With the purpose to strengthen the relationship between ICC and University of Muhammadiyah, Purwokerto in supporting an inclusive, resilient and sustainable coconut development, and to broaden the knowledge about the development of tissue culture and micropropagation of coconut in University of Muhammadiyah, Purwokerto, ICC team had a discussion and field visit to the Kopyor Coconut Field Genebank on 12th November 2021.
The team of ICC lead by Dr. Jelfina C. Alouw, Executive Director and was welcomed by Prof. Dr. Sisunandar. Dr. Aman Suyodi and Dr. Ahmed Darmawan as vice rector of the university also joined in the discussion and filed visit. The other members of ICC team accompanied was Ms. Mridula Kottekate, Assistant Director, Mr. Alit Pirmansah, Market and Statistics Officer and Mr. Klaudio. D. Hosang, Administrative & Finance Officer.
Prof. Dr. Sisunandar explained the different activities of the Coconut Research Centre of the UMP. They are following the embryo culture technique for multiplication of the Kopyor variety. Prof. Sisunandar shared his experience that for commercial production of the variety he found 1:1 embryo culture is more successful with 90-95% success rate. There is a good demand for the seedlings produced by the Centre. The university is maintaining two genebanks in an area of 150 ha having different cultivars of Kopyor from different regencies including Pati and Banyumas. Different trails and experiments are going on to assess the production level, inputs intake by the palms and other characteristics like water quantity and endosperm quality.
There was a detail discussion on different challenges faced by the centre and how to resolve it. Dr. Jelfina shared the activities of ICC and how ICC-Cogent program can be associated with the tissue culture programs of the university. The team of the university also joined in the discussion. She added that in 2022, ICC-Cogent is scheduled to organise TC symposium with CICY Mexico and TC workshop and training with CPCRI, India. She invited Prof. Sisunandar to be part of the programs and can share his long experience in the embryo culture of Kopyor variety.
The team visited the laboratory and the Kopyor Coconut Field Genebank of the university. The visit was very informative. During the visit Dr. Jelfina presented the plaque of appreciation and publications of ICC to Mr. Amen Suyadi representing the rector and he also presented plaque to Dr. Jelfina.