Exploration and Collection of Coconut Germplasm in Kadmat and Amini Islands of Lakshadweep, India

Abstract

Coconut, Cocos nucifera L. is an important plantation crop of the tropics. Lakshadweep group of islands in the Arabian Sea are considered to be home to some important coconut cultivars. The present exploration was planned to sample the variability within the population of Laccadive ordinary tall (LCT), Laccadive micro tall (LMT) from two islands, Amini and Kadmat, of Lakshadweep. Sampling was done from 24 sites in Amini and 13 sites in Kadmat. On an average 10 palms were sampled from each site. During the trip, five accessions of LCT, three of LMT and one of Kaithathali were collected. Eight fruit component measurements were recorded to study the variability in the population. Intra-population variability was observed in both LCT and LMT. Three forms of LCT belonging to niu kafa, niu vai and introgressed types could be identified. Elongated angular fruits (elliptical) with 70% husk were niu kafa types, round or oval shaped ones with 55% husk were niu vai types and pear shaped ones with 58% husk were the introgressed forms. This exploration trip unearthed the missing link of niu vai type in the form of round fruit type which has not been reported earlier. Identification of different groups in LCT has far reaching implications in breeding. In the production of hybrids involving LCT, selection of mother palms of LCT is crucial. It is suggested that the elliptical fruit types may be avoided in the production of commercial hybrids, since it has high percentage of husk.