Foreword

The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, fao, published in 1985 the papers presented at the International Round Table on Prosopis, held in Arica, Chile, in 1984, condensed in a book entitled “The Current State of Knowledge on Prosopis tamarugo,” having been this species the main subject of the meeting.

Now, fao publishes the papers presented at the Second International Conference on Prosopis, held in Recife, Brasil, in August 1986, summarized in a book entitled “The Current State of Knowledge on Prosopis juliflora,” having been the discussion on this species the objective of the meeting.

fao expects to continue sponsoring, with the support of local governments, meetings and the editing and publishing of the corresponding proceedings dealing with other species of Prosopis of high interest for the development of pauperized arid and semi-arid lands, in order to gather valuable scientific and technical information on this genus, which is recognizedly a most significant resource for the present and future welfare of mankind, providing an insurance against starvation.

The Recife Conference's programme was mainly divided as follows:

• Committee Agreements;
• ipa Regulations;
• Introduction;
• Nine chapters, namely: Prosopis in Brazil; Ecology; Botany; Nitrogen Fixation and Plant Nutrition; Pests and Diseases; Animal Nutrition and Production; Agroindustrial Utilization; Management of Silvopastoral Resources, and Economic Aspects.

Other than the general meetings, the Conference was organized into sub-meetings, panels and committees.

The Conference was made possible by the sponsorship of the Brazilian Government and the International Prosopis Association (ipa). The generous hospitality provided to the many participants of different countries was greatly appreciated by all.

The Field Day deserves special mention. It took place at ipa President's fazenda, located 800 kilometers west of Recife. Over 20 airplanes were necessary to transport the nearly 400 participants from the Recife Airport to the airstrip in the center of the fazenda. The unparalleled hospitality of our host and his family left a deep impression. In trucks, tractors and trailers, everybody had the opportunity of visiting the extensive Prosopis juliflora plantations, the industrial installations and the utilization of Prosopis pod flour in large-scale animal production. Detailed explanations were given regarding the management of the whole concern.

Lastly, to end this short Foreword, I should like to express my deepfelt gratitude to all who made this meeting possible and fruitful, and to hope that this new fao publication shall create added ventures on research, production and utilization of the genus Prosopis.

Fernando Riveros, Ph.D.
Senior Office
Grassland and Pasture Crops Group
Plant Production and Protection Division

II International Conference on Prosopis

Honorary Board

Board of Directors

Organizing Committee

Technical Director
Dr. Mario A. Habit
fao Consultant

Scientific Committee

Dr. Benedito Vasconcelos Mendes, Professor, Mossoró-esam School of Agriculture, Rio Grande do Norte.

Dr. Marcelo de Ataíde Silva, Researcher, Pernambuco Agriculture and Livestock Research Agency-ipa, Pernambuco.

Dr. Hemir Maia e Silva, Technical Assistant, National Scientific and Technological Development Center, cnpq/North Agency.

Dr. Paulo César F. Lima, Researcher, Agriculture and Livestock Research Center for the Semi-Arid Tropic, cpatsa, Petrolina, Pernambuco.

Dr. Emmanuel Barreto Campello, Associate Professor, Universidade Federal Rural de Pernambuco, ufrpe.

Dr. Rafael Sílvio Nunes, Agronomist, Seed Technology, Federal Agriculture Delegate, Pernambuco-dfa, Ministry of Agriculture.

II International Conference on Prosopis
Recife, Brazil, 25–29 August, 1986

Programme

August 25, Monday

First Session
Prosopis in Brazil

Moderators: Cícero Goncalves de Oliveira, Galo Lope and Paulo Cesar F. Lima (Brazil), and Orlando Balboa (Chile)

Second Session
Ecology

Moderators: K. D. Muthana (India) and K. Ibrahim (Kenya)

Third Session
Botany

Moderators: Cristel Palmberg (FAO, Rome) and Girma Bistrat (Ethiopia)

Fourth Session
Nitrogen Fixation and Plant Nutrition

Moderators: Fernando Riveros (FAO, Rome) and Merlin Gilles (France)

Fifth Session
Pests and Diseases

Moderators: Avílio Franco (Brazil) and C.M. Mwendia (Kenya)

Sixth Session
Animal Nutrition and Production

Moderators: Thomas Preston (FAO, Rome) and Abdel Rasoul Fadel Mula Mustafa (Sudan)

