Genebank design: recommendations from the COGENT Global Strategy

By R. Bourdeix, August 2019

Herehunder are four extracts of the Global Strategy for the conservation and use of coconut genetic resources 2018-2028 published by the COGENT network.:

3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks (p. 122)
3.2.2. Diversification of coconut genebanks  (p. 122)
3.3.1. Business plans for genebanks  (p. 130)
3.3.2. Extending the duration of accessions in the fields (p. 132)

3.2.2. Diversification of coconut genebanks - By Konan, J.L., Sileye T., & Niral, V.

As discussed in Section 2.3.5, some of the coconut genebank already practices intercropping. In the absence of constraints, coconut genebanks should strengthen their involvement in conserving other tree crops. This option has several advantages, including to:

• Increase the global commitment to promote the importance of these genebanks. If more than one crop is conserved, genebanks will become increasingly mandatory and committed places for conservation of genetic resources.
• Increase the visiting frequency to the genebank. Researchers working in genetic resources of different crops will meet more frequently, exchange more information, and cooperate more closely.
• Make at least part of the genebank closer to the planting systems used locally by farmers, as many of them practice intercropping.
• Ensure a better agronomic management, especially for intercropped fields that often require irrigation facilities and higher fertilization and will serve as demonstration fields.
• Benefit from the multifunctional use of the landscape. Some coconut plantations, especially seed gardens, are generally surrounded by other tree crops for pollen isolation purposes. Instead of planting any tree crops, these buffers areas can also conserve genetic resources of appropriate species.

Conversely, coconut conservation could also be integrated into many other agricultural research centres’ programmes within the tropics. Thousands of coconut palms are planted in these research centres without considering genetic resources and diversity aspects. As observed for instance in 2018 in Fiji at the Koronivia research station, which is mainly devoted to cattle breeding, researchers and breeders working on other crops did not know the names of coconut varieties they are planting in their research centres. Thus, developing multifunctional land use is one of the highest priorities, and hence has thus recently been included as a new theme of the CGIAR research program on Forests, Trees and Agroforestry (FTA). As discussed in section 2.2.3, the CNRA is starting to implement this last approach by duplicating accessions of the international coconut collection in Côte d’Ivoire. Coconut germplasm will be planted in isolated small units of about one hectare, each conserving only one Tall-type accession and each planted in reproductive isolation in the middle of other tree-crop plantations, in 5 of the 13 CNRA research centres scattered around the country.

Reference; Konan, J.L., Sileye T., & Niral, V. (2018). 3.2.2 Diversification of coconut genebanks - Chapter 3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and promote use. In R. Bourdeix & A. Prades (Eds.), A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources 2018-2028. (pp. 122-123). Montpellier, France. Bioversity International.

3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks - by Rivera, R.L., Allou K. & Niral, V.

People commonly reiterate that conserving coconut palms in field genebanks is very costly. However, it should be considered that on the one hand, institutions spend a lot of money on growing coconut palms for conservation purposes; but on the other, farmers are becoming wealthy by planting more or less these same conserved varieties (e.g. in Brazil and Tamil Nadu). Therefore, with an optimal management, the maintenance of a field genebank could become a financially beneficial affair.

Fields genebanks are important for many reasons. The conserved germplasm is conserved in a natural environment and thus, continues to evolve in the presence of pests and diseases and other environmental and management factors. Such genebanks remain actually the only way for stakeholders to see the germplasm, and for breeders to characterize and use the material while planted in the field. Tall-type accessions are not clones but heterogeneous populations. There is a need for breeders to see and select the best palms within these accessions. Breeders cannot select the best palms from batches of embryos frozen in liquid nitrogen.

Coconut plantations of 100 to 800 hectares, including those maintained by many COGENT coconut research centres, also offer high earning potential. They are often coveted by neighbouring stakeholders, as many genebanks are facing land tenure problems. As pointed out in section 1.1.2, by planting common Dwarf varieties, Brazilian farmers have achieved a yield of 250 nuts per palm per year, generating a gross annual income of US$10,000-14,000 per hectare. So a first objective for field genebanks could be to generate a gross annual income of at least US$3000 per hectare.

