1 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES INSTITUTE ISSN 1561-2473
NEWSLETTER
FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
No. 29 May-August 1999
About the Newsletter Editorial
The International Plant Genetic In situ Conservation of
Resources Institute (IPGRI), formerly
IBPGR, is one of the 16 Centres of the
Consultative Group on International Agrobiodiversity On-farm:
Agricultural Research (CGIAR) with its
Headquarters at Rome. IPGRI’s mission New Challenges
is to encourage, support and engage in In situ conservation is concerned with species, iii) improving the livelihood of
activities to strengthen the conservation
and use of plant genetic resources world- the maintenance of species’ resource-poor farmers, iv) maintaining
wide with special emphasis on the needs populations in their natural habitats, or increasing control and access of
of developing countries. IPGRI works in either as wild plant communities or as farmers over their genetic resources,
partnership with other organizations, cultivated plants in farmers’ fields as and v) integrating farmers into the
undertakes research and training, and part of existing agro-ecosystems. The national plant genetic resources
provides scientific and technical advice
and information. IPGRI operates in five traditional farming system is an system for conservation.
geographical areas: Sub-Saharan Africa important source of crop genetic
(SSA), the Americas, Europe, Central diversity. The total genetic diversity in a In situ conservation aims to conserve
and West Asia and North Africa crop genepool is the result of: (i) natural both genetic material and the
(CWANA), and Asia, the Pacific and processes unaided by human processes that give rise to diversity of
Oceania (APO). APO Regional Office is
selection, (ii) crop evolution, selection genetic material. For resource-poorbased in Serdang, Malaysia with offices
and adaptation in farming systems in farmers, locally adapted plant materialfor East Asia and South Asia located in
Beijing, China and New Delhi, India, highly variable and often marginal may be the only natural resource
respectively. environments, and (iii) formal breeding available to meet their needs.
The APO Newsletter is produced thrice leading to new genetic combinations. In situ conservation strategies also
a year and is mainly aimed at promoting Another important feature of genetic promote a broader range of
the overall concern on plant genetic diversity within traditional farming
resources, with emphasis on their partnerships in conservation andsystems is that it allows geneflow
conservation and use. [Contd. on page 4] development efforts. On-farm
between crops and their wild relatives, conservation programmes empower
in sites where these co-exist. On-farm the farmers to participate in research
conservation, therefore, is the process
Contents and development. Farmers makethat conserves not only the genes decisions in the process of planting,
Editorial ................................... 1 themselves but also the farming managing, harvesting and processing
systems and agro-ecosystems that
Headquarters .......................... 3 their crops that affect the geneticgenerate and maintain genetic diversity. diversity of the crop populations. Over
Regional ................................. 4
In situ conservation has the advantage time, a farmer may modify the genetic
National ................................... 8 of continuing evolution and adaptation structure of a population by selecting
COGENT Update .................... 12 of the material and conserving wider for plants with preferred agro-
Meetings/Trainings ................. 14 range of diversity. In situ conservation morphological and quality
Interesting Books and complements ex situ conservation by characteristics. Farmer may influence
Publications ...................... 16 way of: i) conserving the processes of the survival of certain genotypes by
Scientific Contributions ........... 21 evolution and adaptation of crops to choosing a particular farm
their environments, ii) conserving management practice or by planting a
Useful Names and diversity at all levels – the ecosystem, crop population in a site with a particular
Addresses ....................... 24
between the species, and within micro-environment. Therefore, in situ
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. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 2
conservation of crop plants involves the This meeting also focused on attended by 85 participants comprising
conservation of local crop landraces on- strengthening of the national partners scientists, technical advisors, donors
farm with active participation of farmers. for planning and implementation of and representatives of the nine countries
Strengthening capacity of farmers and conservation programmes for agro- where the activities have been initiated
local organizations will increase the biodiversity, and broadening the use of under the in situ project. The meeting
control of local communities over their agro-biodiversity and participation in its was jointly hosted by IPGRI, the Nepal
genetic resources and also enhance conservation by farming communities. Agricultural Research Council (NARC),
on-farm conservation. and the NGO-Local Initiatives for
A second meeting of the project was
Landraces are the crop cultivars Biodiversity Research and Developmentheld in Rome in 1997 to discuss
developed by farmers over many (LIBIRD). The meeting included twomethodologies to understand on-farm
generations of selection without applying days of field visits in Nepal where theconservation and agreed to collect and
formal plant breeding inputs and are, in situ project is being implemented. Aanalyze information on farmer
therefore, considered as the products roadside drama was also performedperceptions by gender, age and ethnic
of on-farm conservation. Diverse where a local group of actors presentedgroup in six main areas. These areas
landraces provide food security to a play in traditional Nepalese style toare: socio-economic, cultural and
majority of people in developing depict how lives of Nepalese are wovenbiological influences on farmer decision-
countries and also act as primary source into the agro-biodiversity around them.making; farmer selection of agro-
of breeding materials for developing morphological characters; population The programme was formulated with
modern varieties. The continuing use of structure of local cultivars; the idea that in situ conservation
landraces contributes to stable food environmental selection by the agro- activities should not aim to dissuade
production and income, especially in ecosystem; germplasm supply and farmers from adopting new crop
marginal environments where impact of storage systems; and adding benefit to cultivars that increase food security or
modern varieties is limited. Therefore, all stakeholders through participatory income, but rather to determine and
the Convention on Biological Diversity plant breeding, seed networks, market understand the situations in which local
(CBD) has recognized the continued and non-market incentives, formal and cultivars are maintained by farmers,
maintenance of traditional cutlivars in informal education and agricultural identify key factors which affect farmer
situ as an essential component of policy. decisions to maintain local cultivars,
sustainable agricultural development. understand how farmer decision making
However, the science and practice of in Subsequently, the partners focused on affects the genetic variation within crop
situ conservation lag behind the policy initial Participatory Rural Appraisal populations over a period of time, and
commitments to its implementation. (PRA) of proposed sites and creating a finally find ways to assist the continued
Fulfilling the objectives set forth in the multi-institutional, multi-disciplinary selection of local cultivars. If crop
CBD for in situ conservation will require framework for implementing in situ genetic resources are going to be
a global framework of scientific conservation on-farm. Structured data conserved on-farm, it must happen as
methods, tested conservation practices collection started primarily in mid 1998. a spin-off of farmers’ productive
and tools, as well as a system for In 1999, the project participants met in (development) activities. This means
disseminating useful experience and Rome to integrate information collected that in situ conservation must be seen
tools between countries and across in participating countries within and in the context of development and it
agro-ecosystems. among thematic areas, to compare must benefit the farmers.
strategies for creating national
IPGRI began to explore the potential of Community participation can be
management frameworks for in situ
on-farm conservation through a global strengthened by several ways: i)
conservation on-farm, to synthesize
project “Strengthening the scientific sensitizing farming community and
methods used to enhance benefits from
basis of in situ conservation of agro- consumers through public awareness,
local crop diversity to all stakeholders,
biodiversity on-farm”. The project started ii) developing markets for local products,
to examine project progress in
in 1995 when national partners from iii) providing market incentives, iv)
increasing access, participation and
nine countries, namely, Nepal, Vietnam, improving the local varieties, and v)
decision-making influence for different
Hungary, Morocco, Turkey, Burkina adding benefits through market and
gender, age and cultural groups, to
Faso, Ethiopia, Mexico and Peru, policy incentives. The rationale behind
discuss documentation options of in situ
technical advisors, donor this is that the strategy for in situ crop
conservation on-farm, and to exchange
representatives, IPGRI and other CGIAR conservation will only succeed if
ideas of good and bad practices for
Centres’ staff met to decide on the main indigenous communities and grassroot
ensuring the sustainability of in situ
objectives of supporting the organizations are involved at different
conservation on-farm.
development of a framework of stages and their needs and problems
knowledge on farmer decision-making Recently, the third meeting for the are shared and addressed. This
processes that influence in situ project was held from 5-12 July 1999 requires understanding of what they do,
conservation of agricultural biodiversity. in Pokhara, Nepal. The meeting was how they do and why they do it. On-
3 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
farm conservation will be strengthened However, it requires greater farm conservation efforts. The third
if the farming community is keen to collaboration between the formal sector meeting of the project in Nepal has
participate in diversity fairs, monitor local of plant genetic resources institutions demonstrated a positive impact where
crop diversity through community and the informal sector including such synergies and collaboration are
biodiversity registers, select and community based organizations institutionalized and practised by formal
exchange seed and planting materials (CBOs) and this challenge will have to and informal institutions jointly [Bhuwon
through participatory plant breeding. be faced by all those engaged in on- Sthapit, IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia].
Headquarters
The Crucible Continues
Refining Diverse Ideas: International Plant Genetic Resources Institute
“2nd Distilling Session”
Convened Vavilov-Frankel Fellowships 2000
Five years after its inception meeting in IPGRI has established the Vavilov-Frankel Fellowship Fund to
1993, the Crucible Group convened its commemorate the unique contributions to plant science by
second session at IPGRI, HQ in Rome
Academician Nikolai Ivanovich Vavilov and Sir Otto Frankel.
from 14-17 June 1999. The first meeting
of the Crucible Project brought together The Fund aims to encourage the conservation and use of plant
a diverse group of experts to identify genetic resources in developing countries through awarding
distinct views, trends and concerns Fellowships to outstanding young scientists.
regarding the ongoing debate on the
impact of intellectual property protection The Fellowships will enable the scientists to carry out relevant, innovative
on biodiversity conservation and use. research outside their own country for a period of between three months
and one year. The research should have a clear benefit to the applicant’s
The 30 members of the original Group
home country. Awards can be held concurrently with other sources of
came from19 countries and represented
support. In the year 2000, a total of US$ 30,000 will be available for
a wide cross-section of perspectives and
political persuasions. Drawn from the awards which are intended to cover travel, stipend, bench fees, equipment,
public sector, industry and civil society, conference participation or any other appropriate use. Holders are
they participated in the project in their encouraged to present the results of their research at an international
own capacities. Contrary to conference. This can take place within one year of termination of the
expectations, this extremely diverse Fellowship.
Group reached consensus on 30
Applications for the year 2000 are invited from developing-country nationals,
recommendations relating to the
aged 35 or under, holding a masters degree (or equivalent) and/or doctorate
application of intellectual property
protection to living organisms, the role in a relevant subject area. Application forms in English, French and Spanish
of the CGIAR and the desirable structure may be obtained from: Vavilov-Frankel Fellowships, IPGRI, Via delle Sette
of an international system for the Chiese 142, 00145 Rome, Italy [Fax: (39) 06- 5750309 or Email:
exchange of genetic resources. These e.clancy@cgiar.org or http://www.cgiar.org/ipgri/institute/vavilov.htm] and
were published in the first report of the should be returned to that address.
Crucible Group, 'People, Plants and
Applications must be in English, French or Spanish and should include a
Patents' which was released in 1994. In
the ensuing years, the Group’s work covering letter, completed application form, full curriculum vitae, research
continued, through a series of seminars proposal (maximum 1000 words which should include a clear statement
and workshops which were held in of objectives, methodology, materials and justification) and letter of
conjunction with FAO meetings and the acceptance from the proposed host institute. The closing date for receipt
Conference of the Parties to the of applications is 30 November 1999. The successful applicants will be
Convention on Biological Diversity. informed by 31 March 2000 and are required to take up their Fellowships
before 31 December 2000.
With its debates and exchanges
facilitated through the use of the Internet IPGRI is an institute of the Consultative Group on
and electronic mail, the close of the International Agricultural Research (CGIAR)
decade finds the Crucible Group with
an even more dynamic and broader Este anuncio está disponible en español. Cette annonce est
membership. What has not changed is disponible en français
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 4
the deep commitment shared by the opinions. IPGRI and International containing a menu of options for legal
members to the conservation and use Development Research Centre (IDRC) mechanisms to address three key
of plant genetic resources and their are co-convenors of the Crucible Group. issues: i) conservation and exchange,
concern about decisions being taken at ii) the rights of indigenous and local
national and international level that The Group now plans to publish a two- communities including farmers and
could put these resources at risk. The volume report expected to be released farming communities, and iii) the
Group continues to work hard to identify before the end of the year, the first encouragement of innovations in the
areas of consensus, and where this is volume providing an update and conservation and enhancement of plant
not possible, to describe its differences recommendations on major issues genetic resources [For further
clearly and cogently. Indeed, the Group related to the ownership, conservation information contact: Susan Bragdon,
believes that the strength of its and exchange of plant genetic Senior Scientist for Law & Policy, IPGRI,
messages lies in the diversity of its resources, and the second volume Rome, Italy, S.Bragdon@cgiar.org].
