Domestication of jungle tree species for multi-purpose use
1997
S. Saamin | Razali A. Rahman
The hearths of plant domestication are likely to be found in the tropics where there are great diversity of flora-fauna for the hunter-fisher-gatherers to survive upon and experiment with. The diversity of plant species in the tropical forests and backyards should be the hunting grounds for new domesticates. In addition, where the temperate and tropical zones meet, such as in South China and Indochina, one would expect floral enrichment as a result of intermingling of plants of different climatic adaptations. although, a few of the wild tree species have been exploited commercially for their products, interest on their production subsequently dwindles after being out-competed by substitutes. If rate of conservation and purposeful domestication is too slow then the chance of losing the genetic diversity will be higher especially under the present trend of industrialization and urbanization. Growth performance of a number of jungle tree species such as Dyera costulata (jelutong), Bertholletia excelsea (Brazil nut), Scaphium affine (Kembang semangkuk), Durio spp. and six others useful for their timber, latex, fruits, and further breeding needs planted in observation plots are presented in this paper.
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