Table Of ContentContract Number: DCI-FOOD/2010/230-267 SPC
Adapting
clonally
propagated
crops
to
climatic
and
commercial
changes
Annual
Report
2013
INEA:
The
International
Network
for
Edible
Aroids
www.EdibleAroids.org
1
2
2. Contents
1.
Summary
of
activities
and
context
of
INEA
in
2013
............................................................................
5
2.
Partners’
Annual
Reports
for
2013
..............................................................................................
13
2.1.
Costa Rica .................................................................................................................. 13
2.2.
Cuba ........................................................................................................................... 15
2.3.
Nicaragua ................................................................................................................... 21
2.4.
CARDI ....................................................................................................................... 23
2.5.
Burkina Faso .............................................................................................................. 37
2.6.
Ghana ......................................................................................................................... 39
2.7.
Nigeria ........................................................................................................................ 44
2.8.
South Africa ............................................................................................................... 48
2.9.
Madagascar ................................................................................................................ 51
2.10.
India ........................................................................................................................ 55
3.10.
Indonesia ................................................................................................................ 62
3.11.
The Philippines ....................................................................................................... 66
3.12.
Papua New Guinea ................................................................................................. 67
3.13.
Vanuatu .................................................................................................................. 84
3.13.
SPC, Tissue culture and breeding .......................................................................... 96
3.14.
CIRAD, Genetic diversity .................................................................................... 100
3.15.
Maribor University, chemical analyses and breeding .......................................... 104
3.16.
University of Madeira, drought tolerance studies ................................................ 108
3.17.
DSMZ, Germany, taro viruses detection and sanitation ...................................... 112
2.
Activities
planned
for
2014-‐2015:
..................................................................................................
122
4.
Appendix
....................................................................................................................................
124
Appendix 1:2nd annual Meeting, Montpellier, Dec. 16-17th 2013 ..................................... 126
Appendix 2: Presentation to the International Conference ................................................. 144
3
4
1.
Summary
of
activities
and
context
of
INEA
in
2013
INEA
(the
International
Network
for
Edible
Aorids:
www.EdibleAroids.org)
brings
together
a
global
team
of
scientists,
working
directly
with
local
growers,
to
develop
a
model
for
the
adaptation
of
clonally
propagated
crops
to
climatic
and
commercial
changes.
To
produce
plants
adapted
to
new
environments
-‐
climate
change,
pest
and
disease
outbreaks,
market
needs
-‐
it
is
necessary
to
broaden
the
genetic
base.
To
do
that
successfully,
requires
cooperation
between
countries,
the
use
of
modern
biotechnologies,
and
development
of
a
network
of
scientists
exchanging
information
and
germplasm.
INEA
uses
taro
(Colocasia
esculenta)
and
cocoyam
(Xanthosoma
sagittifolium)
to
construct
a
climatic
adaptation
model
which
can
be
transferable
to
other
clonally
propagated
plant
species.
INEA
main
activities
are:
• International
network
sharing
resources
and
helping
farmers
with
participatory
breeding.
• International
distribution
of
selected
in
vitro
clones
(virus
indexed)
and
true
taro
seeds.
• Selection
of
genotypes
from
diverse
crop
gene
pools
and
adapted
to
local
conditions.
• National
distribution
of
elite
cultivars
to
smallholders.
• Participatory
breeding
for
wide
environmental
and
cropping
systems
adaptability.
• Characterization
of
physico-‐chemical
properties
and
potential
uses.
The
countries
participating
in
INEA
are:
Burkina
Faso,
Costa
Rica,
Cuba,
Germany,
Ghana,
India,
Indonesia,
Madagascar,
Nicaragua,
Nigeria,
Philippines,
Papua
New
Guinea,
Portugal,
Samoa,
Slovenia,
South
Africa
and
Vanuatu.
Also
participating
are
two
regional
organisations,
SPC
and
CARDI
(Trinidad),
and
one
international
agricultural
research
organisations,
CIRAD,
(Vanuatu
and
France).
