INTERNATIONAL PLANT GENETIC RESOURCES INSTITUTE
No. 38
About the Newsletter
The International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute (IPGRI) is one of the
16 Centres of the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR) with its Headquarters at Rome,
Italy. IPGRI’s mission is to encourage,
support and undertake activities to
improve the management of genetic
resources worldwide so as to help
eradicate poverty, increase food security
and protect the environment. IPGRI
focuses on the conservation and use of
genetic resources important to developing
countries and has an explicit commitment
to specific crops. IPGRI works in
partnership with other organizations,
undertakes research and training, and
provides scientific and technical advice
and information. IPGRI operates in five
geographical areas: Sub-Saharan Africa
(SSA), the Americas, Europe, Central and
West Asia and North Africa (CWANA),
and Asia, the Pacific and Oceania (APO).
APO Regional Office is based in Serdang,
Malaysia with sub-regional offices for East
Asia and South Asia located in Beijing,
China and New Delhi, India, respectively.
There is also an outposted staff in Nepal.
The APO Newsletter is produced thrice
a year and is mainly aimed at promoting
the overall concern on plant genetic
resources, with emphasis on their
conservation and use. [Contd. on page 3]
Contents
Editorial ....................................
Headquarters ...........................
Regional ...................................
National .................................... 10
COGENT Update .................... 12
Meetings/Training Programmes 17
Interesting Books, Periodicals
and Websites ........................... 18
Scientific Contributions ............ 23
Useful Names & Addresses ... 24
The information, opinions and designations in the Newsletter are not necessarily those of IPGRI
The IPGRI Homepage on the World Wide Web of Internet: http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org
NEWSLETTER
FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
Editorial
Conservation and Use of Native
Tropical Fruit Species Biodiversity in
Asia: IPGRI’s efforts
The Asian region is rich in diversity of
tropical fruit species, particularly in South
and Southeast Asia. Over 400 edible
tropical fruit species are found in Asia
and this enormous diversity of both
cultivated and wild species is important
for the well being of the people owing to
their role in providing supplemental food,
nutritionally balanced diets, and
enhancing household incomes and
employment, particularly for women.
Some species have specific uses as
medicine, timber, fuelwood and livestock
feed. The region is a seat of
diversification of fruits such as banana,
citrus, mango, litchi, durian, rambutan
and jackfruit. In addition, a large number
of species of minor fruits are grown in
small farms and orchards, backyards,
and marginal lands, etc. A preliminary
analysis of PGR activities on tropical
fruits in the region suggested that
information on their available diversity
has not been properly documented,
1
underutilized and wild species are poorly
4 represented in the collections, little
5 attempt has been made to document
indigenous knowledge, and the extant
diversity faces serious maintenance and
conservation problems.
Realizing the scope of research and
development, the importance of tropical
fruits and the need to promote their
conservation and use in Asia, IPGRI has
taken up several activities on tropical
fruits of regional importance. The major
ISSN 1561-2473
May-August 2002
activities include:
l Identification of priority genepools of
major and minor fruit tree species
of national and regional importance
l Gathering information on distribution
and diversity of priority species,
status of collections, evaluation,
documentation, maintenance,
conservation and utilization
l Supporting research on
conservation techniques and their
adoption in national programmes
and genetic diversity studies to
assess the status of diversity,
genetic threat and the need to
promote in situ conservation
l Strengthening human resource
development; organizing training
courses on conservation and use of
tropical fruit species, consultation
meetings, and workshops
l Promoting national, regional and
international collaboration to
facilitate networking and
dissemination of information
An assement of these activities carried
out by IPGRI-APO has been projected
in the ensuing paragraphs:
Fruit species for research and
development: Priority setting
Realizing the need for concentrating
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
work on selected important fruit species,
a questionnaire survey for identification
of priority species was conducted in
collaboration with the International
Centre for Underutilized Crops (ICUC).
This was followed by a regional
consultation held at Malaysian
Agricultural Research and Development
Institute (MARDI), Kuala Lumpur,
Malaysia in 1994. As a result of these
efforts, six priority species of major fruits
(mango, citrus, rambutan), minor fruits
(durian, jackfruit, litchi) and a few others
of local importance, namely, carambola,
mangosteen and longan were identified
for initiating research and development
activities with emphasis on genetic
resources conservation and use.
Information gathering and
dissemination
IPGRI-APO has brought out 23 country
status reports on genetic resources of
the six priority fruit species in
collaboration with the key national
programmes that hold diversity in these
fruits. These reports contain valuable
information on distribution, extent of
genetic diversity of cultivated and wild
genepools, the status of germplasm
collection, evaluation, documentation,
conservation, improvement and
utilization, diseases and pests,
production, processing and marketing
aspects. The national programme
experts from different countries
contributed in the synthesis of such
information on mango (Bangladesh,
India, Sri Lanka, China, Indonesia, the
Philippines, Thailand), citrus (India,
Nepal, Sri Lanka, China, Japan),
rambutan (Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia), durian (Thailand, Malaysia,
Indonesia), jackfruit (Bangladesh, India,
Sri Lanka) and litchi (China, India). The
above 23 reports have been widely
distributed to national programmes and
other partners in the region so that this
information can be used in further
promoting research and development,
facilitating exchange of material for better
use of genetic diversity and also in
developing complementary conservation
strategies. More recently, a status report
on mangosteen in Southeast Asia has
been prepared.
Monographs on 5 important priority
species, namely, mango, citrus,
rambutan, durian and litchi are planned
to be published. The status reports on
these fruit species will be used as the
base material. The monographs on
mango and citrus are currently in the
process of editing and these will be
published and distributed to national
partners.
The citrus descriptors have been revised
and widely distributed. The jackfruit
descriptors were jointly developed by
IPGRI and Underutilized Tropical Fruits
in Asia Network (UTFANET) in
collaboration with the national partners
and were published and widely
distributed. Descriptors for rambutan,
mangosteen and litchi are in the process
of development and mango descriptors
are planned to be revised.
Inventory of Underutilized Edible Fruits
and Nuts has been published and
distributed widely to national
programmes/partners.
A website on tropical fruit tree genetic
resources has been developed to
facilitate sharing of information by the
members of Asian Fruits Genetic
Resources Network (AFGRN).
Development of an information platform
has been initiated in order to have up-
to-date information on the activities of
fruit species research across different
regional offices of IPGRI. The purpose
of such an information platform is to
facilitate information and knowledge
sharing within IPGRI. Such a platform is
exclusively for the people within IPGRI
to interact and exchange information
relating to fruit trees. In order to initiate
activities relating to website, focal
persons from the regional offices have
been identified, and the requisite
information from their regions is being
gathered.
Ecogeographic studies
Ecogeographic studies on duku/langsat
(Lansium domesticum) were conducted
in southern Sumatra in collaboration with
the national programme. Sixteen different
types of duku including some promising
types were identified. Under the Asian
Development Bank (ADB) funded project
on tropical fruits, ecogeographic studies
have been conducted to locate diversity
of traditional varieties in the Philippines,
Malaysia, Indonesia, India, Thailand,
2
Vietnam, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh.
Distribution maps have been prepared
for mango (Malaysia), citrus (Indonesia),
litchi (Vietnam, India) and Garcinia (the
Philippines). Significant genetic diversity
was located and collected for these fruit
species.
Characterization, evaluation and
documentation
A large number of accessions of target
tropical fruit species were characterized
and evaluated in different countries. In
all, 384 accessions of mango, 486 of
citrus, 156 of rambutan and 72 of jackfruit
and elite material of mangosteen have
been characterized in different countries.
Information on genetic resources of
target species has been documented.
These include: (i) in mango, a catalogue
of 252 accessions was prepared and
passport data documented in India; 632
accessions were documented in
Thailand; passport and characterization
data were documented in the Philippines
and Vietnam (ii) in Citrus, a list of 707
accessions was developed and
information on 400 accessions was
documented in China; passport and
characterization data were documented
in the Philippines, (iii) 57 accessions of
rambutan were documented in Thailand,
(iv) data on 100 accessions of litchi in
China and 17 accessions in Vietnam
have been documented, and (v) passport
and characterization data on
mangosteen were documented in the
Philippines.
Conservation strategies
In situ conservation: In Vietnam, two sites
for in situ conservation were identified
for citrus and litchi: i) Bac son district,
Lang son province for mandarin and
orange and ii) Phuc Trach commune,
Huong Khe district, Ha Tinh province for
pummelo. A home garden for in situ
conservation of litchi and citrus was also
established at Ninhbinh, Vietnam. Three
farmers’ home gardens were identified
as in situ conservation sites for mango
and citrus in Bangladesh, and one new
location of jackfruit germplasm for in situ
conservation was selected in the farmer’s
home garden.
Ex situ conservation: Ex situ
conservation activities were undertaken
for different crops in different countries.
3 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
Field genebanks of mango were
established at the Central Institute of
Subtropical Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow
and the Indian Institute of Horticultural
Research (IIHR), Bangalore and 900
accessions are conserved in these field
genebanks. In the Philippines, 269
accessions of mango, were established
at the Institute of Plant Breeding (IPB),
University of the Philippines, Los Baños.
Field genebanks were established at
MARDI in Malaysia with 12 accessions
of kuini (Mangifera odorata) and at the
Sisaket Horticultural Centre in Thailand
with 84 accessions of mango. Field
genebanks of Citrus were established in
India at the National Research Centre
for Citrus, Nagpur (137 accessions); IPB,
UPLB, the Philippines (10 accessions);
the Citrus Research Institute,
Chongquing, China (58 accessions); and
the Vietnam Agricultural Science
Institute, Hanoi, Vietnam (477
accessions). Field genebanks were also
established for rambutan at the
Chanthaburi Horticultural Research
Centre in Thailand (200 rootstocks);
MARDI, Malaysia (27 accessions of
pulasan - Nephelium ramboutan-ake);
West Java, Indonesia (17 accessions);
for litchi at Ranchi, India (53 accessions);
for Garcinia species at IPB, UPLB, the
Philippines (5 accessions), for jackfruit
at Bangladesh Agriculture Research
Institute (BARI), Bangladesh (65
accessions).
Cryopreservation: The work on
development of cryopreservation
techniques for long-term conservation of
recalcitrant seeds of jackfruit and litchi
was done at the National Bureau of Plant
Genetic Resources (NBPGR), India, in
collaboration with IPGRI under the
project funded by the Department for
International Development (DFID), U.K.
Use of the vitrification method of
cryopreservation showed improvement in
recovery percentage of cryopreserved
axes in jackfruit and litchi as compared
to air desiccation method. Seeds of citrus
have also been successfully
cryopreserved.
Research was carried out in collaboration
with the Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia
(UKM) and Universiti Putra Malaysia
(UPM), Malaysia, to determine seed
desiccation and freezing tolerance of
selected commercial Citrus species and
to develop a cryopreservation storage
protocol for Citrus aurantifolia, Citrus
medica and Fortunella polyandra, with
funding from South Korea. The results
indicated that Citrus medica seeds with
testa could be successfully
cryopreserved, since C. medica seeds
were found to be tolerant to desiccation,
but the survival rates at low moisture
content decreased rapidly. The survival
of C. aurantifolia embryos after cooling
at -196°C was over 80% after 1 hr
desiccation at moisture content (MC)
below 17%, while the survival of C.
medica embryos after cooling at -196°C
was 50-90% after 1 hr desiccation at
MC below 13%. These studies resulted
in the development of protocols for
desiccation and cryopreservation.
Collaboration with UKM is continuing on
a project on ‘Development of In vitro
Regeneration Techniques for Selected
Citrus Species’, funded by International
Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA). Also, the
cryopreservation studies on pummelo at
UPM using meristem tissue are
continuing with funding support from
Korea.
The research conducted at Huazhong
University, Wuhan, China was partly
supported from the ADB-funded TFT
project that resulted in standardization
of protocols for cryopreservation of citrus.
The work on mango at Zhongshan
University, Guangzhou in China has
confirmed recalcitrant nature of mango
seeds and encapsulation dehydration
method proved to be more effective.
The development of alternative storage
protocols is very much in need for
species with seeds that are desiccation
sensitive. The ongoing research is
focused on developing a storage protocol
for F. polyandra by employing vitrification
and encapsulation air-drying methods.
Optimization of these techniques is being
carried out that involves the optimization
of pre-growth and pre-culture durations,
sucrose concentrations for loading
solution and exposure times to PVS2
and unloading solutions.
Socioeconomic studies
Studies on socioeconomic aspects have
been conducted on rambutan in
Indonesia, kuini (Mangifera odorata) in
Malaysia and citrus and litchi in Vietnam
No. 38
in order to understand the growers and
consumer preferences and the marketing
constraints and the studies in other
countries are being initiated. A
socioeconomist has been appointed to
coordinate these studies.
Human resource development
One of the major problems for effective
conservation and use of TFT genetic
resources is the lack of trained staff. In
many countries, one scientist may have
the responsibility of work on several
species. Thus, high priority has been
given to training of existing national staff.
During 1997-2002, five training courses
were organized in which a total of 62
scientists from 13 countries .were
trained. The courses held include: (i)
conservation and use of germplasm of
tropical fruit species in India in 1997, ii)
strengthening national capacity in
information management in the
Philippines in 2000, iii) characterization,
evaluation and conservation of tropical
fruit genetic resources in India in 2001,
iv) use of markers for characterization
of tropical fruit genetic resources in China
in 2001; and v) In vitro conservation and
cryopreservation of tropical fruit genetic
resources in India in 2002. A training
workshop on project proposal
development and scientific writing was
also organized in Vietnam in 2002 in
order to enhance the skills of country
coordinators in this field.
IPGRI supported the work on tropical
fruits at the Tribhuvan University,
Kathmandu through a M.Sc. student to
About the Newsletter
Contd. from page 1
It provides information on plant
genetic resources activities carried
out by national programmes and
other centres in the region.
