Researchers from CIRAD and their Brazilian colleagues recently characterized more than 1000 Hevea accessions held in Brazil and French Guiana, using molecular markers. This enabled them to compile a core collection of around a hundred trees, which encompasses the entirety of the genetic diversity described with the markers used and will facilitate the conservation of rubber genetic resources. That conservation is vital at a time when deforestation is resulting in unprecedented impoverishment of those resources in Amazonia.

Published: 19/02/2016