The
first
three
years
of
the
project
have
seen
enormous
activity.
SPC’s
Centre
for
Pacific
Crops
and
Trees
has
sent
50
improved
clones
–
many
of
them
resistant
to
taro
leaf
blight
–
to
each
partner.
In
all,
more
than
7000
plants
have
been
distributed.
These
taros
are
now
in
the
field
ready
for
the
next
phase:
evaluations
and
crossing
with
local
varieties.
In
addition,
nearly
200
plants
have
been
sent
to
European
research
institutes
for
drought
and
virus
studies.Apart
from
the
partners,
six
other
countries
have
requested
germplasm:
Bangladesh,
Haiti,
Guadaloupe,
DR
Congo,
Mauritius
and
Cameroon,
and
have
been
supplied
with
improved
varieties.
The
Cameroon
has
been
devastated
by
taro
leaf
blight
in
the
last
three
years.
In
most
countries,
introduced
varieties
are
performing
better
than
the
local
ones,
especially
where
TLB
is
a
problem,
but
further
evaluation
is
needed
regarding
taste
preferences.
Several
partners
have
successfully
conducted
the
first
crosses
and
generated
thousands
of
true
botanical
seeds
which
will
be
screened
and
evaluated,
representing
an
exceptional
resource
of
allelic
diversity.
The
work
plan
of
INEA
is
broken
down
into
eight
work
packages
(WP).
The
main
results
obtained
in
2013
are
presented
hereafter:
WP
1.1.
Project
management
activities
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
1.1:
SPC
Expected
outputs:
1. Development
of
a
website
to
support
INEA.
2. Fulfilment
of
financial,
administrative
and
coordination
obligations.
3. Production
and
circulation
of
annual
reports.
4. Monitoring
of
project
activities.
5
The
project
is
managed
by
LRD-‐SPC,
Suva,
Fiji,
under
the
direct
financial
supervision
of
Mrs
Sushil
Narayan.
A
sub
contract
has
been
signed
between
SPC
and
CIRAD
in
June
2013
to
authorize
CIRAD
to
prepare
the
2011
and
2012
financial
reports.All
partners
met
in
December
16-‐17th2013
in
Montpellier,
France,
to
refine
the
strategic
plan
and
formulate
an
Action
Plan
for
2014
and
2015
(see
meeting
report
in
Appendix
1).
Annual
budgets
for
2014
and
2015
were
also
agreed.
Periodic
contacts
will
be
made
in
the
near
future
to
ensure
that
the
project
activities
are
completed
efficiently
and
within
budgets.
WP
1.2.
Scientific
coordination
activities
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
1.2:
CIRAD
Scientific
coordination
is
eased
by
the
project
web
site
where
news,
photos,
scientific
papers
and
reports
are
posted
on
a
regular
basis.
A
monitoring
form
has
been
devised
for
quarterly
assessment
of
activities.
INEA
has
received
considerable
international
recognition
since
the
project
began.
In
addition
to
requests
to
attend
conferences
and
to
submit
reviews
in
refereed
journals,
several
non-‐
INEA
countries
have
requested
germplasm
(Haiti,
Guadeloupe,
Cameroon,
Mauritius,
Bangladesh
and
Congo).
Most
of
the
requests
are
from
countries
where
Taro
Leaf
Blight
has
been
devastating.
A
short
list
of
morphological
descriptors
was
developed
and
agreed
among
partners
for
Colocasia
and
Xanthosoma.
The
scientific
coordinator
of
INEA
(V.
Lebot)
presented
a
paper
entitled:
“Strengthening
smallholders’
capacity
to
adapt
to
agro-‐climatic
changes:
optimization
of
root
crops
germplasm
management
and
use”
at
the
International
Conference
on
Tropical
Roots
and
Tubers
for
Sustainable
Livelihood
Under
Changing
Agro-‐Climate,
held
in
Trivandrum,
India
in
July
9-‐12th
2013.
The
paper
will
be
published
in
the
International
Journal
of
Root
Crops.
