TITLE:
Domestication and Sustainable Use of Genetic Resources of a Native Tree with High Economic Potential in Ghana
AUTHORS:
Theresa Peprah, Kwame Antwi Oduro, Daniel E. Kwaku Addo Siaw, Joseph Rexford Cobbinah, Zacharia Tchoundjeu, Anthony John Simons, Ramni Jamnadass, Daniel Aninagyei Ofori
KEYWORDS:
Agroforestry, Conservation, Germplasm, Supply Chain, Propagation
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Forestry,
Vol.5 No.7,
September
29,
2015
ABSTRACT: Allanblackia parviflora A.
Chev., an underutilized fruit tree species commonly found in tropical
rainforest of West Africa, has potential for integration into agroforestry
systems for economic and environmental benefits. The seed oil of A. parviflora is considered economically
important but wild fruits collection produces an average of 40 tons of oil
annually. However, over 100,000 tons of Allanblackia seed oil is needed
annually by food and cosmetics industries. The need to domesticate and conserve A. parviflora to ensure adequate
sustainable supply of seed oil and to sustainably manage the genetic resources is therefore
critical. This paper reviews the current state-of-the art on domestication and
sustainable use efforts of Allanblackia. Propagation methods have been developed
to encourage large scale commercial cultivation, include grafting, rooting of
stem cuttings and research into improved seed germination. Range-wide germplasm
collection has been undertaken leading to establishment of 140 accessions in a
gene bank for future source of germplasm. Mother blocks, i.e. established plots consisting of
grafts, seedlings and cuttings, have been established at Rural Resource
Centres with 58 elite clones, which have been recommended for distribution to
farmers. The
diversification of cropping systems to include A. parviflora trees is projected
to contribute to community livelihoods development and poverty reduction
through large-scale
production and supply chain development of the species. Furthermore, the integration of A. parviflora into agroforestry systems is
important for the conservation of the genetic resources of the species.