P. nigra in the riparian germplasm.
cum Workshop, 10-17 May 1998, ecosystem and an update on the
Kunming and Xishuangbanna, EUFORGEN core collection and Periodicals/Reports
Yunnan, China. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, compilation of the database of clones CGIAR. 1999. Partnership in Action.
Malaysia. 275 p. [ISSN: 92 9043 414 7]. and the exchange of material. China, the CGIAR and Food Security.
Coordination of activities on P. alba Consultative Group on International
The proceedings contain articles on genetic resources has been also Agricultural Research, The World Bank,
taxonomy, biogeography, germplasm discussed. Bibliography has been given 1818 H Street, NW, Washington DC
collecting, ethnobotany and distribution topic-wise: Systematics; Biology and 20433, USA. 20 p.
and diversity of bamboos. Twelve genetics; Parasites and environmental
country reports covering Bangladesh,
stress; Riparian ecosystems and In situ China has undergone an economic
Cambodia, China, India, Indonesia,
management; Biotechnology and ex situ transformation in little more than two
Malaysia, Myanmar, Nepal, Philippines,
conservation; Selection and germplasm decades. This report deals with China-
Sri Lanka, Thailand and Vietnam have
conservation; Cultivation and use. CGIAR research partnership vis-à-vis
been presented. A well-synthesized problems of food security. It points out
information is given on bamboo Tuxill, John. 1999. Nature’s to partnership by national and
resources, their conservation, Cornucopia: Our Stake in Plant international scientists to achieve higher
management and utilization in each Diversity. Worldwatch paper 148. productivity in food crops. Overall
country. The publication will serve as a Worldwatch Institute, 1776 achievements of agriculture in China
valuable source of reference material Massachusetts Avenue, NW Washington have been presented/summarized.
and a very useful compendium for DC. 85 p. [ISBN 1 878071 50 5].
bamboo researchers. Diversity. 1999. ( Vol.15, No.3). Genetic
The book highlights concern on the value Resources Communication Systems. Inc.
Thampan, P.K. 2000. Farmer’s of biodiversity in human welfare and the 4905 Del Ray Avenue, Suite 401,
Assessment of Coconut Varieties in increased pace with which we are losing Bethesda, MD 20814,USA. 33 p.
Kerala. 24 p. Peekay Tree Crops nature’s diversity due to its over
Development Foundation, MIG 141, exploitation. Protected plant diversity This international quarterly news journal
Gandhi Nagar, Kochi 682 020, Kerala. begins with genebanks and protected provides information on activities relating
This publication is the result of farmer areas, and conserving biodiversity to the conservation and utilization of
participatory research to identify farmer requires new partnerships between genetic resources. A broad range of
preferred coconut varieties. The study governments and agencies responsible topics is covered and views on issues
was conducted by the Peekay Tree for managing plant resources and the and policies are presented such as on
Crops Development Foundation, with local communities who depend on them public awareness, terminator genes,
financial support by IFAD, IPGRI/ for their livelihood. Also, in this context, biosafety protocol, biotechnology,
COGENT. Several farmers’ it focuses on setting guidelines for agricultural sustainability. Interesting
organizations participated in this study sharing the benefits of plant diversity information is given on Echinacea
conducted in 9 village panchayats. equitably vis-à-vis maintaining it. genetic resources (native to North
Information on coconut varieties (tall, America), constituting raw materials for
Zhang, Z. and R.C. Johnson,
dwarf, and hybrid) has been numerous phytomedicines.
compilers. 1999. Safflower
summarized. Farmer’s suggestions for
Germplasm Collection Directory. Fagopyrum. 1999. (Vol.16). Plant
varietal improvement have been given.
IPGRI Office for East Asia, Beijing, Germplasm Institute, Faculty of
Turok, J., F. Lefevre, S. de Vries, B. China. 18 p. [ISBN: 92 9043 422 8]. Agriculture, Kyoto University, Mozume-
Heinze, R. Volosyanchuk and E. cho, Muko, Kyoto 617-0001, Japan. 100
This Directory has been developed by
Lipman, compilers. 1999. Populus p. [ISSN 0352-3032].