Reference: Rivera, R.L., Allou K. & Niral, V. (2018). 3.2.1 Crucial importance of field genebanks - Chapter 3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and promote use. In R. Bourdeix & A. Prades (Eds.), A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources 2018-2028. (pp. 122). Montpellier, France. Bioversity International.

3.3.1. Business plans for genebanks. by Perera, L., Konan, J.L. & Tulalo, M.

Coconut genebanks could greatly increase their capability for self-funding  

An international project should help COGENT genebanks to increase their profitability, in order to secure conservation of coconut genetic resources. Socioeconomist internships should be conducted in at least ten COGENT member-countries for costing conservation activities, for increasing self-funding of genebanks and for integrating coconut conservation in landscaping of both public places and tourism locations, using a multifunctional land management approach.

Many genebanks and research centres have been established close to cities which are now rapidly expanding. Land pressure on these genebanks is mounting. For instance in India, the CPCRI genebank is now surrounded by Kasaragod residential areas. In Côte d’Ivoire, the ICG-AIO genebank will soon be completely engulfed by popular residential areas of Abidjan, the capital city. Some genebanks will soon remain the main or only green space available in their respective areas. The status of the coconut genebank should evolve towards and be recognized as a higher benefit for neighbouring citizens. Genebanks might no longer be seen as exclusive spaces reserved only for researchers. They could evolve towards a kind of botanical garden, public park or green space, open to citizens and where researchers work as well. As citizens will benefit from sharing these spaces, land pressure should decrease.

The first opportunity for self-funding is by selling coconuts produced by the genebanks. A factor limiting genebank fruit yield is often linked to the organization of host institutions. Curators do not have clear interests to increase the level of production of their genebanks. In many cases, the management and the sale of agricultural production fall under separate administrative services. This situation has already been encountered in two international genebanks, but may concern many more. A curator told us that she spent half her annual budget buying fertilizers for the genebank, yet the genebank did not benefit from the resulting yield increases, as all the income was pooled and kept by another service.

For varieties such as Brazilian Green Dwarf, some genebanks currently record an average annual fruit production of less than 60 fruits per palm (calculated on the period 9-12 years for an accession of BGD conserved in one of the international genebanks), when Brazilian farmers succeed in achieving annual yields of 250 fruits per palm under comparable conditions. For both demonstration purposes and income generation, most of genebanks should have at least one field of Dwarf cultivars managed in a sustainable way  Another way to increase self-funding would be to process high-value coconut products (HVCPs) within the genebank. During the SPC-ACIAR meeting held in 2012 in Samoa, the COGENT secretariat recommended that pilot units for developing new HVCPs and integrated coconut processing centres should preferably be located in coconut genebanks. This kind of approach has recently been initiated at the Taveuni coconut centre (Fiji). It allows coconut stakeholders to see both the available planting material and the new processes for producing HVPs. It will also provide a wide range of germplasm to researchers in processing for testing their techniques and equipment.

Other by-products that could be valorized by genebanks include coconut timber and palm hearts obtained when felling old accession trees. The palm heart, also called palm cabbage, has a flavour resembling fresh hazelnut. It is eaten under the name of "millionaire's salad". Coconut hearts are sold in La Réunion, for €80 per unit (about US$108). When the COGENT secretariat tried to convince farmers to reduce the price and increase production, farmers replied that customers agree to pay high prices for food such as caviar, so there is no reason for customers to pay less for coconut hearts. For landscaping public places and tourist areas, adult palms are often sold for about US$100 per meter of trunk. Genebanks could be particularly well placed on this market because they can sell adult palms from certified varieties. Genebanks could also produce and process toddy which is often more profitable than selling fruit.

Another method of increasing self-funding is linked to diversification of coconut genebanks, as discussed in section 3.2.2. A very lucrative option could be to include in coconut genebanks plots devoted to the conservation of other palm species. There is a huge and very profitable market for adult palms used for landscaping of public places and tourist areas. So the genebank could also sell adult trees from other palm species and replace them in the genebank as long as this operation remains profitable.