The
aim
of
this
paper
is
to
explain
how
the
approach
presently
used
by
INEA
could
be
relevant
to
other
root
crops.
WP
2:
In
vitro
propagation
of
selected
varieties
for
distribution
to
farmers
Partner
in
charge
of
WP2:
SPC
Expected
outputs:
5. International
distribution
of
50
selected
genotypes
to
all
country
partners.
6. Field
propagation
of
introduced
genotypes,
evaluation,
comparison
with
local
ones.
7. Distribution
of
30
selected
genotypes
to
10
villages
per
country
(5
farmers
per
village).
SPC
developed
a
very
efficient
system
for
distribution
of
plants
in
plastic
pouches
and
contamination
rates
were
extremely
low,
and
accordingly
transfers
to
soil
were
highly
successful.
The
CePaCT
has
already
transferred
successfully
50
selected
genotypes
to
all
country
partners,
five
clones
per
genotype.
All
transfers
have
been
done
according
to
the
guidelines
of
the
International
Treaty
on
Plant
Genetic
Resources
of
the
FAO
using
the
Standard
Material
Transfer
Agreement
(SMTA).
Demands
from
non-‐participating
countries
came
to
INEA.
Plants
have
already
been
sent
to
Haiti
and
Cameroon,
Bangladesh,
Mauritius,
Congo
and
Guadeloupe.
Overall,
more
than
7,000
plantlets
have
been
sent.If
the
budget
allows
it,
CePaCT
may
consider
supplying
new
partners
and/or
new
genotypes
to
present
partners
expressing
a
specific
demand.SPC
will
continue
to
support
and/or
contribute
to
the
taro
breeding
programme
in
Samoa.
Mr
Tolo
Iosefa
is
a
PhD
candidate
at
the
University
of
the
South
Pacific
and
his
research
will
focus
on
breeding
for
drought
resistance.
SPC
is
now
collaborating
with
DSMZ
for
developing
new
diagnostic
tools
for
virsues
detection.
6
WP
3:
Breeding
and
on-‐
farm
participatory
selection
and
evaluation
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
3:
University
of
Maribor
Expected
outputs:
8. Controlled
crosses
conducted
in
each
participating
country.
9. Hybrid
seeds
generated
and
F
hybrids
raised.
1
10. Hybrid
clones
distributed
to
5
farmers
in
10
villages
(total
of
50
farmers
per
country).
11. One
PhD
defended
on
taro
breeding
in
South
Africa
(Mr
WS
Jansen
van
Rensburg).
Breeding
protocols
have
been
agreed
for
Alocasia
and
Colocasia.
The
overall
objective
of
the
breeding
programme
is
to
produce
different
varieties
tolerant
to
TLB,
with
drought
resistance
and
good
quality
corms,
to
exchange
them
internationally
and
to
distribute
them
to
farmers
to
make
adaptation
to
climatic
changes
possible.
Vanuatu
and
Samoa
are
presently
developing
protocols
for
other
countries
to
follow
where
there
is
breeding
expertise.
For
those
where
expertise
is
not
present
a
different
strategy
will
be
used.
Seeds
from
the
Vanuatu
programme
will
be
sent
to
partners.
Seeds
have
already
been
sent
to
South
Africa
where
a
few
local
selections
have
been
made.
A
major
breakthrough
has
bee
accomplished
in
Nigeria,
the
World
largest
producer
of
taro
unoftunately
affected
by
TLB.
In
Umudike,
a
breeding
programme
has
been
successfully
initiated
and
thousands
of
seedlings
are
now
under
screening.
In
2011,
controlled
crosses
were
made
in
Vanuatu
and
18
full-‐sib
families
have
been
produced
and
seedlings
planted
in
February
2012
on
VARTC
research
station
in
Santo.
A
total
number
of
2,040
F1
hybrids
have
been
evaluated
in
their
seminal
generation.
They
have
been
replanted
with
head
sets
in
Dec
2012
in
their
first
clonal
generation
(C1).
They
were
harvested
and
replanted
again
in
October
2013
for
their
evaluation
in
C2
(harvest
planned
for
June-‐July
2014).
