s:2719:"TI Tree seed quality guide 
AU Mbora, A.M. 
AU Schmidt, L. 
AU Angaine, P. 
AU Meso, M. 
AU Omondi, W. 
AU Ahenda, J. 
AU Lillesø, J-P.B. 
AU Mwanzia, J.M. 
AU Mutua, N.A. 
AU Mutua, W.R. 
AU Jamnadass, R.H. 
AB The drive to plant trees is on the  increase as the values of trees and forest  are being appreciated the world over. The pressure has led to a marked  increase in demand for forest seeds  and other planting materials  in many countries . In most tree species seeds are critical for production of  seedlings. The majority of afforestation and agroforestry programs depend on seed as a planting material . In Kenya the need for availability of quality tree planting material to support afforestation involving government NGOs and farmers has been emphasized in the Forests Act 2005 . Many field surveys have indicated that the  available tree  planting materials are of poor quality in terms of genetic  physical  and physiological qualities (Muriuki 2005  Mbora et  al. 2007 and Imo et al. 2006).  The poor quality germplasm has led to poor  performance of most trees and tree populations thus eroding the incentive to plant trees. Afforestation and tree planting is therefore losing out in  competition with other land uses.  Therefore the provision of  adequate  high quality seed is  critical in promoting agroforestry and tree planting in  general. Most farmers are encouraged  to plant trees  by the high chances  of attaining the expected tree related goods and services. The time  interval between planting and realization of benefits is usually long in  most tree species making it necessary to ensure that quality propagules are used.Quality factors that must be considered when producing or procuring  seeds for agroforestry are genetic physical and  physiological. The  farmers and even extension staff need to understand role and importance  of these factors in seed quality and the resultant tree population  performance.  Tree seeds are often  regarded as inferior to crop seeds a misnomer  (mistaken belief)  that needs to be rectified to promote tree  planting .  This  guide is an attempt to raise awareness on the basic  principles on how to produce  or access  good quality tree seed. Therefore the  authors prepared this  guidelines in order to  emphasize  on  the  importance of using  good quality seed and also to use it as a platform for  all seed users e.g. farmers NGOs  and  extension agents.The main  objective of seed quality awareness  rising  developed in this guide  is to enhance the understanding of different elements of tree seed quality to  farmers and find out measures which can be taken to  produce or access the best available material for planting 
";