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The evolution, dissemination and classification ofCocos nucifera L.

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Summary

The evolution, dissemination and classification of the coconut can be considered as a logical sequence. First came the natural evolution and dissemination by floating of a variety with large, long, angular, thick-husked and slow-germinating fruit. It had a theoretical range anywhere between the east coast of Africa and the west coast of America, wherever currents were favourable. From this type, selection under cultivation produced a sphericalfruited variety, not necessarily larger but with increased endosperm, reduced husk thickness, earlier germination and disease resistance. Man came to rely on this coconut for food, drink, shelter and fuel, the basic necessities of life. Although not suited to dissemination by floating, it was taken long distances by boat, reaching initially as far west as southern India and Sri Lanka and as far east as the Samoan Islands. Subsequently, hybridization and introgression of the two contrasting forms, plus further selection and dissemination by man, gave the wide range of varieties and pan-tropical distribution seen today. A classification system in which the varieties are identified by the degree of introgression (based in the first place on fruit component analysis) is described. This in turn allows a suggestion to be made concerning the location of the much-debated centre of origin forCocos nucifera. It is intended that this review will not just provoke discussion but that it will provide a basis for more detailed studies of coconut variation.

Sumario

El evolución, diseminaciín y clasificación del cocotero son considerados como un sucesiôn logico. Primero, llego el evolución naturel y el diseminación por flotante del variedad con fruto grande, largo, angular, con mesocarpo esposo y germinaciôn lento. Tenia una extension teórica entre la costa del Africa oriental y la costa del America occidental, dónde habiá corriente favorable. La seleción en cultivo de este typo produció un variedad con fruto redondo, no necesariomente mas grande pero con un endósperma aumentada, mesocarpo disminuido, germinación precoz y resistencia a la enfermedad. El género humano contaba en este cocotero para su alimentaciøn, su bebida, su abrigo y su combustible; los necesidades básicos de la vida. Aúnque no satisfactorio para la diseminación por flotar, fue transportado en barcos por grandes distancias; inicialmente a las costas sur del India y Sri Lanka por lo oeste y hasta las islas Samoa por lo este. Mas tarde, la hibridisación y introgreción de las dos formas contrastadas, con seleción y diseminación adicional por el hombre, presto un surtido ancho de variedades y distribución pantropicale que se ve mismo hoy dia. Se describe una sistema de clasificación en cual los variedades son identificadas por el escalón de introgreción (establecido en primer lugar por un análisis del componiente del fruto). Este a su turno permite una sugestión sobre la situación controversiale del origen delCocos nucifera. El intención de este revista no es solamente provocar una discusión pero proveer tambien una base para investigaciones mas detalladas de las variaciones de cocotero.

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    H. C. Harries

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Harries, H.C. The evolution, dissemination and classification ofCocos nucifera L.. Bot. Rev 44, 265–319 (1978). https://doi.org/10.1007/BF02957852

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