At
harvest,
these
2,040
hybrids
have
been
evaluated
for
total
fresh
yield
of
their
corm,
corm
shape,
corm
flesh
colour,
dry
matter
content.
Two
samples
were
prepared,
one
for
HP
TLC
(fresh
frozen
corm)
and
one
for
NIRS
(dry
matter
flour).
Extracts
were
obtained
and
HP
TLC
chromatograms
of
the
flavonoids
were
produced.
NIR
spectra
were
taken
on
each
genotype
flour
sample.
The
NIRS
measurement
will
be
used
to
predict
major
compound
while
the
HP
TLC
chromatograms
are
used
to
analyse
secondary
metabolites.
Selections
in
C1
have
been
made
and
are
now
being
clonally
propagated.
In
2014,
breeding
programs
in
all
participating
countries
will
conduct
targeted
crosses
between
selected
elite
varieties.
They
will
be
assisted
by
SPC,
CIRAD,
and
Maribor.
Maribor
is
collaborating
with
all
country
partners
to
develop
a
breeding
scheme
adapted
to
each
partner,
according
to
the
characteristics
and
constraints
of
the
local
germplasm.
Maribordevelops
protocols
using
visual
tools
which
can
be
used
on-‐farm
with
growers
to
select
genotypes
and
will
train
local
scientists
in
breeding
techniques.
Full-‐sib
progenies
will
be
produced
by
partners.
Seedlings
will
be
raised
and
C2
hybrid
plants
will
be
distributed
to
farmers
for
on-‐farm
evaluation.
In
all
countries,
elite
varieties
received
from
SPC
in
2011
have
been
successfully
field
propagated
by
partners
in
2012-‐2013.
They
will
be
inter-‐crossed
with
local
varieties
in
2014-‐2015.
Crosses
will
be
conducted
during
the
hottest
period
of
the
year,
at
the
beginning
and/or
at
the
end
of
the
rainy
season.
The
main
criteria
for
selecting
the
parental
materials
are
their
agronomic
performances
and
good
taste.
Following
the
protocol
posted
on
the
website,
inflorescences
are
hand
pollinated.
The
first
selection
of
hybrids
(resistance
against
diseases,
and
tolerance
to
drought)
will
take
place
in
the
field
four
months
after
planting
(for
disease
resistance,
stolons
and
suckers
production),
whereas
the
second
selection
will
take
place
four
months
later
at
harvest.
This
selection
process
will
include
growth
vigour,
yield,
quality,
resistance
against
pests
and
diseases,
and
tolerance
to
drought.
The
University
of
Madeira
will
assist
Samoa
(Mr
Tolo
Iosefa)
and
country
partners
in
developing
protocols
for
field
screening
and
evaluation
of
taro
drought
tolerance/resistance.
Where
disease
7
resistance
is
the
objective,
as
in
the
case
of
Xanthosoma,
the
hybrids
will
be
grown
in
areas
where
root
rot
disease
is
prevalent.
The
plants
from
the
nursery
will
be
given
(C1s)
straight
away
to
farmers
for
evaluation.
In
2014
and
2015,
all
country
partners
will
conduct
on-‐farm
assessment
of
selected
genotypes
(varieties
and
hybrids
in
the
first
C1
generation)
for
the
quality
of
their
corm
using
participatory
methods.
All
country
partners
will
also
exchange
TTS
in
2014
and
2015
in
order
to
initiate
an
international
convergent-‐divergent
breeding
scheme
(exchange
of
TTS
and
recurrent
selection),
introduce
allelic
diversity
and
strengthen
the
position
of
taro
towards
forthcoming
climatic
changes.
CIRAD
and
Maribor
will
liaise
with
all
country
partners
to
organize
the
exchange
of
TTS
between
partners.
WP
4:
DNA
fingerprinting
of
varieties
and
full-‐sib
families
and
heritability
studies
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
4:
CIRAD
Expected
outputs:
12. DNA
fingerprints
of
elite
varieties
used
as
parents
in
crosses.
