OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION

1. SII TRAINING WORKSHOP ON ALLANBLACKIA DOMESTICATIONTHE PERSPECTIVE OF NURSERY OPERATORSGHANA EXPERIENCEBYHENNEH SAMUELINTERNATIONAL TREE SEED CENTRE (ITSC)25TH OCTOBER 2006NAIROBI - KENYA

2. OUTLINE OF THE PRESENTATION • OBJECTIVES OF THE CENTER • METHOD OF AB FRUITS COLLECTION • RAISING OF AB SEEDLINGS IN THE NURSERY • POTTING OF AB SEEDLINGS • MANAGEMENT OF GERMINATION BEDS AND AB SEEDLINGS • RESULTS AND CONCLUSION

3. OBJECTIVES OF ITSC • To produce high quality tree seeds by establishing seed orchards • To raise improved quality tree seedlings to enhance national afforestration programme • To provide consultancy services for small and large tree plantation developers

4. METHOD OF AB FRUITS COLLECTION • Unilever played an important role for providing ITSC with the GPS information of the AB trees for the collection • Collections were carried out in two regions – Ashanti and Western • Focal men were selected from the communities who did purchasing of AB fruits for ITSC • With the help from the focal men ITSC staff selected AB trees. These trees were marked. • The focal men bought fruits only from the selected trees and packed them at a central point. • Staff of ITSC collected the AB fruits and transported them to it’s central nursery. • Collection started in February and ended at the end of March

5. RAISING OF AB SEEDLINGS • CONSTRUCTION OF GERMINATION BEDS • 110 BEDS WERE CONSTRUCTED ( Measuring 1.2m * 10m) • 1 part of river sand and 2 parts of forest top soil were mixed and spread over the top of each germination bed(About 5cm high) • AB fruits were opened and their seeds removed, washed in fresh water and sown on germination beds. The seeds were covered with the same soil mixture. • A shade net of 50% was used to provide shade. • POTTING OF AB SEEDLINGS • After complete germination, AB seedlings were pricked out and transplanted into polybags of sizes ( 10cm *25 cm) The composition of the soil media was made up of 1 part of top soil collected from under the AB tree . 1 part of river sand and 2 parts of forest top soil • MANAGEMENT OF AB SEEDLINGS • Watering was carried out early in the mornings (6 a.m – 10 a.m) and late in the afternoons (3pm-6pm) no watering was done during raining days • Weeds were removed from the beds • Organic mulch was used to cover the surface of the beds to control weeds and prevent evaporation of water from the surface of beds

6. RAISING OF AB SEEDLINGS • RESULTS In all 26,300 pods were collected 600,000 seeds were sown First germination was recorded in three months. 30,000 seedlings have been potted • CONCLUSION Finding a lasting solution to shorten the long germination period of AB will be a welcoming news to all THANK YOU