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Genetic Vulnerability of Oceania's Traditional Crops

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  03 October 2008

Vincent Lebot
Vincent Lebot
Affiliation:
Department of Horticulture, University of Hawaii, 3190 Maile Way, Honolulu, Hawaii 96822, USA
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Summary

The traditional crops of Oceania are asexually propagated and are losing their positions in cropping systems because of their genetic vulnerability. This paper reviews genetic reasons explaining the deterioration of their agronomic performance, using information mostly derived from surveys of genetic resources conducted in more than 50 Pacific islands, coupled with genetic investigations. More than 2000 cultivars have been analysed for isozyme variation. Cultivars and wild forms showed greater isozymic variation in Melanesia than in Polynesia and Micronesia but the genetic base for many of these crops was much narrower than morphological and chemical variation had suggested. No correlations were found between zymotypes, chemotypes, and morphotypes. Cultivars exhibited variation in qualitative traits as a result of human selection of somatic mutations. Accumulation of viral particles in propagules and build-up of pest and pathogen populations are often responsible for poor agronomic performance. If breeding of these traditional crops is to have any future, it is important to exchange genotypes to broaden the base of existing programmes.

Type
Research Article
Information
Experimental Agriculture , Volume 28 , Issue 3 , July 1992 , pp. 309 - 323
Copyright
Copyright © Cambridge University Press 1992

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