Information is also periodically
abstracted from recent literature
(books, periodicals, etc.), and brief
research contributions published.
With over 2500 addressees on its
mailing list, the APO newsletter is
widely distributed to focus on
IPGRI's mandate to advance the
conservation and use of plant
genetic resources for the benefit of
present and future generations.
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
study ‘Phenogenetic variation in
pummelo (Citrus grandis L.) in the
eastern hills of Nepal’
Collaboration and linkages
IPGRI has established links with a
number of international organizations
including Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations
(FAO); Asian Development Bank (ADB);
Centre de Cooperation Internationale en
Recherche Agronomique pour de
Developpement (CIRAD); Australian
Centre for International Agricultural
Research (ACIAR), International Centre
for Underutilized Crops (ICUC),
Underutilized Tropical Fruits in Asia
Network (UTFANET) and International
Tropical Fruits Network (TFNet). A few
specific examples of collaboration are
mentioned below:
IPGRI is currently implementing an ADB-
funded project on ‘Conservation and Use
of Native Tropical Fruit Species
Biodiversity in Asia’ in 10 Asian
countries, namely, Bangladesh, China,
India, Indonesia, Malaysia, Nepal, the
Philippines, Sri Lanka, Thailand and
Vietnam. The objective of the project is
to improve the conservation and use of
genetic resources of priority fruit species,
Headquarters
Info Finder – An Online
Tool for Agriculture,
Hunger, Poverty and the
Environment
On 21 May 2002, a new online search
tool aimed at revolutionizing the way
external users can access specialized
agricultural and development information
was launched. This is an initiative of
Future Harvest, a coalition of 16
international agricultural research centres
supported by the Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research
(CGIAR), that are working to increase
understanding and support for
agricultural research to promote global
peace, prosperity, environmental
renewal, health and the alleviation of
suffering. This new Info Finder tool is
the product of a collaborative effort
between the FAO World Agricultural
Information Centre (WAICENT), the
viz., mango, citrus, rambutan, jackfruit,
litchi and mangosteen.
IPGRI-APO and ACIAR jointly organized
‘Citrus Conservation Workshop’ at
Brisbane, Australia in 1997. Participants
from major citrus growing countries in
APO region attended the workshop.
A survey was conducted jointly with
UTFANET and ICUC in 15 countries in
South Asia and East Asia to identify
problems and priorities. UTFANET and
IPGRI reciprocated participation in the
meetings organized by them. IPGRI
developed jackfruit descriptors in
collaboration with UTFANET and is also
collaborating with ICUC in a project
‘Fruits for the Future’ funded by DFID.
Future emphasis
Future activities include preparing
country status reports on selected priority
fruit species - aonla, carambola, longan;
developing descriptor lists for litchi,
rambutan and mangosteen; revising
mango descriptors; monographs on
rambutan and durian and, developing
information platform/website for fruit
species.
Other activities proposed to be
undertaken in collaboration with
UTFANET, TFNet and national partners,
CGIAR Secretariat, Future Harvest, and
all its 16 Centres.
Based on the WAICENT Information
Finder operated by Food and Agriculture
Organization of the United Nations
(FAO), it allows users to intelligently
search the reserves of online material
produced around the globe by Future
Harvest Centres, the CGIAR, and others
via a single network.
The Info Finder works from a database
of metadata, finding only those items that
have been entered into the database.
This design enables a more targeted
response than is possible with search
engines such as GoogleTM. This design
commits the centres to agree on
metadata standards and to compile and
enter these data for a specific site or
electronic document to be found.
The Info Finder was proposed at the
CGIAR’s Mid-term Meeting in Durban,
4
include collecting baseline data
consisting of ecogeographic information,
indigenous knowledge on production and
uses, market information; conservation/
evaluation of promising clones/lines;
capacity building/training on production,
propagation and database development;
product development and marketing; and
production to consumption constraint
analysis.
The project ‘Development of Sustainable
Conservation Technologies for Tropical
Fruits and Related Species’ involving
Australia and four ADB project partners,
namely, Malaysia, the Philippines,
Thailand and Vietnam approved by
ACIAR will commence from January
2003. The project aims at developing
methods of cryopreservation and
developing alternative conservation and
regeneration strategies for priority
species. In view of significant
achievements made under the project
and the strong need of the collaborating
partners, Phase II proposal of ADB-TFT
project will be developed and submitted
to ADB for funding and the activities
envisaged under the project will be
implemented.
[Dr Bhag Mal, Coordinator, IPGRI South
Asia Office, New Delhi, India]
South Africa, in May 2001. By the official
launch in May 2002, more than 3000
documents (including web pages) from
the 16 Future Harvest Centres had been
catalogued into the system. Formerly
accessible by visiting each of the 16
Centres’ Websites individually,
documents can now be accessed
through a one-stop search point.
The Info Finder also provides a gateway
to FAO’s vast information resources. By
bridging the research mandate of the
Future Harvest Centres and the
development mandate of FAO, the
information accessible through the Info
Finder is an invaluable resource to those
working to feed the world’s people today
and in the future.
The Info Finder is available at: http://
infofinder.cgiar.org/ and for more
information contact M. Garruccio at
IPGRI HQ, Rome (m.garruccio@cgiar.
org).
5 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 38

Regional
Update on IPGRI-APO IPGRI collaborates with National from 2-4 May 2002. The objectives of
Activities Institute of Agrobiological the workshop were to: i) review the
Sciences, Japan for the activities proposed at the project design
New initiatives in APO research project on in situ workshop held at M.S. Swaminathan
During the past four months, a few new conservation of plant genetic
Research Foundation (MSSRF),
activities have been initiated in resources in Nepal
Chennai, India in January 2001; ii)
collaboration with different institutions/ Random amplified polymorphic DNA finalize the programme for implementing
organizations, which are listed below: (RAPD) technique was used to assess the activities in Nepal in 2002, iii) identify
genetic diversity of Nepalese populations partners for effective implementation of
(i) Publication of the Proceedings of
of wild buckwheat (Fagopyrum cymosum the project; and iv) identify the human
National Workshop on the
Meisn) in 3 regions in Nepal along with resource development needs.
Conservation and Utilization of Plant
a few accessions from China and India. Participants from NARC and its regional
Genetic Resources held at the
A socioeconomic study was conducted stations, the Local Initiative for
Institute of Botany, Academy of
in Lumle, Kaski, Charikot and Dolakha Biodiversity Research and Development
Sciences, DPR Korea from 20-22
districts and it was revealed that (LI-BIRD), Pokhara, MSSRF and IPGRI
August 2001.
Nepalese farmers have their own attended the meeting.
(ii) Establishment of an ex situ reasons to utilize two species of
collection of bamboo for national buckwheat based on their economic, Dr R.P. Sapkota, Executive Director,
conservation and research (Phase social and cultural perception. Medicinal NARC inaugurated the workshop and
2) with Institute of Biological values were also recognized at the highlighted the importance of work on
Sciences, University of Malaya, farmers and community level. small millets in view of their significant
Malaysia. role in agricultural development in Nepal.
Project Inception Dr S. Appa Rao from MSSRF in his
(iii) Plant Genetic Resources
remarks, mentioned about the role of
Technology Support for The Pacific Workshop of IFAD-NUS
PGR Network with Secretariat of MSSRF in implementing the Asia
Project component of the project in India and
The Pacific Community.
The project inception workshop of the Nepal. Dr Bhag Mal, IPGRI Coordinator
(iv) Taro Genetic Resources Nepal component of the global project for South Asia indicated that this project
Conservation and Utilization ‘Enhancing the Contributions of would primarily focus on enhancing the
(TaroGen) with Secretariat of The Nutritious but Neglected Crops to Food incomes of the rural poor through
Pacific Community.
Security and to Incomes of Rural Poor’ enhanced production of finger millet and
IPGRI supports training and was organized at the Nepal Agricultural its efficient utilization. Dr Stefano
establishment of laboratory for Research Council (NARC), Kathmandu Padulosi, Global Coordinator of the
crop diversity analysis in Nepal
Dr K.V. Bhat, Senior Scientist, National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources
(NBPGR), New Delhi, India was engaged
as IPGRI Consultant to provide expertise
in developing facilities for a simple
system of isozyme electrophoresis that
includes the establishment of functional
isozyme analysis laboratory and hands-
on-training of Nepal Agricultural
Research Council (NARC) scientists. As
a result of this training, a detailed
document will be prepared on protocols
for isozyme electrophoresis and genetic
diversity analysis in the selected eight
crops, namely, rice, taro, sponge gourd,
barley, cucumber, buckwheat, finger
millet and pigeonpea. Inception Meeting of IFAD-NUS Project held at NARC, Kathmandu, Nepal
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
Project gave a brief account of the
project objectives, programmes and
activities, and the expected outputs.
The workshop was organized in three
technical sessions. Technical Session I
was devoted to millet improvement and
production and was chaired by Dr D.S.
Pathik, Director, Crops and Horticulture,
NARC, Nepal. Four status papers
presented in this session included: small
millets production systems; germplasm
collecting, characterization, evaluation
and documentation; on-farm
conservation; and participatory
approaches for small millet improvement.
Technical Session II was chaired by Dr
Stefano Padulosi, Global Coordinator
and Senior Scientist, IPGRI Regional
Office for Central and West Asia and
North Africa (CWANA), Aleppo, Syria
dealt with four presentations on
importance of millets in food and
nutritional security, value addition,
processing and marketing, traditional
knowledge and policies for strengthening
food and nutritional security. The third
session chaired by Dr Bhag Mal was
exclusively devoted to finalization of
activities and developing the workplan.
As a result of in-depth discussions,
various activities to be undertaken were
finalized, the sites were identified and
the budget was earmarked. The action
plan and budget were presented and
agreed upon in the concluding session,
which was chaired by Dr S.K. Shrestha,
Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and
Cooperatives, Govt. of Nepal.
PROSEA Information/
Communication Highlights
Cooperation with DAFEP,
Indonesia
To further strengthen the information
base, Plant Resources of South East
Asia (PROSEA) Indonesia and the
Decentralized Agriculture and Forestry
Extension Project (DAFEP) have
established cooperation in implementing
a pilot project to establish community
websites in three locations, namely,
Magelang – Central Java, Bantul and
Kulon Progo – Dl Yogyakarta. The
objective of the project is to provide
quality information on technology, plant
resources, human resources, institutions
and the potential of the regions through
community websites. On February 5
2002, the progress of website
development was discussed in a special
meeting. Participants included
representatives from the World Bank (a
Supervisory Team), the Agency of
Agricultural Human Resource
Development, and the Agency of
Forestry Extension Development.
Since September 2001, five homepages
have been established, namely,
PROSEA Indonesia (www.proseanet.
org/indonesia), DAFEP (www.dafep.org),
and the homepages of the Balai
Informasi Penyuluhan Pertanian
(Information Station for Agricultural
Extension) in three locations, namely,
Magelang (www.dafep.org/magelang),
Kulon Progo (www.dafep.org/
kulonprogo), and Bantul (www.dafep.org/
bantul). The website system allows the
nodes to directly communicate with each
other. PROSEA Indonesia website
provides menu of Front Page, PROSEA
Network, Profile of PROSEA Indonesia,
Lembaran Informasi PROSEA & Seri
Pengembangan PROSEA (LIPRO &
SERIPRO), Collaboration, Plant
Catalogue, Special Catalogue and
Connection to DAFEP and other
websites. Success of this cooperation
would encourage development of
websites in other Information Stations of
Agricultural Extension throughout
Indonesia. [PROSEA April 2002 issue].
PROSEA Philippines activities
on medicinal plants
Realizing the potential of medicinal
plants in the Philippines health care, the
PROSEA Philippines in collaboration with
a rural non-government organization,
RED Foundation Inc., published the
PROSEA Herbal homepage, an internet
based information system on selected
promising medicinal plants in the
Philippines. The website features 34
medicinal plants and their relevant
information. The website has the
6
following sections: Techno-catalogue that
enumerates the medicinal plants
featured in the site; Indications index that
highlights the diseases and ailments
dealt with by the plants, and Kitchen
technology that discusses easy-to-
prepare herbal medicines.
The Herbal homepage is part of the
PROSEA Philippines homepage, of the
PCARRD website – http://
www.pcarrd.dost.gov.ph [PROSEA April
2002 issue].
ICRISAT Planning Meeting
on Grain Legumes
IFAD-ICRISAT ‘Farmers Participatory
Improvement of Grain Legumes in
Rainfed Asia: The First In-Country
Planning Meeting – India’, was held at
International Crops Research Institute for
the Semi-Arid Tropics (ICRISAT),
Patancheru, India from 19-20 June 2002.
The meeting was attended by 13
participants representing ICAR institutes,
namely, the National Centre for
Integrated Pest Management (NCIPM),
Indian Institute of Pulses Research
(IIPR), National Research Centre for
Groundnut (NRCG), State Agricultural
Universities such as Acharya N.G.
Ranga Agricultural University
(ANGRAU), Hyderabad, Gujarat
Agricultural University (GAU), Sardar
Krushinagar, and Indira Gandhi
Agricultural University (IGAU), Raipur;
IFAD funded tribal development
programme from Chhattisgarh, and
NGOs, namely, Centre for World
Solidarity, Rural Development Trust and
ICRISAT scientists from various
disciplines participated.
