The document discusses diversity and conservation strategies for banana and coconut. For banana, it describes important varieties grown in India like Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, and Rasthali. It also outlines conservation methods like field collections, in vitro collections, and cryopreservation. The National Research Centre on Banana maintains over 4500 accessions of banana germplasm. For coconut, it provides an overview of major coconut producing countries and describes coconut genetic resources and collections in India maintained by the Coconut Research Institute.

1. Diversity And Conservation Strategies Of
Banana And Coconut

2. What is Biodiversity?
Biodiversity, also called biological diversity, the
variety of life found in a place on Earth or, often, the
total variety of life on Earth. A common measure of this
variety, called species richness, is the count of species in
an area.

3. Biodiversity Conservation
 Protection of natural habitats of organisms
through controlled exploitation.
 Maintenance of rare species in protected
areas such as national parks, sanctuaries
etc.,
 Establishment of specific biosphere reserves
for endangered plants and animals.
 Protection of wild life through legislation such
as banning hunting etc.,
 Imposing specific restrictions on export of
endangered plants and animals or their
products.
 Educating the public about the need to
protect and preserve the environment as a

4. Threats to our Biodiversity
 Degradation, fragmentation and loss
of habitat.
 Spreading of invasive species.
 Unsustainable use of natural
resources.
 Change in climate.
 Inappropriate fire regimes.
 Change within aquatic environment
and water flows.

5. Conservation Method

6. Diversity And Conservation Strategies Of Banana

7. Banana
BOTANICAL CLASSIFICATION
 Scientific Name – Musa sp.
 Family – Musaceae
 Chromosome No. – 22,44,66,88
BOTANICAL DESCRIPTION
 Type of Fruit- Berry
 Edible Part – Endocarp
Origin – S.E. Asia

8. Agro-Climatic Requirements
 Banana a tropical crop, grows well in a
temperature ranges of 15°C - 35°C with
relative humidity of 75-85%
 It require loamy soil with pH between 6.5-
7.5
 Rich in organic material with high
nitrogen content, adequate phosphorus
and plenty of potash.
 Average rainfall require is 650-750mm.

9. Top 10 Banana Producing Countries in
the World 2018
Serial
No.
Country Production (Million Tonnes)
1 India 29.82
2 China 11.64
3 Uganda 11.23
4 Philippines 9.45
5 Ecuador 8.24
6 Brazil 7.65
7 Indonesia 5.27
8 Colombia0 5.27
9 Cameroon 4.94
10 Tanzania 4.08

10. Banana-growing countries that produce 1 million metric tonnes or more.
Each country’s production is allocated to four categories: Cavendish
cultivars, other dessert cultivars, Plantain cultivars, and other cooking
cultivars. India is the largest producer with 29.82 million tonnes.

11. Banana Producing States in
India
Ra
nk
State Production- (000MT)
1 Tamil Nadu 5136.2
2 Gujarat 4523.49
3 Maharashtra 3600
4 Andhra Pradesh 3242.797
5 Karnataka 2529.6
6 Bihar 1702.412
7 Madhya Pradesh 1701
8 West Bengal 1077.8
9 Assam 837.021
10 Orissa 521.31

12. Map showing the top 10 banana
producing states in India

13. Growing and Potential Belts in
India

14. Banana varieties in India
State Varieties grown
Andhra
Pradesh
Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Amritpant,
Thellachakrakeli, Karpoora Poovan, Chakrakeli, Monthan
and Yenagu Bontha
Assam Jahaji (Dwarf Cavendish), Chini Champa, Malbhog,
Borjahaji (Robusta), Honda, Manjahaji, Chinia (Manohar),
Kanchkol, Bhimkol, Jatikol, Digjowa, Kulpait, Bharat Moni
Bihar Dwarf Cavendish, Alpon, Chinia , Chini Champa, Malbhig,
Muthia, Kothia , Gauria
Gujarat Dwarf Cavendish, Lacatan, Harichal (Lokhandi), Gandevi
Selection, Basrai, Robusta, G-9, Harichal, Shrimati
Jharkhan
d
Basrai, Singapuri

