Guidelines for coconut germplasm movement amended

As part of research into the damaging disease in coconuts caused by the cadang cadang viroid, it was noticed that Pacific coconuts had viroid-like nucleic acid sequences present in their tissues, although this appeared to be unassociated with disease. Nonetheless, given the gravity of the disease and the unknown risk posed by the presence of viroid-like sequences, the FAO and IBPGR (now International Plant Genetic Resources Institute or IPGRI) published 'Technical Guidelines for the Safe Movement of Coconut Germplasm' (edited by E. A. Frison et al. 1993). The guidelines called for the restriction of coconut germplasm movement from those countries where the viroid-like sequences were known to occur, and relate to germplasm for conservation, research and plant breeding programmes, not trade. Scientific studies have since shown that these sequences are widespread in coconuts in both exporting and importing countries and there is no evidence that their presence leads to disease. Accordingly, in December 1997, FAO and IPGRI published an addendum to the Technical Guidelines saying that viroid-like sequences are not to be considered of quarantine significance. Guidelines restricting coconut germplasm movement still remain in effect for the Philippines (where the cadang cadang viroid is present) and Guam (because of the Tinaja viroid). Contact: Pons Batugal International Coconut Genetic Resources Network (COGENT) P O Box 236 UPM Post Office, 43400 Serdang Selangor Darul Ehsan, Malaysia. Fax: +603 9423891 Email: P.Batugal@cgnet.com http://www.agricta.org/Spore/spore77As part of research into the damaging disease in coconuts caused by the cadang cadang viroid, it was noticed that Pacific coconuts had viroid-like nucleic acid sequences present in their tissues, although this appeared to be unassociated with..