The FAO/IBPGR/UNEP Project on Genetic Resources of Arid and Semi-Arid Zone Arboreal Species for the Improvement of Rural Living (1979–1987) was the first internationally coordinated, systematic effort on the exploration and evaluation of genetic resources of dry zone multipurpose woody species (see “Final Statement of the Project” in FGRI No 16, 1988). A total of 281 provenances of 43 species were collected by national institutes in 8 countries in Latin America, Africa and Asia. Field trials were subsequently established in 17 countries. A global assessment of the field trials is presently under way through collaboration between the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre, FAO and national institutes in countries concerned. Results of these trials have contributed to an increased interest for species such as Acacia nilotica, A. tortilis, A. senegal and Faidherbia albida (Acacia albida), and have demonstrated need to continue and expand the early studies on intra-specific variability of these species through more comprehensive sampling of their natural range and further testing.
Through concerted action by national institutes in Africa, supported by organizations such as CIRAD-Forêt, the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre and OFI, working in collaboration with FAO, a large amount of genetic material of the main dry zone African Acacia species has been collected over the past few years. This material, which complements that collected under the FAO project quoted above, will be made available for new series of coordinated international trials. Interested institutes are invited to contact the Forest Resources Division of FAO (Rome) for more information, including lists of species and provenances available and proposed lay-out of trials, jointly prepared by the DANIDA Forest Seed Centre, CIRAD-Forêt, OFI and FAO.