Regional
Update on IPGRI Projects levels were discussed. In different Review of the use of
in APO Region sessions, the national partners made germplasm in the Chinese
presentations on identified topics, genebank
Strengthening the scientific focusing on the methodology used,
basis of in situ conservation IPGRI supports the Institute of Cropinstitutional framework and progress Germplasm Resources, Beijing, China
IPGRI coordinates a global project made. In depth discussions held in to study the patterns of distribution and
entitled “Strengthening the scientific Working Groups on thematic topics were use of germplasm conserved in the
basis of in situ conservation of facilitated by the Technical Advisory genebank as well as to identify
agricultural biodiversity”, supported by Committee members and other IPGRI constraints in the use of the conserved
Swiss Agency for Development staff. Outcome of the deliberations of germplasm. As part of this project
Corporation (SDC), Danish International WGs was presented to the plenary and activity, a National Workshop on the
Development Assistance (DANIDA) and the discussions that followed resulted Utilization of Crop Germplasm
International Development Research in recommendations for the future. The Resources in China, was organized by
Centre (IDRC). The results achieved in major outcome of the meeting, besides the Institute of Crop Germplasm
a little over a year of project work were the increased focus on multidisciplinary Resources/Chinese Academy of
discussed in the meeting of national nature of the project, was the better Agricultural Sciences (ICGR/CAAS) in
partners, Technical Advisory Committee appreciation of the need to integrate Beijing on 26-27 May, 1999. A total of
members, donor representatives and developmental objectives to make rapid 21 persons including 12 PGR specialists
concerned IPGRI staff, held at Pokhara, progress in establishing scientific basis and 3 breeders participated in this
Nepal from 5-12 July 1999. Issues such for in situ conservation which is the main meeting. The participants presented
as data integration, based on scientific objective of the project [V. Ramanatha status reports, based on past 15 years
disciplines at site, national and global Rao, IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia]. of work on germplasm exchange and
About the Newsletter
Contd. from page 1
It provides information on plant
genetic resources activities carried
out by national programmes and
other centres in the region.
Information is also periodically
abstracted from recent literature
(books, periodicals etc.), and brief
research contributions published.
With over 2500 addressees on its
mailing list, the APO newsletter is
widely distributed to focus on
IPGRI's mandate to advance the
conservation and use of plant
genetic resources for the benefit of
present and future generations.
Participants of the In situ conservation meeting held at Pokhara, Nepal
5 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
utilization for rice, wheat, maize, cotton, this exercise. “Duplicate” accessions can Jackfruit genetic resources in
oranges, tea, mulberry, Chinese well turn out to be morphologically South and Southeast Asia
cabbage and cucumber. They also different in the next season, due to high IPGRI supported the work on compiling
discussed the problems and solutions level of genotype x environment and reviewing information on jackfruit
for the use of crop germplasm. Some interaction. The use of several random (Artocarpus heterophyllus Lamk.)
serious problems in undertaking the crop primers in comparing different sections genetic resources in five countries,
genetic resources work were identified. of the sweet potato DNA appears to be namely, India, Bangladesh, Malaysia,
These included insufficient financial useful in confirming true duplicates.
support, inadequate setting-up of Duplicates can only be identified with
Indonesia and the Philippines.
research programmes, lack of confidence when all their phenograms
Information is provided on taxonomy,
genetic resources, crop improvement
characterization and evaluation data, match regardless of the primer used.
These studies showed that there are no and biotechnology, production and post-
lack of germplasm enhancement
true duplicates in MARDI sweet potato production practices, problems,
programmes and lack of appropriate
collections. The morphological prospects and R&D issues. Major
policies, etc. Some suggestions made
characters did not match (study production constraints have been
by the participants include: i) conducted over two seasons) and their identified as: lack of superior varieties/
establishment of a national committee phenograms using five primers did not types, non-availability of quality planting
for PGR to provide guidelines/policies show complete similarity. However, material, lack of knowledge on crop
for work on PGR and to coordinate all RAPD study showed close genetic husbandry and post-harvest handling
PGR activities; ii) facilitate funding relationships among some sweet potato and transport, small holdings, felling of
support on a sustainable basis for work accessions [Abstracted from Tan, S.L., trees for fuelwood, and low price, etc.
on PGR; iii) establishment of “Centre of I. Salma and E. Nissila. 1999. The priorities for research include
germplasm enhancement” and Identification of duplicate accessions in survey, identification and selection of
experimental stations in different field genebanks of sweet potato by mother plants to establish high yielding
ecological regions; iv) analyze morphological characterization and
superior clonal lines; assessment of
advantages and disadvantages of using molecular markers. IPGRI Project
genetic variation; development of
local germplasm; and v) more work on Report. IPGRI-APO, Serdang].
propagation techniques including in vitro
germplasm enhancement [Based on
Genetic diversity in locally mass multiplication; improved
Gao Weidong. 1999. Report on the
adapted sweet potato production practices; value addition, and
National Workshop on the Utilization of germplasm studies on production economics and
Crop Germplasm Resources in China.
marketing [Abstracted from Ghosh, S.P.
IPGRI Project Report, IPGRI-APO, IPGRI is supporting the Plant Genetic
1999. Status report on genetic resources
Serdang]. Resources Centre, Universiti Putra
Malaysia (UPM) to study the use of of jackfruit in India and Southeast Asia.
Identification of duplicate molecular markers to measure genetic IPGRI Project Report. IPGRI-APO,
accessions in sweet potato diversity and genetic distance within and Serdang].
field genebank between sweet potato germplasm that Ecobiology of tartary
IPGRI has been collaborating with the is locally adapted in different sub- buckwheat in Southwest China
International Centre for Potato (CIP) on regions of Southeast Asia. Due to the
sweet potato genetic resources through problem of exchanging materials, work In order to promote conservation of
the Asian Network for Sweet Potato is focusing only on germplasm from tartary buckwheat (Fagopyrum tataricum
Genetic Resources (ANSWER) in the Malaysia (60 accessions) and Indonesia (L.) Gaertn), a study to understand the
region. Under this network, IPGRI (56 accessions). DNA has been ecobiology of this species with support
supported the work on identification of extracted from all the 116 accessions, from IPGRI is in progress at Chengdu
duplicate accessions in field genebanks but RAPD analysis has been done only Institute of Biology, CAAS.This work has
of sweet potato using morphological and for 20 so far. The analysis of the been in progress for about one year
molecular markers. The work was remaining accessions is in progress. Of and will be completed in February 2000.
carried out by the Malaysian Agricultural the 54 oligonucleotides used in this The investigations carried out so far
Research and Development Institute study, only 20 primers showed banding include: distribution and characterization
(MARDI) with the objective of identifying patterns with polymorphism. Further of environment in which tartary
morphological duplicates in the MARDI investigations are in progress buckwheat and its wild relatives occur,
sweet potato collection and validating [Abstracted from Mohd Said Saad. and collecting of specimens and seeds.
them with molecular markers. A total of 1999. The use of molecular markers to The work in laboratory includes
246 accessions were studied and the measure genetic diversity and genetic comparison of appearance of seeds,
results showed that, while morphological distance within and between sweet dissection and scanning electronic
characterization of sweet potato potato germplasm locally adapted in microscopy (SEM) and allozyme
germplasm is relatively easy and different sub-regions of Southeast Asia. analysis of leaf samples. Nine of the
cheaper compared to molecular IPGRI Project Report, IPGRI-APO, ten species that occur in China and one
‘fingerprinting’, it is necessary to repeat Serdang]. variety of Fagopyrum are being studied.
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 6
Plans are also being made to study in the field. Fourteen lines from the first emerged: i) The workshop
the causes of variation in bitterness batch and 16 from the second batch recommended establishment of a
between seed samples from high and were selected. Genetic study to network UTVAPNET (Underutilized
low altitudes [Abstracted from Zhao investigate horizontal resistance in Traditional Vegetables Asia Pacific
Zuo-Cheng. 1999. Ecobiology and cultivar “Thailand” is also underway. In Network) for which ICUC will provide
conservation of tartary buckwheat in Samoa, 30 clones selected based on secretarial support. The network will
Southwest China. IPGRI Project Report. resistance to taro leaf blight and other function on voluntary basis; ii) It was
IPGRI-APO, Serdang]. agronomic characteristics are being agreed that the Indian Council of
multiplied for further on-farm evaluation.
TaroGen update Agricultural Research (ICAR) willThe Palau cultivars showing resistance undertake the role of regional
Collecting of taro germplasm is now well to leaf blight are also being multiplied coordination and Dr S. P. Ghosh, DDG
underway in Papua New Guinea (PNG) for field evaluation. Nine of these (Horticulture), ICAR was elected as the
with three collecting teams working in cultivars have been planted in a field chairperson of the Steering Committee;
different provinces. Collecting in trial on a farm in the wet side of the iii) Five crop species, namely, taro,
Solomon Islands has been affected by island [Abstracted from Param Sivan. amaranth, Momordica, lablab bean and
the ethnic problems but is in progress 1999. Taro Genetic Resources: Ipomoea aquatica were identified as
in some provinces. The national Conservation and Utilization. Project priority species based on the following
collections in Samoa and Fiji are already Report, July 1999]. criteria: the species should be
in tissue culture or field collections. In Conservation and use of underutilized, primary use as vegetable,
Cook Islands and Tonga, taro varieties
traditional vegetables in wide adaptation and suitability to lowfrom the outer islands are being inputs, potential nutritional value and
assembled in national collections. Asia and the Pacific important in 4-5 countries; iv)
Collecting in Vanuatu is in progress. A regional workshop was convened by Networking activities on taro relating to
Research on developing conservation the International Centre for Underutilized PGR are being undertaken by IPGRI.
technology for taro is continuing. Taro Crops (ICUC) in collaboration with FAO Five Southeast Asia and Pacific
varieties are being assembled in tissue on PGR conservation and use of countries also collaborate in a network
culture to undertake the cryopreservation traditional vegetables in Asia and the called TANSAO but this network
study. The in vitro pilot genebank project Pacific. The workshop was held at the concentrates on use of taro as a staple
study to compare genebank in tissue Philippines Council for Agriculture, and not as vegetable and, therefore,
culture with that of field genebank is Forestry and Natural Resources activities under UTVAPNET will be
continuing in collaboration with MAFF, Research and Development (PCARRD), complementary to those carried out by
Fiji. The field genebank has been Los Baños, Philippines from 10-12 TANSAO; v) The participants strongly
established at Koronivia Research August 1999, and was attended by felt the need for standard descriptors of
Station and it is expected that the in representatives from Bangladesh, China, these crops and it was decided to seek
vitro genebank will be established shortly India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, Papua IPGRI’s assistance for developing the
in the RGC. The work on seed storage New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka, descriptors; vi) PGR collecting,
will start soon. Seeds for this study are Thailand, and Vietnam besides IPGRI evaluation, characterization and
being produced in PNG. and AVRDC. Dr. Bhag Mal, South Asia conservation activities together with
Coordinator, represented IPGRI. production technologies will be carried
The feasibility report from the Farm
The objectives of this workshop were: out as per the interest of individual
Support Association (FSA) indicates that
to assess the present status of genetic countries; and vii) The information/
in situ conservation in Vanuatu may be
resources of traditional vegetables results of trials will be shared between
possible only in remote areas where
(including aquatic vegetables) and their the participating countries.
farmers do not have ready access to
use in the region; to identify gaps and
markets. Arrangements have been
the need for conservation and utilization
made for the IPGRI specialist to visit UTFANET Steering
of PGR; to evaluate their production
the region to develop the project Committee Meeting
potential; to assess the need for training
proposal in collaboration with FSA and
in collecting, evaluation, documentation The fifth UTFANET Steering Committee
MAFF, Fiji.
and conservation; to obtain a consensus meeting was held at PCAARD, Los
The data from two trials testing 12 and develop appropriate programme Baños, Philippines on 12-14 August
selected clones from cycle-2 population strategy for promoting traditional 1999. The meeting was attended by the
in PNG were analyzed and seven lines vegetables through the establishment of Steering Committee members and
have been selected for on-farm trials a regional network on traditional representatives from IPGRI and FAO.
which are currently under multiplication. indigenous vegetable crops. Sub- Dr. Bhag Mal, South Asia Coordintor,
The third and final batch of cycle-3 regional status reports and country represented IPGRI. The major
population of approximately 3000 papers were presented. The following decisions/highlights of the meeting are
seedlings is currently being evaluated important points/recommendations as follows:
7 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
South Pacific Yam Network
Public Awareness in Malaysian school
An Art Contest was held on 29 August Chin Mee San (17 years) South Pacific Yam Networm (SPYN) had
1999 at the Puchong Perdana Kelly Chan Kah Lai (15 years) its initial meeting in Vanuatu, 23-26
Secondary School, Malaysia to February, 1999. The countryRM50 winners:
celebrate IPGRI's 25th Anniversary and coordinators from Fiji, Papua NewNg Ching Li (17 years)
to increase public awareness among Guinea (PNG), Solomon Islands andLee Siew Yee (13 years)
school children about conservation of Vanuatu and the technical projectRosfarizan Bt Ramli (14 years)
biodiversity. The theme of the contest collaborators participated. The newWong Lee Chin (17 years)
was 'The Importance of Biodiversity'. Yam Project started under SPYN aims
The winners are : IPGRI also provided the school with to: i) characterize and evaluate yam
14 saplings of rare Malaysian fruit germplasm, rationalize collections and
RM100 winners: trees. Each tree will be cared for by a select cultivars of interest, ii) develop
Wan Hooi Yin (15 years) Form 1 class and the progress of each cryopreservation and in vitro
Woon Li Tien (14 years) tree will be reported on a web site. conservation strategies, iii) promote
regional exchange of virus tested,
selected genotypes for national
agronomic evaluation of selected
cultivars, and iv) identify sources of
resistance to anthracnose. The role of
the South Pacific Commission (SPC) in
the project is for pathogen elimination,
particularly anthracnose and virus
elimination, multiplication and
distribution of the elite yam germplasm
for national evaluation in the
collaborating countries. The SPC
Germplasm Centre will also work in the
area of in vitro conservation and
cryopreservation strategies [SPC
Picture by Wan Hooi Yin Agricultural News, Vol. 8, No. 1, June/
July 1999].