IPGRI in cooperation with the
nigra Network. Report of the Fifth
International Safflower Germplasm
Meeting, 5-9 May 1999, Kyiv Ukraine. This international journal on buckwheat
Advisory Committee (ISGAC). It provides
International Plant Genetic Resources is published by the International
information on safflower germplasm
Institute, Rome, Italy. 88 p. [ISBN 92 Buckwheat Research Association. The
collections held by 16 countries/
9043 431 7]. publication is brought out yearly (one
genebanks of the world, i.e. Australia, volume) and provides consolidated
The publication presents the progress Bulgaria, Canada, China, Ethiopia, information on research relating to all
of work under the Populus nigra network. Germany, India, Mexico, Romania, aspects of buckwheat: genetics,
Fifteen country reports presented deal Russian Federation, Slovenia, Spain, cytology, breeding, agronomy, nutrition,
with progress made on conservation of Switzerland, Turkey and USA. The utilization, biochemistry, ethnobotany,
P. nigra at the national level during the information was collected through etc. This volume includes interesting
21 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
articles on search for Fagopyrum species IPGRI-APO. 1999. Status Report on INIBAP, Parc Scientifique Agropolis II,
in eastern Tibet, status of buckwheat in Genetic Resources of Buckwheat. 34497 Montpellier Cedex 5, France.
India, population studies on buckwheat, IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the 32 p.
breeding/hybridization, assessment of Pacific and Oceania, PO Box 236, UPM
diversity, in vitro studies, somatic Post Office, Serdang, 43400 Selangor MUSARAMA is published with the
embryogenesis, nutritional aspects/ Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. support of the Technical Centre for
biochemistry. Agricultural and Rural Corporation
The publication deals with three status (CTA). This issue provides abstracts on
FAO. 1999. The State of Food reports on buckwheat genetic resources, 166 references on banana and plantain:
Insecurity in the World. The Food and namely for East Asia - China; and South dealing with botany, genetics, breeding,
Agriculture Organization of the United Asia -India and Nepal. Information on organogenesis, ecology, biochemistry,
States, Via delle Terme di Caracalla, origin, evolution, classification and multiplication, agronomy, plant
00100 Rome, Italy. 32 p. [ISBN 92-5- distribution of diversity, breeding, protection, pest, harvest, processing,
104328-0]. utilization and conservation aspects has uses, production systems, agro-
The report provides the latest estimates been provided. Further queries may be economics, trade aspects and research.
of the number of chronically hungry addressed to Professor M. Zhou, PROSEA NEWSLETTER. 1999 (No.28).
people in the world. Based on data Coordinator, IPGRI Office for East Asia, PROSEA Network office, C/o. Herbarium
available, it highlights countries that have C/o. CAAS, 30 Bai Shi Qiao Road, Bogoriense, RDCB-LIPO, PO Box 332,
achieved the greatest gains or suffered Beijing 100081, China. Bogor 16122, West Java, Indonesia. 8
the most severe setbacks over the past
two decades. It also looks at global and IPGRI/FAO. 1999. Plant Genetic
p. [ISSN: 0853 2958].
national efforts and probes into the Resources Newsletter. (No.120). The PROSEA activities are given,
understanding of hunger and food International Plant Genetic Resources including information on the recently
security and nutritional status. Institute, via delle Sette Chiese 142, published book on Medicinal and
00145 Rome, Italy. 68 p. [ISSN 1020- Poisonous Plants 1, Numbers 2 and 3
Geneflow. 1999. International Plant 3362]. of this series are being finalized. The
Genetic Resources Institute, via delle
Sette Chiese 142, 00145 Rome, Italy. 24 p. This newsletter is published quarterly by
issue contains an interesting article on
IPGRI/FAO and deals with activities on plant resources in the markets of Hanoi.
