Domestication of Dacryodes edulis: State-of-the-art

Background

This article provides an overview of the work being done to domesticate Dactryodes edulis, a fruit tree widespread to the humid lowlands of Central Africa. It focuses on a program in Cameroon coordinated by ICRAF that is based on a participatory approach of domesitcating D. edulis. 

Goals & Methods

The study consisted of various experiments all with participatory aspects, including  priority setting between species, germplasm collection and the establishment of village nurseries for clonal propagation of superior trees, and selection of superior trees for cultivar development.  Each experiment had its own aims, all of which contributed to the understanding of domesticating D. edulis. 

Conclusions & Takeaways

The authors conclude that the domestication of indigenous fruit trees, like D. edulis, is changing rapidly in the humid zones of West and Central Africa. They suggest promoting income generation wouldhelp reduce rural poverty while enhancing livelihoods of subsistence farmers and to continue the participatory to domesticating traditionally important and previously ignored fruit trees.