By R. Bourdeix, XXXX and XXXX.In construction
Ramu Agri-Industries
The earliest expedition to collect sugarcane was made in 1875. Several collecting trips have been made since then, and the most recent was undertaken in 1977. Most of these expeditions were sponsored by organizations in the USA, Australia and the ISSCT. The materials collected were sent overseas where some failed to survive, others were established in the world collection maintained by USDA/ARS, while the fate of others, in particular those collected in earlier expeditions, are not known.
A total of 206 accessions were collected during the 1977 expedition. No proper records were kept of the composition of the collection. Part of the collection was established at Bubia outside Lae where the collection currently holds 32 accessions of S. officinarum, 28 of S. edule and 12 of S.spontaneum.
Up to 50 varieties of S. officinarum are brought annually to Ramu Sugar Ltd. in Lae since 1979. The canes originated from Argentina, Australia, Brazil, Cuba, Fiji, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya, Mauritius, Mexico, Philippines, Reunion Islands, South Africa, USA including Hawaii and the West Indies. A total of 500 varieties are held in a variety museum, which is a living collection of plants established in small plots. All varieties introduced each year are added to the collection. The materials are not duplicated elsewhere in PNG.
Other countries that produced the varieties do maintain a collection of the clones. In most cases, the clones are held in more than one collection, because of exchange of material between various organizations and countries involved in sugarcane research.
The germplasm of the 'noble cane' (Saccharum officinarum) of New Guinea is a good example of a valuable germplasm that was taken out of its centre of origin to help develop the sugarcane industry elsewhere. The earliest expedition to collect sugarcane was undertaken in 1875. Since then several collecting trips have occurred. Some of these genetic materials are now held in the world collections run by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDAlARS), while the fate of others, in particular those collected during earlier expeditions, are unknown.
Other countries that produced the varieties do maintain a collection of the clones. In most cases, the clones are held in more than one collection, because of exchange of material between various organizations and countries involved in sugarcane research.
The germplasm of the 'noble cane' (Saccharum officinarum) of New Guinea is a good example of a valuable germplasm that was taken out of its centre of origin to help develop the sugarcane industry elsewhere. The earliest expedition to collect sugarcane was undertaken in 1875. Since then several collecting trips have occurred. Some of these genetic materials are now held in the world collections run by the United States Department of Agriculture, Agricultural Research Service (USDAlARS), while the fate of others, in particular those collected during earlier expeditions, are unknown.
References
Leipzig, (1996). PAPUA NEW GUINEA: Country report to the FAO international technical conference on plant genetic resources. Prepared by:R.N. Kambuou, Konedobu, July 1995
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References
Errington, F., & Gewertz, D. (2004). Yali's question: Sugar, culture, and history (Vol. 2002). University of Chicago Press.
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References
Errington, F., & Gewertz, D. (2004). Yali's question: Sugar, culture, and history (Vol. 2002). University of Chicago Press.
