By Vijendra Kumar and R. Bourdeix, 2019
A project for integrating Polymotu concept of conserving coconut genetic resources into the FNU CAFF campus premises, Koronivia Fiji is being implemented.
The Fiji National University, College of Agriculture Campus (FNU-CAFF) is only university out of the three universities in Fiji focusing on education and research into agriculture and is supported by the Fiji Government. This public research university is the center for teaching Agriculture science, Fisheries and Forestry in Fiji. FNU’s academic programmes are recognised worldwide, attracting students and staff from throughout the Pacific Region.
A team of academics at FNU CAFF Koronivia Campus is undertaking to integrate a coconut conservation design inside the Koronivia campus (Fiji), by using the remarkable Orange and Yellow Compact Dwarf varieties recently discovered in Fiji and Tall-types such as Green Rotuman Tall and Sweet Husk variety found in Rotuma and other Fiji Islands.
The coconut palms would not all be planted in one single specific location, but scattered between all the campus buildings as in customary landscaping. This could be an extraordinary opportunity to strengthen the commitment and interest of the thousands of students and the teachers not only from Fiji but also from other pacific countries in regards to effective conservation and utilization of coconut genetic resources. On the other hand, these scattered plantations will also serve as a mini seed-gardens for the production of hybrid seed nuts for planting programs.
A rapid appraisal of coconut varieties presently existing on the campus was conducted. Four coconut varieties were identified, two of which are material introduced from abroad: Malayan Yellow and Red Dwarfs. These two varieties are now common in Fiji and already well conserved at the Taveuni coconut Centre and in home gardens. The third variety is the most common Fijian Tall type, which can be found everywhere while the forth variety are the hybrids produced at Taveuni Coconut Center during the 90’s era.
The representation given below demarcates a possible design around the dairy, poultry and piggery sheds.
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| Compact Red Dwarf x Rotuma Tall - First Polymotu Design in FNU |
The Orange dots inside FNU-CAFF dairy, poultry and piggery area represent each Compact Dwarf Coconut palm with orange or red-orange fruits. About 40 to 60 coconut palms from these varieties could be planted around the vicinity of this area as female parents. On the other hand, 80 Green Rotuman Tall will be planted in this area as male parents. Seednuts could be preferably imported from Rotuma Island (very large and good fruits) or from other places in Fiji, and preferably be green sprouted.
Another representation is around the administration building, lecture theatre and the students dormitory.
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| Magimagi Tall (green fruits) x Compact Yellow and Red Dwarfs at FNU campus |
The Orange and yellow dots inside FNU-CAFF dairy, poultry and piggery area represent each Compact Dwarf Coconut palm with orange or red-orange or yellow fruits. About 60 Compact Dwarf (orange and yellow) coconut palms from these varieties could be planted around the vicinity of this area as female parents. On the other hand, 80 Green Magimagi Tall will be planted in this area as male parents. Seed nuts will be sourced from Taveuni Coconut Center in Taveuni.
This design will allow production of different kinds of hybrid seed nuts:
- Various types of Compact Dwarfs with orange or red-orange fruits (orange sprouts)
- Green Magimagi Tall types (green sprouts)
- Natural or man-made hybrids between the compacts dwarfs (red-orange and yellow) and Green Magimagi (brown sprouts)
The third layout will be established in the CAFF Crop Farm where conservation of tall and dwarf varieties will be pooled as a collection block (germplasm) where 6 dwarf and 4 tall varieties will be conserved for controlled pollination work and will serve as a breeding block for students doing Plant Breeding research work.
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| Collection of all varieties in FNU Koronivia A rapid appraisal of coconut varieties presently existing on the campus was conducted. Four coconut varieties were identified, two of which are material introduced from abroad: Malayan Yellow and Red Dwarfs. These two varieties are now common in Fiji and already well conserved at the Taveuni Coconut Centre and in home gardens. The third variety is the most common Fijian Tall type, which can be found everywhere while the forth variety are the hybrids produced at Taveuni Coconut Center during the 90’s era. |
This proposal is derived from a scientific paper on the Polymotu concept presented at the 45th APCC COCOTECH Meeting, held 2nd - 6th July 2012, in Kochi, India:
Bourdeix, R., Johnson, V., Saena Tuia, V. and Weise, S..2012. Three declinations of the Polymotu Concept: “Inland ex Situ”, “Ecotourism on Islands”, “Urban” and their possible applications in Brazil, Côte d’Ivoire, Indonesia, French Polynesia and Samoa (870KB). Paper presented at the 45th APCC COCOTECH Meeting, 2nd - 6th July 2012, Kochi, India.
This "Polymotu inland" design was initially proposed to be developped in the Suva campus of the University of South Pacific (USP) but due to a lack of commitment of USP, it was shifted by CIDP to Fiji National University.
This "Polymotu inland" design was initially proposed to be developped in the Suva campus of the University of South Pacific (USP) but due to a lack of commitment of USP, it was shifted by CIDP to Fiji National University.
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