Seventh Session
Agroindustrial Utilization

Moderators: Alfredo Vorano (Argentina) and Ray Fremlin (Australia)

Eighth Session
Management of Silvopastoral Resources

Moderators: Paulo César F. Lima (Brazil) and Rafael R. Bahamondes (Chile)

Ninth Session
Economic Aspects

Moderators: Francisco das Chargas Pontes (Brazil) and Roberto Delnastro (Chile)

August 28, Thursday

Tenth Session
Discussion of the Recommendations Made by the Committees

August 29, Friday

- Field trip: Visit to the Prosopis juliflora plantations

Committee Agreements

Proposals of the Research Committee

Approved in Plenary Session 28.08.86

Chairman: Ulf Karlin, Argentina

Rapporteur: Orlando Balboa, Chile

The commission considers that the final objective of any research project should be to further development, and that it must be supported by basic research and rigorous methods.

The commission lists the following general objectives for Research:

1. wood production
2. animal nutrition
3. human nutrition
4. industrial processes
5. genetic resources
6. soil conservation
7. multiple-use systems

No priorization of the general objectives outlined above was forthcoming as each country or region has its own priorities. The objectives should be focused according to production systems and socio-economic analysis.

The establishment of ecophysiological and phytosanitary studies, at a basic research level, was suggested.

The commission recommends that concrete action be taken by forming human resources and creating data banks.

It was suggested, as a strategy of action, to organize work groups in National Prosopis Commissions, under the coordination of ipa.

The commission laid out in extenso each general research objective, which should be taken as a guideline to discuss the priorities in each country or region.

The absence of researchers on human nutrition is noticed.

The commission deems it convenient to create a Permanent Research Commission as an integrated part of ipa.

A. Objective: Wood Production

Wood for energy (firewood, charcoal): priority 1
Rural uses: priority 2
Mechanical products: priority 3

Research lines:

1. Silvocultural methods aiming at energy production; specifically, plantation density, rotation period, plantation management, soil preparation and establishment techniques;
2. Silvocultural methods aiming at the integration of wood, fodder and associated crop production, in order to maximize combined output;
3. Studies on the physical and mechanical properties as they relate to genetic, cultural and ecological variables;
4. Intensification of productivity studies, expressing them in terms of dry weight and kcal, primary energy and mass units;
5. Development of specific standards for estimating production and productivity;
6. Publish a Prosopis Newsletter with a a section on “Wood and Energy Production”, coordinated by IPA.

B. Objective: Animal Nutrition

1. Development of varieties with few or no thorns.
2. Evaluation of foliage as feed.
3. Evaluation of pods as feed.
4. Determination of phemotypic substances in leaves and seeds and its relationship with variability and management.
5. The effect of pod storage system on its nutritional value.
6. The study of the nutritional values of seeds for ruminants and monogastric animals.
7. To promote the production of fodder biomass of different species and varieties.
8. To study the combination of Prosopis with other fodder crops.

C. Objective: Industrial Processes

Research program aiming initially at surveying existing industrial projects and performing studies to increase productivity of these processes or to define new ones.

1. Improving of storage techniques for pods and seeds.
2. Food: human (flour, coffee, syrup); animal feed (pod composition and production; foliage haying).
3. Better definition of physical, mechanical and chemical properties of the wood, with a view to improving its industrial utilization.
4. Charcoal (production technology, characteristics, utilization, conservation objectives related to the caatinga).
5. Alcohol (production techniques from pods and wood).
6. Tannins (production techniques).
7. Small industries, as a means of reaching the small producers directly.
8. Apiculture (industrialization of honey)
9. Association with other crops with the objective of increasing both production and income. Crops that could be industrialized together with Prosopis juliflora to be utilized for animal feeding and human nutrition.
10. Extension: Divulge these techniques to the communities, particularly techniques related to human nourishment.