13. Genetic
distances
determined
between
parents.
14. Segregation
of
molecular
markers
studied
within
and
between
seven
full-‐sib
progenies.
15. Markers
associated
to
major
genes,
if
any,
identified.
16. First
heritability
trial
established
and
harvested.
17. Second
heritability
trial
established
and
harvested.
18. Potential
major
genes
controlling
corm
quality
identified
(e.g.
starch,
sugars)
19. One
PhD
defended
on
the
genetic
diversity
of
taro
(from
Burkina
Faso
(R.
Traoré)
20. One
PhD
defended
on
genetic
studies
related
to
physico-‐chemical
characteristics
(L.
Soulard).
21. Four
papers
published
in
international
journals.
Renan
Traoré,
a
PhD
candidate
from
Burkina
Faso,
visited
CIRAD,
Montpellier,
France
and
tested
64
primer
pairs
of
SSR.
Among
theses,
58
are
from
Colocasia
esculenta
and
six
are
from
Amorphophallus
paeoniifolius.
Amorphophallus
markers
were
tested
to
study
their
transferability
on
the
Xanthosoma
sp.
DNA
was
extracted
from
379
taro
accessions
and
these
were
fingerprinted
with
11
informative
SSRs.
All
selected
markers
are
from
C.
esculenta.
Finally,
statistical
analyses
were
made
on
379
accessions
originating
from
19
different
countries.
The
results
are
very
useful
because
they
reveal
that
many
duplicates
exist
in
some
of
INEA
partners
collections.
It
is
recommended
to
avoid
crossing
parents
presenting
narrow
genetic
distances.
Unfortunately,
the
transferability
test
of
the
taro
SSR
markers
on
the
Xanthosoma
accessions
did
not
give
interesting
results.
Either
there
was
no
amplification
or
there
was
no
polymorphism.
A
MSc
student
from
the
University
of
Montpellier
(Ms
Chloé
Cathebras),
identified
30
couples
of
primers
with
16
being
sufficiently
polymorphic
to
be
used
in
genetic
diversity
studies
of
X.
sagittifolium.
These
markers
were
used
to
analyze
the
diversity
among
38
accessions
originating
from
different
countries,
including
Vanuatu
and
Burkina
Faso,
and
revealed
that
some
accessions
were
identical
in
both
countries
indicating
that
clonal
material
has
been
distributed
over
large
distances.
A
PhD
candidate
from
the
University
of
Montpellier,
France
(Laurent
Soulard)
arrived
in
Vanuatu
in
September
2012
and
participated
to
the
characterization
and
harvest
of
the
family
heritability
trial
established
in
VARTC,
Santo.
His
scholarship
will
last
three
years.More
than
2,000
leaf
samples
have
been
prepared
for
DNA
extraction.
L.
Soulard’s
research
will
focus
on
QTL
(Quantitative
Trait
Loci)
and
mapping
analysis
for
traits
related
to
corm
quality.
Mr
L.
Soulard
returned
in
September
2013
for
the
second
harvest
and
all
corms
were
characterized
for
their
dry
matter
content.
Flour
samples
of
each
plant
were
prepared
and
their
IR
spectra
were
recorded.
In
2013
and
2014,
two
selected
families
will
be
replanted
following
a
different
field
design
to
improve
the
phenotyping
accuracy
for
QTL
detection.
8
WP
5:
Drought
resistance
of
elite
varieties
and
seedlings
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
5:University
of
Madeira
Expected
outputs:
22. Field
assays
for
drought
tolerance
studies
established.
23. Morpho-‐agronomic
traits
associated
with
drought
tolerance
accurately
identified
and
evaluated.
24. Physiological
and
biochemical
markers
analysed
and
correlation
studies
completed.
25. Chemical
analysis
of
drought
stressed
plants,
or
showing
drought
tolerance.
26. Association
of
different
traits
and
markers
with
drought
tolerance
studied.
27. One
MSc
defended
on
taro
drought
tolerance.
28. Two
papers
published
in
international
journals.