The two-day meeting focused mainly on
the selection of sites, crops, agencies,
and technical interventions to be taken
up under the project with the overall aim
to improve the well being of the rural
poor in Asia through sustainable
increases in legume productivity, based
on wider adoption of improved
technologies. Project activities will begin
shortly. [ICRISAT Happenings No.1003,
28 June 2002].
7 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 38

International Efforts for
Enhancing Mungbean
Production
The Asian Vegetable Research and
Development Centre (AVRDC)
organized a planning workshop of “DFID
Project-Improving Income and Nutrition
by Incorporating Mungbean in Cereal
Fallows in the Indo-Gangetic Plains in
South Asia” at ICRISAT, Patancheru
from 23-24 May, 2002. Twenty scientists
representing Bangladesh, India,
ICRISAT and AVRDC participated in the
workshop. Dr Masood Ali, Director,
Indian Institute of Pulses Research (IIPR)
represented the Indian Council of
Agricultural Research (ICAR) in the
workshop. Current status on mungbean
production, its potential in cereal-based
production system and seed production
plans both for Bangladesh and India
were discussed. In India, the programme
will be carried out by Punjab Agricultural
University, Ludhiana; Dr S.
Shanmugasundaram, Director,
Programme 1, AVRDC is the Coordinator
of the Project [Pulses Newsletter, Indian
Institute of Pulses Research, Kanpur,
Vol. 13, No. 2, April-June 2002].
PGR Activities of SPC
Regional Germplasm
Centre
The Regional Germplasm Centre (RGC)
of the Secretariat of the Pacific
Community (SPC) is presently engaged
in the following PGR related activities:
taro leaf blight (TLB) problem. These
accessions are currently being bulked
up so that there are sufficient numbers
for virus indexing and also for any
cryopreservation studies. Representative
samples of each accession were sent
to University of Queensland (UQ) for
DNA fingerprinting. After the core
collection has been identified, the RGC
will maintain 208 accessions,
representing genetic diversity that has
been collected during the course of the
TaroGen project.
The present collection is being multiplied
and so is not under any established in
vitro storage system. Once numbers
have reached the desirable level, the
core will be identified and the collection
will be ready for in vitro storage.
Conservation of other crops
The RGC will also conserve other crops.
Currently a collection of sweet potato is
maintained, and with the South Pacific
Yam Network (SPYN) project, there will
be a collection of Dioscorea alata. In the
future, it is planned that a cassava
collection could be established, possibly
through importing some varieties from
CIAT that would be useful. Although, the
intention is to focus on major root and
tuber crops, the RGC will also attempt
to establish collections of a number of
minor crops (such as Abelmoschus
manihot or bele) that are nutritionally
important and endemic to the region.
Research on cryopreservation
and tissue culture
Research will primarily be concerned
with improving techniques for storage.
This will include both cryopreservation
and slow growth storage. The elimination
of pathogens from planting material, and
improved multiplication rates of
vegetatively propagated crops, to
increase the availability of planting
material for farmers will also be a high
priority. Within the INIBAP programme
at SPC, there is active distribution of
Fundaciõn Hondureña de Investigacion
Agricola (FHIA) bananas resistant to
Sigatoka disease. Different FHIA
accessions are multiplied in the RGC
and supplied to SPC member countries.
Where possible, 10 tubes of each
accession are sent out. If the country
has a tissue culture laboratory, such as
Samoa, then they are sent as
proliferating cultures. Alternatively, if the
country wants to plant out these
accessions immediately, then well-rooted
cultures are disseminated. The same
procedure, could be adopted for taro,
which would facilitate utilization of the
improved material. Tissue cultures of taro
could be sent in a greater number
because of their smaller size.
Documentation of Information
The RGC plans to have documentation
of the available germplasm. This
documentation will be aimed at different

Conservation of taro germplasm

The RGC currently holds approximately
416 accessions, which were collected
from Papua New Guinea (PNG),
Vanuatu, New Caledonia, Fiji, Tonga,
Samoa, Niue, Cook Islands and Palau.
The accessions from PNG, Vanuatu and
New Caledonia represent 20% of the
national collections, whereas those from
the other countries (with the exception
of Palau) represent almost 100% of
what was collected from those countries.
Palau is the exception and the
accessions from Palau are varieties that Tissue Culture Laboratory, Regional Germplasm Centre,
were sent to Samoa in response to the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Fiji
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
clients, with extensive, informative
databases for breeders, and a more
condensed form, outlining traits such as
taste, yield, etc. to other users such as
growers. Again, using bananas as an
example, a publication has recently been
produced by Department of Plant
Industries (DPI), Australia entitled
‘Banana Varieties, The ACIAR Years
1987-1996’. This has one page devoted
to text with all essential agronomic
information, and another to pictures of
the described varieties. It would be an
excellent way to promote some of the
taro varieties.
Training
Short courses will be held at the RGC
on tissue culture technologies. These
will enable staff from those countries
that have established their own tissue
culture facilities, to improve their skills
to maintain the germplasm. Courses will
also be made available in the handling
of tissue-cultured material for those
countries which do not have tissue
culture facilities.
The RGC, through its contacts
overseas, and its involvement in
networks will ensure that all operational
practices within the RGC are of the
most appropriate and highest standard.
Methodologies will take on board new
developments in tissue culture that are
relevant to the activities within the RGC.
Some of these new methodologies could
be relevant to taro. The RGC being part
of a regional organization and the
regional PGR network, is in a position
to capitalize on these new
methodologies that could benefit all
aspects of the RGC, from conservation
to utilization. In providing a Centre for
conserving root and tuber crops, the
SPC-RGC is assisting the region in
meeting the challenges of food security
and income generation. [Abstracted from
information supplied by: Dr Mary Taylor,
RGC Adviser, Tissue Culture Specialist,
SPC Regional Germplasm Centre,
Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC), Private Mail Bag. Suva, Fiji].
8
The Pacific Agricultural (ii) Facilitate the safe movement and
Plant Genetic Resources exchange of germplasm within and
Network (PAPGREN) outside the region
The PAPGREN is a newly established (iii) Develop and coordinate
regional network, based in SPC, Suva, documentation of agricultural PGR
Fiji, with the overall objective to (iv) Enhance awareness of the
strengthen national and regional capacity importance of PGR at the national
in the conservation and use of plant and regional level, and
genetic resources for food and
(v) Assist in the development of policy
agriculture, contributing to the nutritional
at the national and regional level to
security, health, income and sustainable
facilitate access to PGR with
economic development. The financial
adequate benefit sharing.
support for the network and the action
plan is provided by Australian Centre for [For details contact: Mr Luigi Guarino,
International Agricultural Research Plant Genetic Resources Adviser,
(ACIAR) and New Zealand Overseas Secretariat of the Pacific Community,
Development Agency (NZODA) through Private Mail Bag, Suva, Fiji, Email:
IPGRI. LuigiG@spc.int].
Some of the areas that PAPGREN will Forest Genetic Resources
be addressing, according to the
Bamboo and rattan research
Agricultural PGR Action Plan jointly
In India, the Ashoka Trust for Research
developed by IPGRI, SPC and national
in Ecology and the Environment
partners in the region are as follows:
(ATREE) has completed a study with
(i) Develop appropriate complementary support from IPGRI on socioeconomic
conservation and use strategies for causes and consequences of loss in
the agricultural PGR in the Pacific bamboo and rattan resources in the
in collaboration with existing crop Karnataka region. This study was
networks (COGENT, INIBAP, conducted with the objectives to quantify
TaroGen, SPYN). the loss and assess the present state of
Adviser for the Pacific PGR Network
Luigi Guarino has taken up the position of Plant Genetic
Resources Adviser in the Secretariat of the Pacific Community
(SPC) in Suva, Fiji. He will be responsible for coordinating
the activities of the newly established regional PGR network
for the Pacific – PAPGREN. He will also devote about 20%
of his time as an IPGRI Honorary Research Fellow, with
responsibility to provide advice, support and training in the application of GIS
to problems of conserving and using of PGR including the preparation of project
concept notes and proposals. Luigi earlier worked in the South Pacific, when
based in Fiji, he carried out a four-month consultancy for FAO/IBPGR in 1985
on root and tuber germplasm documentation. Following various other
consultancies, he started working full time for IBPGR as Plant Collector for
North Africa and SW Asia and was based in Nicosia, Cyprus from 1987-92. He
then went to the Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) office in Nairobi, Kenya, where he
worked as Scientist (Genetic Diversity) from 1992-97. Finally, he moved to the
Americas office in Cali, Colombia, where he held the position of Senior Scientist
(Genetic Diversity) for about 5 years.
We welcome Luigi to the APO region.
9 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
bamboo and rattan resources in all the
forest ranges under the Karnataka Forest
Department and to estimate the total
bamboo demand for the sericulture
industry. Between 1980 and 1998, the
Kerala Forest Department brought a total
of about 3185 ha and 2028 ha of land,
respectively under bamboo and rattan
conservation and plantation, to meet the
industrial demand.
The result shows that there is a large
demand for bamboo resources from the
sericulture sector. Bamboo is
indispensable for the sericulture industry
and the inadequate supply of it has
forced the Medar community to use
illegal methods to procure bamboo. As
Karnataka is one of the major producers
of silk and silk products in India, it is
necessary to protect and promote this
industry. [Abstracted from R. Uma
Shaanker, K.N. Ganeshaiah and K.S.
Bawa. Extraction pressures and socio-
economic causes and consequences of
loss of bamboo and rattan resources in
Karnataka, India. Project Report, IPGRI-
APO, Serdang, Malaysia].
Rattan
The Department of Biological Sciences
at the National University of Singapore
has identified genetic markers for
gender determination in dioecious rattan
species. The study, supported by IPGRI,
examined differences in the Random
Applied Polymorphic DNA (RAPD)
profiles between the male and female
plants of Calamus javensis and
attempted to identify and characterize
the differentially amplified DNA band(s)
in either sex. The organization of such
diagnostic sequences in the Calamus
genome was also conducted using
Southern Blot analysis. The major
achievement of this study is the
successful identification of a DNA
marker for gender determination in C.
javensis. The genomic Southern Blot
analysis showed that one of the cloned
bands gave a distinct signal in the DNA
from the female plants, but not from the
male plants. This indicates that the
No. 38
cloned DNA fragment from the RAPD New electronic address for
analysis can be used as a DNA marker APAFRI
for identifying gender in C. javensis.
The Asia-Pacific Association of Forestry
Despite this success, it is essential to
Research Institutions (APAFRI) has got
highlight that the definitive identification
a server for its Secretariat, located at
of gender needs more than one marker
the Forest Research Institute of
and such markers should be put through Malaysia, Kepong, Kuala Lumpur. The
blind tests to see if they can predict the new server was obtained with financial
gender before they can be applied in a support from Australian Centre for
more universal manner. The results also International Agricultural Research
showed that DNA markers can be (ACIAR) and it was put into use in June
obtained for species for which we have 2002. Simultaneously with the server
no prior genetic data, using the relatively upgrading, APAFRI changed its
simple technique employed. This electronic address, i.e. the APAFRI web
approach is potentially valuable for other pages are now found at http://
species too for which limited genetic www.apafri.org. All email addresses have
information is available. [Abstracted from also changed to “oldname”@apafri.org.
Prakash P. Kumar. Identification of For further details on APAFRI, visit the
genetic markers for gender home pages or contact the Secretariat
determination in dioecious rattans. Final (secretariat@apafri.org). [Dr L.T. Hong
Project Report, IPGRI-APO, Serdang, and Dr Jarkko Koskola, IPGRI-APO,
Malaysia]. Serdang, Malaysia].
New Professional Staff at IPGRI South
Asia Office
Dr P.G. Chengappa has been appointed as the
Socioeconomist under the ADB-funded tropical fruits project.
He joined at IPGRI South Asia Office, New Delhi on 15 July
2002. His major responsibilities are to provide technical and
logistic support to the socioeconomic aspect of the project
on tropical fruit species, develop protocol for socioeconomic data gathering and
data analysis for tropical fruits and underutilized crops and carrying out case
studies on production to consumption chain and market analysis and identify
constraints in the chain, etc.
Dr Chengappa is an Indian citizen and obtained his M.Sc. and Ph.D. degree in
Agricultural Economics from University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore and
Indian Agricultural Research Institute, New Delhi, respectively. He has also
received training in Agricultural Marketing in Germany. He was Director of
Instruction (Agri.), University of Agricultural Sciences, Bangalore for the past
3½ years leading a team of about 150 scientists in different disciplines of
agriculture. He has 21 years of teaching and research experience in the field
of Agricultural Economics. During his tenure as Associate Professor and
Professor and Head, Department of Agricultural Marketing and Cooperation, he
has taught wide range of courses in Agricultural Economics mainly in the areas
of Agricultural Marketing, Price Analysis and Economics and guided 3 Ph.D.
and 15 M.Sc. students. His International experience includes work as a Facilitator
at the International Course on Agricultural Marketing in Germany during 1996,
as a Visiting Scientist at ICRISAT during 1995-96 and as Consultant at IRRI,
Manila, the Philippines, during December 2001 - January 2002.
We welcome Dr Chengappa to IPGRI.
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
National
CHINA
Wild Fruit Tree Germplasm
in Xishuangbanna
Xishuangbanna is situated in Dai Ethnic
Prefecture of Yunnan and has a
subtropical climate. The region is rich in
diversity of fruit species. Many wild edible
fruit species occur in this region and
studies on their distribution patterns and
biological characters were carried out.
The use of these fruits by local farmers
was also described and the nutritional
components of 11 common fruits
analyzed. It was suggested that in view
of the rainforest degeneration, fruit plant
resources should be protected.
The wild fruit species are mainly
distributed in Mengyang, Mengla and
Menglun natural protected areas. In
these areas, there are four types of
ecosystems, namely, tropical rainforest,
tropical monsoon rainforest, subtropical
evergreen broad leaf forest, and low and
medium-high mountainous mixed forest.
In each of these ecosystems, many wild
fruit species are distributed and coexist
with many other species.