D. Objective: Genetic Resources

1. Conservation, understood as the maintenance of taxonomically, genetically and ecologically defined clones.
   • in situ
   • ex situ
2. Improvement
   • Definition of genetic descriptions for each use (progeny tests)
   • Biotechnology (vegetative propagation resources)
   • Artificial hybridization
   • Association Prosopis/Rhizobium
3. Exchange
   Recommendations:
   • to propose to national governments the protection of priority genetic resources through adequate legislation and the establishment of reserves (adaptation of the present Chilean legislation is proposed);
   • to stimulate the establishment of ex situ populations for genetic conservation;
   • to formulate guidelines for standard collection;
   • to use the existing gene banks;
   • to stimulate the formation of regional gene banks;
   • to form the phytogenetic group for the genus Prosopis
   Functions:
   • situation diagnosis;
   • orientation of research in each area;
   • human resources training in specific areas;
   • implementation of periodical meetings for exchange of information.

E. Objective: Soil Reclamation and Conservation

1. Adaptation of the different species to saline and/or alkaline soils, and to soils of different textures, structures and depths existing in semi-arid regions.
2. Nutrition factors:
   • biological fixation of nitrogen;
   • deficiency in other nutrients.
3. Edaphic factors:
   • efficiency in the use of water;
   • effect on the underground water resources.
4. Soil preparation and planting systems.
5. Stabilization of duncs.
6. Windbreaks.
7. Strategy for multiple use of windbreaks.
8. Protection of the hydrographic basin.

F. Objective: Multiple Use Systems

1. Analysis of exploitation through regional or local integrated production systems in semi-arid regions.
2. Development of agro-silvo-pastoral systems in semi-arid regions, compatible with local traditions.
3. Physiological and sanitary studies resulting from the association of different plant or livestock species with Prosopis.
4. Economic analysis of the systems.

Proposals of the Production and Utilization Committee

Approved in Plenary Session 08.28.86

The chair of the Production and Utilization Committee, based on this morning's discussions, submits to this Plenary Session the following proposals:

1. that the Committee should also consider industrialization;
2. that priority be given to reforestation with Prosopis juliflora in saline areas;
3. that specific programs be created for the expansion of Prosopis juliflora to benefit the small farmer;
4. that the removal of vegetation for charcoal production be discouraged, unless recommended by technical studies;
5. that the radical removal of native vegetation in afforestation projects, especially in coastal areas, be avoided;
6. that official banks should implement lines of credit for the financing of Prosopis juliflora plantations alone or in association;
7. that the utilization of caterpillar type tractors in deforestation be avoided to prevent soil deterioration and erosion;
8. that the fauna of the Prosopis juliflora plantations be preserved to ensure a better ecological balance;
9. that a Secretariat be created within ipa to stimulate technological exchange among the various countries interested in the cultivation of Prosopis juliflora and to lend them assistance with financial institutions to obtain resources for development of specific projects;
10. that national Prosopis associations be created in the various countries;
11. that ethnic studies of Prosopis and associated genera (Atriplex, Opuntia, etc.) be encouraged;
12. that in the next meeting on Prosopis, the participants may transmit their technical knowledge as well as developed products and technologies;
13. that the exploitation of Prosopis juliflora be carried out in an integrated scheme to ensure that the important and multiple uses of this species can be taken advantage of, not using it solely for energy production purposes;
14. that the establishment of industries utilizing Prosopis juliflora products be stimulated in rural areas with the objective of absorbing local manpower;
15. that research regarding utilization of Prosopis juliflora products for medicine and cosmetics manufacturing be encouraged.

IPA Regulations Committee

Committee's Proposals Approved by the General Assembly
(28 August 1986)

1. Regulations.
2. Election of the Board of Directors and Executive Committee.
3. The permanent seat of the Executive Committee shall be the City of Recife, State of Pernambuco, Brazil.
4. Members of the Association shall pay an annual fee of US$ 20 or its equivalent in Brazilian currency.
5. The Third International Conference on Prosopis shall be held in North Africa, in two years' time, preferably in Tunisia. The President of the Board should start negatiations as soon as possible. For this purpose cooperation should be requested to fao and unesco/mab.
6. The Executive Committee should seek donors among International Organizations, Foundations and others.
7. The Newsletter should be edited and published by the Executive Committee as soon as possible and distributed among the Association's members and other interested parties. It should be published every four months.

International Prosopis Association (IPA) Regulations

Chapter I

Title

Chapter II

Objectives of the Association

Chapter III

Structure

Chapter IV

Representation and Responsibilities

Chapter V

Elections

Chapter VI

Finance

Chapter VII

Members

Chapter VIII

Dissolution

Chapter IX

General and Transitory Dispositions