1. Dr N.I. Bhuiyan, Director, Horticulture 4. There will be a Regional
Research Centre, BARI, Coordinator to execute and monitor Bamboo and Rattan
Bangladesh has been elected as the project activities. The Regional Activities
the Chairperson of UTFANET Coordinator will be from the Asian
Work on bamboo and rattan, sponsored
Steering Committee for a term of region and the Coordination office
by the Government of Japan has
two years (July 1999 - June 2001). for UTFANET will be the Regional
progressed further. Collaboration with
It was agreed that the Vice- office of ICUC. India, the
INBAR was further enhanced. Some of
Chairperson will be from Vietnam. Philippines and Pakistan offered
the significant achievements are
2. The workplan for three years for the to host the coordination office. reported below:
project ‘Germplasm evaluation, ICUC will develop the criteria for
propagation and management of selection of the Regional Population variation in bamboo
jackfruit, mangosteen and pummelo Coordinator. in China
in Asia’ was discussed and agreed 5. The MoU between IPGRI and Through a project supported by IPGRI,
by the country coordinators. UTFANET was signed and the population survey and genetic analysis
3. Initiation of another project ‘The Steering Committee welcomed of Phyllostachys pubescens and
development of economically viable IPGRI as an Associate Member of Dendrocalamus latiflorus is being
and socially acceptable marketing UTFANET. carried out by the Subtropical Forestry
strategies for underutilized fruits in 6. The representative from IPGRI Research Institute in China. The
Asia’ was agreed. The project will presented IPGRI’s activities on objective of this study is to understand
operate in South and Southeast tropical fruit species in the Asian the pattern of phenotypic variation. This
Asian countries. The crops will be region. IPGRI was requested to is done through a population survey
mandarin orange, jackfruit, guava explore possibility of developing using morphological traits, population
and Aonla (Indian gooseberry) for descriptors for pummelo and structure and differences in habitats
India, Bangladesh and Pakistan, mangosteen and also to organize and DNA analysis. Understanding the
durian and rambutan for a genebank-training course for extent and distribution of population and
Philippines and Thailand, and scientists and technicians from genetic variation is the basis for
mangosteen for Indonesia. UTFANET member countries. conservation efforts on these important
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 8
bamboo species in China. Population variation in bamboo forest range. The maximum clump
So far, the site selection, survey in Western Ghats, India diameter (2.67 m), culm height (21 m)
methodology and field investigations and culm diameter (8.89 cm) werePopulation variability studies, supported
recorded in Kulgi forest range. The
and collecting of samples for wood by IPGRI, in Bambusa bambos and
distribution of D. strictus was quite
properties as well as RAPD analysis Dendrocalamus strictus were carried out dense (138.5 to 521.25 clumps ha-1).
have been completed. Seventeen plots by the University of Agricultural Sciences, The maximum clump diameter (0.99 m),
of P. pubescens and 4 of D. latiflorus Dharwad in Uttara Kannada district of culm height (10.2 m) and culm diameter
have been sampled and investigated. Karnataka, India, situated in the Western (4.19 cm) were recorded in Barchi forest
Field survey data is being analyzed. Ghats. The study area comprised of 18 range. Elite clumps (11 in each species)
Methodology for RAPD work has been transects (200 × 20 m each) in case of have been identified for ex situ
tested and actual study is in progress B. bambos and three transects in case conservation and mass multiplication
[Abstracted from Fu Maoyi and Jiang of D. strictus. Both species exhibited through tissue culture techniques
Jingmin. 1999. Population survey and remarkable variation in distribution and [Abstracted from Patil, V.C. 1999.
genetic analysis of Phyllostachys morphometric characters. In B. bambos, Studies on the genetic diversity and
pubescens and Dendrocalamus the number of clumps per ha ranged conservation of bamboo in Western
latiflorus, IPGRI Project Report. IPGRI- from 58 to 350. The number of culms Ghats of Karnataka, India. IPGRI Project
APO, Serdang]. per clump (15.3) was higher in Dandeli Report. IPGRI-APO, Serdang].
National
CHINA agricultural development, and of large equipments and 313 research
environmental protection in the 21st projects including 160 projects
Seedless ponkan orange century, the Chinese Academy of supported by central government and
variety released Agricultural Sciences (CAAS) has 36 projects supported by international
‘Qianyang Wuhe Ponkan’ is a seedless established two important centres, organizations. For international
variety of ponkan (Citrus ponkan) namely, the Centre of Crop Germplasm cooperation, the partnership has been
developed from bud mutant of the Resources and Crop Improvement, and established with CIMMYT, IAEA, IRRI,
conventional ponkan (Chinese honey the Centre of Agricultural Resources and IPGRI, etc.
orange) by the Hunan Citrus Environment. Operation: The Centre integrates the use
Cooperative Research Group. The These two centres will help to promote of resources and expertise as well as
variety is characterized by vigorous the quality and diversity of food supply, the research programmes from the three
growth, early maturity, high fruit yield as well as to increase the efficiency of institutes and functions as a national
and wide adaptability. Studies on food production. research organization with focus on
grafting, artificial pollination and scientific research and development,
morphological observations indicated Centre of Crop Germplasm production and network activities.
that the variety does not produce any Resources and Crop
seed in successive generations, which Improvement (CCGRCI) Mission: The Centre’s mission is to
means its seedless character is explore the new management model andCCGRCI has been established by
genetically stable. The variety has very operating mechanism, to organize andintegrating the existing three institutes,
good quality, meeting China's national coordinate the research activities tonamely, Institute of Crop Germplasm
commercial standard of GB210-87 and develop proposals for important nationalResources, Institute of Crop Breeding
ZBB 31004-88, with a beautiful fruit research projects and internationaland Cultivation and Institute of
shape, crisp flesh, good flavour and a cooperation and to coordinateApplication of Atomic Energy. The new
proper ratio of sugar/acid. This variety programme development,Centre specializes in crop genetic
has been approved for release by Hunan implementation, assessment andresources conservation and
Crop Variety Release Committee and management for key researchimprovement. The Centre has 2
will be a desired orange variety to be academicians, 11 PhD degree programmes indicated in the tenth Five
grown in the country [Wu Shuling, supervisors and 195 senior scientists Year Plan.
Hunan Agricultural Research Newsletter, (38 Professors and 157 Associate Objectives: The Centre aims at
Hunan Academy of Agricultural Professors). The Centre is also breakthrough in key areas, such as
Sciences, Vol.6, No.2, June 15, 1999].
designated as the national centre for development of science and technology,
Two research centres wheat and maize improvement, soybean genetic resources enhancement,
established at CAAS improvement and quality testing and conservation and utilization, crop variety
also as the national genebank. The improvement, and promoting research
To meet the challenges of population Centre currently holds 355 000 capacity of the Centre to an international
increase, food security, sustainable accessions as base collection, 493 items standard.
9 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
Programmes: The programmes at the agricultural resources; sustainable Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical
Centre include broadening and agricultural development; equitable Garden, CAS, Menglun, Mengla,
enhancing the germplasm base for allocation and use of water resources, Yunnan 6666303, China. Tel: 86-691-
wheat, rice, corn, soybean, millets and and economizing water for irrigation in 8715463; Fax: 86-691-8715070.
legumes; developing high yielding, better dry areas; strategy and plan for
quality and resistant varieties of these regionalized agricultural development; Establishment of Natural
crops; conserving, characterizing and remote sensing application in Protected Area for Wild
evaluating germplasm and identifying agriculture; issues in ecological Rice
desirable genes for use in breeding agriculture; and climate change and The survey in the eastern coastland of
programmes; developing new breeding agriculture [For details contact: the Guangdong Province has indicated
technologies, including biotechnology, Professor Xu Yuexian, Director General, that out of the wild rice habitats that
molecular breeding and transgenic Centre of Agricultural Resources and existed in this region in the 1980s, only
breeding; developing techniques and Environment (CARE), CAAS, 30 Bai Shi a few remained in 1997. The wild rice
methods for cultivation in farming Qiao Road, Beijing 100081, China. Fax: habitats distributed along the roads,
systems and adopting new technologies 86-10-62184142]. near the paddy fields and small
in production [For details contact:
Professor Yang Yansheng, Director Rare, Endangered and
channels have almost disappeared.
There were several wild rice habitats in
General, Centre of Crop Germplasm Endemic Plant Germplasm Haifeng County with an area of 10 ha,
Resources and Crop Improvement Bank (REEP) but these have disappeared now.
(CCGRCI), CAAS, 30 Bai Shi Qiao
Rare, Endangered and Endemic Plant Fortunately, a habitat of Oryza rufipogon
Road, Beijing, 100081, China, Fax: 86-
Germplasm Bank (REEP) of The Type with an area of 13 ha still occurs in
10-62184142].
Culture Collection, the Chinese Huilai County. This habitat is located in
Centre of Agricultural Academy of Sciences (TCCCAS) was a waterlogged lowland which covers a
Resources and Environment established in 1996. It is located at total area of 26.7 ha. Within this habitat,
(CARE) Xishuangbanna Tropical Botanical in an area of 7 ha, wild rice dominates
CARE is composed of six research Garden, the Chinese Academy of
among several weeds while in an area
institutes and has 549 staff including Sciences. REEP is set up to devote
of about 6 ha, weeds dominate a
186 senior scientists and 1 academician. attention towards the collecting and scattered population of wild rice. This
The Centre aims to promote research distribution of non-domesticated, rare, habitat is probably the largest one for
in the areas related to agricultural endangered and endemic plant species wild rice in the Guangdong Province,
resources and environment, to enhance in China, especially in tropical and located in the coastal region with altitude
research capability, and to supervise the subtropical areas. The items stored are of 16.6 m and waterlogged all the year
management of resources and seed and tissue culture strains. Seeds round to 50-150 cm. During high rainfall,
environment. are conserved at –20°C, 4°C and 15°C. the depth of water goes upto   2 m for
Seed is re-tested by germination and 1-2 days. Around the habitat, there are
Mission: The Centre’s mission is to tissue culture strain inoculated at certain hilly dry lands far from paddy fields.
coordinate and organize basic and intervals. Research carried out within Therefore, there is less possibility of
applied research on agricultural laboratories of Seed Physiology, Tissue crossing with cultivated rice. Even if
resources and environment in the Culture and Isozyme Analysis supports crossing takes place, the hybrid seeds
relevant institutes to: carry out the policy the Bank by improving methods for can hardly germinate because they will
research and provide consultation on diagnosing storage behaviour of seeds mostly fall into the field with deep water.
the national or regional agricultural and tissue culture strains, monitoring The wild rice occurring in this habitat
resources and environmental issues; their storage characteristics, and is, therefore, genetically identical.
coordinate and organize the programme evaluating the genetic variation during Obviously, the habitat has special
planning and application for the tenth storage. Two senior consultants, Mr characteristics for in situ conservation
Five Year Plan in the areas of Zhao Junkai, senior engineer from of wild rice, represented by a marginal
agricultural resources and environment; Chinese National Crop Genebank at population of O. rufipogon. Considering
conduct national and international Beijing, and Dr Simon Linington, Seed the scientific and social importance of
scientific exchange and training, and Bank Manager from the Kew Seed Bank this site, there is need for urgent action
produce high level publications including of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew, U.K and effective policy to establish a natural
a journal on agricultural resources and are engaged for the bank management protected area, otherwise this wild rice
environment. and germplasm storage technique habitat will disappear soon, resulting in
Major research areas: These include development. The seed and tissue irreversible loss [Pan Dajian and Liang
studies on degradation of agricultural culture strains in REEP are available Neng, Rice Research Institute,
environments and their protection for distribution and exchange in China Guangdong Academy of Agricultural
through integrated management; free of charge and can be obtained by Sciences, 510640, Guangzhou, China.
sustainable and effective use of writing to Professor Xu Zaifu, Director, Tel: 86-20-87596577].
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 10
Dr Te-Tzu Chang Receives Tyler Prize conducting yield trials in various District
Agricultural Farms and farmers’ plots
The 1999 Tyler Prize for shortages in tropical Asia and Latin in Kerala during the past 10 years.