There are about 80 species with edible
fruits in Xishuangbanna, of which the
most popularly used ones account for
35. The local people in Xishuangbanna
collect and use the fresh fruits of these
wild species. In local markets, farmers
also sell the fresh fruits of Nephelium
chryseum, Baccaurea cauliflora, Ziziphus
jujuba, Walsura robusta, Ficus auriculata,
Ficus semicordata, Mangifera siamensis
and Pouteria grandiflora. The salted fruits
could be processed from Docynia
delavayi, Emblica officinalis, Dillenia
indica, Canarium album and Amalocalyx
yunnanensis . Canarium album and
Emblica officinalis, can also be
processed as preserved fruits and for
beverage. The fresh sour fruits of many
species such as Elaeagnus conferta can
be eaten with salt and chili and are sold
in local markets [Extracted from Ren
Xinjun, Wen Bin and Chen Guiqing,
Tropical wild fruit germplasm in
Xishuangbanna, Acta Horticulturae
Sinica 28(1): 7-11].
CAAS-CABI Project Office
Established
The Chinese Academy of Agricultural
Sciences (CAAS) and CAB International
(CABI) jointly organized a workshop on
‘Generation, application and
dissemination of information on applied
biological sciences’ and formally opened
CAAS-CABI Project Office at CAAS on
13 May 2002. The workshop was
attended by the representatives from
CABI, CAAS and local offices of CGIAR
centres. The speakers from CABI and
CAAS reviewed the cooperation between
CABI and China on biological sciences
and information management. The
workshop was followed by an opening
ceremony for the new office at CAAS
and was also attended by
representatives from the Ministry of
Agriculture. Dr Dennis Blight, Director
General of CABI, Dr Zhai Huqu,
President of CAAS and Dr Zhao
Longyue, Deputy Director General of
International Cooperation Department of
the Ministry of Agriculture delivered
speeches at the ceremony. Both Dr
Dennis Blight and Dr Zhai Huqu formally
opened the CAAS-CABI Project Office.
ICAR-IRRI Workplan being signed by DG, ICAR and DG, IRRI at New Delhi
10
Dr Zhang Qiaoqiao was appointed as
the Director of the Office. The contact
address of the office is: CAAS-CABI
Project Office, c/o CAAS, 12
Zhongguancun Nandajie, Beijing
100081, China.
INDIA
ICAR-IRRI Workplan for
Development of High-
yielding Rice Varieties
Dr Panjab Singh, Director General, ICAR
and Secretary, DARE, and Dr R.P.
Cantrell, Director General, IRRI, the
Philippines signed an agreement on 15
February 2002 in New Delhi for
improvement and development of rainfed
rice varieties for 2001-04.
India-IRRI collaboration on hybrid rice
has been going on since 1979 when IRRI
initiated research on hybrid rice. Over
the years, numerous Indian scientists
have been trained in breeding, seed
production, pest management and
economics of hybrid rice. The hybrid rice
germplasm provided by IRRI to public
and private sector research institutes has
contributed significantly towards release
and commercialization of several rice
hybrids which now occupy about 200,000
hectares in the country.
11 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
Presently, a large number of scientists
are working on different projects related
to rice research in India. In the last two
years, the rainfed rice research alone
has significantly increased the yields of
rice in eastern India contributing to the
largest increase in national rice
production.
Germplasm conservation and exchange,
hybrid rice development, rainfed rice
research, lowland and upland rice
consortia, and crop management form a
part of the workplan. Another crucial
issue being addressed jointly by IRRI
and Indian rice researchers is water
management. This is an important issue
for resource-poor farmers in India’s
eastern states. The workplan also covers
collaboration in crop resource
management, socioeconomic studies,
human resource development and joint
publications on rice research [ICAR
Reporter, April-June 2002].
Activities at NBPGR
First meeting of the “National
Functional Committee on Plant
Genetic Resources” held at
NBPGR
The first meeting of the National
Functional Committee on Plant Genetic
Resources was held at NBPGR, New
Delhi on 9 May 2002. Dr Panjab Singh,
Director General, ICAR and Secretary,
DARE was the chairperson. This
functional committee on PGR was
constituted mainly to: i) deliberate upon
and recommend for national policy
setting on agro-biodiversity conservation,
management and sustainable use, ii)
provide guidance for addressing/
preparedness on related issues
emerging at various international
conventions/inter-governmental bodies
and iii) to make need based assessment
from time to time, valuation and setting
necessary direction on issues related to
agro-biodiversity. The major points
discussed were: a) International Treaty
on Plant Genetic Resources for Food
and Agriculture; b) Plant Variety
Protection and Farmers’ Rights Act and
c) Biological Diversity Bill with reference
to Agro-biodiversity.
Meeting of National Functional Committee on PGR chaired by Dr Panjab Singh,
DG, ICAR, at NBPGR, New Delhi
Important points which emerged from
the deliberations were: (i) the ‘Single
Window System’ for exchange of Plant
Genetic Resources for Food and
Agriculture (PGRFA) operating in India
should be strengthened for expeditious
supply of germplasm; (ii) the National
Active Germplasm Sites (NAGS) and
other crop based institutes/projects
should have a ‘Genetic Resources Unit’
with strong links with NBPGR for
efficient PGR management; (iii) in view
of the innumerable varieties and
scattered information and related data
on them, proper guidelines need to be
developed by the Department of
Agriculture and Cooperation (DAC) for
documentation of farmers’ varieties.
NBPGR should seek guidance from
DAC in this regard. The draft format
developed by NBPGR, as directed by
ICAR, should be sent to DAC, (iv) a
sub-committee headed by DG, ICAR as
the chairperson should be constituted to
deal with agro-biodiversity management,
and (v) considering the vast coverage
of biological resources, it was
considered appropriate to study
provisions of all the bills related to
environment and biological diversity,
such as Destructive Insects and Pests
Act, Seed Act (modified draft), Plant
Variety Protection and Farmers’ Rights
(PVPFR) Act, etc. with respect to PGR
related issues.
No. 38
Peer Review of NATP Mission
Mode Project on Legume
Viruses
The Review Workshop of the project
entitled “Diagnostics and Development
of Seed Certification Protocols for
Management of Seed-Transmitted Viral
Diseases of Grain Legumes” was held
from 8-9 July 2002 at NBPGR, New
Delhi to review the progress made in
the project from April 2001 to March
2002. The mission of the project is to
develop seed certification protocols as a
management strategy for destructive
seed-transmitted viral diseases of grain
legumes. The project is operating since
June, 2000 with NBPGR as the lead
centre. A Peer Review Team comprised
of Dr G.S. Dubey, DRI-cum-Dean, Birsa
Agricultural University, Ranchi and Dr V.
Muniyappa, Professor and Head,
Department of Plant Pathology,
University of Agricultural Sciences,
Bangalore reviewed the progress of the
project.
Professor Ashok Mishra, Professor H.S.
Prakash and Dr V. Celia Chalam
presented annual progress reports (April
2001-March 2002) for Gujarat
Agricultural University, Anand, University
of Mysore, Mysore and NBPGR, New
Delhi, respectively. The salient
achievements are: (i) the field incidence
of different seed-transmitted viral
(Contd. on page 14)
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
COGENT Update
Workshop on Coconut
Genetic Resources
Management Using
Microsatellite Marker Kit
and Dedicated Software
In 2000-2001, Bureau for the
Development of Research on Tropical
Perennial Oil Crops (BUROTROP) and
IPGRI/COGENT supported a research
by Centre de Coopération Internationale
en Rechearche Agronomique pour de
Développement (CIRAD) France, with
participation from the Institute of Arable
Crops Research (IACR), Long Ashton
(UK), to develop a microsatellite markers
kit and dedicated software for developing
countries. A molecular marker kit,
consisting of 14 microsatellite loci, was
developed and tested on 681 coconut
palms representing wide diversity. A new
statistical method was devised to identify
any small set of individual palms of the
same, unknown origin. The method
allows the user to compare this sample
with a set of reference populations and
to rank these populations in order of
decreasing probabilities of being the
origin of the sample. It is a very efficient
tool for diversity studies and identification
of germplasm accessions. Transfer of
this technology to the producing
countries where the coconut germplasm
collections are located will improve
efficiency and reduce the cost of
conserving, characterizing, managing,
and utilizing coconut germplasm for
breeding improved farmers’ varieties.
In line with this, 18 trainees from Brazil,
India, Indonesia, Papua New Guinea,
Mexico, Côte d’Ivoire, the Philippines,
Portugal and Tanzania, participated in a
workshop on “Coconut Genetic
Resources Management Using a
Microsatellite Kit and Dedicated
Software” held at CIRAD in Montpellier,
France on 15-24 April 2002. Specialists
from CIRAD managed the workshop
while other specialists from partner
institutions, consisting of nine molecular
biologists and nine collection managers
in country teams of two, participated in
the activity. The workshop was supported
by IPGRI/COGENT Common Fund for
Commodities (CFC)-funded project, the
European Union, BUROTROP and
CIRAD.
The objectives of the workshop were to
contribute in the improved coconut
breeding techniques for enhancing the
productivity and the quality of the crop
and the income of the coconut farmers
and strengthen the capability of nine
participating countries in research for
development through transfer of
technology. A main field of application
will be in the four host countries of the
COGENT multi-site International
Coconut Genebank (ICG) in India,
Indonesia, Papua New Guinea, and Côte
d’Ivoire. These countries have signed
memoranda of understanding with FAO
and IPGRI, placing the ICG under
international auspices, consistent with
Convention on Biological Diversity (CBD)
and the FAO Undertaking on Genetic
Resources. The technology will also be
widely applied for managing national
coconut germplasm collections.
With the financial support of the
European Commission and IPGRI, the
microsatellite kit technology has been
successfully transferred to eight coconut-
producing countries and Portugal, which
in turn will transfer it to Mozambique.
The technique will help in managing
coconut germplasm collections in these
countries more efficiently, thus, avoiding
duplication of accessions in the
collection. It will also improve the
efficiency of breeding varieties and
hybrids with higher productivity, better
quality, increased resistance to pests and
diseases and abiotic factors such as
drought.
COGENT holds 11th Steering
Committee Meeting
The Coconut Genetic Resources
12
Network (COGENT) recently held its 11th
Steering Committee (SC) Meeting at the
Maruay Garden Hotel in Bangkok,
Thailand from 25-28 June 2002. The
meeting was hosted and organized by
the Horticulture Research Institute,
Department of Agriculture (DA),
Thailand.
Mr Narongsak Senanarong, Deputy
Director General Department of
Agriculture, Thailand in his keynote
address emphasized that COGENT has
become an efficient channel in
addressing the problems encountered by
poor coconut farmers and should
continue achieving this noble cause. He
further stressed that through
collaboration among the different
organizations, the goal of uplifting the
lives of poor coconut farmers could be
achieved more easily.
Dr Gabrielle Persley, Chair of the
Coconut Support Group (CSG), in her
speech conveyed that COGENT should
come up with new applications in the
field of biotechnology and plant genetics
research and use, and also help alleviate
poverty in coconut-based communities
throughout the world. She also called
upon the other organizations participating
in the meeting to help COGENT in this
cause as she herself pledged CSG’s
unwavering support.
The meeting was attended by the 12
members of the SC representing
COGENT’s five regional sub-networks
and the APCC Executive Director.
COGENT’s sub-networks are Southeast
and East Asia, South Asia, the South
Pacific, Africa and the Indian Ocean, and
Latin America and the Caribbean. The
SC was chaired by Mr Carlos Carpio of
the Philippine Coconut Authority (PCA),
with COGENT Coordinator Dr Pons
Batugal as ex-officio member. Also
present were delegates from
BUROTROP, Consultative Group on
International Agricultural Research
13 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
(CGIAR), CIRAD, DA-Thailand and
IPGRI.
During the meeting, COGENT’s ongoing
and proposed projects, workplan and
budget for 2002 were reviewed. The
status of the implementation of the 2nd
COGENT External Review Panel’s
recommendations and plans for the
development of COGENT’s Strategic
Plan were also discussed. One of the
highlights of the meeting was to review
and finalize the implementing guidelines
of the proposed Global Coconut
Research for Development Programme
(PROCORD). Launch date of the
programme was set for 5 July 2002
during the APCC COCOTECH meeting
in Pattaya, Thailand (see next
subsection).
The SC members and other participants
also visited the Khog Wuaw Coconut
Shell Handicrafts Community in
Phattalung, Thailand on 28 June 2002.
Mr Pluem Chookong, Chairman of Khog
Wuaw, welcomed them. He briefed the
visiting group about the community and
showed them how shell handicrafts are
made. The group was also treated to a
few coconut shell souvenir items made
by the community.
The next SC meeting will be held in July
2003 in Merida, Mexico.
PROCORD: The Coconut
Farmer’s New Ally in
Fighting Poverty
Coconut farmers around the world have
a reason to be happy. On 5 July 2002,
the Global Coconut Research for
Development Programme (PROCORD),
a coconut commodity chain (production
to consumption) programme, was
launched during the 39th COCOTECH
Meeting in Pattaya, Thailand.
PROCORD is a collaborative programme
established by the Asian and Pacific
Coconut Community (APCC),
BUROTROP, COGENT and IPGRI. The
Memorandum of Agreement was signed
by Rifana Ernie Arjakusumah, Chair of
the APCC Session; Willem van Vuure,
39th COCOTECH Meeting at Pattaya, Thailand
Chair of BUROTROP’s Board of
Administrators; Carlos Carpio, Chair of
COGENT’s Steering Committee; and
Geoffrey Hawtin, Director General of
IPGRI.
The primary aim of PROCORD is to
generate and bring benefits to coconut
stakeholders, especially resource-poor
coconut farmers and consumers, as well
as to promote the sustainable
development of the coconut industry.
Coconut farmers, 96% of whom are
smallholders having less than 4 hectares
land, are suffering because of declining
farm productivity and unstable markets
for their traditional coconut products,
which are copra (dried kernel) and
coconut oil. Inadequate support to enable
the research community to effectively
address the major problems and
opportunities of resource-poor
smallholder coconut farmers has also
contributed to the suffering.