Thus, another way for genebanks to increase their resources could be to develop jointventures with the tourism industry at both international and local levels. As stated in section 1.1.4, many coconut research centres can be regarded as small paradises from aesthetic, environmental and human perspectives. There is great potential for developing ecotourism activities. Ecotourism could be emphasized by the concept of coconut genebanks being autonomous for energy. Every site could have a small unit to produce coconut oil and biodiesel. This oil can easily run electric motors that provide energy to the laboratory, offices, engines and, of course, guest-house for the visitors, reducing carbon footprint.

Reference: Perera, L., Konan, J.L. & Tulalo, M. (2018). 3.3.1 Business plans for genebanks - Chapter 3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and promote use. In R. Bourdeix & A. Prades (Eds.), A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources 2018-2028. (pp. 130-132). Montpellier, France. Bioversity International.

3.3.2. Extending the duration of accessions in the fields. by Duong N.T.K., Tulalo, M. & Konan, J.L

Extending the duration of accessions in the field should contribute to reduce costs of maintaining ex situ coconut genebanks. Most of the expenses are conducted during the first 12 years and when regeneration is conducted. After 12 years, the cost of maintaining coconut palms should be covered by the value of fruit production. Thus extending the duration of coconut accessions from 30 years to 60 years could thus halve the conservation costs per accession. Three approaches could help extend the lifespan of field-based accessions:

• ensure palm longevity by appropriate management;
• improve palm-climbing techniques; 
• reducing palm height. 

Longevity could be increased by addressing the causes of palm degeneration or death. Diseases and pests need to be controlled where possible. In some genebanks, soils are depleting due to compaction, excessive grazing by livestock and lack of fertilization. In disease-free areas, the main cause of palm death is lightning, which strikes more frequently in specific places. If accessions are kept for 60 years in the field, earthling against lightning will have to be considered. COGENT therefore, needs to implement a project for selecting one or two secure climbing techniques that are well adapted to controlled hand-pollination, and to diffuse this technique among all genebanks (see sections 1.1.4 and 2.2.1 for more details). 

Research must also be conducted to reduce the palm-height of Tall-type varieties: • Vertical growth of coconut palm has not been sufficiently studied and quantified. The rapid growth of Tall-type coconut palms occurs mainly during the first 25 years. Later, their growth becomes very similar to that of Dwarf-types. 

Reluctance to innovation in coconut climbing An experiment was conducted in Côte d’Ivoire more than 15 years ago. Workers use triple ladders reaching 15m, without any security system. They were advised to establish a secure system, but collectively declined, arguing that such a system would make them think that they could fall, would psychologically perturb them and would increase workers’ falling rate. . These psychological aspects will have to be taken in account when climbers will be requested again to change their climbing methods. Palm-climbing is dangerous. In Côte d’Ivoire, during the last genebank regeneration, two workers fell and were severely injured. Field workers have ingrained climbing habits on which their life depends. It is not be easy to encourage them to change their habits, even when their technique has proven to be unsafe. In some genebanks, palm-climbers are very poorly paid, almost as little as daily labourers, despite the complexity and danger of the task they perform. One solution could be to increase palm-climbers’ wages for those using the safer techniques.

Farmers of the Mekong Delta use a technique to stunt Tall-type coconut varieties. A study should assess if this technique, as shown in a recent movie17, is manageable for genebanks. • The genetic determinism of Dwarfism is still unknown, but the vertical growth of the coconut palm is very probably under phytohormonal control. When these mechanisms will be elucidated, it could become possible to apply phytohormones during a 2-4 years period for strongly reducing the vertical growth. 

In the future, it is envisioned that regenerating an accession will be undertaken only when the palms are 60-years old, when more than a fifth of the palms are dead, or when their annual yield drops below 20 fruits per palm during two successive years.

Reference: Duong N.T.K., Tulalo, M. & Konan, J.L. (2018). 3.3.2 Extending the duration of accessions in the fields - Chapter 3. Where we need to be to secure diversity and promote use. In R. Bourdeix & A. Prades (Eds.), A Global Strategy for the Conservation and Use of Coconut Genetic Resources 2018-2028. (pp. 132-133). Montpellier, France. Bioversity International.