Conservation and use of native tropical fruit species in Asia: study results and policy implications of the IPGRI-ADB-TFT Project in Vietnam.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Hue, Pham Ngoc Lieu
Author Affiliation: Plant Genetic Resources Center, Vietnam Agricultural Science Institute (VASI), Van Dien, Thanh Tri, Hanoi, Vietnam.
: 69-76
Abstract : This paper presents the results of a study conducted to locate and collect threatened and valuable diversity and estimate genetic diversity in collected material, assess, evaluate and characterize germplasm and identify elite lines with valuable traits, develop/improve ex situ conservation methods and establish ex situ gene banks, document existing information, set up databases and exchange the information, improve human resource capability and to identify problems relating to production and marketing of litchi, mango and citrus in Vietnam during 2000-03. Policy implication of these results are discussed. The results revealed no single method is capable of conserving most genetic diversity in any given crop or gene pool in a given location. Also needed is the use of both in situ and ex situ conservation approaches for conserving TFT genetic resources. The achievements of the IPGRI-ADB-TFT Project are expected to assist in developing more efficient and effective complementary conservation strategies as well as ways to efficiently utilize the available genetic diversity of these species.