PROCORD is envisioned to improve
returns to coconut for farmers and
coconut-producing countries. The
programme hopes to achieve this by:
(i) promoting the development of
improved coconut varieties, controlling
the spread of pests and diseases,
developing coconut-based ecosystems,
improving processing techniques,
producing high-value coconut products,
and studying the socioeconomic issues
No. 38
affecting the coconut sector; (ii)
strengthening and stimulating
partnerships among stakeholders of the
coconut community to increase the
efficiency and cost-effectiveness of
global coconut research efforts; (iii)
enhancing access to information and
documentation and disseminating
research findings; (iv) generating training
opportunities for researchers and
technicians to improve their knowledge
and skills; and (v) providing effective
coordination of research and generating
institutional and funding support to the
programme.
Six priority research areas were
identified, with two areas assigned as
lead responsibility to each of the three
organizations, namely, genetic resources
and improvement, socioeconomics and
policy support (COGENT); agronomy
and coconut-based farming systems and
crop protection (BUROTROP); and
processing and marketing (APCC).
COGENT will initially coordinate the
programme for the next three years and
a PROCORD Secretariat is being
established at the IPGRI Regional Office
for Asia, the Pacific and Oceania in
Serdang, Malaysia.
[Dr Pons A. Batugal, Senior Scientist,
COGENT Coordinator, IPGRI-APO,
Serdang, Malaysia].
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
(Contd. from page 11)
diseases of mandate crops in different
states under survey revealed that the
disease incidence varied with the
location and the crop variety, (ii) the
survey results gave preliminary indication
on areas (villages/sites) that were found
to be free from certain viral diseases in
Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Gujarat,
Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh,
Rajasthan and Uttaranchal. (iii) the
techniques for detection of viruses
included variants of Enzyme Linked
Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) such as
DAS-ELISA and DAC-ELISA that were
adopted with certain modifications. The
group testing of embryos using these
variants of ELISA was also initiated to
optimize the number of embryos required
to be tested per group for authentic batch
testing. (iv) production of polyclonal
antisera against soybean mosaic
potyvirus and cowpea aphid borne
mosaic potyvirus has been initiated
injecting the purified viruses into rabbits,
(v) initial studies on epidemiology
revealed a correlation in viral disease
incidence with aphid vector population.
Peer Review of Mission Mode
Sub-project on Sustainable
Management of Plant
Biodiversity
The mission mode sub-project on
Sustainable Management of Plant
Biodiversity under the National
Agricultural Technology Project (NATP)
is operational since July 1999 at
NBPGR, New Delhi, as its lead
institution. There are 131 cooperators
from ICAR institutes, different State
Agricultural Universities, other
institutes/Government Departments,
Ministry of Environment and Forests,
Defence Research and Development
Organization, Council of Scientific and
Industrial Research, Department of
Science and Technology and Non-
Governmental Organizations. The project
focuses mainly on: (i) survey,
inventorying and germplasm collection
along with documentation of indigenous
knowledge and associated information;
(ii) germplasm maintenance,
regeneration and evaluation; (iii)
conservation of plant biodiversity; (iv)
documentation and information
management, and (v) human resource
development. An in-house meeting of the
Peer Review Team (PRT) comprising of
Dr V.P. Gupta (Chairman), Dr K.L. Mehra
and Dr R.S. Rana (Members) was held
on 12 April 2002 to review the progress
of the project. The major achievements
made under the project are: (i) 1013
explorations were undertaken and 62
363 accessions collected, comprising
crop landraces, local cultivars, trait
specific materials, wild relatives of crops,
and wild economic plants, (ii) 29 455
accessions of newly collected material
and 87 113 accessions of pre-NATP
material of different agri-horticultural
crops were characterized at different
identified sites, (iii) 59 611 accessions
have been conserved under long-term
storage (LTS), 36 834 accessions in
medium-term storage (MTS) as voucher
samples, 146 accessions in tissue
culture repository, 2639 accessions in
cryobank and 25 529 accessions in field
genebanks, (iv) information on 450 000
accessions has been entered in
database, (v) two standard descriptors,
one for field crops and the other for
vegetable crops, have been developed,
(vi) under human resource development
component of the project, 5 national
workshops, 30 zonal workshops, 48
zonal group meetings and 2 trainers’
trainings, 5 cooperators’ trainings, 26
grassroot level training courses were
organized. In addition, 26 diversity fairs
and field awareness days were
organized.
[Dr B.S. Dhillon, Director, National
Bureau of Plant Genetic Resources,
Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110 012].
Activities of Central
Sericulture Germplasm
Resources Centre
Collecting mulberry germplasm
in northeastern India
An exploration was undertaken during
February 2002 by the Central Sericulture
Mulberry Germplasm Resources Centre
(CSGRC), Hosur jointly with the Regional
14
Station located in Jorhat, Assam. The
Northeastern region covering Arunachal
Pradesh and Meghalaya, was surveyed
and 16 accessions of mulberry, Morus
indica and M. laevigata, were collected
from hilly areas between 750-1920 m.
CSGRC is presently maintaining 908
mulberry accessions, of which 647 are
indigenous and 261 exotic.
Website on mulberry germplasm
launched
In order to promote the utilization of
sericultural germplasm available at this
centre, CSGRC, launched a website
www.silkgermplasm.com on 5 June,
2002. The site includes information on
centres´ mandate, activities, and
contains information on 328 mulberry
accessions. The remaining germplasm
data will be uploaded in web database
[CSGRC Newsletter Vol. 3, No. 2, June
2002].
KOREA
Recent Activities of
Rural Development
Administration
National Institute of Agricultural
Biotechnology (NIAB)
Established in March 2002, the NIAB
serves as an extension and
reinforcement of the Biological Resource
Division of the National Institute of
Agricultural Science and Technology
(NIAST) and is attached to the Rural
Development Administration (RDA).
Basically, the institute aims to manage
biological resources and promotes/
strengthens agricultural biotechnology,
and develops agricultural material for
practical use. The NIAB is composed of
7 divisions housed in 23 modern
research laboratories. These divisions
are: the General Service, Bioinformatics,
Genomics, Plant Biotechnology,
Molecular Physiology, Metabolic
Engineering, and Genetic Resources.
There are 97 researchers manning the
institute.
Bio Green 21
The RDA also launched a nationwide
research programme on biotechnology.
15 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
Branded as Bio Green 21, the
programme has been initiated as a
national project that brings together
specialized researchers in the different
industries, universities and institutes. In
line with this research programme, a total
of 700 billion won (app. US$ 0.5 billion)
will be invested on 20 projects in 5 core
fields from 2001 to 2010. The project is
hoped to bring an economic benefit of
one hundred billion won yearly. If Bio
Green 21 Programme is completed
successfully in 2010, the state of South
Korea’s Agricultural Biotechnology will
rank fifth in the world from its fourteenth
place presently.
International collaborative
research
The RDA carried out its programmes in
mutual cooperation with several
countries in various fields such as joint
research, exchange of experts and
genetic resources. For the year 2002,
the RDA’s Research Management
Bureau is supporting 32 International
Collaborative Research Projects. These
projects are undertaken through the
coordination and assistance of different
RDA offices and institutes (numbers
given in parentheses) which consist of
the following: Farm Management and
Information Office (3); National Institute
of Agricultural Science and Technology
(7); National Institute of Agricultural
Biotechnology (4); National Horticultural
Research Institute (6); National Livestock
Research Institute (4); National Crop
Experiment Station (4); National Honam
Agriculture Experiment Station (1);
National Yeongnam Agriculture
Experiment Station (1) and National Jeju
Agriculture Experiment Station (2).
Twelve institutes and seventeen
universities from eight countries are
involved in these undertakings. These
countries are: USA, England, China,
Japan, Canada, Holland, Italy and the
Philippines. (Editor’s note: RDA supports
two projects with IPGRI, one on citrus
cryopreservation and the other on
medicinal plants information
documentation).
[Abstracted from e-Newsletter Rural
Development Administration, Vol. 1, No.
1, May 2002].
RDA-IRRI collaborative workplan
meeting
RDA-International Rice Research
Institute (IRRI) Collaborative Workplan
2002-2003 Meeting was held from 25-
27 April 2002 at the RDA, Suwon. Dr
Ren Wang, Deputy Director General,
IRRI delivered the opening remarks while
Mr Jeong-Soo Son, Deputy
Administrator, RDA welcomed all the
participants. Dr Eun-Jong Lee, Board
member of IRRI, 5 IRRI delegates, 7
RDA delegates, and 30 scientists from
several institutes of RDA attended the
meeting.
Several papers were presented both by
RDA and IRRI staff, ranging from global
research issues related to rice to the
current status of rice production and
research in Korea. The progress of 2000-
2001 collaborative research activities
was assessed and, as a result, it was
agreed to continue 10 ongoing research
projects. In addition, 4 new projects will
start under the new workplan. The
collaboration will focus on varietal
development and biotechnology, and
development of data management for
rice breeding, germplasm exchange and
development of super-yielding japonica
rice cultivars suitable for direct seeding
in temperate regions. The new research
projects developed by IRRI-Korea Office
(IKO) on molecular breeding of japonica
rice for biotic and abiotic stress
resistance have been approved. [e-
Newsletter, Rural Development
Administration, Vol. 1, No. 2, July 2002].
JAPAN
Collaborative Research
Programme with Korea on
Perilla and Sesame
A collaborative research programme
between Korea and Japan on conserving
genetic diversity of perilla and sesame
on-farm has recently begun. This three-
year programme from 2002 to 2004 is
being carried out under the auspices of
IPGRI, by using the special fund from
No. 38
the government of Japan through IPGRI.
The programme-planning meeting was
held at the National Institute of
Agrobiological Sciences (NIAS),
Tsukuba, Japan on July 1, 2002. At the
meeting, Dr Tsukasa Nagamine,
Research Leader of the programme
discussed the workplan in detail with his
Korean counterpart, Dr Kang Chul Whan
of the National Crop Experimental
Station (NCES), Rural Development
Administration (RDA), Republic of Korea.
Dr Masumi Katsuta, a sesame scientist
of the National Institute of Crop Science
(NICS) and Dr Miyuki Nitta, a perilla
scientist of Kyoto University also joined
the discussion.
Perilla frutescens is used as an oil crop
and/or leafy vegetable in East and
Southeast Asian countries. Two distinct
varieties are known on the basis of their
use: var. frutescens, an oil crop and var.
crispa, spicy vegetable, also used as a
Chinese medicine. The local landraces
of P. frutescens var. frutescens are
cultivated and conserved on-farm in
Korea. However, they are almost extinct
in Japan. P. frutescens is grown on only
25 ha in Japan now on a commercial
scale. This crop has a unique fatty acid
composition with high amount of alpha-
linolenic acid in seeds. This fatty acid is
considered to have a function of reducing
active oxygen in human body. On the
other hand, Sesamum indicum has been
cultivated as one of the oil crops in both
countries, but its cultivation area is
decreasing, particularly in Japan (177 ha
in 2000).
There is a serious threat of genetic
erosion, even extinction, of these crops
in both countries. The potential
importance of on-farm conservation by
farmers is evident in these crops. It is
expected that there is still large amount
of diversity in farmers’ fields especially
in Korea, since their cultivation is still
not at a commercial scale and these are
grown in small pockets. Thus, it is
necessary to investigate the role of on-
farm conservation in maintenance of
perilla and sesame genetic diversity in
both countries.
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
The results of this study will help in
identifying sites for on-farm conservation,
based on genetic diversity information.
In addition, descriptors for P. frutescens
will be published based on this
collaborative research [Dr Shoji Miyazaki,
Director, National Institute of
Agrobiological Sciences, NIAS, Tsukuba,
Japan].
MONGOLIA
Common Millet Germplasm
in Mongolia
Mongolian people have used Panicum
miliaceum, the common millet, as food
and fodder crop since the ancient times.
In 1921, the first common millet
accessions had been collected by
Russian scientist V. E. Pisarev as a part
of N. I. Vavilov’s collecting mission. This
exploration revealed that nomads had
introduced the black and dark grey types
of common millet to eastern Siberia from
Mongolia. There were two main species
found in Mongolia, namely, P. miliaceum
the cultivated species-a significant food
and fodder crop, and P. segetale, the
weedy species.
Landraces of common millet are mainly
distributed in the central, northern and
western parts of Mongolia. Many diverse
materials among common millet
landraces have been observed and
diversity was classified into 13 varieties
under three sub-species: patentissimum,
effusum and contractum (Table 1). At
present, the National Genebank at Plant
Science and Agricultural Research and
Training Institute (PSARTI) holds 402
accessions of P. miliaceum including 30
local cultivars.
With support of IPGRI, a collecting
mission was organized by PSARTI to
the Central Mongolia, which holds rich
diversity in common millets for collecting
germplasm along with other relevant food
crops.
The team was composed of Dr N.
Bayarsukh and Dr D. Nayantai and
collecting was organized from 21 August
– 5 September 2001 and covered the
areas of Darkhan-Uul, Selenge and
Bulgan aimak. The team visited 8 sites
and collected 41 samples of different
crops including common millet.
Most of the accessions were collected
from Orkhontuul, Gurvanbulag and
Tsagaantolgoi villages. A wide range of
variation was observed in panicle types
and seed colour. In Orkhontuul village,
variation was encountered for the three
sub-species. including the varieties
tephrum, flavum and aureum. However,
the diverse types of common millet
landraces once found in these areas
have become almost totally extinct and
disappeared. In the villages Orkhontuul,
Gurvanbulag, Tsagaantolgoi and
Khangal, 3 old farmers who still keep on
growing millet landraces were
interviewed. It was found that the millet
grain was processed and used in
traditional way [Dr N. Bayarsukh, Project
Report, Collecting common millet
germplasm in Mongolia, 2002].
