22/02/2022

Six new lists of descriptors for tropical fruit trees

Rome, Italy, 01 February 2022  – The International Treaty on Plant Genetic Resources for Food and Agriculture and the World Agroforestry (ICRAF) have published six new booklets of descriptors for multi-purpose tropical fruit tree species conserved in situ, which also contribute to the International Year of Fruits and Vegetables (2021) of FAO.

“The new descriptor booklets aim at facilitating access to and utilization of indigenous fruit trees, which are important sources of nutrients and provide other nutritional benefits, thereby contributing to enhancing overall food and nutrition security” said Kent Nnadozie, Secretary of the International Treaty. “The text of the International Treaty stresses the importance of in situ conservation and the need to collect and make publicly available related information,” he added.

These new publications provide an initial minimum set of characterization and evaluation descriptors for six different underutilized fruit tree species conserved in situ:  (1) Dacryodes edulis, (2) Docynia indica, (3) Irvingia spp., (4) Sclerocarya birrea, (5) Strychnos cocculoidesand (6) Ziziphus mauritiana. All six of these species produce edible fruits that are highly valued by local people for their richness in vitamins, lipids, fibres, proteins, and minerals, playing a significant role in nutrition and health benefits.

These descriptors, which follow the international standardized documentation system for the characterization and study of genetic resources (Alercia, 2011), are expected to support studies focusing on genetic and morphological diversity of these species, conservation and use of their genetic resources, domestication and increased household income and production. They are the result of global consultations managed by the International Treaty and ICRAF in which more than 100 experts worldwide participated. The consultations involved 23 Core Advisory Group experts and 80 scientists and researchers from 25 different countries.

The lists were based on preliminary datasets developed by World Agroforestry. In addition, internet searches were carried out looking for the most updated information on relevant characteristics and traits. The lists were subsequently integrated with evaluation traits. For the purposes of these booklets, special attention was given to the inclusion of descriptors related to climate change and nutritional components of particular importance. Africa and Asia are home to particularly diverse agro-ecological regions hosting a large number of native and underutilized fruit trees, whose genetic resources hold the potential to address challenges such as sustainable agricultural development, food security, human health, nutrition and climate change. Those included in these key sets have been chosen because of their local importance and global impact.

The Global Information System of the International Treaty makes these and other descriptors available to facilitate their use. The new booklets are expected to be particularly helpful for researchers, plant breeders, and conservationists worldwide, in addition to national focal points of the International Treaty.

@PlantTreaty 

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