In
Madeira,
Portugal,
the
acclimation
and
growth
of
the
varieties
obtained
from
SPC
and
INEA
partners
has
been
successful.
A
preliminary
assessment
of
drought
tolerance
was
conducted,
with
the
aim
to
modulate
stress
conditions,
and
test
the
suitability
of
several
morpho-‐agronomic
traits
for
stress
evaluation.
In
this
experiment,
four
varieties
were
used
with
a
total
of
37
plants
grown
in
pots.
The
data
are
now
being
treated,
using
statistical
tools.
Preliminary
data
showed
deficiencies
in
the
irrigation
model
used
and
with
the
methodology
for
parameters
measurements.
Data
are
being
treated
to
see
if
it
is
possible
to
observe
differences
in
the
performance
of
the
tested
varieties.
The
work
on
drought
tolerance
will
also
be
performed
locally
by
all
partners
on
selected
varieties
and
their
parents.
Madeira
will
advise
all
country
partners
on
the
development
of
suitable
protocols
for
screening
and
characterising
drought
tolerance/resistance.
The
field
trials
established
by
the
partners
will
identify
morph-‐agronomic
features
to
evaluate
drought
tolerance
in
different
environments.
WP
6:
Physico-‐chemical
characterisation
of
corms
of
selected
genotypes.
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
6:University
of
Maribor
Expected
outputs:
29. Intra-‐clonal
variation
of
chemotypes
studied
and
determined.
30. Physico-‐chemical
characteristics/variation
of
varieties
correlated
with
molecular
markers.
31. Variation
between
and
within
full-‐sib
families
studied
and
correlated
with
molecular
markers.
32. Assessment
of
variation
due
to
drought
and
correlation
with
molecular
markers
analysed.
33. One
PhD
thesis
defended
on
the
influence
of
stress
on
corm
quality
(A.
Mergudus).
34. Two
papers
published
in
international
journals.
A
protocol
describing
the
procedure
to
prepare
samples
for
Maribor
has
been
posted
on
the
website.
In
Maribor
analyses
are
being
conducted
for
residual
moisture,
starch,
amylose,
proteins,
minerals
and
total
sugars.
The
analysis
is
carried
out
using
spectrophotometry,
digestion,
HPLC
and
GC
techniques.
A
PhD
candidate
from
the
University
of
Slovenia
(Andrej
Mergudus)
arrived
in
Vanuatu
in
November
2011
and
established
experiments
to
study
the
chemical
variation
between
varieties,
and
following
the
age
of
the
plant
(from
4
to
14
months
after
plantation),
in
an
attempt
to
study
the
corm
quality
variation.
The
absence
of
liquid
nitrogen
in
Vanuatu
is
a
major
technical
constraint
to
the
preparation
of
high
quality
samples.
More
than
400
freeze
dried
samples
have
been
prepared
in
2012
and
sent
to
the
University
of
Maribor
for
chemical
analyses.
They
will
be
analysed
for
major
compounds
(starch,
proteins,
minerals,
fibres,
sugars)
as
well
as
for
secondary
metabolites
(anthocyanins,
carotenoids,
tannins).
9
Another
set
of
experiments
scheduled
to
be
undertaken
in
2014
and
2015
will
be
planned
at
the
end
of
the
year,
once
the
first
results
are
available.
These
studies
aim
at
identifying
varieties
with
improved
agronomic
qualities
and
nutritional
composition,
as
well
as
determining
if
variability
in
chemical
composition
can
be
used
as
an
indicator
for
drought
tolerance.
Corms
from
selected
varieties
grown
in
controlled
conditions
(common
plot)
will
be
harvested
by
all
country
partners.
WP
7:
Virus
detection
and
identification
on
seedlings
from
true
taro
seeds.
Partner
in
charge
of
WP
7:
DSMZ
Expected
outputs:
35. Virus
diversity
study
conducted
on
viruses/virus
strains
in
each
of
the
participating
countries.
36. Protocols
for
virus
indexing
seedling
populations
of
taro
fully
optimised.
