POLLEN MANAGEMENT IN COCONUT BREEDING

摘要

Coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L) is a major .source of edible oil and is one of the most useful palms in the tropics. Study of pollen biology and pollen management is of great importance in coconut, especially in the context of hybrid seed production and varietal improvement. In coconut, pollen production is not usually a constraint in artificial pollination, unlike pollen viability which is an important constraint. Pollen collection, processing and pollination techniques are well standardized in coconut. Effect of pollen parent on nut characters have been reported. In case, anther culture technique for production of haploids could be standardized, it will greatly facilitate production of diploid homozygotes by doubling the chromosome number and willbe a useful tool in coconut breeding. Techniques for long term storage of pollen through cryo-preservation remain to be standardized. Possibility of patenting pollen for certain economic characters has been discussed.