1. Objectives

The objectives of the experiment are to test a second generation of inter-population crosses and to identify, with molecular tools, QTL (Quantitative Trait Loci) responsible for between population diversity in coconut, while a single Dwarf cultivar (Catigan) will serve as the tester.

 

2. Planting Material

The experiment is based on a single Tall x Tall hybrid coming from the SYN VAR 001 experiment at Zamboanga. One of the parent populations is the WAT cultivar and the other is the LAG local cultivar. The local cultivar was chosen on the merits of production, e.g. number of nuts, copra per nut, FQV and general status. Ten individual palms were selected in the chosen LAGT x WAT cross to serve as pollen donors. A well isolated seedgarden planted in Block 24 with CATD would provide the mother palms. The CATD will serve as homozygous tester. Each of the 10 mapping populations is made up of a cross between 1 pollen donor coming from the SYN VAR 001 and about 30 CATD female parent to get at least 200 seed nuts and to obtain 100 young plants at the time of planting for each population. The seeds are produced through hand pollination method.

Number of trees and area: 100 palms per progeny - 7 ha with borders.