Genetic improvement of nitrogen-fixing trees for agroforestry purposes: the example of Gliricidia sepium in West Africa

Many nitrogen/fixing tree (NFT) genera have been ignored in forestry research and development. Emphasis in breeding and improvement of tropical trees has for long been on commercial land industrial species for improved productivity of traditional forest products and also for reafforestation. This paper suggests an additional focus for forestry breeding activity. It argues that the forestry mandate should not be restricted to wood production and reafforestation, but should also expand to include the use of trees as stabilishing factors and catalysts in agricultural systems, under the umbrella of agroforestry. Research conducted in Nigeria and other West African countries on germplasm collection, evaluation and improvement of Gliricidia sepium, a multi/purpose NFT, is discussed. Based on experiences and results obtained in this activity, a strategy for the improvement of similar multi/purpose NFTs is suggested. The relevance of such research to forestry is indicated, and it is proposed that increased attention be given by the forestry sector to the improvement of NFTs for agroforestry purposes.

Bibliographic Details

Main Authors:	73838 Griffin, A.R., 91674 Matheson, A.C. eds., 44946 Atta-Krah, A.N., 71606 Gibson, G.L., 13131 IUFRO, Pattaya (Tailandia), Conference on Breeding Tropical Trees: Population Structure and Genetic Improvement Strategies in Clonal and Seedling Forestry Pattaya (Tailandia) 23 Nov - 3 Dic 1988 34374
Format:	biblioteca
Published:	Arlington, Va.(EUA) 1989
Subjects:	GENETICA, FIJACION DE NITROGENO, INTERACCION GENOTIPO-AMBIENTE, AGROFORESTERIA, EVALUACIÓN, FITOGEOGRAFIA, GLIRICIDIA SEPIUM, AFRICA TROPICAL,
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