Multipurpose trees and shrubs: sources of seeds and inoculants.

Abstract

A successor to the 'Multipurpose tree and shrub seed directory' published by ICRAF in 1986. The publication includes increased numbers of multipurpose species for which seed sources have been identified (900 rather than 670), seed suppliers (113 vs. 96), and suppliers of nitrogen fixing inoculants (28 vs. 20). After an introduction and instructions for use, the data are presented in a series of tables (in 4 main chapters) and as 3 appendices (chapter 5). The chapters are: (1) Multipurpose tree and shrub species, seed supplier codes and other relevant information on seeds; (2) Seed suppliers and seed purchase and delivery procedures; (3) The function and benefits of microsymbionts in multipurpose trees and shrubs - this chapter includes an overview of microsymbiosis and biological nitrogen fixation, and discusses the practical aspects and benefits of inoculation; (4) Site adaptability, uses, reproduction and management of multipurpose tree and shrub species - separate short tables are given for species suitable for the humid tropics/subtropics, uni- and bi-modal subhumid tropics/subhumid tropical highlands, and arid and semiarid uni- or bi-modal tropics, and 193 pp. of detailed species profiles are included; and (5) Appendices - sample inventory data sheets for multipurpose tree and shrub seed suppliers and suppliers of microsymbiont inoculants and cultures, and details of the Koeppen climate classes.