Environmental Achievement has been America over the past three decades.
conferred on Dr Te-Tzu Chang who Cassava: The two varieties released in
has made monumental contributions Dr Chang was the first to foresee the cassava, viz., Sree Jaya (CI-649) and
towards solving the problems of food danger of genetic erosion and took Sree Vijaya (CI-731) are selections from
production. He is the world authority measures to preserve these indigenous germplasm. They have the
on rice who spent major part of his irreplaceable resources. He mobilized unique features of early maturity (6-7
career in the capacity of a plant efforts in 14 Asian nations and several months), good culinary quality and are
breeder, geneticist, and Head of the African nations to undertake massive especially suitable for lowland cultivation
International Rice Germplasm Centre field collections of nearly     40 000 as a rotation crop in rice based cropping
at the International Rice Research rice specimens, many on the brink of system. Sree Jaya gives 26-30 t/ha root
Institute (IRRI) for conservation and extinction and found only in remote yield, while Sree Vijaya yields 25-28 t/
utilization of rice. His research on the parts of the world. This increased ha. The former possesses white flesh
evolution and genetic variation of rice IRRI’s holdings to over    80 000 tubers with 24-27% starch, while the
has led to major advances in plant samples, the largest collection for a latter has yellow flesh tubers with 27-
breeding including disease resistance single crop, ensuring future 30% starch. Both possess low tolerable
and the innovative use of the “semi- generations’ access to this rich genetic levels of cyanogen, 40-60 ppm, and are
dwarfing” gene to develop high resource. Over the years, Dr Chang preferred as directly edible varieties by
yielding varieties of rice that helped has generously shared his expertise the farmers and local consumers. Both
launch the “Green Revolution” in the in genetic conservation with are erect, late branching varieties with
1960s. His contributions resulted in agricultural research centres in China, sessile, easily harvestable tubers and
the development of new high yielding India and Taiwan. As an outstanding are characterized by showing flowering
rice varieties which boosted food scientist, he has received several and seed set.
production and prevented rice international honours. Yams: In India, the edible yams belong
to two species, viz., Disocorea alata
INDIA effective information sharing without (greater yam) and D. esculenta (lesser
duplication of research, ii) research
Agricultural Research yam). Seven varieties have already beendocumentation storage and retrieval, iii)
Information System (ARIS) released through clonal selection,dissemination of research findings and including two indigenous species and
India has established a fairly advanced better coordination among research and the introduced species D.rotundata from
National Agricultural Research System development agencies, iv) Information CTCRI for cultivation in the yam growing
(NARS). To strengthen information exchange at all levels to support areas of the country. The new variety,
management within Indian NARS, an administration in policy-making. To meet Sree Shilpa, released in 1998 is a hybrid
Agricultural Research Information ARIS objectives, four application variety developed through selection from
System (ARIS) has been started at the softwares have been developed at the a cross between the germplasm
ICAR to link its institutes (45), Project ICAR headquarters. For details contact: accession ‘Da-140’ and the released
Directorates (10), National Research Dr S.S. Tomar, Assistant Director variety ‘Sree Keerthi’. Incidentally this
Centres (30), All-India Coordinated General (ARIS), ICAR, Krishi Bhavan, is the first hybrid to be released in the
Research Projects (86), State New Delhi 110 001 [ICAR News, April- crop anywhere in the world. It has
Agricultural Universities (28) including June 1999]. shown 15% increase in dry matter over
their Zonal Agricultural Research Sree Keerthi (33-35%) and is at par in
Centres (120), Central Agricultural PGR activities at Central yield (28 t/ha). The tubers are oval,
Universities, Krishi Vigyan Kendras Tuber Crops Research smooth, medium in size, having easy
(KVKs) and several other research and Institute (CTCRI) harvestability and good culinary quality.
regional stations. Besides the supply of Promising varieties of tuber The variety has been found suitable for
network computer peripherals and crops identified cultivation in coastal and interior plains
connectivity, the study of current status, of Kerala. Besides other
training after installation and visit of Evaluation and utilization of genetic agromorphological characters, it shows
experts to the centres are the regular stocks of tuber crops has resulted in regular flowering and seed set.
activities of the ARIS support team. the identification of four new varieties;
two in cassava, one hybrid variety in Elephant foot yam: Sree Padma, the
With the active participation of ARIS in greater yam (Dioscorea alata), and one new variety of Amorphophallus released
the recent years, the use of computers clonal selection in elephant foot yam in Kerala is a selection from the
and related technologies have increased (Amorphophallus paeoniifolius). These indigenous germplasm from Wynad
significantly throughout the NARS. Major were released for cultivation in Kerala district of Kerala. The crop matures in
objectives of the ARIS Network are: i) State. The varieties were selected after 8-9 months, gives an average corm yield
11 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
of 42 t/ha and possesses yield potential Conservation and cuttings was achieved by treating them
of 80 t/ha at a spacing of 90 x 90 cm. improvement of Chinese with Indole Butyric Acid (IBA) (500, 1000
It was found to yield 37% higher than cassia and 2000 ppm). Air layering in 2-year
the released variety Gajendra. The old plants was reported with 88% rooting
corms have 12.5% starch and are free Chinese cassia (Cinnamomum cassia in July and 50% rooting in November,
from acridity. The variety was found to (L.) Bercht. & Presl. syn. C. aromaticum and with 100% establishment of plants
flower and set seed on pollination and Nees) indigenous to China, is an in the field.
is being used for genetic improvement important tree-spice and is generally
Micropropagation with a multiplication
in the crop. propagated through seeds. A total of
35 Chinese cassia plants, collected from rate of 5-6 shoots was observed in a
Testing and popularization of a private estate at Anamalai hills preliminary trial. WPM supplemented
released varieities (Western Ghats), near Valparai, with cytokinins (BAP 3mgl
- +Kin 1mgl-)
A concerted programme for Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, are being induced multiple shoots from nodal
multiplication of healthy planting maintained at the National Conservatory segments of mature trees.
materials of root and tuber crops was of Chinese cassia germplasm at the At present, Germplasm Conservatory of
initiated during 1998 in collaboration Indian Institute of Spices Research the IISR, Calicut, has hundreds of
with the Departments of Agriculture in (IISR), Calicut. rooted/layered quality Chinese cassia
the states of Kerala and Tamil Nadu. Crop Improvement programme in plants and the future programme of the
The programme envisages Chinese cassia aims at selection of high institute includes interspecific
popularization of released varieties by yielding and better quality varieties. The hybridization of C. cassia and C. verum
supplying healthy planting sets/vines accessions were evaluated for to upgrade the later. For details, contact:
and tubers to the farmers so as to morphological characters and quality B. Krishnamoorthy, Senior Scientist,
subject these varieties to selection by parameters. The performance of the Indian Institute of Spices Research,
farmers and their preferential adoption accessions was found relatively good Calicut (Kerala) 673 012 [ICAR News,
to suit their specific needs. in plains, like Peruvannamuzhi (30 m Vol.5, No.1, Jan-March 1999].
above msl). Two accessions showed
In vitro conservation of root PGR Conservation and
and tuber crops germplasm high bark-oleoresin (>10%) and 3
accessions showed high bark-oil (>4%) Use at Vivekananda
Work is in progress in building up In and higher cinnamaldehyde content (85- Parvatiya Krishi
vitro Active Genebank (IVAG) of root 90%). Taking into consideration the Anusandhan Sansthan
and tuber crops using slow growth overall chemical and flavour profiles,
cultures. A total of 500 cultures of Vivekananda Parvatiya Krishibesides regeneration capacity, 3
cassava, 70 of sweet potato and 80 of Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS),promising lines have been selected, and
Dioscorea have been conserved in Almora is a pioneer research institutethey are being tested in pre-release
vitro. in hill agriculture, committed to evolveevaluation trials.
sustainable agriculture production
[Dr S. Edison, Director, Central Tuber Vegetative propagation of Chinese technology to meet the needs of the
Crops Research Institute, Sreekariyam, cassia by cutting and layering has been farmers of north western Himalaya.
Thiruvananthapuram 695 017, Kerala]. standardized. Rooting of semi-hardwood Realizing the paramount importance of
agro-biodiversity in improving the
genetic potential of crops, VPKAS has
made systematic efforts to harness it.
As a result, the institute has a rich
collection of germplasm (Table 1).
Concerted efforts made by crop
breeders of this institute to harness the
potential of available genetic
biodiversity, directly or indirectly, have
resulted in the development of 23 high
yielding varieties of 13 crops. These
include rice: VL Dhan 8, VL Dhan 206;
finger millet: VL Mandua 101, VL
Mandua 204, VL Mandua 124; barnyard
millet: VL Madira 8, VL Madira 29, VL
Madira 21; lentil: VL Masoor 4; field
pea: VL Matar 1; gruns: VL Gruns 5;
'Sree Jaya 649' – A high yielding cassava variety (Contd. on page 13)
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 12
COGENT Update
Recent Activities the course will include lectures on also be presented on projects for
effective report writing and seminar increasing coconut-based farming
Participation in the ADB Phase
2 project presentation by Mr Paul Stapleton. incomes. The meeting will be attended
Head, Editorial and Publications Unit, by project leaders of the IFAD-funded
The Pacific island countries (PIC), IPGRI, Rome; project proposal project from 14 countries, donors and
namely, Cook Islands, Kiribati, Marshall formulation by Dr Pons Batugal, representatives from IPGRI and partner
Islands and Tuvalu have agreed to COGENT Coordinator, and Dr Dimyati institutions. It will be hosted by the Oil
participate in the Asian Development Nangju, Technical Adviser, ADB and Plant Institute (OPI) and funded by IFAD
Bank (ADB) Phase 2 project which aims public awareness strategy formulation and IPGRI.
to collect, characterize and conserve and implementation by Dr Ruth
valuable coconut genetic resources in ADB funded project-secondRaymond, Senior Scientist, Public annual meeting
20 countries of the Asia-Pacific region. Awareness, IPGRI, Rome. The
The national project leaders are Mr Tiara workshop will be attended by project The second annual meeting for Phase
Mataora (Research Officer, Totokoitu leaders of the ADB and IFAD funded 2 of the ADB funded project entitled
Research Station), Mr Tokintekai projects in 16 countries and “Coconut genetic resources and
Bakineti (Agroforestry Officer, Ministry representatives from partner human resources strengthening in Asia
of Natural Resources Development), Mr institutions. and the Pacific” will be held on 16 –
Henry Capelle (Agroforestry Officer, 18 September 1999 in Ho Chi Minh
Ministry of Resources and Development) Data analysis course City, Vietnam. The meeting will review
and Mr Sam Panapa (Plant Protection A training course on data analysis will the 1998/1999 accomplishments and
Officer, Ministry of Natural Resources be conducted on 6–10 September 1999 1999/2000 proposed workplans of the
and Environment), respectively. Mr at SEARCA, Los Baños, Philippines. 20 countries involved in coconut
Jean-Pierre Labouisse of CIRAD and The project leaders of the ADB and projects. Progress reports of the
currently Head of the Coconut Division, IFAD funded projects will participate in human resource development
Vanuatu Agricultural Research and the course. The lectures will be delivered component will also be presented
Training Centre (VRTC), is the overall by Dr P.N. Mathur (IPGRI, APO-New together with reports on the
project coordinator. He successfully Delhi), Ms Connie Reano of the Institute biotechnology and embryo culture
organized training on the “Standardized of Plant Breeding, Philippines, and research activities. Three host
Research Techniques in Coconut others on genetic diversity analysis, countries will also present reports on
Breeding (STANTECH)” involving the basic statistical concepts, principles of the activities of the respective
above-mentioned four project leaders at experimental design and analysis of International Coconut Genebanks
VRTC from 30 June–9 July 1999. It is germplasm evaluation trials. The course (ICG). The meeting will be attended by
expected that these PIC countries will is funded by both ADB and IFAD, and project leaders, donors, and
collect and conserve the germplasm and jointly organized by SEARCA and representatives from IPGRI and
will also send and receive germplasm IPGRI/COGENT. partner institutions. It will be hosted by
from other countries to be used for IFAD funded project-second the Oil Plant Institute and funded by
developing improved varieties and annual meeting ADB and IPGRI. A field trip to the
hybrids.
The second annual meeting of the IFAD- coconut growing Ben Tre Province will
Future Activities funded project entitled "Sustainable use be organized on 19 September 1999,
of coconut genetic resources for in conjunction with the annual project
Training workshop on technical enhancing the income and nutrition of meetings in Vietnam. It will be a good
writing, seminar presentation smallholders in Asia and the Pacific" opportunity for the participants to visit
and public awareness
will be held on 13–15 September 1999 the Coconut Research Station,
A training workshop on “Technical in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. The research projects and various sectors
writing, seminar presentation and public meeting will review the 1998/1999 of the coconut industry in Vietnam.
awareness” will be held on 30 August accomplishments and 1999/2000 work 8th Steering Committee meeting
to 4 September 1999 at the Southeast plans of the 14 countries involved.
Asian Centre for Graduate Study and Reports will be presented on farmer The COGENT Steering Committee (SC)
Research in Agriculture (SEARCA), Los participatory research to promote multi- determines programme priorities and
Baños, Philippines. The workshop will purpose uses of the coconut, to identify oversees the various COGENT
be funded by both ADB and IFAD, and suitable varieties, and to apply these activities. The SC comprises of ten
jointly organized by SEARCA and findings in strategies for coconut representatives from COGENT’s 35
IPGRI/COGENT. The main topics for germplasm conservation. Reports will member countries, i.e. two each from
13 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
the five sub-networks, namely, South The 8th Steering Committee meeting activities of COGENT, IPGRI and
Asia, Southeast Asia, South Pacific, will be held on 20 – 22 September collaborating partner institutions. It will
Africa and the Indian Ocean, and Latin 1999 in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. also discuss the COGENT work and
America and the Caribbean. The The meeting will be attended by the action plan 1999 and draft plan for
COGENT Coordinator, who acts as the SC members and representatives from 2000. The meeting will be funded by
ex-officio member, and the Executive partner institutions. The meeting will IPGRI/COGENT [Dr Pons Batugal,
Director, APCC are non-voting review progress of the five COGENT COGENT Coordinator, IPGRI-APO,
members. regional networks, and projects and Serdang, Malaysia].
