2.2. The Multipurpose Tree and Shrub Seed Directory
- As a direct spin-off of the Germplasm Workshop described above,
- and in recognition of the need to establish a communication link between suppliers and requestors of multipurpose tree germplasm,
- the first edition of a "Multipurpose Tree and Shrub Seed Directory" [8] was published in 1986.
- This extends beyond the provision of lists of species and addresses of seed suppliers.
- Intended for practising research and development workers in the field,
- it contains information related to germplasm under the following five
chapters:
Chapter 1
- A list of about 670 species for which seed suppliers could be identified
- It further contains information on seed prices, number of seeds per kilogram,
- usual germination rates and pre-treatment of seeds.
Chapter 2
- Names and addresses of 96 seed suppliers from around the world and information on seed purchase and delivery procedures.
Chapter 3
- An aid tn species pre-selection through site matching.
- It describes 115 species by those parameters relevant to their use in agroforestry systems.
Chapter 4
- A "Master List of Multipurpose Trees" with about 1400 species,
- and their reported uses.
Chapter 5
- This chapter takes account of the increasing importance of microsymbionts for N-fixation,
- providing addresses of suppliers of inoculants and pure cultures and explaining the principles of inoculation.
- The entire contents of the Seed Directory are stored and maintained as an interrelated set of computerized data bases.
- The processing of the data and formatting of the output is performed by a software package developed in-house.
- This approach allows for continuous amendments, changes and up-dating of all information contained in the Directory in a highly time-efficient manner.