PHILIPPINES
E-Governance/ICT
Activities by PCARRD
The desire to create an integrated and
more responsive service in the
agriculture, forestry and natural
resources sector through information,
communication and technology (ICT) has
produced a rippling effect in the
Philippines. Responding to the
government’s call for e-governance, the
Philippine Council for Agriculture,
Forestry and Natural Resources
Research and Development (PCARRD)
has included in its Information Systems
Plan 1997-2002, strategies to uplift ICT
nationwide. These strategies fall under
the Agriculture and Natural Resources
Information Network (AGRINET), which
was developed to consolidate all
information and communication
Table 1. Common millet (Panicum miliaceum) varieties found in Mongolia
ssp. patentissimum Popov ssp. effusum Al.
var. tephrum var. flavum
var. subtephrum var. subflavum
var. vitellinum var. subbadium
var. subvitellinum var. subcoccineum
var. subcinereum
16
technology initiatives in this sector to
provide its clients a consistent,
sustainable information and technology
delivery system.
Since 1997, PCARRD has been
empowering the 14 regional R&D
consortia in the country on e-governance
technologies. To date, these consortia
have been the recipient of servers and
in-house developed major application/
systems such as the Agriculture and
Resource Management Information
System (ARMIS) and Farmers’
Information Technology System (FITS)
databases. Likewise, technical services
on server set up and system installation/
maintenance have been provided.
Various ICT trainings were conducted
on office applications, website and
multimedia development, geomatics,
statistical packages, and database
management.
The web-enabled ARMIS was launched
during the recently conducted Regional
Management Information System (RMIS)
Coordinators Meeting from 4-5 April 2002
at the PCARRD Headquarters in Los
Baños, Laguna. Showcased during the
meeting were the 14 regional outputs of
the e-governance training, significant of
which were the Interactive Techno
Gabay Kiosk in three dialects (Eastern
Visayas Region) and the GIS-based
Mapping of Banana Bunchy-Top Virus
(Cagayan Valley). These consortia have
developed the capability in conducting
echo training and seminar for their
member agencies, thus, creating a
multiplier effect.
Issues and constraints on meagre
resources and implementing
mechanisms were discussed, revealing
the different levels of ICT
accomplishments primarily attributed to
ssp. contractum Al.
var. aureum
var. sanguineum
var. subsanguineum
var. victoriae
17 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
the leadership and technical skills of
regional coordinators; acceptance of ICT
in the regions, and the support of
organization and member agencies to
these initiatives [For more details contact:
Dr P.S. Faylon, Executive Director,
PCARRD, Los Baños, Laguna 3932,
Manila, the Philippines, Abstracted from
APAARI Newsletter, Vol. 1, No. 1, June
2002].
SRI LANKA
Collaborative Research
Programme on PGR between
Sri Lanka and Japan
A three-year collaborative research
programme between the Plant Genetic
Resources Centre (PGRC) of the
Department of Agriculture (DOA),
Ministry of Agriculture in Sri Lanka and
the National Institute of Agrobiological
Sciences (NIAS) of the Ministry of
Agriculture, Forestry and Fisheries in
Japan commenced in April 2000. As per
the MOU between the two parties, the
objectives of the programme are to
undertake collaborative research on in
situ conservation, exploration and
collection of PGR in both Sri Lanka and
Japan by joint teams and share the
collected germplasm and information.
Under this programme, scientists from
Sri Lanka visited Japan and two
Japanese scientists visited Sri Lanka. A
third Sri Lankan Scientist is due to visit
Japan in November 2002 for six weeks
to continue the research programme.
PGR studies on wild relatives of Oryza
(CC genome species) and Vigna
(subgenus Ceratotropis) were focused
during this programme as they are
related to agriculturally important crops
in both Sri Lanka and Japan. Field
Meetings/Training Programmes
Forthcoming Meetings
CHINA: International Conference on
Environmentally Sustainable
Agriculture for Dry Areas for the 2nd
Millennium, Shijiazhuang, Hebei,
China, 15-19 September 2002.
The conference objectives include
identifying new technologies for
No. 38
New Director General of Agriculture in
Sri Lanka
Mr Pitchapillai Periyasamy assumed the position of the
Director General, Department of Agriculture on 4 July 2002.
Prior to this, he was the Deputy Director of Agriculture
(Extension & Training). Mr. Periyasamy has a M.Sc. degree
in Agricultural Extension from the University of Reading,
UK. Mr Periyasamy is a renowned agricultural extension
officer who has served the Department for 32 years. He has been actively
involved in coordinating agriculture activities for Provincial Councils, NGOs,
United Nation Organizations, Mahaweli Development Authority, etc. From 1991
to 1998, he functioned as the Director of Agriculture for the Northeast Province
and has assisted World Bank/FAO, and UN agencies in the formulation of
joint programme and rehabilitation activities in the war-affected northeast region.
With his extensive experience in agricultural extension, Mr Periyasamy has
already given a remarkable leadership in strengthening the Department of
Agriculture and achieving its goals.
We heartily congratulate Mr Periyasamy and look forward for a closer
collaboration.
observations and monitoring of Sri Lanka, will conduct an international
populations in the wild were carried out training programme in PGR conservation
and seed samples are being analysed and management from 16 January to 18
using molecular techniques to elucidate Feburary 2003.
inter- and intra-population genetic This will be the fifth such programme to
variation. be conducted by PGRC. Since 2000,
As an extended activity, this collaborative PGRC has conducted three Third
research programme also has provided Country Training Programmes with JICA
valuable opportunities for the counterpart support and one Regional Training
scientists from Japan to contribute to the Programme supported by the Ministry of
annual International Training Programmes Foreign Affairs in Sri Lanka. In 2003,
in Conservation and Management of the training programme will be jointly
PGR conducted by PGRC in 2001, 2002 supported by them and the scientists
and 2003. Finally, under DOA/NIAS from countries in South and Southeast
collaborative research programme, a Asia and tropical Africa will participate.
workshop on conservation and utilization
of crop wild relatives will be held at PGRC The objective of the training programmes
Peradeniya in February 2003. will be to provide the participants an
opportunity to improve their knowledge
Training Programme on and experience in PGR activities.
PGR Conservation and
[Dr A.H.M. Jayasuriaya, Senior Deputy
Management Director, Plant Genetic Resources
The Plant Genetic Resources Centre Centre, Department of Agriculture,
(PGRC) of the Department of Agriculture, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka].
sustainable agricultural management, to vachonc@em.agr.ca.
develop procedures for integration of
ITALY: The Second Consultation on
various technologies, which will be
Agricultural Information Management
beneficial to farmers and the
(COAIM), Rome, Italy, 23-25
environment. For more information
September 2002.
contact: Mrs Catherine Vachon,
The FAO of the United Nations has
Lethbridge Research Centre, Agriculture
and Agrifood Canada, Lethbridge, established the Consultation on
Alberta, Canada T1J 4B1, email: Agricultural Information Management
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
(COAIM), bringing policy issues related
to management and access to
agricultural information to the attention
of the intergovernmental process. The
consultation will involve discussions to
improve the capacities of decision
makers, professionals, the public sector
and other concerned to access and use
information essential for achieving
sustainable agricultural development and
food security at the national level. For
more details, visit the COAIM website at
http://www.fao.org/coaim or email:
coaim@fao.org
CHINA: 7th International Symposium
on the Biosafety of Genetically
Modified Organisms, Beijing, China,
10-16 October 2002.
The symposium will be organized by the
International Society for Biosafety
Research. The different sessions will
deliberate on diverse issues such as new
sciences for biosafety, consequences of
gene flow, possible implications of the
release of transgenic crops in centres of
origin or diversity, research and
regulations on biosafety of GMO’s in
China and effects of GMOs on microbial
communities. The symposium is
designed for senior scientists, managers,
policy makers, environmentalists and
industry representatives involved in this
field. For more details, contact: Professor
Hongya Gu, College of Life Sciences,
Peking University, Beijing 100871.
China. Email: biosafe@pku.edu.cn.
BANGLADESH: 4th International Plant
Tissue Culture Conference:
Biotechnology for Plant Improvement,
Dhaka, Bangladesh, 1-3 November
2002.
The Conference will deliberate on topics
such as conservation of biodiversity
Interesting Books, Periodicals and Websites
Books/Proceedings
Borelli, S. and M.C. Varela. 2001.
Mediterranean Oaks Network, Report
of the meeting, 12-14 October 2000,
Antalya, Turkey. International Plant
Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy.
74 p. [ISBN 92-9043-469-4].
The proceedings deal with the activities
through in vitro techniques, use of
molecular markers for crop improvement,
micro-propagation techniques, biosafety
and IPR management issues in
developing countries. For details,
contact: Organizing Secretary, 4 th
International Plant Tissue Culture
Conference, Department of Botany,
University of Dhaka, Dhaka 1000,
Bangladesh, email: baptc@bd.drik.net.
THAILAND: Conference on
Technology’s Role in Sustainable
Agriculture in Asia, Hotel Plaza
Athenee, Bangkok, 5-6 November
2002.
This conference will examine the role
that two technologies – Agricultural
biotechnology and Information
Technology – can play in achieving
sustainable agricultural development.
The target audience with include senior
government officials responsible for
policy development, regulatory officials,
media and scientific opinion leaders,
academics, researchers and workers in
development. The objective of this
conference is to present solid, science-
based information that emphasizes the
role that these technologies can play.
Myths and fallacies will also be
addressed and the effects on the people
highlighted. For more information,
contact either Dr Andrew Powell,
Conference Director or Paul Cheesman,
Communications Director, CropLife Asia,
Also see website at: http://www.
croplifeasia.org./morepeoplelessland/
main.asp.
INDIA: Second International Congress
on Balancing Food and Environment
Security – A Continuing Challenge,
Vigyan Bhawan, New Delhi, 26-30
November 2002.
of the European Forest Genetic
Resources Programme (EUFORGEN)
relating to the Mediterranean Oaks
Network and conservation of genetic
resources. EUFORGEN is aimed at
ensuring the effective conservation and
the sustainable utilization of forest
genetic resources in Europe. It is
financed by participating countries and
18
The Conference will deliberate on
diverse fields integrating the theme on
‘Balancing Food and Environment
Security’. For details contact: Dr R.C.
Gautam, Secretary, Indian Society of
Agronomy, Division of Agronomy, Indian
Agricultural Research Institute, Pusa
Campus, New Delhi 110012, India. Email
rcg@iari.ernet.in.
NEPAL: International Conference on
Himalayan Biodiversity, Kathmandu,
Nepal, 10-13 December 2002.
To commemorate the International year
of Mountains (IYM) 2002, the Himalayan
Resources Institute (HIRI) Nepal, will be
organizing this conference in
collaboration with Biodiversity Research
Group (BRG), Department of Zoology,
Tribhuvan University, Nepal, Ecological
Association of Nepal and Nepal
Biotechnology Association (NBA). The
specific objectives of the conference are
to: (i) identify the major issues and
options on biodiversity conservation in
the Himalayan region, (ii) share ideas
on recent biodiversity conservation and
management approaches, (iii) review the
existing government policies and
extension programmes of the Hindu
Kush-Himalayan (HKH) countries, (iv)
explore mutual regional cooperation for
effective implementation of biodiversity
action plans, and (v) develop
international network of Himalayan
biodiversity conservation to exchange
information and technologies at local,
national, regional and international
levels. [For details, contact: Mr Ram
Bhandari, Himalayan Resources Institute
(HIRI), PO Box 13880, New Baneswer,
Kathmandu, Nepal. E-mail:
hirinepal@yahoo.com; Website: www.
hirinepal.com.]
coordinated by IPGRI, in collaboration
with the Forestry Department of FAO. It
discusses genetic variability of Quercus
suber L., activities of the network and
their applications to genetic resources
conservation. Eleven country reports
(Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, France,
Macedonia FYR, Malta, Morocco,
Portugal, Spain, Tunisia and Turkey)
19 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
provide in brief the activities carried out
by the network member countries. For
future activities, five main areas, namely,
research, information, legal and policy
issues, technical guidelines and public
awareness were discussed so as to
develop a workplan.
Doijode, S.D. 2001. Seed Storage of
Horticultural Crops. Food Products
Press: Binghamton, USA. 339 p. [ISBN:
1-56022-901-2].
The book provides information on seeds
and seed storage, the importance of
seeds in horticulture, seed development,
seed germination and factors affecting
it, seed vigour, varietal differences, pre-
harvest factors, storage conditions, seed
deterioration and seed invigoration. It
contains specific sections on seed
storage in tropical, subtropical and
temperate fruit crops, vegetable and
ornamental crops.
Drew, R. (ed.). 2002. Proceedings of
the Symposium on Tropical and
Subtropical Fruits. Cairns, Australia
26 November – 1 December 2000
(Vols. 1 & 2). ISHS Commission on
Biotechnology, Education and
Management: Tropical and Subtropical
Horticulture, Acta Horticulturae No. 575.
ISHS Secretariat, Belgium. [ISSN 0567-
7572 / ISBN 90 6605 885 4].
The proceedings in two volumes cover
a wide range of topics, and include the
papers of the invited and keynote
speakers and selected authors who
made oral presentations. Volume 1 deals
with chapters that cover: plant tissue
culture and biotechnology, conservation
of plant genetic material, genetics and
breeding, and technology transfer.
Volume 2 deals with economics and
marketing, entomology; processing and
product development; post-harvest; and
pre-harvest production. Twelve papers
deal with genetic resources conservation,
with a keynote paper on ‘Tropical Fruit
Species in Asia; Diversity and
Conservation Strategies’ by Dr V.