(Contd. from page 11) intraspecific differentiation in Asian rice.
The gene hwd2 was preferentially found
Table 1. Hill crop germplasm maintained at VPKAS, Almora
in japonica rice, while it was not frequent
Crop Group Indigenous Exotic Unknown Total in indica rice cultivars. The function of
hwd2 is to be investigated, to
Cereals 2231 2276 376 4883 understand its evolutionary role in Asian
Legumes 698 742 61 1501 rice.
Vegetables 508 - - 508 QTL analysis for field resistance to rice
blast disease: Japanese upland rice
Spices and condiments 67 4 - 71
cultivars are potential gene donors for
Millets and underutilized spp. 1528 126 60 1714 field resistance. QTL mapping of genes
Fodder and agroforestry spp. 16 16 33 65 for field resistance to blast in Japanese
upland rice was investigated using RFLP
Total 5048 3164 530 8742 markers. Five QTLs were detected on 4
chromosomes. Two out of 5 QTLs,
French bean: VL Bauni Bean 1, VL Lata characteristics , v) QTL analysis for field which were located on chromosome 4,
Bean 17, VL Rajma 63; groundnut: resistance to rice blast and seedling played a major role in the expression of
Sulamit; sweet potato: VL Sakarkand emergence. field resistance in Japanese upland rice.
6, VL Sakarkand 19; buckwheat: VL
Recent research studies
Ugal 7; maize: VL Makka 4, VL Makka Genetic differentiation and geographical
42; and onion: VL Piaz 3. Efforts are in Exploration and collecting of rice in distribution of barley germplasm :
progress to exploit desirable attributes Vietnam: Since 1994, joint explorations Genetic variation and phylogenetic
by NIAR, Japan and Vietnam have been relationships among global accessionsof native or exotic genetic resources
conducted for collecting rice germplasm. of barley germplasm were studied usingthrough recombination breeding using
By 1998, seven exploration missions RAPD markers. They were divided intodesired genotypes to further enhance
and sustain the productivity of major had been undertaken for collecting rice
three major groups. Group A comprised
accessions from all over the world and
hill crops to meet the food demand of landraces in northern and central
the region. Efforts are also underway to Vietnam. Most of the accessions were
indicated the westward distribution of
collected in mountainous regions and barley from West Asia to Europe acrossinstall medium term storage facilities at
were maintained by minority tribes. They Ethiopia and the Mediterranean region.the institute. [Drs. V.S. Chauhan and
In Group A, sub-groups existed
R.K. Sharma, VPKAS, Almora 263 601 were analyzed for field characteristics
(U.P.), India]. and biochemical characteristics such as
according to the spike morphology.
esterase isozyme patterns, SDS-PAGE Group B consisted of the accessions
JAPAN patterns of seed protein and reaction of from East Asia and Central Asia and
seeds to phenol. Accessions from Group C consisted of hull-less forms
Laboratory of Plant northern provinces showed wide from Central Asia and the Caucasus
Genetic Diversity, NIAR variation in isozyme types. region.
The major research objectives of the Distribution of the genes controlling Geographical distribution of Wx alleles
Laboratory of Plant Genetic Diversity at hybrid breakdown and intraspecific for low amylose content in endosperm
the National Institute of Agrobiological differentiation in Asian rice: Hybrid of foxtail millet: From accessions of
Research (NIAR) are: i) exploration and breakdown is one of the reproductive foxtail millet (Setaria italica), an
collecting of plant genetic resources in barriers found in the progeny of the intermediate type between glutinous
Japan and overseas, ii) analysis of crosses between different varieties in and non-glutinous starch types was
diversity in plants, iii) detection of the Asian rice. Hybrid breakdown is found, and the amylose content of
mechanisms controlling reproductive controlled by a set of genes hwd1 and endosperm was lower in these
barriers of plants, iv) exploration and hwd2. These genes were analyzed to varieties. To clarify the genetic control
collecting of PGR possessing useful understand the mechanisms of of low amylose content in foxtail millet,
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 14
low amylose varieties from the National Conference on and ii) conservation of plant genetic
Philippines, Taiwan and Thailand were Wild Relatives of resources facing extinction.
reciprocally crossed with glutinous and Cultivated Plants
non-glutinous varieties. Segregation for A total of 5476 seed samples and
starch properties in F2 populations This conference was organized by the
vegetative materials of different crops
suggested that lowering amylose Green Energy Mission, Nepal at the were collected from indigenous sources
content in endosperm starch of foxtail Nepal Agricultural Research Council or introduced from abroad in 1996.
millet be controlled by alleles at the (NARC) on 2-4 June 1999. The These included 993 indigenous and
Wx loci. conference was supported by IPGRI- 4543 exotic accessions. By 1996, 77
APO, International Centre for Integrated 325 accessions of different crops have
NEPAL Mountain Development (ICIMOD), been evaluated to investigate
NARC-IRRI Collaboration NARC, Ministry of Science and morphological, physiological, and agro-
Technology, Action Aid, Nepal, economical traits at corresponding crop
A workshop on strengthening CIMMYT, Lutheran World Federation breeding stations with a characterization
collaboration between the Nepal and LI-BIRD.  The meeting was ratio of 57.3%.
Agricultural Research Council (NARC) attended by 100 participants. The topics
and the International Rice Research covered highlighted the status of wild The RDA Genebank maintains 135 005
Institute (IRRI) for rice improvement in relatives and one session encompassed accessions in long-term and/or medium,
Nepal was held in Kathmandu from 4- IPR, Farmers' Rights and Food Security short-term storage rooms. These consist
6 February 1999. About one hundred issues. Work on IPGRI in situ of rice, wheat, barley, legumes, coarse
delegates attended this meeting which conservation project was also presented. grains, industrial crops, forage crops
was divided into four different groups, and others. By 1996, 70 873 accessions
namely, Varietal Improvement, REPUBLIC OF KOREA have been released to national research
Germplasm Collection and
stations, educational institutes, seed
Conservation, Crops and Resources PGR Studies at the
National Institute for companies and individuals at home andManagement, and Human Resource
Agricultural Science and abroad (Table 1).Development. The delegates had in-
depth discussions on various issues Technology Future research programmes aim at: i)
related to rice improvement. It was
The PGR activities at the National establishment of network system onstressed that collaboration between
NARC and IRRI should focus on the Institute for Agricultural Science and
PGR, ii) further characterization,
evaluation, and regeneration of PGR,
following programme areas: i) crop and Technology focused on: i)
resources use in the rice wheat system, characterization, evaluation, and
and iii) systematic conservation of
vegetatively propagated crops.
ii) varietal improvement for drought utilization of plant genetic resources,
tolerance, better quality and pest Table 1. Germplasm distributed to different agencies
resistance including germplasm
collecting and conservation, iii) Category Before 1995 During 1996 Total
technology sharing and policy support,
and iv) rice-based livestock agriculture National Research Stations 40 369 16 445 56 814
through linkages with the International
Extension units 16 - 16
Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) and
International Crops Research Institute Colleges 6 090 1 610 7 700
for the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT). Seed companies 2 635 - 2 635
MoU between NARC and IRRI will be
developed for further collaboration and International research institutes 979 2 387 3 366
development of action plan [NARC Others 342 - 342
Newsletter, Vol.6, No.1, January-March
1999]. Total 50 431 20 442 70 873
Meetings/Trainings
BHUTAN : National Training Semtokha from 10-18 August 1999 Agriculture and related agencies
Course on Plant Genetic jointly with National Biodiversity participated in this course to learn
Resources Documentation in Programme (NBP) of the Ministry of various softwares which can be used
Bhutan Agriculture, Royal Government of for documenting the plant genetic
IPGRI-APO organized a national training Bhutan. Fifteen participants from resources. The course covered a wide
course on PGR documentation at different Divisions of the Ministry of range of topics: introduction to
15 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
SRI LANKA : Global
Biodiversity Forum – South and
Southeast Asia, Ministry of
Forestry and Environment,
Colombo, 24-26 October 1999.
This workshop will be convened by the
World Conservation Union (ICUN) and
United Nations Environment Programme
(UNEP) in collaboration with the
Secretariat of the Convention on
Biological Diversity (CBD). The main
objective of the Global Biodiversity
Forum (GBF) will be to provide a
regional perspective and to feed the
deliberations of the 5th meeting of the
Subsidiary Body on Scientific, Technical
and Technological Advice (SBSTTA) to
Documentation training organized at Semtokha, Bhutan the CBD being held in January 2000 at
Montreal, France. The regional GBF will
genebanks and documentation systems; the nutrition impact of international focus on: ecosystem approach to
developing, implementing and agricultural research. In particular, the conservation with special reference to
maintaining genebank documentation results of 4 years of work evolving from arid and semi-arid ecosystems
systems; regeneration, multiplication the CGIAR Micronutrients Project will (including arid mountains) and coastal
and characterization of germplasm; be prominently featured. This project and marine ecosystem; sustainable use
analysis for genebank database; data seeks to breed staple food crops that of biodiversity; alien invasive species;
exchange and use of the concept of are rich in micronutrients and involves biodiversity friendly practices and
Data Interchange Protocol (DIP); 4 CGIAR centers (IFPRI, IRRI, CIMMYT technologies; developing and
developing electronic germplasm and CIP), the University of Adelaide, implementing national biodiversity
catalogues using DIPVIEW; some basic the USDA laboratories at Cornell strategies and action plans and
statistical concepts and use of Excel University and the University of examples from Southeast Asia [For
for statistical analysis, etc. The California at Berkeley. further information contact: Dr P.
participants found this training useful Balakrishna, GBF-SSEA Coordinator,
CHINA : International
and it is expected that the PGR IUCN – The World Conservation Union,
Symposium on Desertification,
researchers in Bhutan will be able to South and Southeast Asia RegionalLanzhou City, 6-11 October
develop a software programme that can Biodiversity Programme, 48 Vajiya1999.
be adopted throughout the country as a Road, Colombo 5, Sri Lanka; Tel: 94-
standard system for plant genetic The Third World Academy of Sciences 74-510517; Fax: +94-1-580500; Email:
resources documentation. (TWAS) and Chinese Academy of pbala@sltnet.lk].
Sciences (CAS) are jointly organizing
Forthcoming Meetings an International Symposium on INDIA : International
‘Desertification in the Developing Symposium on Citriculture at
PHILIPPINES : CGIAR Countries’. The symposium will be held the National Research Centre for
Workshop on ‘Improving from 6-11 October 1999 in Lanzhou City Citrus (ICAR), Nagpur 440070,
Human Nutrition Through of China. The Institute of Desert Maharashtra, 23-27 November
Agriculture: The Role of Research of the Chinese Academy of 1999.
International Agricultural Sciences (CAS) and International Centre This symposium is being organized by
Research Centres, International for Research and Training on the Indian Society of Citriculture,
Rice Research Institute, Los Desertification Control (ICRTDC) will be Nagpur, Maharashtra; Indian Council of
Baños, 5-7 October 1999.
the host institutions. The programme will Agricultural Research (ICAR), New Delhi
The objective of the workshop is to bring consist of paper presentations, scientific and the National Research Centre for
the international nutritionists and exchange, and field trip to desert Citrus, Nagpur, Maharashtra. The theme
international agricultural communities research experiment station [For details of the symposium will be ‘Citrus for 21st
together in order to evaluate current contact: Prof. Wang Tao, Institute of century’. The five technical sessions will
partnerships and to identify promising Desert Research, Chinese Academy of stress on: citrus improvement, citrus
areas for future partnerships. This will Sciences, 260 Donggang West Road, biotechnology, integrated production
be achieved through the presentation Lanzhou, China; Fax: +86-931-8889950 system, integrated pests and disease
and discussion of recent results from Tel: +86-931-8847805 E-mail: management, and post-harvest
within the CGIAR on efforts to enhance icrtdc@ns.lzb.ac.cn]. technology. Poster presentations,
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 16
satellite meetings and special lectures Conference 2000, as part of IRRI’s 40th transformation techniques for decisions
on topical issues will be arranged. The Anniversary celebrations, will focus on on what to conserve ex situ, GIS
symposium aims at taking stock of work the irrigated ecosystem and provide a application for genetic resources
done on citrus in global perspective and forum for rice scientists to present management, application of genomic
to exchange views to facilitate future research results and exchange ideas. sciences for a better understanding of
research needs for sound citrus industry The topics to be covered include: genepools and germplasm
at national/international level [For more increasing yield potential in irrigated rice; enhancement and pre-breeding [For
details contact, Dr Shyam Singh, breaking the barrier; exploitation and details contact: Ms Patti Sands,
Director, National Research Centre for utilization of heterosis in rice; breeding Programme Assistant to the Deputy
Citrus, Nagpur 440 070, India]. for abiotic stress tolerance, durable host- Director General (Programmes),
plant resistance; integrated nutrient and International Plant Genetic Resources
THAILAND : Second
pest management, water and weed Institute (IPGRI), Via delle Sette Chiese
International Conference on
Vetiver (ICV-2). Phetchaburi, management in direct seeded rice and 142, 00145 Rome, Italy. Email:
Thailand, 17-21 January 2000. impart techniques on food security and P.Sands@cgiar.org; Fax
poverty alleviation [For details contact: (39)0651892249].
