Gov't eyes embryo culturing for native coconut propagation

The government will be using embryo culture to preserve a variety of coconut that has hooked the interest of foreign investors looking for its anti-diabetic values.

 

The Philippine Coconut Authority said embryo culture could increase the chances of propagating the Tutupaen coconut variety, which is native to the Ilocos Region, to other places in the country.

“Coconut is difficult to conserve because of its large and recalcitrant seeds.  Dissemination of seednuts also carries the risk of transmitting pathogens and pests.  But embryo culture is now enabling us to overcome these difficulties,” said PCA Administrator Euclides G. Forbes.

 

Coconut is the country's main farm export and the Philippines is the world's top importer of coconut products. For 2011, the PCA said it export receipts from the coconut industry could reach $2 billion.

 

The government is keen on keeping that position following President Aquino trip to the United States last year, where he touted the country's coconut products, particularly coco-water.

 

PCA aims to double Philippines’ coconut production from the two million metric ton (MT) level to four million MT level.  To achieve that, the agency needs to have more value-added products in the market. The agency has also embarked on a massive coconut replanting and fertilization to increase the yields per hectare and replace the aging coconut trees.

 

The PCA said the Tutupaen variety has attracted investors because of its potential health benefits. According to the agency, the coconut's thick shell is a source of xylose, a type of sugar isolated from wood.  It is associated with the production of xylitol, a sugar alcohol sweetener used as an anti-diabetic, naturally-occurring sugar substitute.

 “The coconut shell is one of the best sources of xylose (wood sugar).  A 2B company owned by Korean and Japanese investors are now mass producing xylose in Davao using coconut shell.  We expect the Tutupaen tall variety's distinct thick shell could provide higher volume of xylose than the normal coconut varieties,” said PCA-Zamboanga Officer-in-Charge Ramon L. Rivera.

 

The conservation of Tutupaen tall coconut is part of PCA goal to add value to the local coconut.

“The focus now is on high value and emerging products.  Makapuno meat has now been recognized as the best source for galactomannan, protein and VCO.  EC technology is the only protocol that best suits the mass production of Makapuno,” said Rivera.

Embryo culture technique is also being used to promote germplasm exchange between the Philippines and other coconut-producing countries.

“EC technology addresses more the conservation and exchange of coconut germplasm.  We are now embarking on collecting Neu Afa variety from Solomon Islands and other Pacific Islands for coconut husks,” Rivera added.

 

Bioversity International, has already led to government’s international exchange program with three countries.  These are Ivory Coast in West Africa, Papua New Guinea, and Sri Lanka.

 

This collaboration on germplasm sharing has enabled Philippines to obtain a drought-resistant coconut variety from Africa.  This variety can last months of severe drought or lack of water or rainfall. 

 

This drought-resistance trait will be of critical importance to the country’s coconut supply specially in light of the threats of climate change.   But it will take time before this variety may become available commercially. 

 

“The normal coconut cycle is four-five years.  Selection may require another five years (using DNA markers).  So, we need at least 10 years (to make this commercially available),” he said. — TJD, GMA News