This publication about the earth’s plant
plant genetic resources in wider
genetic resources is brought out annually SEEDLING. 1999 (Vol.16, No.4).
perspectives. The issue No. 120 includes
by IPGRI Headquarters. In the 1999 GRAIN, Girona 25, Pral, E-08010,
an interesting article from the APO region
issue, information is provided on IPGRI’s Barcelona, Spain. 24 p. [ISSN 1002-
on ‘Traditional crops in the Central
new strategy. Brief information is given 5154].
Himalayas’, and short communications
on the ‘International Network for Genetic This is a quarterly newsletter of Genetic
Evaluation of Rice (INGER)’, botanical on ‘Collecting castor (Ricinus communis Resources Action International (GRAIN),
gardens and agricultural genebanks: L.) germplasm in northwestern India and
on ‘Genetic diversity of Chinese hull-less an international non-governmentalpartners for conservation; global meeting
barley germplasm and its utilization’. organization (NGO) based in Spain. Itin Nepal for conservation of agricultural promotes the sustainable management
biodiversity on-farm, and an interview Journal of Applied Agriculture. 1999 and use of agricultural biodiversity based
with Professor Peter Crane, the new (Vol.1(2), July-December). Society of on people’s control over genetic
Director of Kew Gardens on the role of Advancement of Horticulture, A-859, resources and local knowledge with
botanical gardens to food security, Indiranagar, Lucknow 226 016. Pp. 79- special emphasis on developing
biodiversity conservation etc. 154. [ISSN 0972-1045]. countries. The article entitled ‘Fair and
Global Newsletter on Underutilized Equitable, Where Did They Go’ by Isaac
This journal is published biannually, and
Crops. 1999. (December issue). Rojas Ramirez provides good discussion
deals with all aspects of horticultural
International Centre for Underutilized on access to resources and benefit
crops. Several articles in this volume
Crops (ICUC), Institute of Irrigation and sharing based on a panel meeting held
deal with evaluation of mango genetic
Development Studies, The University of recently in Costa Rica.
resources for morphological,
Southampton, Highfield, Southampton
S017 1BJ, UK. 28 p. physiological and quality traits; disease Websites
resistance; post-harvest aspects etc. Some interesting sites are given below:
This newsletter is published twice a year, Other articles include crop improvement
and is devoted to diverse global activities in vegetables, ornamentals and a few http://www.bionet_us.org/
on underutilized plants. This issue underutilized fruits such as Syzygium website.html
includes brief information on crop cuminii and Aegle marmelos.
research and development networks, This site maintains a list of websites
meetings held and future conferences/ MUSARAMA. 1999 (Vol.12, No.2). The related to biodiversity policy and law. It
forthcoming events and publications of International Bibliographic Abstracts. is maintained by BIONET and is updated
interest. Journal on Banana and Plantain. and distributed on a quarterly basis. The
No. 31 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 22
list contains two sections: one containing http://shiva.pub.getty.edu/ accumulated more than 3 000 000
issue-specific web addresses; and the tgn_browser/ references to date.  CARIS was created
other having the addresses of relevant by FAO in 1975 to identify and to
institutions, organizations and other The Getty Thesaurus of Geographic facilitate the exchange of information
stakeholder groups working around the Names is the first automated global about current agricultural research
CBD. source of hierarchically arranged projects being carried out in - or on
geographical data. It comprises records behalf of  - developing countries.
http://www.botany.net/IDB for approximately 900 000 places. Centres have submitted exhaustive
Besides providing the service to look for information on roughly 30 000 currently
This site is related to Internet Directory places in different countries, it is also a active projects.
