Resistance markers for bud rot in oil palm
Colombia
Brazil
Costa Rica
Executive Summary
Oil palm cultivation is one of the most economically promising activities in Latin America, and several countries are striving to increase their share in the global market. One of the strategies involves developing technologies to reduce the impact of pests and diseases, particularly bud rot. Although the project's goal was to identify a molecular marker associated with disease resistance, this objective could not be achieved for various reasons. Nevertheless, alternate activities were undertaken that strengthened biotechnology research conducted by CENIPALMA in Colombia, increased the number of accessions in the center's germplasm bank, generated basic information benefiting the oil palm genetic improvement program at the same center, and developed technological solutions applicable by producers.
The technological solution
The project has developed diagnostic techniques for bud disease in oil palm, increased germplasm banks for the search for resistance, and tested cultural practices for disease control.
Results
While the general objective initially proposed (identification of a molecular marker associated with resistance to bud rot) was not achieved, other satisfactory results were obtained such as the strengthening of the logistics of the molecular characterization laboratory of CENIPALMA, the training of human resources, the establishment of research agreements with other national and international institutions and the development of cultural practices for the management and control of the disease that can be applied by the farmers. Thirteen publications were made, including one international publication and 12 in trade journals.
Beneficiaries
The direct beneficiaries of the project are related research institutions in the region and researchers trained in analytical techniques, while the final beneficiaries, in the long term, will be oil palm producers in the region who will have varieties resistant to the disease and cultural practices for its control.
Sustainable Development Goals
Main donors
Participating Organizations
Executor
- CENIPALMA - Colombia
Associated
- DENPASA - Brasil
- COOPEAGROPAL - Costa Rica
Graphics and data
Financing by country (in USD)
Researchers
Pedro León Gómez Cuervo
Pedro Jesús Rocha Salvatierra