This conference will be organized by Dr Shaobing Peng, Chair, Organizing
the Office of the Royal Development CHINA : InternationalCommittee, International Rice Research
Projects Board of Thailand in Symposium on BiotechnologyConference 2000, International Rice
collaboration with the Chaipattana Application in HorticulturalResearch Institute (IRRI), PO Box 3127,
Foundation, to commemorate the South Crops, Beijing, China, 4-81271 Makati City, Philippines. Fax: 63- September 2000.
Cycle Birthday Anniversary of His 2-891-1292; Email: s.peng@cgiar.org].
Majesty, the King of Thailand. The main The Symposium will be sponsored by
objective of the conference is to stress MALAYSIA : International the Chinese Society for Horticultural
that vetiver grass is one of the simple Conference on Science and Science (CSHS), the International Plant
and low cost solutions to deal with a Technology for Managing Plant Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI) and
st
broad and ever increasing range of Genetic Diversity in the 21 the International Potato Centre (CIP)
Century, KL Hilton International,
environmental problems. The Liaison Office in Beijing. It will be
Kuala Lumpur, 12-16 June 2000.
conference theme thus is ‘Towards the supported by the Department of
new millennium; an era of practical and The conference will be supported by the International Cooperation and the
economical methods of vetiver utilization Ministry of Science, Technology and Department of Science and Education,
for environmental conservation and Environment, Government of Malaysia, Ministry of Agriculture and the China
protection’. The deliberations will cover the FAO, the Palm Oil Research Association for Science and Technology.
aspects on new techniques for its Institute of Malaysia (PORIM), Forest The theme of the Symposium
utilization, conservation, environmental Research Institute, Malaysia (FRIM), “Biotechnology Benefiting Mankind” will
protection and dissemination/exchange and the International Plant Genetic deal with the topics of biotechnology
of knowledge among the different vetiver Resources Institute (IPGRI). The such as tissue culture, cell fusion, gene
network units. conference will deliberate on the transformation and molecular markers
following themes amongst other PGR with focus on horticultural crops [For
PHILIPPINES : International issues: technologies for conservation, more information contact: Dr Fang
Rice Research Conference: Rice role of bio-informatics in conservation, Zhiyuan, Secretary General of CSHS,
Research for Food Security and on-farm management of plant genetic Institute of Vegetable and Flowers,
Poverty Alleviation, IRRI, Los resources, in situ conservation of wild Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Baños, Laguna, 31 March – 3 species, the deployment and Sciences, 30 Baishiqiao Road, Beijing,
April 2000. management of genetic diversity in 100081, China. Fax: 86-10-62174123,
The International Rice Research agro-ecosystems, implications of gene- E-mail: ivfcaas@public3. bta.net.cn].
Interesting Books & Publications
Azad, A.K. and N.Haq. 1999. to characterize and evaluate this Department of International
Germplasm Catalogue of Jackfruit in diversity through field survey and Development, U.K. The germplasm is
Bangladesh. ICUC, Institute of Irrigation laboratory analysis carried out during maintained at the Horticultural Research
and Development Studies, University of 1997-98. This catalogue includes Centre, BARI, Joydebpur, Bangladesh
Southampton, Southampton S0 17 1BJ. information on 70 accessions with their
30 p. [ISBN: 085342687-1]. passport data and important Arora, R.K. and K.W. Riley (eds.).
morphological characters such as the 1998. Proceedings of the Asia-Pacific
Bangladesh is rich in genetic diversity fruit, pulp and seed. The study was Consultation on Plant Genetic
of jackfruit. An attempt has been made carried out with support from the Resources, 27-29 November 1996,
17 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
IARI, Pusa Campus, New Delhi. IPGRI Pacific region’, as was recommended NSW Agriculture and CSIRO Plant
Office for South Asia, New Delhi, India. by this workshop. Industry and sponsored by the
139 p. [ISBN: 92-9043-397-3]. Australian Centre for International
Batugal, P.A. and V. Ramanatha Rao Agricultural Research and the
This publication deals with the (eds.). 1998. Coconut Breeding. International Plant Genetic Resources
deliberations of the Asia-Pacific Papers presented at a Workshop on Institute. IPGRI was represented by Dr
Regional Consultation organized by Standardization of Coconut Breeding V. Ramanatha Rao and Dr F.
IPGRI, 27-29 November 1996 in Research Techniques, 20-25 June Engelmann. These proceedings deal
collaboration with ICAR/IARI, New Delhi. 1994, Port Bouet, Cote d’Ivoire. with 18 papers presented under three
The meeting was co-sponsored by IPGRI-APO, Serdang, Malaysia. 150 p. different topics: germplasm
IPGRI, FAO, IRRI and ICRISAT. The [ISBN: 92-9043-3833]. conservation, germplasm evaluation and
scientific presentations have been country statements/reports. The 5
covered in four sessions: Session-I, These proceedings comprising 16
Analysis of recent fora from an Asia- papers, contain the details of the
papers in germplasm conservation
coconut breeding programmes in South, section dealt with conservation strategy,Pacific perspective; Session-II, Status
and Southeast Asia, the Pacific, Africa cryopreservation and in vitro culture,of PGR networks; Session-III, Key
issues on conservation and use of PGR, and Latin America/Caribbean. Most of
safe collecting and exchange of citrus
and farmers’ rights and benefit sharing; these papers were updated in 1998 and
germplasm, citrus pests and diseases;
reflect modifications giving latest database system for citrus, and the needand Session IV, Mechanisms for
regional collaboration. The research techniques adopted. The
for network; germplasm evaluation
including characterization by phenotypes
recommendations have been publication, thus, will be useful to and molecular markers, scion and
summarised respectively under different coconut breeders to produce improved rootstock evaluation; and country
topics covered during presentations. In coconut varieties for resource-poor
all, 22 papers, 3 abstracts, and a key- farmers.
reports/statements from Australia,
China, India, Japan, Malaysia, Nepal,
note address, provide an overall view Batugal, P.A. and F. Engelmann Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam. The
of the current status of plant genetic (eds.). 1998. Coconut embryo In vitro recommendations of the workshop
resources in this highly diverse region. Culture. Papers presented at a stressed on the need to develop and
Batugal, P.A., V. Ramanatha Rao and Workshop on Embryo Culture, 27-31 promote in-country networking for
C. Bong (eds.). 1998. Promoting October 1997, Banao, Guinobtan, effective conservation and use of citrus
Multipurpose Uses and Albay, Philippines. IPGRI-APO, genetic resources; to publish a directory
Competitiveness of the Coconut. Serdang, Malaysia. 164 p. [ISBN: 92- of fruits and nuts including citrus;
Proceedings of a Workshop, 26-29 9043-385-x]. developing citrus germplasm database;
September 1996, Chumphon, develop guidelines for conservation andThese proceedings are the outcome of
Thailand. IPGRI-APO, Serdang, use of citrus germplasm based on needsa workshop on coconut embryo in vitro
Malaysia. 190 p. [ISBN: 92-9093-392- of in-country citrus industries; urgeculture. The 25 papers presented deal
5]. ACIAR to support setting up of a Citruswith latest findings in this field. The Genetic Resources Network/Working
These proceedings are based on the information is covered in 2 parts; Part- Group to carry out molecular
deliberations of a COGENT workshop I reviews the status of research on characterization; need for a regional
held to discuss alternative uses for coconut embryo culture and identifies agency/mechanism to facilitate
coconut which can help increase its research gaps; and Part-II stresses on propagation of healthy budwood and
competitiveness. Researchers from 12 coordinated research to address other planting material for preservation
countries working on new alternative identified research gaps. The of citrus germplasm; more work on
coconut products presented their collaborative efforts are expected to lead cryopreservation and in vitro, and
research findings. Twenty presentations to broad application for in vitro methods practical adoption of technologies; long
made in the workshop covered broad in collecting and safely exchanging term preservation of citrus seeds;
topics such as the problems and coconut diversity. developing practical citrus genetic
potentials; farmers, researchers and Broadbent, P., S.R. Sykes, K.B. resources conservation strategy; need
industry viewpoints; potential value Bevington and D. Hailstones (eds.). for HRD and greater public awareness;
added products and uses; enhancing 1999. Proceedings of Citrus wider dissemination of proceedings of
income and competitiveness; varietal Germplasm Conservation Workshop, the workshop to generate interest and
preferences and directions for research Brisbane, 6-7 October 1997. Australian awareness among general public, policy
proposal development. IFAD has
Centre for International Agricultural makers and citrus industry.
subsequently funded a project entitled
Research, Brisbane, Australia. 198 p.
‘Sustainable use of coconut genetic Jain, S.K. and V. Mudgal. 1999. A
[ISBN: 07347 1026 7].
resources to enhance the income and Handbook of Ethnobotany. Bishen
nutrition of small holders in the Asia- This workshop was jointly organized by Singh Mahendra Pal Singh, 23-A, New
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 18
Connaught Place, Dehradun 248 001, covering the 12 regions of diversity of This is a revised edition of an earlier
India. 309 p. [ISBN: 81-211-0197-8]. cultivated plants. Part-I, the introductory publication on ‘Priority Species of
chapter deals with the distribution of Bamboo and Rattan’ published by
This book deals with the concept, scope, important underutilized fruits and nuts INBAR in 1994. Information is provided
methodology and practical aspects of occurring in different regions of diversity on the need for genetic conservation of
ethnobotany. It is intended for and provides information on their uses bamboo and rattan, criteria for selection
postgraduate students interested in this as a source of food, nutrient, protein of species, and on major priority
discipline. The contents are covered in and vitamins, raw material for industry, species. Part I deals with bamboo and
eight chapters that provide details on as valuable genepools for crop Part II with rattan. About 70 taxa of
ethnobotany as an organized improvement, and their role in providing bamboo are accorded high priority,
interdisciplinary science, its areas of sustainable income to farmers. Part-II rating their value for utilization,
investigation, sources of data and deals with the inventory. For each environmental rehabilitation, domesti-
methods of study, preparation for field region, species are listed alphabetically cation, and need for genetic
work, collection of information, plant and information on their botanical name, conservation and further survey.
species and study of material, inventory English and popular name, brief Eighteen more taxa have been added
of resources through diverse studies etc. description, distribution and use is as important and information on them
The book also lays emphasis on provided. An appendix lists selected updated. Likewise, 7 taxa of rattan have
emerging concerns on IPR, species of fruits and nuts, providing been accorded high priority for action
bioprospecting, participatory information on their nutritive value. The and 2 taxa deserve more importance
management vis-à-vis role of book is well illustrated with photographs based on criteria as used for bamboos.
ethnobotany. and line drawings. This publication will Each species has been briefly described
Mathur, P.N., V. Ramanatha Rao and be useful to researchers, teachers and with information on its origin, climate,
R.K. Arora (eds.). 1998. Lathyrus students. soil, current research, and untapped
Genetic Resources Network: potential – conservation, use andPaudyal, K.P. and N. Haq. 1999.
Proceedings of IPGRI-ICARDA-ICAR research needs. Geographic distributionGermplasm Catalogue of Pummelo
Regional Working Group Meeting, 8- maps are also included.in Nepal. ICUC, Institute of Irrigation
10 December, 1998. National Bureau and Development Studies, University of
of Plant Genetic Resources, New Periodicals / ReportsSouthampton, Southampton S017 1BJ,
Delhi. IPGRI Office for South Asia, New 44 p. [ISBN: 0854 32688-x]. ATREE. Report 1997-99. Ashoka Trust
Delhi. 85 p. [ISBN: 92-9043-394-9].
for Research in Ecology and the
This catalogue is the outcome of a nd
These proceedings are the outcome of Environment. No.17, 2  Main,research programme funded by the
the meeting of a Working Group which Amarjyothi Layout, Cholanagar,
Department of International
reviewed progress, reaffirmed concern Bangalore 560 032, India. 18 p.
Development, U.K. It deals with 140
and interest of the participatory countries
accessions of pummelo from different The Ashoka Trust for Research in
in Lathyrus and worked out the
agro-ecological regions of Nepal. It Ecology and the Environment (ATREE)
modalities of the Lathyrus Genetic
provides passport data, including soil was established in 1996 and its work
Resources Network (LGRN). In all, 13
characteristics and information on focuses on conservation and
papers including country status reports
characterization and evaluation – growth management of biodiversity. ATREE is
and other specific topics were presented
habit, tree shape, tree age, tree height, working in the Western Ghats and the
that covered all aspects of R&D efforts
trunk diameter, canopy volume, leaf Eastern Himalayas. Mapping of genetic
in Lathyrus, an underutilized legume,
lamina/petiole wing, flowering period, diversity has been carried out in aonla
and laid stress on the conservation and
fruit number and fruit characteristics, and sandalwood. Species richness
use of its genetic resources in Asia and
pulp and juice characteristics, seed maps have been assembled for
Africa.
characteristics, maturity period and Dalbergia, Dipterocarpus and orchid
Pareek, O.P., Suneel Sharma and R.K. information on diseases and pests. The species. ATREE is associated in
Arora. 1998. Underutilized Edible germplasm collection has been developing conservation plans for the
Fruits and Nuts: An Inventory of maintained in Dhankota in the mid-hills medicinal plants of South India. Centres
Genetic Resources in their Regions and in Tarahara in tarai region. of high genetic diversity have been
of Diversity. IPGRI Office for South identified for bamboos in the Western
Rao, A.N., V. Ramanatha Rao and J.T.
