By Vijendra Kumar and R. Bourdeix
Recent surveys contributed to identify:
- Many varieties of amazing Compact Dwarfs, red and yellow colors, that could be used as pure varietes and/or as parents for new hybrids made with varieties 100% of Fijian origin. We suggest to plant these varieties in an isolated block, such as a plot surrounded by genebank plot for beadfruit or mango or medicinal trees, so new hybrids could be produced soon by assisted pollination, bringing pollen of Rotuma of Fijian talls.
- a new form of Niu leka/compact Green Dwarf having very special fruits with very long nipple. At this time we found only one palms, survey must be continued to find more
Further surveys to conduct in Fiji
- Survey Rotuma Island, Polynesian populated and rich in Coconut diversity.
Methods for collecting seednuts
List of putative planting material
Here is a list of varieties and palms identified in 2017 and 2013 . Measurements should be undertaken on these palms, as indicated in the notes.
Latitude and longitude are expressed in decimal degrees. They can be copied and paste in the free software Google Earth in order to immediately visualize the location.
Survey November 2017-Vanua Levu (by V. Kumar and R. Bourdeix,)
to be completed
Survey November 2012-Vanua Levu (by R. Bourdeix, V. Kumar and T. Kete)
to be completed
Recent surveys contributed to identify:
- Many varieties of amazing Compact Dwarfs, red and yellow colors, that could be used as pure varietes and/or as parents for new hybrids made with varieties 100% of Fijian origin. We suggest to plant these varieties in an isolated block, such as a plot surrounded by genebank plot for beadfruit or mango or medicinal trees, so new hybrids could be produced soon by assisted pollination, bringing pollen of Rotuma of Fijian talls.
- a new form of Niu leka/compact Green Dwarf having very special fruits with very long nipple. At this time we found only one palms, survey must be continued to find more
- Interesting new Dwarfs from Kioa Island. Kioa is one of the two Fijian island populated by people originating from Tuvalu (the other one is Rambi). It seems that Tuvaluans brought a special green dwarf from Tuvalu. We learned that this green dwarf could also be available in Veisari settlement near Suva. We also found a green coconut palm with rather slow growth (semi Tall?) and fruits having the sweet husk characteristics (Husk of the young fruits can be chewed lake sugar cane).
- A Fijian Tall with special characteristics producing a large number of medium dark green coloured fruits fruits. On viti levu, the Fijian talls population looks phenotypically homogeneous and are probably more of lesss inbred, resulting on a decreased productivity. Anyway in one place, we found a population of green tall having interesting characteristics. We suggest to collect this population usinfg a biased sampling method:
Select 40 to 50 palms having dark green colour and make observation to characterize their growth and fruits characteristics. Select the one with reduced growth and thinner husk. The latest can be done by analysing the fruits, or more simply by pressing the tip of a knife to estimate the husk thickness.
- Another Fijian tall population having kind of "dwarf characteristics". In Vanua Levu on the way to Kioa island, we identify a surprising Tall population. Bunches and fruits looks like ordinary Fijian stall, but the stem is thin. Under heavy rain, we made three measurements; Length of 11 leaf scars was 32 cm (one palm), and diameter at 20 cm from the ground was 73 and 81 cm. We do not know if this characteristics is a genetic traits or if it is only due to the planting methods or special environmental connditions. This population
- Survey Rotuma Island, Polynesian populated and rich in Coconut diversity.
- Collect more Compact dwarf types or niu leka with special characteristics and that can be considered as distinct varieties.
- Go to Veisari settlement near Suva. and try to identify Tuvauluan varieties (Green dwarf, sweet husk...); may be go Rabi Island and to Rambi, the other island populated by Tuvaluans
Methods for collecting seednuts
In November 2017, we started to test the method consisting in ordering seednuts or seedlings to gardeners and farmers. Seednuts are paid 2 FJD and seedlings 2.5 FJD. We paid the farmers 25 or 20 FJD each corresponding to an order of 10 seednuts or seedlings selected on sprout colors. Receipt include the name and phone number of the palm owner, and the phone number of the ministry officer (Vijendra). When the planting material is ready, farmers are supposed to call the officer. This will be used to collect seednuts and assess the efficiency of the methos (percentage of recovery)/
List of putative planting material
Here is a list of varieties and palms identified in 2017 and 2013 . Measurements should be undertaken on these palms, as indicated in the notes.
Latitude and longitude are expressed in decimal degrees. They can be copied and paste in the free software Google Earth in order to immediately visualize the location.
Survey November 2017-Vanua Levu (by V. Kumar and R. Bourdeix,)
to be completed
Picture 1
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Picture 2
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Latitude
and longitude |
2017VJ001 – Red
Compact Dwarf. Dna. 10 Seedlings ordered.
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0
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2017VJ002 –
Yellow Compact Dwarf. Dna. 10 Seedlings ordered.
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0
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2017VJ003 –
Red Compact Dwarf with rather thin stem and no bole. Dna. No seednuts
ordered.0
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EE
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Ee
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0
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Ee2017VJ004 –
Yellow Red Compact Dwarf with pointed fruits and thick stem. Dna. 10
Seedlings ordered0
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EE
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Ee
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0
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Ee2017VJ005 –
Red compact Dwarf. with bicolour young fruits. Dna.0
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ee
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Ee
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0
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Ee2017VJ006 –
Red compact Dwarf. with bicolour young fruits. Dna.Ee
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Ee
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Ee
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18.054489 -78.679177
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2017VJ007 –
Red yellow compact Dwarf. with bicolour young fruits. Dna.
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Ee
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Ee
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18.054393 -78.679097
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2017VJ008 –
Red yellow compact Dwarf. with bicolour young fr
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Ee
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Ee
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S18.054288 E178.679388
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2017VJ009 –
Red yellow compact Dwarf. with bicolour young fruits. Dna.
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Ee
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Ee
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2017VJ010 –
Red compact Dwarf. Dna
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Ee
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Ee
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S18.054288 E178.679388
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Survey November 2012-Vanua Levu (by R. Bourdeix, V. Kumar and T. Kete)
to be completed
Picture 1
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Picture 2
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Latitude
and longitude |
RBFJ001- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty sweet tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for DNA, need to be done.
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 |
 |
-17,85794 177,35903 |
RBFJ002- A Compact Dwarf with large yellow pointed fruits. Not yet sampled for DNA, need to be done.
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RBFJ003- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for
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Ee
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ee
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RBFJ004- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for
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Ee
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ee
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RBFJ005- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for
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ee
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ee
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RBFJ001- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for
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ee
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ee
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RBFJ001- A Compact Dwarf with an amazing and never
seen colour, well different from other red Dwarf, and very tasty tendernuts.
Not yet sampled for
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||
ee
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ee
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Picture 1
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Picture 2
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Latitude
and longitude |
Ee
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0
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0
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