Farmers commonly plant trees on farms or community lands to grow products' that satisfy household needs and market demands. Non-government organizations (NGOs) often support farmers' tree-planting efforts. Tree seed, a key input that determines the success of any tree planting activity, is often in short supply. As a result, farmers and NGOs use whatever seed is available, regardless of its quality. In most countries good quality tree seed is not readily available for a number of reasons, including: • A lack of awareness concerning the importance of seed quality. • Limited quantities of good quality seed are available; and government agencies, researchers and forest industry control access to this seed. • Limited areas of forests and plantations exist that produce good quality seed (seed producing areas are called 'seed sources'). • The genetic quality of forests is often degraded because the best quality trees have been harvested, leaving only poorer quality trees available for seed collection. • Collectors, dealers and other workers in the tree seed sector have limited training and inadequate facilities to produce, handle and store seed properly. • A lack of cooperation between governmental agencies and the community-level to improve the availability and utilization of quality seed. • No labeling or certification systems exist to provide adequate information (to the farmer- and NGO-level) concerning the origin and quality of the tree seed that is available. • No premium is paid for better quality tree seed. Enhancing the capacity of farmers and NGOs to properly collect, manage and evaluate their own tree seed sources is one way to address the problems listed above. This manual serves that goal.
Année de publication
2003
Auteurs
Mulawarman; Sasongko S M; Iriantono D; Roshetko, J.M.
Langue
English
Mots clés
seed, seed collection, seed germination, seed quality, trees