for Botany, which provides information good reference for converting names of
on taxonomic expertise. places to the Latitude and Longitude of http://www.inbar.org.sg
http://www.cgiar.org/ipgri/doc/ the places represented in degrees This is the website of the International
dbintro.htm minutes direction as well as in decimal Network on Bamboo and Rattan. The
degrees and fractions of degrees. latest news and highlights on the page
This site provides information on
http://www.fao.org/agris/default32.htm is bamboo: Timber for the 21st Century.
genebank holdings worldwide and can INBAR’s Address: Anyuan Building
be interrogated on the database AGRIS was created by the Food and No.10, Anhui Beili, Asian Games Village,
available on the Internet. It provides Agriculture Organization of the United Chaoyang District, Beijing, P.R. China.
information on materials of particular Nations (FAO) in 1974, to facilitate Mailing Address: Branch Box 155, P.O.
crops held in both national genebanks information exchange and to identify Box 9799, Beijing, China 100101.Tel:
and in regional and international world literature dealing with all aspects +86-10-64956961/82 Fax: +86-10-
institutes. of agriculture. The database has 64956983 Email: info@inbar.org.cn
Scientific Contributions
In situ Conservation of scientists and two missions by Nepalese horticultural plants. About 2000
Fagopyrum Species in scientists. Specimens of Fagopyrum plants of F. cymosum were found
Nepal - Field Survey and plants collected from in situ sites already spontaneously growing along
deposited at NARC were identified by terraces and foothills and enough
Collection Professor Ohmi Ohnishi of the University seeds were collected for DNA
A collaborative research project on in of Kyoto. Seed samples of Fagopyrum analysis.
situ conservation of buckwheat spp. were also collected for further DNA
l F. cymosum does not occur in large
(Fagopyrum spp.) in Nepal is being analysis to detect genetic diversity. populations in situ, and small
carried out jointly by Nepal Agricultural Based on field surveys and identification spontaneous populations were
Research Council (NARC) and National of collected specimens, interesting found in several areas. In order to
Institute of Agrobiological Resources observations made are as follows: investigate the genetic diversity
(NIAR) since 1998. The aims of this
l F. cymosum was distributed widely within and between populations of
project are to: i) conduct field survey of in Nepal and wild F. tataricum ssp. F. cymosum, the analysis of DNA
the species, ii) collect seed samples for potanini and other wild forms were variation is planned to be done on
DNA analysis, and iii) investigate genetic found in a very limited area of the collected materials.
diversity of in situ conserved Fagopyrum Mustang.
species. F. tataricum (tartary buckwheat) [Dr Shu-ichi Fukuoka, National Institute
is common in Dolpa area, and F. l Fagopyrum species in Dolpa area of Agrobiological Resources (NIAR),
esculentum (common buckwheat) is (Juphal and Dunai) of west Nepal Ministry of Agriculture, Forestry and
predominantly grown at Mustang area. growing at an altitude of 2000 m, Fisheries, Japan; Professor Ohmi
F. cymosum plants are found matured in early November. Several Ohnshi, University of Kyoto, Japan; and
spontaneously in several areas including natural habitats of F. cymosum were Dr Mahesh L. Vaidya, Dr D.R. Sharma
Dolpa and Mustang, mainly used as detected on the slopes along and Dr Bimal K. Baniya, Nepal
animal fodder by mountain people. riversides and in botanical gardens. Agricultural Research Council (NARC),
Plant population of F. megacarpum Lalitpur, Khumaltar, Nepal].
The purpose of the present study was was detected and the seeds were
to identify and collect wild Fagopyrum collected. Genetic Variability in
species in Dolpa area of west Nepal and Jackfruit
Mustang area for further analysis of DNA l Boch National Horticultural
variation. Three field surveys were Experiment Farm located at the Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus
conducted, consisting of one survey altitude of 2230 m, 120 km east from Lamk.), supposed to be a native of
mission jointly by Nepal and Japanese Kathmandu conserves several Western Ghats of India, is grown under
23 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 31
Table 1. Fagopyrum species collected in Nepal fruit (138-585); bulb weight (11.3-28.0
g); bulb length (2.4-3.8 cm); bulb width
Species Collection sites
(1.5-6.2 cm); cylinder (4.2-12.5%); total
District Village Altitude (m) soluble solids (15.0-28.0%); total sugars
Fagopyrum cymosum (4n) Dolakha Boch NHEF 2232 (11.5-25.5%); acidity (0.15-0.25%);
Dolpa Juphal 2550 protein (2.1-3.0%) and total minerals
Dolpa Yala 2345 (1.2-1.9%).
