Knowledge sharing and synergy among the leading coconut tissue culture laboratories in member countries of ICC (International Coconut Community)/COGENT (International Coconut Genetic Resources Network) are the keys to upscaling and advancing the Coconut Tissue Culture Technology. The results of scientific developments in various laboratories working on coconut tissue culture and cryopreservation need to be harmonized and complemented to address shortfalls in the currently available protocols. In this background, ICAR-CPCRI, Kasaragod, hosted an International Coconut Workshop from 16th to 20th May 2022. The objectives of the Workshop were (i) sharing the acquired expertise and skills among researchers working on coconut tissue culture in support of the conservation, germplasm exchange and mass propagation programmes in member countries of COGENT, and (ii) to formulate experiments to develop a commercially viable tissue culture protocol in coconut. The Workshop was conducted in collaboration with International Coconut Community (ICC), International Coconut Genetic Resource Network (COGENT), Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research (ACIAR) and Coconut Development Board (CDB).

The programme was inaugurated by Dr. A. K. Singh, Deputy Director General (Horticulture Science), ICAR, New Delhi, on 16th May 2022. In his inaugural address, Dr. Singh highlighted the achievements made in the Indian horticultural sector. Dr. Singh mooted the need for an international collaborative network research programme under the aegis of ICC to improve the success of coconut tissue culture. During the inaugural session, an overview of COGENT as ICC programme was presented by Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director, ICC. A presentation on coconut conservation strategy was made by Mrs. Erlene Manohar, Coordinator, COGENT. The keynote address on ‘Research Achievements in Biotechnology at ICAR-CPCRI’ was given by Dr. Anitha Karun, Director, ICAR-CPCRI. Dr. M.K. Rajesh and Dr. V. Niral, Principal Scientists (ICAR-CPCRI), proposed the welcome address and vote of thanks, respectively.

The inaugural session was followed by the tissue culture and cryopreservation Workshop, which was attended by researchers from ten countries, viz., India, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Malaysia, Belgium, France, Côte d’Ivoire, Vietnam, Papua New Guinea, and the Philippines. The Workshop witnessed intense brainstorming sessions, hands-on training, and informative lectures pertaining to the thematic areas. Dr. Anitha Karun (Director, ICAR-CPCRI), Dr. Cristeta Cueto (Philippine Coconut Authority, the Philippines), Dr. Sundar Kalaipandian (University of Queensland, Australia), Dr. Quang Nguyen (Vietnam National University, Vietnam), Dr. Vijitha Vidhanaarachchi (Coconut Research Institute, Sri Lanka), Dr. Bart Panis (Alliance Bioversity and CIAT, Belgium), Dr. M.K. Rajesh (ICAR-CPCRI) and Dr. Shareefa M. (ICAR-CPCRI) handled the training sessions and demonstration classes on coconut embryo culture, immature inflorescence culture, axillary shoot culture, ovary and plumule culture, and cryopreservation of zygotic embryos, pollen and shoot tips. Trainees from eight countries attended the Workshop. The Workshop was followed by project formulation activities and country presentations on coconut tissue culture and cryopreservation, which were moderated by Mr. Vincent Johnson (ICC-COGENT).

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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