Recent Advances in Anther Culture of Coconut(Cocos nucifera L.)

The coconut palm (Cocos nucifera L) is one of the most important plantation crops, grown in about 90 countries in the world. It is given different terms, ‘Tree of life’, ‘Tree from Heavens’, ‘Tree of Abundance’ and ‘Natures Super Market’ considering the numerous values to the mankind, especially lives in the tropical region. The coconut palm is an aerially un-branched palm with a tall, slender stem and a massive crown. It is growing to a height of 12–24 m with 50–60 years of a life cycle. Coconut has a diploid chromosome complement of 2n=2x=32. It is a monocotyledon, belongs to the order Arecales (Palmae) and family Arecaceae (Palmaceae) and the sole species of the genus Cocos. Two main ecotypes are exists in this species, the Tall palms, C. nucifera typica (a cross-pollinating crop) and the Dwarf palms, C. nucifera nana (a self-pollinating crop). The Tall coconut palm is propagated only by seeds. It produces the heterogeneous seedlings by segregation and a higher variation exists within the progeny.