Dolpa Dangiwada 2100 Variation among the genotypes was also
Dolpa Majfal 2700 observed for average seed weight (1.1-
Dolpa Dunai 2010 11.0 g); length (1.3-3.8 cm); width (0.5-
Dolpa Rasi 2880 3.6 cm); shape (kidney, flat, conical,
bean shaped, oblong, oval) and colour
Dolpa Sahartara 2610 (pure white, creamy white, light tan, dark
Dolpa Lhara 2820 tan), growth, bearing (some genotypes
Kaski Lumle Ag. Stn. 1675 bear twice a year), yield (12-400 fruits/
Kaski Lumle Ag. Stn. 1675 tree) and fruit maturity (June to August).
Lalitpur Imadal - There are no recognized cultivars in
F. tataricum Dolakha Boch 2232 jackfruit. Cultivars are named after the
Dolpa Dangiwada 2100 locality of their occurrence, flavour, taste
Dolpa Vyasgad - and colour of fruit. Some popular types
Dolpa Sahartara 2407 are ‘Zarda’, ‘Bhusheela’, ‘Hariyahva’,
Dolpa Dhupichaur - ‘Gulabi’, ‘Champa’, ‘Hazari’, etc. The
cultivar ‘Singapore’ produces fruits within
Dolpa Rasi 2880
2-3 years and ‘Rudrakshi’ produces
Dolpa Runai 2010 roundish fruits of the size of a large
Mustang Samda - pumello.
F. esculentum Dolpa Dangiwada 2100
Considering its high productivity and
Dolpa Sahartara 2407 nutritive value, selection of superior
Dolpa Vyasgad - clones for vegetable purposes and as a
Dolpa Rupgad 2220 table fruit, possessing high yield with
F. megacarpum Dolpa Vyasgad 2130-2310 better quality and tolerance to abiotic and
biotic stresses, would be of great value
both tropical and subtropical climates. thickness (0.5-1.2 cm); skin colour (dark for commercialization of jackfruit [Dr I.S.
In India, Uttar Pradesh, Bihar, West green, green, greenish yellow, yellow, Singh, Professor and Head, and Dr A.
Bengal, Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, yellowish green, light brown, dark K. Srivastava, Senior Technical
Assam, Tripura, Nagaland, Orissa and brown); pulp colour (white, creamy white, Assistant, Narendra Deva University of
Kerala are the major jackfruit growing creamy, creamy yellow, yellow); fibre Agriculture and Technology, Kumarganj,
states. An attempt has been made at length (3.0-6.0 cm); number of bulbs/ Faizabad, Uttar Pradesh 224 229, India].
the Narendra Deva University of
Agriculture and Technology, Faizabad to
collect and identify suitable germplasm
with high yield potential and quality fruit
for an organized orcharding.