37. Parents
and
seedlings
are
raised
successfully.
38. Information
on
the
rate
of
transmission
of
viruses
in
true
seeds.
39. Guidelines
for
the
safe
movement/exchange
of
true
taro
seeds.
40. One
PhD
defended
on
viruses
identification/indexation
studies
(Ms
Marion
Liebrecht)
41. Two
papers
published
in
international
journals.
A
protocol
for
preparing
and
sending
samples
has
been
posted
on
the
web
site.
DSMZ
is
adapting
and
optimizing
diagnostic
tools
for
the
viruses/virus
strains
present
in
the
project
partner
counties
so
that
the
tools
can
be
used
to
detect
viruses
in
seedling
populations.
Marion
Liebrecht
is
the
PhD
candidate
hired
by
DSMZ
to
conduct
this
work.
She
is
conducting
a
study
on
DsMV
isolates
genetic
diversity.
The
diagnostic
approaches
for
indexing
of
DsMV
viruses
are
currently
evaluated
to
develop
a
standard
procedure
for
indexing
of
DsMV.
Corms
of
taro
obtained
from
CTCRI
were
collected
and
grown
to
mature
taro
plants
at
DSMZ.
Dasheen
mosaic
virus
was
confirmed
on
a
number
of
plants
showing
typical
symptoms
of
DMV
infection.
Partial
sequence
analysis
showed
considerable
diversity
among
DMV
isolates
from
taro
which
is
significant
for
the
development
of
virus
diagnostic
protocols
and
reagents.
The
complete
genome
of
DsMV-‐T
was
sequenced
and
the
genome
assembled
from
sequence
fragments
obtained
from
RT-‐PCR.
Leave
homogenates
from
plants
suspicious
of
CBDV
infection
(bobone
and
alomae)
from
the
Solomon
Islands
were
inoculated
to
a
series
of
indicator
plants
for
rhabdoviruses.
DsRNA
extraction
and
subsequent
cloning
of
random
PCR
fragments
generated
revealed
the
presence
of
sequences
of
a
putative
tenuivirus.
All
country
partners
will
send
to
DSMZ
in
2014-‐2015
a
limited
number
of
cuttings
of
each
cultivar
used
as
parent
or,
leaf
material
(whichever
is
the
most
convenient),
and
true
botanical
seeds
of
progenies
resulting
from
crosses
involving
these
parents.
DSMZ
will
adapt
and
optimise
virus-‐testing
(indexing)
methods
already
developed
for
viruses/virus
strains
of
Colocasia
esculenta
and
other
aroids.
Initial
indexing
of
parent
plants
will
be
done
using
serological
methods.
Sensitive
molecular
diagnostic
tests
will
be
developed
for
early
virus
indexing
in
seedling
populations.
Because
the
transmission
of
viruses
by
true
seed
is
generally
at
a
very
low
rate,
it
is
necessary
to
efficiently
screen
many
thousands
of
seedling
plants
to
detect
the
rare
cases
of
virus
transmission.
If
freedom
from
viruses
in
plantlets
(seedlings)
is
confirmed,
true
botanical
seeds
will
be
made
available
for
international
exchange
in
2014
and
2015.
If
virus
transmission
in
seed
is
found,
then
the
potential
risk
presented
by
these
viruses
or
strains
will
be
assessed
to
provide
countries
with
a
decision
framework
to
accept
or
reject
true
botanical
seeds.
Transfer
of
virus
indexing
techniques
to
all
country
partners
is
guaranteed.
Guidelines
for
reliable
virus
indexing
and
safe
movement
of
aroids
germplasm
will
be
developed.
Training
in
advanced
biotechnologies
will
be
given
and
transfer
of
technologies
will
be
done.
Scientists
working
for
SPC
(Amit
Sukal
and
Logotonu
Waiqanabete)
will
be
trained
by
DSMZ
in
indexing
procedures.
10
Description:Breeding protocols have been agreed for Alocasia and Colocasia. del
Malanga Colocasia más grandes de América Latina, donde se han desarrollado
