Binh-Minh Tran

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) plays a vital economic and cultural role in many tropical and subtropical regions. A comprehensive review of the existing literature underscores that advanced biotechnologies are pivotal in unlocking the full potential of coconut germplasm exchange, which is crucial for the future sustainability of this crop. While traditional exchange methods are hampered by phytosanitary risks and logistical burdens, biotechnological interventions such as in vitro conservation and cryopreservation present targeted solutions to overcome these bottlenecks. The exchange, facilitated by these technologies, allows for the efficient introduction of desirable traits. We indicate that diversification and germplasm exchange hold the key to improving coconut quality and yield, developing varieties resistant to pests and diseases, and ensuring long-term conservation of coconut genetic diversity. This review highlights the potential to overcome the challenges faced by regional breeding programs often hindered by restricted genetic resources. Furthermore, by examining past successes and challenges in coconut germplasm identification and exchange, we offer perspectives on optimizing strategies to conserve diversity. This work emphasizes that germplasm exchange paves the way for coconut varieties that can thrive under changing environmental conditions, securing the future of this highly valuable crop.

Coconut palm’s economic significance across the tropics, underpinning livelihoods and industries, is increasingly threatened by pests, diseases, genetic erosion, and natural disasters. This underscores the urgent need for efficient germplasm conservation strategies. In vitro culture of zygotic embryos provides a vital pathway for secure global conservation and exchange, particularly for elite varieties like Makapuno. However, standardized, practical protocols for the international exchange of fresh, non-cryopreserved embryos remain underdeveloped. To address this gap, this study refined a key protocol for fresh coconut embryo exchange by systematically optimizing critical parameters. The results demonstrated that an optimal culture medium containing low sucrose (10 g/L), activated charcoal (1 g/L), Gelrite (2.5 g/L), and 1 mL medium per cryotube significantly enhanced embryo size (40% increase; p < 0.05) compared to sucrose-free controls. While surface sterilization using AgNPs showed a marginal growth advantage over NaClO, rigorous transportation simulations confirmed that embryos retain high viability and regeneration potential only if delivered within seven days. These findings establish a robust, standardized framework for enhancing the global exchange and conservation of elite coconut germplasm, directly supporting genetic conservation and varietal improvement efforts.

Coconut palms (Cocos nucifera L.) are globally significant palms with both economic and cultural value. Despite the increasing demand for coconut products, production is decreasing globally due to palm senility, pests, and diseases. It has been estimated that over half of the world’s coconut palms need to be replaced immediately. The coconut industry has acknowledged that conventional propagation methods are unlikely to yield sufficient high-quality planting material. Therefore, coconut tissue culture is considered a potential solution to this problem. By using coconut tissue culture, a large number of plantlets can be obtained in a short period of time. In this study, the quality of explants and the development stage (visible shoot/non-visible shoot) of coconut used for micropropagation were examined. To our knowledge, little research has been undertaken on this aspect of coconut micropropagation. Our results indicated that tender coconut fruit exhibited an advantage over mature fruits. In addition, coconut plumule explants subjected to an extended storage of 15 days demonstrated enhanced development compared to those without storage. Notably, smaller embryos utilized as explants displayed superior callus formation compared to their larger counterparts. Finally, embryos possessing shoots exhibited improved callus initiation, albeit accompanied by a more pronounced browning effect. Further investigations are required to obtain more knowledge about the most suitable conditions for plumule explants that lead to optimal callus initiation.

Makapuno, one of the rarest and economically valuable coconut, boasting superior qualities like soft, jelly-like endosperm, creamy texture, and special flavor, presents significant opportunities for the Chinese market. Through a comprehensive analysis of available evidence in coconut-producing countries, this study evaluates the potential for makapuno cultivation in China, considering factors such as the application of embryo culture techniques, economic acceptance, market demand, and agricultural and climate suitability. Furthermore, this paper identifies the key challenges hindering the widespread adoption of biotechnologies involved in makapuno cultivation, including embryo culture, acclimatization of in vitro seedlings, limited germplasm resources, inadequate technical expertise, and regulatory constraints. By leveraging makapuno as a case study, this paper provides insights into the broader issues surrounding the development of elite coconut varieties in China. It offers recommendations for researchers, policymakers, and industry stakeholders to overcome these challenges and unlock the full potential of makapuno cultivation in the country.

Coconut (Coconut Nucifera L.) is one of the most important palms worldwide. Coconut water, its liquid endosperm, is a nutrient-rich beverage with a wide range of potential applications as a refreshing beverage, medicine and additives in biotechnology. It is a sterile, isotonic solution containing a variety of sugars, amino acids, vitamins, minerals, and phytohormones which showed a range of biological activities, including antioxidant, antimicrobial, anti-inflammatory, and immunomodulatory effects. It also provided a wide range of secondary metabolites. Coconut water has been used successfully for the tissue culture of many plants, including field crops, ornamentals, and medicinal plants. In this review, we have discussed, the chemical composition and biological properties of coconut water, as well as its potential applications in biotechnology and medicine. It was found that coconut water has therapeutic or preventive effects against many diseases, or has applications in medicine. In addition, in biotechnology such as plant tissue culture, coconut water can be used as an additive to enhance the growth of callus tissue. This review will also highlight the challenges and opportunities for future research on coconut water.