15. State Varieties Grown
Karnataka Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Rasthali, Poovan, Monthan,
Elakkibale
Kerala Nendran (Plantain), Palayankodan (Poovan), Rasthali,
Monthan, Red Banana, Robusta
Maharashtra Dwarf Cavendish, Basrai, Robusta, Lal Velchi, Safed
Velchi, Rajeli, Nendran, Grand Naine, Shreemanti, Red
Banana
Orissa Dwarf Cavendish, Robusta, Champa, Patkapura
(Rasthali)
Tamil Nadu Virupakshi, Robusta, Rad Banana, Poovan, Rasthali,
Nendran, Monthan, Karpuravalli, Sakkai, Peyan, Matti
West Bengal Champa, Mortman, Dwarf Cavendish, Giant Governor,
Kanthali, Singapuri

16. MAP SHOWING THE BANANA GROWING STATES IN INDIA

17. Important Cultivars of Banana
Sr. no. Banana Variety Features Grown Areas
1 Dwarf Cavendish The duration of the crop
is 11 months and
produces bunch with an
average weight of 20 kg,
compactly arranged with
140 to 160 fruit / bunch
Bihar, Tamil
Nadu,
Karnataka,
Maharashtra,
West Bengal,
Assam,
Nagaland and
Meghalaya
2 Robusta Plants bear potential
bunches weighing 25 to
30 Kgs each with good
sized, slightly curved fruit
Tamil Nadu,
Karnataka,
Bihar,
Jharkhand,
Kerala and
Maharashtra
3 Rasthali Plants are medium
statured and the crop
takes 13 to 15 months to
come to harvest with
bunch weighing 15-18 kg
Kerala, Tamil
Nadu, Andhra
Pradesh, West
Bengal, Assam
and Mizoram

18. Sr.
No.
Banana
Variety
Features Grown Areas
4 Nendran Exported to Gulf Countries,
bunch weight varies from 8-15
kg having 30 – 50 fingers. Fruit
have a distinct neck with thick
and green peel which turns
yellow on ripening.
Kerala, Tamil
Nadu
5 Poovan Under optimum crop
management, it bears bunches
weighing 20-24 kg each having
150 – 300 fingers, it is
distinguished from other
cultivars by its pink pigmentation
on the ventral side of the
midri of young leaves.
Tripura,
Meghalaya,
Tamil
Nadu, Arunach
al Pradesh,
Mizoram,
Sikkim,
Jharkhand,
Andaman and
Nicobar Islands,
Kerala and
Karnataka
6 Ney
Poovan
First crop cycle in 12-13 months,
bunch orientation is
Kerala, Tamil
Nadu and

19. Sr. No Banana
Variety
Features Grown Areas
7 Grand Naine It is a medium to tall statured
variety and is a heavy yielder
with long cylindrical bunch. On
an average is produces a
bunch weighing 25-35 Kg and
goes up to 60-65 Kg in crop
duration of 11-12 months.
All over India
8 Red Banana Elite banana cultivar and grown
for red peeled delicious fruit of
unique taste. The plants are
tall, robust ranging from 2.5 m
to 3.0 m in height, produces
bunches to tune of 20 – 30 Kg
Gujarat, Madhya
Pradesh,
Chhattisgarh,
Kerala, Karnata
ka and Tamil
Nadu
9 Monthan Fairly tall and robust, growing
to a height of 2.5 to 3.0 m
Tamil Nadu,
West
Bengal, Jharkha
nd, Odisha and
Kerala

20. Sr.
No
Banana
Variety
Features Grown Areas
10 Karpuraval
li
Tolerance to drought. Salt and Wind,
ease of cultivation and high
productivity has favoured its
commercial cultivation at larger scale
in marginal soil conditions in South
India. Takes about 16 months to
complete first crop cycle with
bunches of 25-35 Kg weight under
optimum crop management
conditions.
Assam, Andhra
Pradesh, Tamil
Nadu
11 Virupakshi Duration of crop is 14 months,
average bunch weight is 12 Kg and
6-8 hands with 80-90 fruit / bunch.
Himachal
Pradesh,
Andhra
Pradesh, Kerala
and Tamil Nadu
12 Udhayam The Plants are comparatively dwarf
in stature with a duration of 13 – 14
months
Tripura,
Karnataka,
Tamil Nadu and
Kerala
13 Pachanad
an
Duration of the crop is 11 – 12
months, tall statured with 2.6 to 3.1 m
Tamil Nadu

