PREFACE

This booklet describes the 25 seed sources of neem which have been exchanged and included in international provenance trials by the collaborators of the International Neem Network.

The seed sources are described according to the common guidelines agreed by the network, and all information in the booklet has been provided by the collaborators. The information has been compiled by A. Thomsen, L. Graudal and C.P. Hansen of the Danida Forest Seed Centre.

Further information on the International Neem Network and its activities can be obtained from the coordinator of the network:

FAO, Forest Resources Division
Viale delle Terme di Caracalla
| 00100 Rome, Italy
Fax: + 39 06 570 55 137
E-mail: [email protected]

1. INTRODUCTION

The International Neem Network was established in 1993 with the long term objective to improve the genetic quality and adaptability of neem and to improve its utilisation. The network collaborators have undertaken activities in relation to provenance exploration, seed collection and exchange and have established international provenance trials. In addition, the network has decided to undertake research in seed physiology and technology, genetic diversity and reproductive biology, as well as studies on variation in chemical compounds.

National institutes in 20 countries are collaborating in the network together with a number of international organisations and projects. The Food and Agriculture Organisation of the United Nations (FAO) is entrusted the global coordination of the Network activities. The network has to date issued the following booklets related to its activities:

• International Neem Network (1995): Procedures for Seed Collection and Exchange (yellow)
• International Neem Network (1995): Revised Procedures and Design in Trial Establishment 1.Nursery Phase (green)
• International Neem Network (1996): Revised Procedures and Design in Trial Establishment. 2. Field Trial. (red)
• International Neem Network (1997): Assessment of International Provenance Trials (grey)

During 1993 and 1994 seed sources were surveyed and documented by Network members throughout the natural range of the species and in areas of introduction. A training workshop was organised in July 1994 in Coimbatore, India, to familiarise Network collaborators with the approved procedures for seed source descriptions and seed collection. All seed sources have been described and documented using a common set of descriptors as presented in this booklet.

All seed sources were collected during 1995 following common guidelines approved by the Network. In all cases, seeds were collected from at least 25 trees, 100 meters apart. Immediately after collection and appropriate processing, the seeds were rapidly dispatched to other Network members in a total of 19 countries for the establishment of international provenance trials. Nursery production of seedlings also followed common procedures and the nursery phase proved to be successful in most countries. During 1995/96 some 30 provenance trials were established in 17 countries. The number of provenances which are included in the trials varies between 15 and 25. Some countries have complemented the international exchanged seed sources with local seed sources in their trials.

The objective of this booklet is to document and make available to network collaborators, detailed information on the seed sources included in the international series. Such information is of crucial importance for the analysis and interpretation of trial results, and for the recommendation of seed sources/provenances for planting purposes. In other words; good seed source documentation is a prerequisite for informed trial analysis and interpretation.

The booklet is divided into five chapters. Following the present introduction to the International Neem Network, Chapter 2 holds a summary of the 25 described seed sources. Chapter 3 gives a geographic overview of the seed sources with the seed sources mapped on regional maps. In chapter 4 a list of National Focal Institutes (NFI) is given. The NFI are national focal points for the International Neem Network, and country specific question (e.g. about the seed sources) can be directed hereto. Detailed descriptions including maps of all 25 seed sources are found in Chapter 5.

2. SUMMARY OF SEED SOURCES EXCHANGED WITHIN THE FRAMEWORK OF THE INTERNATIONAL NEEM NETWORK

3. GEOGRAPHICAL REPRESENTATION OF SEED SOURCES IN THE INTERNATIONAL NEEM NETWORK

Asia

This map is not available on the Internet version of the document. Please send an email with your postal address to [email protected] if you wish to receive a hard copy.

Africa

This map is not available on the Internet version of the document. Please send an email with your postal address to [email protected] if you wish to receive a hard copy.

4. NATIONAL FOCAL INSTITUTIONS IN THE INTERNATIONAL NEEM NETWORK