Ramanatha Rao and Dr Bhag Mal. Other
papers presented include information on
PGR activities/status in countries such
as Indonesia, the Philippines, Ecuador,
Mexico, China and Vietnam; research
on specific topics such as ex situ
conservation of rare fruits, marula fruit
and its domestication, on strawberry
guava, RAPD studies to assess genetic
diversity, molecular evaluation of
population structure of wild citrus - Citrus
media L. for developing in situ
conservation in Vietnam, and on genetic
resources diversity in jackfruit in West
Bengal, India. The chapter on ‘Genetics
and Breeding’ includes interesting papers
such as on resources and development
efforts on tropical fruits in the Philippines
and Malaysia, national mango breeding
programme in Australia, hybrid durian
with better fruit quality in Thailand,
atemoya breeding in Australia, and
others dealing with kiwifruit, opuntia,
cherimoya, macadamia and papaya.
FAO, DFSC, IPGRI. 2001. Forest
Genetic Resources Conservation and
Management. Vol. 2: In Managed
Natural Forests and Protected Areas
(in situ). International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute, Rome, Italy. 90 p.
[ISBN 92-9043-472-4].
This document has been prepared jointly
by the Food and Agriculture Organization
(FAO), the Danida Forestry Seed Centre
(DFSC) and the International Plant
Genetic Resources Institute (IPGRI)
This guide is the second volume of a
series of three, that deals with the
conservation of forest (tree and shrub)
genetic resources, focusing on in situ
conservation, providing practical
guidelines, strategies and methodologies
for planners, decision makers and
professionals involved in forest
conservation and management. The
contents in four chapters cover:
conservation of genetic resources in their
natural environment, selection and
management of in situ gene conservation
areas for target species, management
of natural forests for conservation of
forest genetic resources, and protected
areas and their role in conservation of
forest genetic resources.
FAO, IPGRI. 2002. The Role of Women
in the Conservation of the Genetic
Resources of Maize. Guatemala
[Gender and Genetic Resources
Management]. Food and Agriculture
Organization, Viale delle Terme di
Caracalla 00100, Rome, Italy, and
International Plant Genetic Resources
No. 38
Institute, Rome, Italy. 54 p. [ISBN 92-
9043-523-2-IPGRI].
This study finds its origins in the field of
biology and anthropology and more so
in ethnobotany. The region of
Huehuetenango in Guatemala is the area
where maize first grew. The study traces
out the links with the development of
maize production through the ages - a
historical study of the human maize
relationship, and in different
environments (various sites within the
department of Huehuetenango). This
study leads to conclude on the role that
women have played in the evolution of
maize and its conservation as a genetic
resource.
Gupta, R.K., Peter R. Hobbs, J.K.
Ladha and S.V.R.K. Prabhakar. 2002.
Resource Conserving Technologies:
Transforming the Rice-Wheat
Systems of the Indo-Gangetic Plains.
Rice-Wheat Consortium – A Success
Story. Asia-Pacific Association of
Agricultural Research Institutions, FAO
Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific,
Bangkok. 42 p.
The publication highlights the
achievements of the Rice-Wheat
Consortium (RWC) of CIMMYT’s
Facilitation Unit located in New Delhi;
dealing with rice and wheat, the two
major crops in the Indo-Gangetic Plains
(IGP) of South Asia comprising
Bangladesh, India, Nepal and Pakistan.
Following an ecoregional approach,
RWC has been operating farmer
participatory research programmes in
system ecology perspective with major
involvement of National Agricultural
Research Systems (NARS), International
Agricultural Research Centres (IARC’s)
and several developed institutions. The
‘success story’ provides an account of
such useful research and extension
initiatives undertaken focusing on cost-
effective resource conserving
technologies (RCTs). Overall, these R&D
efforts have led to a large number of
socioeconomic benefits for the farming
communities and upliftment of the rural
poor.
Koo, Bonwoo, Philip G. Pardey and
Brain D. Wright. 2002. Endowing
Future Harvests: The Long-Term
Costs of Conserving Genetic
Resources at the CGIAR Centres.
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute, Rome, Italy. 30 p. [ISBN 92-
9043-520-8].
This report has been prepared for the
CGIAR System-wide Genetic Resources
Programme by the International Food
Policy Research Institute (IFPRI) in
collaboration with the University of
California, Berkeley. The publication
describes estimates of the annual funds
required to support the core conservation
and distribution services provided by the
CG genebanks, and uses these cost
estimates to determine the size of
endowment fund required to undertake
these core conservation services in
perpetuity along with the distribution
efforts to ensure that this material
remains available on demand to
breeders, scientists and others
worldwide. The basis for estimating the
resource requirements is a series of
detailed costing studies led by IFPRI
over the past several years in close
collaboration with colleagues at five CG
genebanks, which accounted for 87% of
the CG’s germplasm holdings.
Jain, S.K. 2002. Bibliography of Indian
Ethnobotany. 2002. Scientific
Publishers (India) PO Box 91 Jodhpur.
144 p. [ISBN: 81-7233-284-X]
Ethnobotanical references numbering
1763, covering a wide range of topics/
areas of studies in ethnobotany have
been given in an alphabetical order. The
publication supplements the earlier
bibliography published in 1985 by Dr S.K.
Jain. Researchers in ethnobotany will
find this compilation very useful. It will
also help to locate gaps in the knowledge
about ethnobotany of any region or
ethnic group, and under-exploited areas
of ethnic diversity where further studies
could be planned.
Lefèvre, F., N. Barsoum, B. Heinze, D.
Kajba, P. Rotach, S.M.G. de Vries and
J. Turok. 2001. EUFORGEN Technical
Bulletin: In situ Conservation of
Populus nigra. International Plant
Genetic Resources Institute, Rome, Italy,
58 p. [ISBN 92-9043-500-3].
The publication provides guidelines for
in situ conservation and management of
European black poplar (Populus nigra).
The research has been coordinated by
the P. nigra Network of the European
Forests Genetic Resources Programme
(EUFORGEN). The contents deal with
regeneration requirements, genetic
considerations for the restoration of
riparian populations and indicators for
monitoring genetic diversity. A set of
ecological demographic and genetic
indicators to monitor and evaluate gene
conservation is proposed with particular
emphasis on two principal types of
conservation strategies: natural in situ
conservation units and managed in situ
conservation units.
MSSRF. 2002. MSSRF-FAO Expert
Consultation: Implementing Farmers’
Rights for Conservation and
Utilization of Plant Genetic Resources
in the Asia-Pacific Region: From
Legislation to Action. M.S.
Swaminathan Research Foundation,
Chennai, India. 187 p.
In order to consider all aspects relating
to the implementation of the Indian Act
and the FAO Treaty, an Expert
Consultation was held at MSSRF in
collaboration with FAO from 21-23
January 2002. Eighty seven participants
from 9 countries, namely, India, Nepal,
the Philippines, Malaysia, Indonesia, Sri
Lanka, Thailand, Italy and Cambodia
attended the Consultation. The
participants included plant breeders,
PGR experts, policy makers,
environmental lawyers, gender experts,
specialists from FAO and CGIAR
Centres, and other professionals from
the Asia-Pacific region. The highlight of
the consultation was the adoption of the
draft rules relating to the Indian
legislation. Besides the draft rules, the
publication also includes the full text of
the Indian legislation. Recommendations
lay emphasis on the need for an effective
and integrated implementation of the
Protection of Plant Varieties and
Farmers’ Rights Act. 2001, Biodiversity
Act and Seed Act, and other highlights
relate to: Seed Rights; Awareness
Generation and Information
Empowerment; Farmers’ Rights;
Institutional Structures for Effective
Implementation; National Gene Fund;
Infrastructure Development;
Revitalization of in situ on-farm
Conservation Traditions; Capacity
Building; International Issues; Role of
International Agricultural Research
20
Centres (IARCs): Policies Regarding
Private Sector Companies; Genetically
Modified Organisms, and Regional
Support Systems.
Paroda, R.S., A. Varma and N. Gupta
(eds.). 2002. Towards Food Secure
India. Proceedings of the 88th Session
of the Indian Science Congress,
January 3-7, 2001, IARI New Delhi.
National Academy of Agricultural
Sciences, New Delhi. 224 p.
These proceedings focus on the theme
of the 88th Session of the Indian Science
Congress namely, “Food, Nutrition and
Environmental Security”. The scientific
programme covered all relevant aspects
relating to the theme such as: i)
improving productivity and alleviating
poverty; ii) post-harvest processing and
value addition; iii) managing resources
for increased farm sustainability; iv)
complementing new technologies with
traditional knowledge; v) nutritional needs
for human health; vi) livestock for
nutrition and financial well-being; vii)
environmental and agricultural
developments, and viii) public policies
for food, nutrition and environmental
security. The Public fora organized
covered topics such as: Science and
technology; GMOs and genomics, How
food secure is India? and WTO and
Indian agriculture. The book includes
extended summaries of over thirty
thematic and special lectures and the
recommendations emerging from the
deliberations of various scientific
sessions. The publication will be useful
to the students, farmers, policy makers
and others concerned in having proper
understanding of the magnitude of the
problem and the possible approaches
and strategies to address the issues
related to national food, nutrition and
environmental security.
Rai, Mangala, Harvir Singh and D.M.
Hedge (eds.). 2002. Oilseeds and Oils:
Research and Development Needs.
Indian Society of Oilseeds Research,
Hyderabad. 490 p.
The book is an outcome of the
deliberations of the national seminar
based on the main theme ‘Oilseeds and
Oils : Research and Development Needs
in the Millennium’ held at the Directorate
of Oilseeds Research, Hyderabad from
21 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
2-4 February 2000. The 40 papers
presented are covered in twelve thematic
chapters, on (i) biodiversity conservation,
(ii) diversification of production systems
(iii) biotechnology and oilseed
improvement, (iv) hybrid research and
development, (v) input-use efficiency, (vi)
biotic stress management, (vii) abiotic
stress management, (viii) quality
improvement, (ix) processing, product
development and value addition, (x)
diversified sources of oil, (xi) transfer of
technology, and (xii) policy interventions.
Each paper provides up-to-date
information including future directions for
research and development needs of
oilseeds and oils.
Rajan, S., S.S. Negi and Ram Kumar.
2002. Catalogue on Mango (Mangifera
indica L.) Germplasm. Central Institute
for Subtropical Horticulture,
Rehmankhera, Lucknow 297 107, India.
66 p.
This catalogue contains information on
252 accessions evaluated for 56
important traits during 1997-2000 at the
Central Institute for Subtropical
Horticulture (CISH), Lucknow, India. The
data provided will be found very useful
for the users/scientists enabling them to
identify diverse material suited to their
requirements towards utilization of
germplasm in mango improvement
programme.
Turok, J., G. Eriksson, K. Russell and
S. Borelli. 2002. Noble Hardwoods
Network. Report of the fourth meeting,
4-6 September 1999, Gmunden,
Austria, and the fifth meeting, 17-19
May 2001, Blessington, Ireland.
International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute, Rome, Italy. 74 p. [ISBN 92-
9043-496-1].
The proceedings deal with the meeting
held at Gmunden, Austria which
highlighted on European long-term gene
conservation strategies for Alnus spp.
and Juglans spp., technical guidelines
on silvicultural management of Noble
Hardwoods; country reports for Armenia,
Ireland, Luxembourg and Norway, and
on inventories and documentation
aspects. The other meeting held at
Blessington, Ireland dealt with progress
report of 24 countries dealing with
inventories, legislation, research,
practical implication, coordination at
national level and public awareness.
Presentations also dealt with the role of
species hybridization in gene
conservation and providing technical
guidelines.
Watson, J.W. and P.B. Eyzaguirre,
editors. 2002. Proceedings of the
Second International Home Gardens
Workshop: Contribution of home
gardens to in situ conservation of
plant genetic resources in farming
systems, 17-19 July, 2001,
Witzenhausen, Federal Republic of
Germany. International Plant Genetic
Resources Institute, Rome. Italy. 184 p.
[ISBN 92-9043-517-8].
The proceedings provide details on the
Home Gardens Project based on studies
carried out in five participating countries
(Cuba, Guatemala, Venezuela, Ghana,
Vietnam) and also some issues and the
approaches required for management.
The working group reports provide
guidelines in the utilization of home
garden potential for in situ conservation,
and a follow up needed through
proposals for initiating action. It is
emphasized that home gardens need to
be included as components of national
biodiversity conservation and
development strategies, with farming
communities as the key stakeholders.
VPKAS/ICAR. 2002. Technical Options
for Improving Agricultural
Productivity in the North-Western Hill.
Vivekananda Parvitaya Krishi
Anusandhan Sansthan, Indian Council
of Agricultural Research (ICAR), Almora
263001, Uttaranchal, India. 70 p.
The publication presents achievements
of the Vivekananda Parvitaya Krishi
Anusandhan Sansthan (VPKAS), a multi-
crop institute working for agricultural
development of the north-western
Himayalaya region. It provides various
technological options available for
improving crop productivity under diverse
agro-climatic conditions of hill agriculture.
The different chapters deal with improved
varieties for higher productivity,
enhancing crop productivity by growth
regulators, improved cropping systems,
production technology for high value
vegetables, protected cultivation
technology, management technology for
No. 38
efficient use of water, forage production
and wasteland utilization, diseases and
insect, pests of different crops and their
management.
Periodicals/Reports
AIC-NCAER. 2001. The First Sir John
Crawford Lecture, November 5, 2001.
Malthusian Concerns and Agricultural
Revolutions [Lloyd Evans AO] Australia
– India Council (AIC), PO Box E8,
Kingston Act 2604 and National Council
of Applied Economic Research
(NCAER), Parisila Bhawan, 11.
Indraprastha Estate, New Delhi 110 002,
India. 18 p.
The nature of the green revolution and
how it has transformed the world food
situation was the theme of the first AIC-
NCAER Sir John Crawford lecture that
was inaugurated by His Excellency, the
President of India, Shri K.R. Narayanan
at New Delhi on 5 November 2001. The
lecture was attended by a distinguished
gathering of policy makers,
academicians, diplomats and
researchers. Dr Evans touched upon
some of the issues such as the
synergistic interaction between several
components of the green revolution.
