The book is a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on tropical forest seed handling. It deals with all practical issues in connection with practical tree seed procurement and supply in tropical countries, with necessary background information and documentation of applied methods. It starts with seed collection and follows the processes of the standard fates of seeds, from extraction, cleaning, drying, testing and storing to distribution and sowing in the field or in the nursery. The text covers simple hands-on methods and more advanced methods, and emphasises the balance between using available technology, equipment and other facilities, and a sound view of what is needed. Although the essence of seed handling is necessarily linked to maintaining physiological quality, genetic aspects and the issue of collecting and maintaining genetic quality are elaborated throughout the book. A synthesis and discussion of recent findings in seed research and their application to practical seed handling is given.

Comprehensive and up-to-date overview on tropical forest seed handling Contains practical information on each step of tree procurement Includes supplementary material: sn.pub/extras

Autorentext

The author has a M.Sc. in Biology with specialisation in tropical forest ecosystems and seed physiology. He has worked for more than 10 years as long term consultant and supervisor in Africa and Asia. In Denmark he has been working as consultant, textbook author and technical seed expert for the former Danida Forest Seed Centre, now part of Danish Agricultural University. Apart from seed issues, Lars Schmidt is university lecturer in Agroforestry.

Klappentext

The book aims at dealing with all practical issues in connection with practical tree seed procurement and supply in tropical countries, with necessary background information and documentation of applied methods. It starts with seed collection and follows the processes of the standard fates of seeds, from extraction, cleaning, drying, testing and storing to distribution and sowing in the field or in the nursery. The text covers simple hands-on methods and more advanced methods, and emphasises the balance between using available technology, equipment and other facilities, and a sound view of what is needed. Although the essence of seed handling is necessarily linked to maintaining physiological quality, genetic aspects and the issue of collecting and maintaining genetic quality are elaborated throughout the book. A synthesis and discussion of recent findings in seed research and their application to practical seed handling is given.

Inhalt
Seed Collection.- Seed Processing.- Seed Storage.- Seed Dormancy and Presowing Treatment.- Sowing, Germination and Seedling Establishment.- Seed Testing.- Seed Supply and Distribution.