During 1993 and 1994, seed sources were surveyed and documented throughout the natural range of the species and in areas of introduction. Pilot seed collection and exchange were undertaken to improve the procedures used in these difficult operations, neem seed having a recalcitrant or intermediate behaviour. A training course was organised in 1994 in India to familiarise network collaborators with the improved procedures.
A total of 25 seed sources from 11 countries, representing the entire eco-geographical variation in the range of distribution of the species were described and collected using agreed common guidelines in 1995. The 25 seedlots were exchanged among 21 countries. The distribution of seed sources can be seen from Table 2. Table 3 shows the exchange of seedlots for the establishment of seed sources in 1995. Table 4 gives an overview of the provenance trials established within the framework of the International Neem Network during 1996/97.
Assessments of the trials have been carried out by network collaborators according to common guidelines and FAO, in collaboration with DFSC is presently in the process of compiling preliminary assessment data in order to get an overview of the status of the trials. A workshop of the Neem Network is planned later in 2000. The overall objective of the workshop will be to discuss and plan the first global evaluation of the trials. The evaluation is given high priority since it is expected to provide unique data on the extent of the genetic variation of neem for a number of traits, allowing to provide information on the adaptation of provenances to sites. In addition, information will be provided on genetic resources to be given priority in conservation efforts either in situ or ex situ.
Besides the main Network activities on exchange of seed and establishment of international provenance trials, the Network has decided upon a number of associated supportive research components related to:
The status and future activities of these research components will also be discussed in detail at the workshop later in 2000.
In addition to the
above, collaborators of The International Neem Network are kept informed
about and share information with other institutions and programmes focusing
on genetic quality and utilisation of neem.
