Tissue Culture Division
Improving quality of planting material of coconut through in vitro technologies.
Mission
Development of in vitro technologies for clonal propagation, dihaploid plant production, exchange and conservation of germplasm for crop improvement.
Research Division
Agronomy Division
Crop Protection Division
Economics & Agribusiness
Genetics & Plant Breeding Division
Plant Physiology Division
Coconut Processing Research Division
Soils and Plant Nutrition Division
Tissue Culture Division
Technology Transfer Division
Current Research
Induction of somatic embryogenesis and plant regeneration in ovary derived callus
In vitro and biochemical approaches to investigate somatic embryogenesis and tissue culture responsiveness in coconut
Identification of new explants for vegetative propagation of coconut
Major achievements
Development of a protocol for in vitro plant regeneration using unfertilized ovary, a novel and promising explant for clonal propagation of coconut, for the first time in the history of coconut tissue culture.
Development of a protocol for production of dihaploid plants via coconut anther culture for the first time in the history of coconut tissue culture, a major breakthrough towards the production of pure lines for hybrid coconut production.
Through germplasm exchange program, importation of mature embryos of 28 exotic coconut varieties from India, PNG and Ivory Coast and raising the plants in vitro and finally establishing them in the field for future breeding programs.
Establishment of 4 field trial of ovary derived clonal coconut plants and confirmation of their genetic fidelity with the use of molecular markers.
Development of cryopreservation protocols using mature embryo and plumule as a measure of long-term conservation of coconut germplasm.
Development of a reliable embryo culture technique for coconut and propagation of Dikiri coconut through embryo culture technology to supply of true to type Dikiri coconut plants to growers at a nominal rate.
Staff
Research
Dr. (Ms.) V R M Vidhanaarachchi
Head of the Division
Ms. S. P.N.C. Jayarathna
Research Officer
Ms. M.T.N. Indrachapa
Research Officer
Technical (Research)
Ms. T R Gunathilake
Experimental Officer
Ms. P.G.K. Perera
Experimental officer
Ms. R.M.S.S. Rathnayake
Technical Officer
Ms. K.A.D.R.C Kodikara
Technical Officer
Non Research
Ms. R.M.K.G.S Dissanayake
Lab & Field Assistant
Mr. J.A.S.L. Jayasinghe
Lab & Field Assistant
Ms. K.P.A Sanjeewanie
Lab and Field Assistant
Mr. R S N Kumara
Lab and Field Attendant