Asia, New Delhi, India. 235 p. [ISBN: Ghats. The pattern of changes
Williams. 1998. Priority Species of
92-9043-367-1]. (disturbance levels) in the forests of
Bamboo and Rattan. IPGRI-APO, Biligiri Rangaswami Temple Wildlife
This book presents an inventory of Serdang, Malaysia. 95 p. [ISBN: 92- Sanctuary has been studied. ATREE
underutilized edible fruits and nuts 9043-491-5]. has also organized two workshops as
19 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
part of their HRD programme, one of contains articles on several plants like Improvement of Banana and Plantain,
this was on GIS and Remote Sensing myrtle, plants used in worship, Montpellier, France. 64 p. [ISSN: 1029-
techniques in natural resources medicines/folk-remedies etc. Interesting 2209]
management. information is given on the ethnobotany
of rattan species in Arunachal Pradesh, This report highlights INIBAP
CGIAR. Annual Report 1998. The on the home gardens of Assam, and programme activities for 1998, reflecting
Impact of Knowledge. Consultative on some Indian plants used in Latin its role in coordinating global PGR
Group on International Agricultural American ethnomedicine. research on banana and plantain,
Research, CGIAR Secretariat, The strengthening collaboration and
World Bank, 1818 H Street, NW FAO/IPGRI. 1999 (No.117, March partnership, and facilitating exchange of
Washington DC 20433, USA. 44 p. 1999). Genetic Resources Newsletter. material, information and
This annual report briefly deals with the IPGRI, Via delle Sette Chiese 142,
documentation. Significant breakthrough
in research have been made. For the
activities of the CGIAR. A concise 00145 Rome, Italy. 64 p. [ISSN: 102D
information is given on each research – 3362].
first time, Agrobacterium transformation
has been successful using embryogenic
centre. The role of CGIAR as a This quarterly issue contains a review cell suspensions, opening the way for
knowledge catalyst for development has article on ex situ strategies for the introduction of larger gene
been highlighted – in sowing the seeds complementary conservation of Asian constructs and better control over gene
of green revolution and in alleviating sweet potato. Another interesting article expression. In cryopreservation, a
hunger and poverty, and the impact of for APO region is on sustainable combination of three techniques now
long-term public goods research; conservation and use of crop genetic allows the successful regeneration of
CGIAR: Pioneer of Global Knowledge resources for food security and cryopreserved meristems from all
Network. It presents the findings of the agribusiness in Malaysia. Among short genomic groups of bananas. INIBAP-
Third Systems Review and assessing communications, interesting information ASPNET’s activities have been
system capabilities for the 21st century. is available on ecological diversity of highlighted such as MoU with APAARI,
CENTERPOINT. 1999 (Vol.17, No.1, cold-tolerant rice in Yunnan, China, and Musa collecting and characterization in
April 1999). Newsletter of the Asian on core collection of maize germplasm India, characterization in China, Musa
Vegetable Research and Development in Brazil. Germplasm Information System (MGIS),
Centre. AVRDC – OPC: PO Box 42, and the meetings and trainingsICMAP News. 1999 (No.6, April issue).
Shanhua, Taiwan 741; Republic of organized.Newsletter of the International Council
China. 4 p. [ISSN: 0258-3070]. for Medicinal and Aromatic Plants. UPWARD Fieldnotes. 1998 (Vol.7,
This issue contains an interesting article ICMAP, C/o. IUBS, 51 Boulevard de No.2, December 1998). CIP-UPWARD
on peri-urban vegetable production that Montmorency, F-75016, Paris, France. MCPO Box 3127 Makati City, 1271,
could fill up the nutrition gap. The overall 28 p. Philippines. 28 p.
aim of this programme is to improve This Newsletter of the International This is published by The User’s
peri-urban and homestead vegetable Council for Medicinal and Aromatic Perspective with Agricultural Research
production, increase income and Plants (ICMAP) is published with and Development (UPWARD) Network,
improve nutrition by increasing the year- support from the FAO. It provides and provides information on its
round vegetable production and information on M&AP work undertaken activities. This issue has a special focus
supplying to large cities. Information is by the member organizations, new on sweet potato utilization; Asian trends
also given on successful networks such regulations, country reports and and opportunities, presenting results of
as the Southeast Asia Vegetable meetings organized. Information is also studies conducted in Japan, China,
Research Network (AVNET) and South provided on the forthcoming events and Indonesia and the Philippines. Two
Asia Vegetable Research Network new information sources. The issue articles present regional perspective –
(SAVERNET). contains interesting information on new one on ‘Raw materials for starch in Asia:
Ethnobotany. 1998 (Vol.10, Nos. 1&2). regulations on Guidelines for Good some economic considerations’ and the
Society of Ethnobotanists. National Agricultural Practices (GAP) of second on ‘Sweet potato: facts around
Botanical Research Institute, Medicinal and Aromatic Plants, and on the world’.
Lucknow 226 001, India. Published by Medicinal Plants of India – Guidelines
Deep Publications, A3/27A, DDA Flats, for National Policy and Conservation
MSSRF. 1999. Enlarging the Basis of
Programme. Food Security: Role of UnderutilizedPaschim Vihar, New Delhi 110 063.
Species. Proceedings of the
152 p. [ISSN: 0971-1252].
INIBAP. 1999. Networking Banana International Consultation organized
This half-yearly periodical is devoted to and Plantain. Annual Report – 1998. by the Genetic Resources Policy
ethnobotanical research. This issue International Network for the Committee (GRPC) of the CGIAR at
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 20
the M.S. Swaminathan Research protection; diseases, pests etc; Environment’ is proposed to be
Foundation, Chennai, India from 17- harvesting, transport, packing, post- organized at Phetchaburi, Thailand, 17-
19 February 1999. M.S. Swaminathan harvesting, physiology of growth, 21 January 2000.
Research Foundation, 3rd Cross Street, storage, ripening; processing, uses,
Taramani Institutional Area, Taramani, production systems, agro-economics; WWF-UNESCO-RBG-KEW. 1998.
Chennai 600 113, India. 34 p. producing countries, world trade and People and Plants Handbook, Issue
research. 4, Measuring Diversity, December
This consultation was organized by 1998. Gary J. Martin, General Editor,
MSSRF in close collaboration with PROSEA Newsletter. 1999 (No.22, PPH B.P.262, 40008 Marrakech-Medina,
IPGRI and the CGIAR/GRPC. These April 1999). Plant Resources of Morocco. 40 p.
proceedings present summary of the Southeast Asia – PROSEA Network
principal recommendations made at the Office, c/o. Herbarium Bogoriense, This publication of the WWF-UNESCO-
consultation for a follow up by RDCB-LIPI PO Box 332, Bogor 16122, KEW, People and Plants Initiative is
concerned IARCs and NARS. The West Java, Indonesia. produced with financial support from the
detailed proceedings will be published European Commission, the John D. and
separately. The workshop stressed on Information is provided on PROSEA Catharine J. Mac Arthur Foundation,
underutilized species germplasm books on medicinal and poisonous U.K National Lottery Charities Board and
conservation, policies, germplasm plants; spices; cryptogams; stimulants; the U.K Department for International
enhancement, system approaches, plants producing exudates; essential-oil Development (DFID). This issue deals
information, impact, systemwide plants. While other volumes are under with ‘Measuring Diversity’ – methods of
synergies and partnerships etc. The preparation, the book on essential oil assessing biological resources and local
recommendations of different Working plants has been published in January knowledge. It brings together
Groups – Africa, Asia, Latin America, 1999. information on local knowledge and
West and North Africa (WANA) have management of biological resources,SEEDLING. Vol.16, No.2. 1999. GRAIN
been synthesized, followed by critical conservation and community25. Pral, E.08010. Barcelona, Spain.
analysis presenting concerns where development. Highlights of research40 p. [ISSN 1002-5154].
CGIAR can contribute in areas of public work undertaken in this field by
awareness; conservation including This issue contains an interesting article international programmes, resources
technology/methodology for crop on ‘Reclaiming diversity, restoring centres, networks and NGOs have been
improvement; natural resource livelihoods’ based on studies carried out summarized. Among other articles,
management research; processing and by the Deccan Development Society interesting information on durian has
marketing, policy formulation, priority Programme run by women farmers in also been included.
setting, networking/partnership dry areas of western Andhra Pradesh,
information systems. The next step will India. The article explains as to how
lay emphasis on the follow up by the women have set up an innovative and
National Programmes
Genetic Resources Policy Committee highly successful decentralized and
(GRPC/TAC), GRPC/Global Forum on community-managed system for are requested to
Agricultural Research (GFAR) and on producing, storing and distributing contribute short
Systemwide initiative. Finally, “Summing coarse grains at local level. Local food
up” by Prof. M.S. Swaminathan clarifies security, community resilience and research articles, news/
as to what exactly is required to be done biodiversity have been dramatically notes or other
by different partners. enhanced in the process. important information
MUSARAMA. 1998 (Vol.11, No.2, The Vetiver Newsletter. 1999 (No.20, on PGR related topics
December 1998). INIBAP Pare April 1999). The Vetiver Network, 15 for inclusion in the next
Scientifique Agropolis-II 34397, Wirt Street NW, Leesburg Virginia
Montpellier Cedex 5, France. 41 p. 20176, USA. 64 p. issue of the Newsletter.
This issue provides abstracts of 219 This issue provides report on vetiver Please send your
references on banana and plantain activities being carried out by Australia, contributions to any of
arranged under different heads such as China, Europe and the Mediterranean, the three
general aspects, botany, genetics, Indonesia, Mexico, South Africa,
breeding, growth and development, Tanzania and Vietnam. In view of the IPGRI-APO Offices.
ecology, climate and soil, biochemistry, world-wide importance of vetiver grass
[See addresses on page 24]
multiplication, planting, maintenance in soil conservation, an international
and management; nutrition; plant conference on ‘Vetiver and the
21 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
Scientific Contributions
Collecting and Evaluation directly collected from the farmers' field fruit and smooth surface. Fruits had very
of Muskmelon Germplasm of rice fallow crop, Group II – Matured good flavour and taste, seed cavity was
in Andhra Pradesh and fully ripened fruits collected from less and seeds tightly packed in the
river bed area where this crop is cavity. The flesh colour ranged from
An exploration was undertaken to collect commonly cultivated. cream to salmon yellow with light
wild and cultivated muskmelon margin.
(Cucumis melo) germplasm from Rice fallow crop (Group I): The crop Out of the 32 germplasm collected,
Cuddapah district of Andhra Pradesh was grown in clay soil where flood plains Local-8 from Prodatur and six
during April 1996. A total of 32 were available and in few cases cowpea accessions from Rajvarpet, namely,
muskmelon samples were collected was growing along sides of the bunds Local-9, 11,12,15,16 and 17 were found
from four different locations, namely, of the rice field. Extensive cultivation of to be free from powdery mildew, downy
Prodatur, Rajvarpet, Cuddapah and muskmelon was observed in the warmer mildew and Alternaria leaf blight in the
Sidhavatum in Rayalseema region, region of Cuddapah for its luscious fruit field. Fruit weight ranged from 100 g to
covering almost 150 km2 in the interior valued as dessert. The varieties and 1.5 kg with good keeping quality.
area where predominantly muskmelon races collected were oval to oblong and
was cultivated. The population sampled round in shape and fruit ground colour River bed system of cultivation (Group
method was used and samples varied from light green to yellowish II): The plant grows in hot and dry region
separated into two different groups: cream with light green stripes. Some and requires a plentiful supply of water.
Group I – Matured and ripened fruits samples showed little furrows on the It was often grown on sandy river bed,
Table 1. Salient characteristics of promising muskmelon cultivars
Cultivar Fruit Fruit TSS Location Salient features
length girth (%)
(cm) (cm)
Local-7 11.0 8.0 16 Prodatur Small, round, fully netted, attractive green colour and cream
flesh
Local-8 11.0 8.0 11 Prodatur Small to medium, round, green smooth surface, green flesh,
good taste and free from PM, DM and Alternaria
Local-9 30.0 25.0 6 Rajvarpet Large size, oblong, reddish green patches on the fruit, smooth
surface, white flesh and free from PM,DM and Alternaria
Local-10 24.0 19.0 15 Rajvarpet Oval to oblong, light yellow, smooth surface and salmon flesh
Local-11 22.0 11.0 11 Rajvarpet Oblong, reddish yellow, smooth surface, good taste, attractive
cream flesh and free from PM,DM and Alternaria
Local-12 25.0 18.0 15 Rajvarpet Medium fruit, round smooth surface and orange green rind,
salmon flesh and free from PM,DM and Alternaria
Local-15 22.0 14.0 16 Rajvarpet Oblong, yellowish green, big size, fully netted cream flesh and
free from PM,DM and Alternaria
Local-16 29.0 13.0 15 Rajvarpet Round, orange fruit, fully netted, salmon flesh and free from
PM,DM and alternaria blight
Local-17 19.0 14.0 12 Rajvarpet Round, greenish orange, stripped fruit, smooth surface, cream
flesh and free from PM,DM and Alternaria
Sarbathi 17.5 43.5 6.0 Cuddapah Round fruit, fine netts, sandal colour on rind, cream flesh,
Anora attractive fruit.