21. Virupakshi Monthan
Dwarf Cavendish Grand Naine

22. Karpuravalli Nendran
Pachanadan Udhayam

23. Poovan Red Banana
Robusta

24. Methods of Banana
Conservation
 The Surveyed Collections
 Ex Situ conservation
1. Conservation of wild
species
2. Field Collection
 In vitro Collection
1. Cryopreservation
Collection
2. Conservation of wild
species through seed.

25. Agency work on conserving
Musa sp. In India
National Research Centre on Banana
- NRCB
Field and in vitro collection, containing
4505 mats of 901accessions in the
field and 72 accessions in the lab,
supplying farmers, horticulturists and
breeders in India. Botanical potential
of the collection for breeding is
evident.

26. The Surveyed Collections
There is a gradual and continuous establishment of
ex situ collections from the late 1960s to recently,
with the following collections currently present in
the 4 regions
 Eastern Africa: 10 collections
 Western Africa: 7 collections
 Asia and the Pacific: 27 collections
 Latin America and the Caribbean: 9 collection
the institutes managing Musa genetic diversity ex situ and the total number of
accessions

27. Ex Situ conservation
 Some wild germplasm accessions disappear from ex
situ collections because field collections do not always
provide the suitable ecology.
 Wild species are sometimes better at seed propagation
than vegetative propagation.
 It helps access to a wider selection of genes, rather
than one or two collected genotypes within the
population.
The idea of wild sub-collections in appropriate
environments is interesting but difficult to
implement. The best alternative is in situ
conservation of wild taxa , with geo-referenced
passport data.
Conservation of wild species

28. Field Collection
 Field gene banks provide easy access to
plant genetic resources.
 It helps for characterization, evaluation or
utilization, while the same material conserved
in vitro or in cryo must be regenerated and
grown before it can be evaluated.
 Materials grown in the field are also important
for conserving vegetatively propagated
genotypes that commonly produce variants
(genetic variation), since these can be more
easily identified in the field than in vitro

29. Cont.
 According to the survey the most damaging
biotic factors affecting the field collections are
the following:-
1. Fusarium wilt,
2. Banana bract mosaic virus (BBrMV)
3. Banana bunchy top virus (BBTV),
4. Banana streak virus(BSV),
5. Cucumber mosaic virus (CMV),
6. Bacterial wilt,
7. Black leaf streak (BLS),
8. Mycosphaerella leaf spots,
9. Nematodes and weevils

30. In vitro Collection
 In vitro collections are used mainly for the safety
duplication of the field collections and for rapid
multiplication and safe movement of disease-free
planting material.
 Controlled growth conditions avoids infestation of
the germplasm by pests and diseases, as well as
climate shocks.
Production of robust, rooted in vitro plants of

31. Out of the 56 collections from the
Global Musa Survey, 32 institutes
maintain an in vitro collection varying
from a few accessions to the largest
collection at ITC of 1,479 accessions.
A total estimated 4,507 accessions are
conserved in vitro.

32. Cont.
The collection with more than 100 accessions conserved
in vitro

33. Cryopreservation Collection
Cryopreservation is used for the long-term conservation of
in vitro collections, with minimal probabilities of
deteriorating and losses of germplasm. The material is
generally not distributed in this form. Two
cryopreservation protocols are currently available for a
range of banana cultivar groups.
1. CRYOPRESERVATION OF APICAL BANANA
MERISTEMS
2. CRYOPRESERVATION OF BANANA MERISTEM
CLUSTERS
The following 3 institutes maintain germplasm in
cryopreservation:
1. ITC collection with 938 accessions (76% cultivars, 14
% wild taxa and 9% breeding lines)
2. India – NBPGR with 50 accessions
3. USDA - Puerto Rico with 10 accession

34. The following 3 institutes maintain germplasm in
cryopreservation:
1. ITC collection with 938 accessions (76%
cultivars, 14 % wild taxa and 9% breeding lines)
2. India – NBPGR with 50 accessions
3. USDA - Puerto Rico with 10 accession