Exploration and germplasm collecting
trips were undertaken in various tracts
of eastern Uttar Pradesh where jackfruit
grows wild. A large number of natural
populations were studied to select the
variability. About 18 types have been
identified as superior clones. These
exhibited variation for various
morphological and physiochemical
characteristics, namely, fruit shape (oval,
oblong, elongated, irregular, roundish);
weight (1.1-18.8 kg); length (15.5-61.0
cm); circumference (37.3-93.5 cm); rind
Fruit variability in jackfruit
No. 30 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 24
Useful Names & Addresses
AAHF Mr Farid Uddin Ahmed Dr Dhruva Joshy
Asian Agri-History Foundation Member Director (Forestry) Executive Director
47 ICRISAT Colony 1 Bangladesh Agricultural Research Nepal Agricultural Research Council
Brig. Sayeed Road
Khumaltar, Lalitpur
Secunderabad 500 009 Council (BARC)
Andhra Pradesh Farmgate, Dhaka 1215 PO Box 5459, Kathmandu
India Bangladesh Nepal
AVRDC Dr N. Murthi Anishetty Dr R. S. Paroda
Asian Vegetable Research and Secretary, DARE andSenior Officer - Plant Genetic Resources
Development Centre Director General, ICAR
P.O Box 205, Taipei 10099 Plant Production and Protection Division Indian Council of Agricultural Research
Taiwan FAO of the United Nations Krishi Bhavan
Via delle Terme di Caracalla New Delhi 110 001
ICIMOD 00100 Rome India
International Centre for Integrated Italy
Mountain Development Dr Percy E. Sajise
4/80 Jawala Khel Regional Director
GPO Box 3226 Dr Pons A. Batugal IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the
Kathmandu Senior Scientist, COGENT Coordinator Pacific and Oceania (APO)
Nepal IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan
Pacific and Oceania
INBAR MalaysiaPO Box 236, UPM Post Office
International Network for Bamboo 43400 Serdang Dr Param Sivan
and Rattan
Project Team Leader, TaroGen
Anynan Building No.10 Selangor Darul Ehsan Secretariat of the Pacific Community
Asian Games Village Malaysia Private Mail Bag
Chaoyang District, PO Box 9799 Suva
Beijing Ms Elizabeth Goldberg Fiji
China Group Director
Documentation, Information and Training Dr M.S. Swaminathan
NIAR
(DIT) ChairmanNational Institute of Agrobioloical
Resources International Plant Genetic Resources
M.S. Swaminathan Research
Foundation (MSSRF)
Kannondai 2-1-2, Tsukuba Institute, Via delle Sette Chiese 142 1, Taramani Institutional Area
Ibaraki 305 00145 Rome Chennai 600 113
Japan Italy India
SEARCA
Dr A.H.M. Jayasuriya Mr Lu Xinrong
Southeast Asian Regional Centre Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources
For Graduate Study and Research Senior Deputy Director Chinese Academy of Agricultural
in Agriculture Plant Genetic Resources Centre Sciences
Los Baños Peradeniya Beijing 100081
Philippines Sri Lanka P.R. China
The Newsletter is produced by
Dr Bhag Mal, Coordinator and Dr R. K. Arora, Hon. Research Fellow, IPGRI Office for South Asia, with support from: Dr Percy
E. Sajise, Regional Director, Dr V. Ramanatha Rao, Senior Scientist (Genetic Diversity/Conservation), Dr Pons Batugal,
COGENT Coordinator, Dr Paul Quek, Documentation/Information Specialist at the IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific and
Oceania; Professor Zhou Ming-De, Coordinator and Mr Zhang Zongwen, Associate Coordinator at the IPGRI Office for East
Asia, and Dr P. N. Mathur, Associate Coordinator at the IPGRI Office for South Asia. The addresses of these offices are:
IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the IPGRI Office for South Asia IPGRI Office for East Asia
Pacific and Oceania c/o NBPGR, Pusa Campus, c/o CAAS, No. 30 Bai Shi Qiao Road,
PO Box 236, UPM Post Office New Delhi 110012, India Beijing 100081, P.R. China
43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan, Telex: 31-77257 NBGR IN Telex : 222720 CAAS CN, Tel : (86-10)
Malaysia Tel: (91-11) 5731845, 5786112, 62183744
Tel: (603) 89423891; Fax: (603) 89487655 Fax: (91-11) 5819899 Fax: (86-10) 62174159
Email: ipgri-apo@cgiar.org Email: ipgri-delhi@cgiar.org Email: ipgri-caas@cgiar.org