Sidhavatum 16.0 33.5 12.0 Sidhavatum Round, golden yellow colour, cream flesh, smooth surface,
Local-1 very good taste, grown under river bed conditions
Sidhavatum 22.0 45.0 9.0 Sidhavatum Round, golden yellow skin, fine netted, cream flesh, grown
Local-2 under river bed conditions
PM – Powdery Mildew; DM - Downy Mildew
No. 29 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 22
hardly suited to any other crop. The of germplasm from different sources/ breeder should make efforts to combine
beds were divided into plots after the areas/states was started in 1994. A total these attributes judiciously in order to
river receded and was liberally manured. of 325 accessions were collected and select the right plant for higher yield
Seeds were sown in the nurseries during each entry of eggplant was given an during the selection process. [Drs
January–March and seedlings accession number under a ‘BS’ series. Narendra Singh, Gyanendra Singh and
transplanted in the manured plot. The Based on fruit shape, the collected T.S. Kalda, Division of Vegetable Crops,
fruits were ready for harvest in 3-4 germplasm was divided into 105 long, Indian Agricultural Research Institute,
months and picked when fully ripened. 103 round, 97 oblong and 20 oval fruited New Delhi 110 012, India].
accessions. Further, based on fruit
This type of river bed system of colour, the accessions were grouped Conservation of Tropical
cultivation was being followed in into 54 green, 6 white, 20 variegated Fruit and Vegetable Crops
Sidhavatum area of Cuddapah district and 245 purple/dark purple. Germplasm in Eastern
of Andhra Pradesh. The fruits were India
round, very big in size, with golden These 325 accessions were grown in
yellow rind, and very fine netts on one field and five plants in each accession The Central Horticultural Experiment
side of the fruit and cream to white flesh were used for recording data on 18 Station (CHES), Ranchi of the Indian
with very good taste. The fruits had low characters. Twenty two promising Institute of Horticultural Research, is
keeping quality and were available in accessions were identified which identified as one of the lead centres for
the market from April to June. exhibited variation in fruit shape, fruit augmentation, conservation and
colour, days to 75 per cent flowering documentation of genetic resources in
Table 1 gives details on the important (63-79), days to first fruit-set (70-85), tropical fruits, vegetables and
characteristics of some promising days to first fruit harvest (83-105), days ornamental crops. As a result of
accessions, based on evaluation of 32 to seed maturity (129-159), plant height intensive survey conducted all over India,
samples collected during the mission. (65-111 cm), spread of plant (50.0-151.5 this Station has made successful
The longest fruit (30 cm) was observed cm), number of primary branches (3- attempts in augmentation of plant
in the line collected from Rajvarpet 14), number of flowers/cluster (3-6), genetic resources in fruits, vegetables
Local-9, and Sidhavatum Local-2 number of fruits/cluster (1-5), number and ornamental crops and promoted
recorded the highest fruit girth (45 cm), of clusters/plant (11.3-41.9), average their improvement. The germplasm
followed by Sarbathi Anora from fruit weight (67-525g), number of fruits/ holdings at CHES, Ranchi, are given
Cuddapah. The highest TSS was plant (11.1-63.5), fruit length (16-34 cm), below : Fruits crops (715): mango (290),
recorded in two lines, viz., Prodatur fruit width (2.2-12.0 cm), fruit length- guava (30), banana (115) aonla/Emblica
Local-7 and Rajvarpet Local-15 (16%), width ratio (1.7-6.66) and average fruit- officinalis (8), Annona spp. (9), bael/
followed by Rajvarpet Local-10 and yield/plant (2.5-5.99 kg). The data Aegle marmelos (10), litchi (49), papaya
Local-15 (15%). The Sidhavatum collected on different characters relate (102), jackfruit (51), ber/jujube (29),
ideotype of muskmelon had medium only to those accessions, which have pomegranate (10), peach (6), tamarind
vine length, early maturity and mostly shown promise particularly for yield and (6); Vegetable crops: (1829), brinjal
cream and yellow flesh. As a result, it yield related characters. Breeders can (550), cauliflower (140), beans (role &
could be concluded that muskmelon exploit these for commercial use. bush type) (320), chillies (20), tomato
germplasm explored exhibited a pattern (350), pointed gourd (78), cucumber
The accession BS-298 has given the
of genetic variability appropriate for (75), ridge gourd (72), other cucurbits
highest average fruit yield/plant (3.985
obtaining good genetic gains in a (70), peas (154); Ornamental crops:
kg) followed by BS-321, (3.50 kg), BS-
selection programme. [Dr M. (366), rose (165), Chrysanthemum (15),
2 (3.25 kg), BS-307 (3.25 kg), BS-31
Pitchaimuthu and Dr O.P. Dutta, bougainvillea (6), Hibiscus (10), Coleus
(3.15 kg) and BS-47 (3.00 kg). All these
Division of Vegetable Crops, Indian (20), other ornamentals (150).
accessions have given an average fruit
Institute of Horticultural Research,
yield of 3 kg and above per plant. These Characterization : All the gremplasm of
Bangalore 560 089, India].
accessions are solitary fruited except fruit and vegetable crops are being
characterized/evaluated for a set of
Genetic Diversity in BS-2 and BS-31 which have clustering
or partially clustering habit and have agro-morphological and economicEggplant
given higher yield because of the characteristics. The stable genotypes for
Brinjal or Eggplant (Solanum melongena combined effect of more number of
various traits including high yielding,
good quality fruits have been identified
L.) is a native vegetable of India. clusters /plant and higher average fruit
weight. In case of BS-31, though the in mango, litchi, jackfruit, grapes,Enormous variability exists in its growth
habit, spiny or non-spiny nature, foliage number of clusters/plant was relatively
banana, citrus, aonla and custard apple
(Table 1) for commercial exploitation in
shape and colour, floral makeup, fruit low but its yield was high because of
cluster bearing habit of the plant, which this region.shape, size and colour, yield and yield
related characters. In order to study this contributed to the total yield. Taking In case of vegetable crops, a number
variability, collection of a good number these results into consideration, a of promising varieties were identified
23 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 29
based on evaluation and studies on Table 1. Promising genotypes of fruits identified for commercial exploitation
stability parameters for commercial in the region
exploitation. Crops Varieties
These include: tomato (ARTH-4, ARTH- Mango
3, CHRT-4, CHTH-1, Vaishali, MTH-6 Early maturity Gurujeet (Zarda), Bombay Green, Zardalu and Rani Pasand
and BRH-2); brinjal (Swarna Shree,
Medium maturity Himsagar, Langra, Safeda Malda, Gopal Bhog, Mahmood
CHRBH-1, CHRBH-2, CHBR-3, CHES-
Bahar and Dashehri
309, Arka Navneet, Pusa Hybrid-6, Pant
Rituraj and Mukta Keshi); capsicum Late Maturity Amrapali, Sipia, Chausa, Fazli and Bangalore
(Arka Gaurav, Arka Mohini, Arka Basant Dwarf & regular Amrapali and Latra
and California Wonder); chilli (Arka Lohit bearer
and Pusa Jwala); cabbage (Pride of Sucking type Lucknow Safeda and Nasik Pasand
India, Golden Acre, Pusa Synthetic, Litchi
Pusa Drumhead, Shree Ganesh Gol and Early maturity Green Ajhauli, Trikolia, Rose Scented and Shahi
BSS-31); cauliflower (Early Kunwari,
Medium maturity China, Swarna Roopa, Purbi and Bedana
Maghshobha, Pusa Deepali, Deepalika,
Improved Japanese, Pusa Snowball K- Late maturity Late Bedana, Kasba and Longia
1 and Snowball-16); okra (Arka Fragrant pulp Rose Scented and Shahi
Anamika, Arka Abhay and Parbhani Small Seeded Late Bedana, Bedana, Swarna Roopa, Tirkolia and Longia
Kranti); onion (Arka Niketan and Arka Guava
Kalyan); pea (Arka Ajit, Arkel, NDVP-1, High yielding Sardar and Allahabad Safeda
NDVP-5 and Azad P-1); French bean Good quality, Arka Mridula
(CH-913, Arka Komal, Pusa Parvati and soft seeded
Pant Anupama); pole bean (Birsa Priya,
Banana
CH-829 B, CH-1127 and DVFB-1);
cowpea (Pusa Barsasti and Arka Table type Dwarf Cavendish and Alpan
Garima); parwal (Swarna Rekha, Vegetable type Bhos and Battisa
Swarna Alukik, EL-1, Hybrid-1 and Pineapple Kew
Hybrid-2); watermelon (Arka mainik, Citrus
Arka Jyoti and Sugar Baby); cucumber Sweet orange Kodur Sathgudi
(Swarna Poorna, Priya and Pusa Mandarin Nagpur Santra and Kinnow mandarin
Sanyog); bottle gourd (Arka Bahar);
Aonla Kanchan and NA-7
bitter gourd (Arka Harit, Priya, Kalyanpur
Sona, MC-84 and Pusa Hybrid-1); Passion fruit Kaveri
pumpkin (Arka Suryamukhi); ridge gourd
(CHRG-1 and CHRG-2). and hybrids which are currently under V.S.R. Krishna Prasad, N.N. Reddy and
multi-locational testing under the All I.S. Yadav, Central Horticultural
Utilizing the available genetic resources, India Coordinated Vegetable Experiment Station, IIHR, Plandu, PO:
several divergent lines were identified Improvement Project [Dr Mathura Rai, Rajaulatu, Ranchi 834010, Bihar, India].
for hybridization programme. As a
result of sound breeding programme,
several improved varieties both in fruit
and vegetable crops have been
developed at this Station. Nine
improved varieties have been released
for cultivation which have made
tremendous impact and helped to
improve the income of farming
community.These include Swarna
Roopa in litchi, Swarna Reha, Swarna
Alaukik in parwal (pointed gourd),
Swarna Poorna, Swarna Swetha and
Swarna Ageti in cucumber, Swarna
Manjari in ridge gourd, and Swarna
Shree and Swarna Mani in eggplant.
In addition to the above released
varieties, the research station has also
developed a number of improved lines Fruit variability in eggplant
NNoo. .2 299 IIPGRII  NEWSLETTER  FOR  ASIIA,,  THE  PACIIFIIC  AND  OCEANIIA 2244
Useful Names & Addresses
APAARI PROSEA Dr M.S. Swaminathan
Asia-Pacific Association of PROSEA Network Office Chairman
Agricultural Research Institutions Herbarium Bogoriense MS Swaminathan Research
FAO of the United Nations Jalan Jr. H. Juanda 22 Foundation (MSSRF)
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific P.O. Box 332, Bogor 16122 Taramani Institutional Area
Indonesia Chennai 600113Maliwan Mansion, Phra Atit Road
India
Bangkok 10200
SPC
Thailand Dr R.S. Paroda
South Pacific Commission
Director General ICAR &
Private Mail Bag
ATREE Secretary DARE
Suva
Ashoka Trust for Research in Indian Council of Agricultural ResearchFiji
Ecology and the Environtment Krishi Bhawan
PB No. 2402 New Delhi 110001Department of Agriculture
HA. Far Post IndiaRoyal Government of Bhutan
Hebbal PO Box 1252, Thimphu Dr V. Ramanatha Rao
Bangalore 560024 Bhutan Senior Scientist (GD/Conservation)
India and Interim Regional Director
Dr Pons A. Batugal IPGRI Office for Asia, the Pacific and
LIBIRD Senior Scientist, Oceania
Local Initiatives for Biodiversity COGENT Coordinator PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
Research and Development IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, 43400 Serdang
PO Box 324, Nadipur, Pokhara the Pacific and Oceania Selangor Darul Ehsan
Nepal PO Box 236, UPM Post Office Malaysia
43400 Serdang
INBAR Selangor Darul Ehsan
Professor Yang Yansheng
Malaysia Director General
Anynan Building No. 10 Centre of Crop Germplasm
Asian Games Village
Dr S.D.G. Jayawardena Resouces and Crop Improvement
Chaoyang District (CCGRCI)Director General of Agriculture
P O Box 9799 CAAS, 30 Bai Shi Qiao RoadDepartment of Agriculture
Beijing Beijing 100081Peradeniya
P.R. China P.R. ChinaSri Lanka
Professor Xu Yuexian
IPGRI Dr M. Nakagahra Director General
International Plant Genetic Resources National Institute of Agrobiological Centre of Agricultural Resouces and
Institute Research Environment (CARE)
Via delle Sette Chiese 142 Kannondai 2-1-2 30 Bai Shi Qiao Road
00145 Rome Tsukuba, Ibaraki 305 Beijing 100081
Italy Japan 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 Ken Riley,
Regional Director (until 3 June 1999), Dr V. Ramanatha Rao, Senior Scientist (GD/Conservation) and Interim Regional Director, 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, 5819899 62183744
Tel: (603)9423891; Fax: (603) 9487655 Fax: (91-11)5731845 Fax: (86-10) 62174159
Email: ipgri-apo@cgiar.org Email: ipgri-delhi@cgiar.org Email: ipgri-caas@cgiar.org