35. Cryopreservation of individual meristems

36. Production of robust, rooted in vitro plants of
banana
Illustration of meristem isolation.
(Leaves are removed one by one until
the apical dome is visible but still
partially covered by 1 to 2 young leaf
Partly-covered apical
meristems of banana

37. Recovered shoots from
cryopreserved apical
meristems of banana
Meristem cultures of different banana
cultivars

38. Conservation of wild species
through seed
 Conservation of the
wider Musa wild
diversity through seeds
and embryo.
 Seed storage behavior
is studied as
germination of Musa
seeds in soil is still very
unpredictable.
 The germination
process is slow and
takes long time.

39. Overview of Banana
Conservation
1. Vegetative methods are the best and more
widely used methods of banana conservation.
2. Germplasm can be maintained as vegetatively
maintained genotypes in fields or screenhouses
(field banks), in tissue culture or via
cryopreservation (in vitro).
3. When the objective is solely to conserve the
genes (but not specific combinations of genes),
true seeds can be used instead, as long as
seeds are produced.
4. Seeds can probably also be conserved with
cryo techniques.
5. Genes can also be maintained for further use in
the form of DNA (DNA banks or lyophilized
leaves) or cryopreserved pollen.

40. Diversity And Conservation Strategies Of Coconut

41. Introduction
 The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L.)
belongs to the Arecaceae family (Order
Arecales) and is the only species of the
genus Cocos.
 The coconut palm is diploid (2n=32). It is
woody and perennial with a stem that is
erect, unbranched and cylindrical and
grows from a single shoot meristem at
the apex of the plant.
 It is anchored by numerous adventitious
roots which are produced from the
swollen basal part of the stem.
 The top of the trunk consists of a
radiating compact crown with large, thick
cuticled pinnate leaves.
 The fruit is a fibrous drupe with a smooth
outside skin (exocarp) which varies in
color.

42. Cont.
 Coconut genetic diversity
Coconut is one of the few major crop species that has
no closely related wild relatives. Coconut belongs to
the palm family (Palmae or Arecaceae),which has
about 2800 species of 190 genera. The Cocoeae tribe
with 27 genera and nearly 600 species includes
several economically important plants such as
1. Cocos nucifera(coconut),
2. Elaeis guineensis(African oil palm),
3. Attalea cohune( babacu ),
4. Bactris gasipaes(peach palm).
Palm species most related to the coconut palm are found
in Colombia (Cook 1901).

43. Percentage share in area &
production of Coconut: Major
countries

44. Coconut – National scenario

45. Coconut research setup in
India

46. Coconut Genetic Resources
in India

47. Exotic Coconut Germplasm at
CPCRI

48. Indigenous Coconut Germplasm
at CPCRI

49. Improved coconut varieties
developed in India

50. Cont.

51. Cont.

52. Superior Coconut Hybrids
released in India

53. Conservation method
 Plant Genetic Research are commonly
conserved using ex situ or in situ
approaches.
 Ex situ refers to their conservation outside
their natural habitat in facilities such as
1) Seed banks
2) Field genebanks
• In vitro collections
1) Botanic gardens
2) Germplasm conserved in the form of
1. plants,
2. seeds,

54. 1. Pollen
2. Tissues
3. cells or DNA.
 Coconut bears very large size seeds
so seed conservation not possible.

55. 1) Field genebank:-
Advantages-
 Easy access for characterization, evaluation
and use.
 Simple infrastructure needs.
 Does not require highly skilled manpower.
Disadvantages-
 Space limitation compounded by need to
maintain safe isolation distance between
trees, especially for the Tall types that out
cross frequently .
 Labour intensive; High risk in mislabelling.
 Vulnerability to biotic and abiotic factors.
 Exchange of germplasm.
 Participation with end users difficult.
 Legal issues as related to land ownership.

