Seed problems of indigenous plantation species in Ghana

The economy of Ghana is dependent on the products of its agriculture and forestry for more than 70 percent of its foreign exchange earnings. To meet the increasing demand of the expanding timber industry, the country has embarked on a large-scale afforestation programme. The establishment of large-scale plantations requires continuous and adequate supply of good quality seed. Problems, which are biological and technical in nature, have been encountered in the procurement of seed of many of the principcal indigenous plantation species. These problems are not only peculiar to Ghana but also the other neighbouring West African countries. Poor and irregular fruiting of Triplochiton scleroxylon K. Schum and Tarrietia utilis Sprague have made it dfficult to obtain seed of these species to meet planting requirements. Insects cause severe damage to seed of many plantation species and reduce the quantityand quality of fruits produced. It has been found that weevils attack flowers and developing fruits of Terminalia ivorensis A. Chev and Triplochiton scleroxylon. Almost all the plantation species lose viability quickly when stored under normal atmospheric conditions of heat and moisture.It has therefore been found difficult to build up seed stocks in good seed years for the needs of poor seed years as cold store facilities are inadequate. With the limited knowledge of forest tree seed of the indigenous plantation species in Ghana and in West Africa as a whole, there are many technical problems with equipment, trained staff and methods and techniques for seed testing and storage studies aimed at finding practical solutions to the following problems are required:- 1. Poor and irregular fruiting of Triplochiton scleroxylon : studies to determine the flowering and fruiting pattern. 2. Seed Storage : Studies to determine optimum conditions of storage and problems of seed deterioration in storage. 3. Seed Testing : To improve upon techniques of seed testing and standardize test methods and techniques for all the indigenous plantation species in West Africa. The practical application of forest genetics is in its infancy in West Africa. A start has been made in Ghana to establish clonal seed orchards. It is hoped these orchards will not only yield improved seed but also aid seed collection and facilitate the control of insects pests which cause severe damage to forest tree seed.