Several criticisms of the green revolution
by social scientists and environmentalists
are considered as a background to an
assessment of requirements for the next
agricultural revolution.
Ethnobotany. 2001 (Vol. 13, Nos. 1&2).
Deep Publications, B-1/118, Paschim
Vihar, New Delhi 110 063. 164 p. [ISSN:
0971-1252].
This publication of the Society of
Ethnobotanists deals with diverse topics
of ethnobotanical interest. These range
from information on Indian
ethnobotanical literature published over
the last two decades, to herbal recipes
of Assam tribals, plant beverages used
in traditional medicine, ethno-medico-
botanical studies on some sacred plants
and their medicinal uses and the
evaluation of rhizomes of Zingiber
officinale for hypoglycaemic and
hypolipidemic activity.
ICRISAT. 2002. Research for Impact –
Annual Report 2002. International
Crops Research Institute for the Semi-
Arid Tropics, Patancheru 502 324,
Andhra Pradesh, India. 55 p.
No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA
The report highlights research and
development activities at ICRISAT that
reflect its restructured research portfolio
of six global research themes (GTs) that
focus on six major development
problems, namely, GT1: Harnessing
biotechnology for the poor; GT2: Crop
management and utilization for livelihood
security and health; GT3: Water, soil and
agro-biodiversity management for
ecosystem health; GT4. Sustainable
seed supply systems for productivity;
GT5: Enhancing crop-livestock
productivity and systems diversification
and GT6: Semi-Arid Tropics and
development pathways. A list of targeted
projects, publications and workshops,
conferences and training courses
organized has been given.
ICUC. 2001. Tamarind. Field Manual
for Extension Workers. International
Centre for Underutilized Crops,
University of Southampton. Southampton
SO17 1BJ, UK. 30 p. [ISBN 854327541].
Under the ‘Fruits for the Future’ project,
the International Centre for Underutilized
Crops (ICUC), in collaboration with
IPGRI, International Centre for Research
on Agroforestry (ICRAF) and FAO, is
publishing a series of monographs on
selected underutilized fruits. Two of
these, on tamarind and ber have been
published. This extension manual deals
with cultivation and management
practices, and techniques, in tamarind.
Emphasis has been to provide practical
guidelines for use of farmers and rural
communities.
ICUC. 2002. Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana
Lam.) Field Manual for Extension
Workers. International Centre for
Underutilized Crops. University of
Southampton. Southampton, SO17 1BJ,
UK 30 p. [ISBN 854327525].
This extension manual on ber provides
information on cultivation and
management practices of this fruit.
Emphasis has been to provide
information on practical techniques,
which can be used by farmers and rural
communities.
IPGRI/CABI. 2002 (Vol. 11, No. 1).
Plant Genetic Resources Abstracts.
CABI Publishing, Wallingford, OXON
OX10 8DE, UK, pp. 1-84.
This volume includes abstracts of 584
articles dealing with diverse PGR
disciplines, namely, taxonomy, evolution
and origin of crops; genetic and
population diversity; conservation;
local and traditional uses of genetic
resources; biotechnology; genebanks,
documentation and information
management; germplasm
characterization and evaluation;
germplasm enhancement and utilization;
plant health, quarantine and safe
movement of germplasm and includes
information on reports, conferences/
meetings, and important books
published.
IPGRI/FAO. 2001. (No. 128). Plant
Genetic Resources Newsletter.
International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute, Via dei Tre Denari 472/a 00057
Maccarese, Rome, Italy. 78 p. [ISSN
1020-3362].
This newsletter is published quarterly
and deals with all aspects of plant
genetic resources. This issue contains
interesting articles such as on the UK
Flora Programme of the Millennium Seed
Bank Project, the outcome of a
collaboration between volunteers and
professionals – an initiative of the Royal
Botanic Gardens, Kew. The Project is a
major international collaborative seed
conservation effort for wild plant species.
Rice Today (Vol. 1, No. 1). 2002.
International Rice Research Institute,
DAPO Box 1777, Metro Manila,
Philippines 30 p. [ISSN 1655-5422].
Diverse information has been presented
on research, development and
management activities on rice worldwide,
such as on seed health unit at IRRI,
opening of IRRI-Korea Office under
RDA, on integrated pest management,
rice R&D in Cambodia, innovative
research techniques for improved upland
agriculture, use of geographic
information system, and on the code of
conduct for the exchange of rice
varieties, as advocated/developed by the
Council for Partnership on Rice
Research in Asia (CORRA).
22
Seedling (Vol. 19, No. 1) 2002. Genetic
Resources Action International (GRAIN),
Girona 25, pral, E-08010, Barcelona,
Spain, 20 p. [ISSN: 1002-5154].
This quarterly newsletter is published by
GRAIN, an international non-
governmental organization (NGO) based
in Spain. GRAIN promotes the
sustainable management and use of
agricultural biodiversity. This issue
contains an interesting article on
‘Diversity on the Deccan Plateau’ in
India; a participatory study that highlights
the importance of diverse farming
systems on degraded lands. Women
play a key role in sustaining the
household and sustaining biodiversity.
Interesting Websites
http://www.ipgri.cgiar.org/regions/
APO
The website provides information in
the areas particularly related to plant
genetic resources, crops and
species, and information resources,
with emphasis on Asia, the Pacific
and Oceania region.
http://www.apaari.org/mande2.htm
The website provides information on
schedule of upcoming meetings and
events in agricultural research and
development in Asia-Pacific region,
including agro-biodiversity related
aspects.
http://www.fao.org/coaim
The website relates to activities of
FAO’s Consultation on Agricultural
Information Management (COAIM),
bringing policy issues related to
management and access to
agricultural information.
www.cimap.org
The website provides information on
all aspects of activities carried out
by the Central Institute on Medicinal
and Aromatic Plants, Lucknow, India,
a premier institute in this region.
http://www.bib.wau.ul/prosea/
home/html
The Plant Resources of South-East
Asia database contains a wealth of
information on some 6000 useful
plants of Southeast Asia.
23 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA No. 38

Scientific Contributions
Collecting Cotton Species samples. The collected germplasm will
Germplasm from Andhra be conserved and evaluated for long-
term utilization at CICR, Nagpur and
Pradesh, India NBPGR, New Delhi.
Region explored and germplasm
Variability studied
collected
Variation was observed in the collected
Exploration for collecting cotton
samples for smooth lint, extra long
germplasm from Southeastern coastal
staple, long staple, densely hairy leaf,
region (Andhra and Telangana regions)
good boll bearing, presence of petal spot,
of Andhra Pradesh was undertaken by
narrow lobed leaf, coloured lint, etc.
the Central Institute for Cotton Research
(Table 2).
(CICR), Nagpur, Maharashtra in
collaboration with the National Bureau On the basis of preliminary evaluation,
of Plant Genetic Resources (NBPGR), carried out at Nagpur the germplasm
Regional Station, Hyderabad (Andhra collected displayed a range of variability
Pradesh) during January 2002. In all, 34 for desirable traits, viz., ginning out turn
sites between 16.0°N - 18.0° N and 77°E (31-45%), mean halo length (15.3-35
- 84.5°E., were surveyed, which included mm), seed index (4.1-11.5 g), lint index
Gossypium arboreum grown in district
Srikakulam, Andhra Pradesh
20 in Andhra and 14 sites in Telangana 2.3-8.1 g) and resistance to various
region. diseases and pests. to areas such as Ponduru and
A total of 91 samples comprising G. More specific features of area surveyed Gollaprolu blocks in the coastal
hirsutum (39), G. arboreum (47) and G. vis-à-vis variability observed are: Andhra and Virapalli in the
barbadense (5) were collected from a ● Large scale cultivation of ‘ Desi’ Telangana region.
range of sources (Table 1), and majority (diploid – G. arboreum) cotton is ● Upland improved cotton strains
of them represented the selective biased now a rare practice, more localized commonly grown are Bunny, Tulsi
and H 80.
Table 1. Source-wise details of collection ● Most of the cotton cultivation is
rainfed.
Cotton species Sources ● The ‘Desi’ (diploid – G. arboreum)
Wild Field Backyard Garden Store Market Total cotton cultivated traditionally from
generations in Ponduru Block,
G. hirsutum 1 21 12 - 3 2 39 District Srikakulam of coastal
G. arboreum 8 8 11 8 12 - 47 Andhra is famous for its smooth
staple quality, lustrous appearance
G. barbadense 2 1 2 - - - 5
of staple, good fibre strength with
Total 11 30 25 8 15 2 91
60-120 counts, tenacious
attachment of the fibre to the seed,
Table 2. Character-wise details of collection etc. Moreover, right from the seed
sowing to textile production,
Character Specific accessions identified nowhere any artificial manure,
G. hirsutum G. arboreum G. barbadense Total chemical fertilizer, pesticide is used.
Women are actively involved in the
Smooth lint 39 19 5 63
process of cultivation and textile
Extra long staple - - 5 5 production.
Long staple 39 - - 39
Presently, two organizations, viz., Gram
Densely hairy 1 - - 1 Swarajya Sangham and Andhra Fine
Good bearing 11 - - 11 Khadi Karmikabhivrudhi Sangham are
Petal spot present 2 47 4 53 working for promoting cultivation of ‘Desi’
cotton for fine ‘Khadi’ (cloth).
Petal spot absent 37 - 1 38
Narrow leaf 1 2 - 3 [Dr V.V. Singh and Dr S.J. Baitule,
Tree habit - 22 5 27 Central Institute for Cotton Research,
P.B. No. 2, Shankarnagar P.O., Nagpur
Coloured lint 2 7 - 9
440 010, India]
 No. 38 IPGRI NEWSLETTER FOR ASIA, THE PACIFIC AND OCEANIA 24

Useful Names & Addresses

APAARI Dr Pons A. Batugal Mr Pitchapillai Periyasamy
Asia-Pacific Association of Agricultural Senior Scientist, COGENT Coordinator Director General of Agriculture
Research Institutions IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Department of Agriculture
FAO Regional Office for Asia and the Pacific and Oceania Ministry of Agriculture
Pacific PO Box 236, UPM Post Office Peradeniya
39 Phra Atit Road 43400 Serdang Sri Lanka
Bangkok 10200 Selangor Darul Ehsan
Thailand Malaysia Dr Percy E. Sajise
Regional Director
AVRDC Dr B.S. Dhillon IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the
Asian Vegetable Research and Director Pacific and Oceania (APO)
Development Centre National Bureau of Plant Genetic PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
P.O. Box 205, Taipei 10099 Resources (NBPGR) 43400 Serdang,
Taiwan Pusa Campus Selangor Darul Ehsan
New Delhi 110 012 Malaysia
ICGR India
Institute of Crop Germplasm Resources Dr R.P. Sapkota
Chinese Academy of Agricultural Dr P.S. Faylon Executive Director
Sciences Executive Director Nepal Agricultural Research Council
12 Zhongguancun, Nandajie Philippine Council for Agriculture, NARC Building, Singha Durbar Plaza
Beijing 100081 Forestry and Natural Resources Ramshah Path
China Research and Development (PCARRD) PO Box 1440
Los Baños, Laguna 3932 Kathmandu
SPC Manila
Nepal
Secretariat of the Pacific Community Philippines
Private Mail Bag Dr Panjab Singh
Dr Geoffrey C. Hawtin
Suva Director General
Director General
Fiji Indian Council of Agricultural Research
International Plant Genetic Resources
Institute (ICAR) & Secretary, Department of
NIAS Via Dei Tre Denari 472/a Agricultural Research and Education
National Institute of Agrobiological 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino) (DARE), Govt. of India
Sciences Rome Krishi Bhawan
Kannondai 2-1-2, Tsukuba Italy New Delhi 110001
Ibaraki 305-8602 India
Japan Dr Coosje Hoogendoorn
Deputy Director General, Programmes Professor M.S. Swaminathan
PROSEA International Plant Genetic Resources Chairman
PROSEA Network Office Institute M.S. Swaminathan Research Foundation
Herbarium Bogoriense Via Dei Tre Denari, 472/a (MSSRF)
Jalan Ir. H. Juanda 22 00057 Maccarese (Fiumicino) 1, Taramani Institutional Area
P.O. Box 332, Bogor 16122 Rome Chennai 600113
Indonesia Italy India

The Newsletter is produced by

Dr Bhag Mal, Coordinator and Dr R.K. Arora, Hon. Research Fellow, IPGRI Office for South Asia, with support from: Dr Percy
E. Sajise, Regional Director, Dr V. Ramanatha Rao, Senior Scientist (Genetic Diversity/Conservation), Dr Pons A. Batugal,
COGENT Coordinator, Dr Paul Quek, Documentation/Information Specialist at the IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the Pacific
and Oceania; Professor Zhou Ming-De, Coordinator and Dr Zhang Zongwen, Associate Coordinator at the IPGRI Office for
East Asia, and Dr P.N. Mathur, Associate Coordinator at the IPGRI Office for South Asia. The addresses of these offices are:

IPGRI Regional Office for Asia, the
Pacific and Oceania
PO Box 236, UPM Post Office
43400 Serdang, Selangor Darul Ehsan,
Malaysia
Tel: (603) 89423891; Fax: (603) 89487655
Email: ipgri-apo@cgiar.org
IPGRI Office for South Asia
CG Centres Block, NASC, DPS Marg,
Pusa Campus, New Delhi 110012, India
Telex: 31-77257 NBGR IN
Tel: (91-11) 5827537, 5827546, 5827547
Fax: (91-11) 5819899
Email: ipgri-delhi@cgiar.org
IPGRI Office for East Asia
c/o CAAS, 12 Zhongguancun Nandajie
Beijing 100081, China
Telex : 222720 CAAS CN,
Tel : (86-10) 62163744
Fax: (86-10) 68975192
Email: ipgri-caas@cgiar.org