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Genetic resources of Asian palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer L.): a comprehensive review on diversity, characterization and utilization

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  08 January 2021

S. Siju Open the ORCID record for S. Siju [Opens in a new window]  and
K. K. Sabu
S. Siju
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 562, India
K. K. Sabu*
Affiliation:
Biotechnology and Bioinformatics Division, Jawaharlal Nehru Tropical Botanic Garden and Research Institute (JNTBGRI), Palode, Thiruvananthapuram, 695 562, India
*
*Corresponding author. E-mail: sabu@jntbgri.res.in
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Abstract

Asian palmyrah palm (Borassus flabellifer L.) is a multipurpose, economically important tree widely distributed in the Indian subcontinent and Southeast Asia. The multifaceted uses (~800 uses) of the tree as food, wood and medicine make it a viable industrial crop. However, the dioecious nature of the tree coupled with long juvenile phase (12–20 years to initiate flowering), long stature and considerable variations in the productivity of male and female trees necessitates the application of new biotechnological tools for crop improvement. This review provides comprehensive information on the extent of genetic diversity of the crop, problems associated with palmyrah cultivation along with its multifaceted application and research gaps to be addressed for the effective utilization and conservation of palmyrah palm genetic resources.

Keywords

Borassus flabellifer Ldioeciousgenetic diversitymolecular markerpalmyrah palm

Information

Type
Research Article
Information
Plant Genetic Resources , Volume 18 , Issue 6 , December 2020 , pp. 445 - 453
Copyright
Copyright © The Author(s), 2021. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of NIAB

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