Conservation of genetic resources of durian in Nonthaburi province affected by flooding

Abstract

Nonthaburi, the oldest durian-planting area in Thailand, was damaged by flooding in 2011. Approximately 464 ha were destroyed. The Ministry of Agricultural and Cooperative established a project to support a project initiated by Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn to help farmers, and assigned the Department of Agriculture (DOA) to execute the project. Two activities were conducted during 2011-2014: 1) to conserve and release old cultivars of durian to farmers and identify simple characteristics of durian cultivars, and 2) to demonstrate good cultural practices using the integration of DOA technology and farmers' knowledge. The Chanthaburi Horticultural Research Center (CHRC) and the Horticultural Research Institute (HRI) were able to conserve 15 cultivars from flooded areas and propagate them at CHRC. CHRC has propagated 25,000 plants from 73 cultivars that originated from Nonthaburi province and planted them at the Plant Genetic Conservation Project under the Royal Initiation of Her Royal Highness Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn (RSPG) at CHRC. These plants were released to Nonthaburi durian farmers between September 2012 and April 2013 in order for them to re-establish their durian orchards. A total of 160 ha of durian were grown. To identify cultivars, three classes of fruit characteristics were used: 1) external criteria including shape, size, spine shape, ridge between locules, apex and peduncle length, 2) internal criteria including flesh colour, firmness, odour and taste, and 3) maturity criteria including early, medium and late harvesting. New technologies for growing durian were applied on four farms in Nonthaburi province, three of which farmers were from Amphoe Mueang Nonthaburi and one was from Amphoe Pak Kret. Chemical fertilizers recommended by soil analysis, phosphate-solubilizing microbes as biofertilizer, plant-protection technologies and knowledge of cultural practices of farmers were used. During the early stages of durian growth, intercrops such as vegetables and banana were grown. Two years after transplanting, the durian trees were taller than 2 m. Farmers had income from intercrops of 133-166 USD month-1. They will get income from durian plants in 3-4 years.