*
Controlled crosses between Tall and Dwarf coconut types for the production of F1 material as the basis for linkage map establishment (NCDP, PCA ARC).
*
The isolation of putative RFLP markers from a coconut genomic library (MPIZ).
*
The identification of polymorphic RAPD and STS markers for the parents used in the controlled crosses (CIMA, MPIZ).
*
The establishment of genetic diversity among the available coconut types as well as within specific Tall and Dwarf populations and the establishment of a linkage map for the coconut genome with the availability of markers covering all sixteen chromosomes by merging a megagametophytic map with a map constructed from diploid F1 hybrid material (CIMA, MPIZ).
*
The improvement of MLO and CCCVd diagnosis by the use of PCR or RT/PCR and nonradioactive molecular hybridization (NCDP, PCA ARC, MPIZ).
During the first year controlled crosses between heterozygous parents will be carried out in order to provide segregating F1 material as a basis for linkage map construction by the use of polymorphic DNA markers. These markers which will be identified continuously during the duration of the project also serve for genotype fingerprinting of Tall (EAT) and Dwarf (MYD) populations as well as all accessions available at Tanzania and the Philippines. Genetic diversities among the different coconut types and the Palmae will be established in the second year, and the linkage map will be constructed in the third year.
Map