56. Research needed-
 Minimum number of palms needed to maintain
representative genetic diversity
 Filed plot techniques for proper characterization
and evaluation
 Economics of coconut field genebank maintenance
Field genebank

57. 2) In vitro collecting and culture of
zygotic embryos-
Advantages-
 Well established protocols.
 Facilitates germplasm exchange.
Disadvantages-
 Only short-term storage.
 Relatively high infrastructure needs.
 High maintenance cost.
 Less accessible to users.
Research needed-
 Testing of optimized in vitro culture
protocol.

58. In vitro culture

59. 3) Cryopreservation-
Advantages-
 Feasible for long term secure storage.
 Easy to maintain, low costs.
 Protocol for coconut embryos has been
developed.
 Not labour intensive.
Disadvantages-
 Requires skilled labour.
 High initial investment cost for Infrastructure.
Research needed-
 More work required to refine cryopreservation
protocol.

60. Cont.
Cryopreservation of coconut plumules using
encapsulation/dehydration technique

61. 4) Pollen
conservation-
Advantages-
 Large number of samples
can be maintained in small
space.
 Easy to handle.
 Useful for crosses.
 Can be cryopreserved
allowing long term
storage.
Disadvantages-
 Not yet feasible for long
term.
 Only conserve part of
diversity.
 Cannot be used to
conserve specific
genotypes.
Research needed-
 Refinement on
Coconut pollen in freezer
Drying of coconut pollen

62. 5) On-farm-
Advantages-
 Dynamic conservation in relation to
environmental changes.
 Participation of local communities and
stakeholders made easier.
 Conserve a much larger genetic diversity overall.
 Highly suitable for coconuts.
 Difficult to exchange germplasm.
Disadvantages-
 Vulnerable to natural and man-directed disasters,
e.g. fire, cyclones, vandalism, change in land
use, deforestation etc.
 Materials not easily available for utilization.
 Appropriate management regimes poorly
understood.
 Require active supervision and monitoring
 Genetic diversity scattered .

63. Research needed-
 Little information on status of genetic diversity
across coconut stands.
 Systematic documentation of farmers
knowledge is needed.
 Several issues related to socioeconomics of
coconut farming, indigenous knowledge,
community participation in relation to on-farm
conservation.
 On farm conservation methodologies need
further work .
 Ways and means to enhance benefits for
promoting conservation on farm.
 Piloting in situ methods for locating, measuring
and monitoring genetic diversity.

64. On farm Coconut conservation

65. Comparison of conservation options for coconuts
In situ on
farm /natural
habitats
Botanic
Gardens
‘Convention
al’
Genebanks
(seed banks,
field
genebanks)
Slow growth
conditions
(short-term)
Cryopreserv
ation - liquid
N (long-
term)
Mature plant Coconuts
conserved on
farm widely
and in home
gardens and
natural stands
exist on small
isolated islands
and atolls.
Occurs in
botanic
gardens but
limited scope
for conserving
genetic
diversity.
Field genebank
most widely
used
conservation
method so far.
National and
international
coconut field
genebanks
exist.
Not applicable Not applicable
Seeds and
zygotic
embryos
Not feasible-
seeds are
recalcitrant, no
natural soil
seed banks
Not feasible Seeds are
recalcitrant and
too large; seed
conservation
not feasible
Field
collecting
protocol
established for
zygotic
embryos; In
vitro culture
functional
Cryopreservati
on protocol has
been
established for
zygotic
embryos;
suitable for
long term
conservation
Somatic
embryos
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable Mass
propagation
problematic;
Not applicable

66. Cont.
In situ on
farm
/natural
habitats
Botanic
Gardens
‘Conventional’
Genebanks
(seed banks,
field
genebanks)
Slow growth
conditions
(short-term)
Cryopreserva
tion - liquid N
(long-term)
Pollen Not
applicable
Not applicable Possible, for
short term
conservation
(2-6 months)
Not applicable Coconut pollen
can be
cryopreserved
and could be
suitable for
long term
conservation
Apices Not
applicable
Not applicable Not applicable Not applicable cryopreservati
on protocol
established;
relatively low
survival and
regeneration
of plants very
difficult
DNA Not
applicable
Not applicable Storage as
DNA libraries
exists – value
not known
Not applicable Long-term
storage
possible (LN
or –80°C
freezer). Use
of stored DNA
questionable.