30/11/2005 (Financial Express) - Genome-mapping through PCR-based (Polymerase chain reaction) molecular markers could unlock R&D in plantation crops like cocoa, arecanut, oil palm, acacia and cinchona too, according to Dr K V Peter, Vice Chancellor, Kerala Agricultural University. At present, only five crops get the R&D treatment entitled to plantation crops. Genetic diversity in the 12 plantation crops in India, including cocoa, arecanut, oil palm, acacia and cinchona, needed to be collected, characterised, conserved and utilised towards plant genetic resource management.

This was not only contextual, but necessary too, in the wake of signing the IPR (Intellectual Property Rights) pact, Dr Peter said, at a function in Kottayam, opening the national training programme on Application of Molecular Markers in Plant Genetic Resource Management in Plantation Crops. The training is sponsored by department of biotechnology, New Delhi and organised by RRII (Rubber Research Institute of India). Although only five crops (rubber, coffee, tea, coconut and cardomom) came under Plantation Act, later, many states declared plantation crops in their jurisdiction under the purview of the act. For example, recently, Kerala government has declared cashew a plantation crop.

"To conserve the biodiversity of crops, distinctiveness, uniformity and sustainability were vital," Dr Peter added. Unlike gel-based molecular markers, PCR-based assays are less expensive. They also amplify DNA better. And despite limitations, this was where molecular marker techniques like RAPD, genomic RFLP and microsatellites were relevant, the vice chancellor said. Over 15 scientists from different research institutes and universities in India, working on various plantation crops, are attending the training. The programme will conclude on December 14.