Tree Domestication in Agroforestry: Progress in the Second Decade (2003–2012)

Abstract

More than 420 research papers, involving more than 50 tree species, form the literature on agroforestry tree domestication since the 1992 conference that initiated the global programme. In the fi rst decade, the global effort was strongly led by scientists working in humid West Africa; it was then expanded to the rest of Africa in the second decade, with additional growth in Latin America, Asia (mostly SE Asia) and Oceania. While the assessment of species potential and the development and dissemination of techniques for improved germplasm production were the principal activities in the fi rst decade, the second decade was characterized by a growing research agenda that included characterization of genetic variation using morphological and molecular techniques, product commercialization, adop- tion and impact and protection of farmers’ rights. In parallel with this expanding research agenda, there was also an increasing use of laboratory techniques to quan- tify genetic variation of the chemical and physical composition of marketable products (e.g. essential oils, food-thickening agents, pharmaceutical and nutriceutical com- pounds, fuelwood). Looking to the third decade, suggestions are made for further development and expansion of both the science to underpin agroforestry tree domes- tication and applied research in support of development programmes to enhance the livelihoods of poor smallholder farmers worldwide.