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Genetic Improvement for Sustainability of Coconut Production: The Sri Lankan Experience

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Agricultural Research for Sustainable Food Systems in Sri Lanka

Abstract

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) is a perennial tree crop offering a multitude of uses and a major component in the daily diet of Sri Lankans. The crop is economically and socially blended into the lifestyle of people. Both inherent and external factors affect the productivity of the coconut palm and the sustainability of coconut industry. Comparatively long juvenile phase, long economically productive life span (generally exceeding 50 years), varying genetic potential of different cultivars and levels of germplasm diversity are a few of the main inherent factors, while the environmental factors, biotic and abiotic stresses, represent the main challenges for the sustainability of the coconut cultivation. In addition to the above factors, the general factors such as low soil fertility, old age or senility of palms and the recent undesirable trends in global climate change are important factors that need to be addressed in ensuring the sustainability of coconut cultivation. The sustainability of the food systems in which coconut is a main constituent depends on the productivity of cultivations and the viability of the coconut industry. This chapter elaborates the contribution of genetic improvement programmes for the productivity enhancement, industry development and sustainability of the food systems related to coconut in Sri Lanka with reference to global scenario as appropriate.

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Acknowledgements

Mr. Roshan Silva and Mrs. Nilmini Jayalath of the Coconut Research Institute (CRI) of Sri Lanka are acknowledged for providing Figs. 7.2 and 7.3, respectively. The untiring efforts of all the past and present coconut breeders at the CRI of Sri Lanka are greatly appreciated.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural Biology, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    S. A. C. N. Perera

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Crop Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Buddhi Marambe

  2. Department of Agricultural Economics and Business Management, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Jeevika Weerahewa

  3. Department of Soil Science, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Peradeniya, Peradeniya, Sri Lanka

    Warshi S. Dandeniya

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Perera, S.A.C.N. (2020). Genetic Improvement for Sustainability of Coconut Production: The Sri Lankan Experience. In: Marambe, B., Weerahewa, J., Dandeniya, W. (eds) Agricultural Research for Sustainable Food Systems in Sri Lanka. Springer, Singapore. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-981-15-2152-2_7

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