Description

The book is a comprehensive and up-to-date overview on tropical forest seed handling. It deals with all practical issues in connection with practical tree seed procurement and supply in tropical countries, with necessary background information and documentation of applied methods. It starts with seed collection and follows the processes of the standard fates of seeds, from extraction, cleaning, drying, testing and storing to distribution and sowing in the field or in the nursery. The text covers simple hands-on methods and more advanced methods, and emphasises the balance between using available technology, equipment and other facilities, and a sound view of what is needed. Although the essence of seed handling is necessarily linked to maintaining physiological quality, genetic aspects and the issue of collecting and maintaining genetic quality are elaborated throughout the book. A synthesis and discussion of recent findings in seed research and their application to practical seed handling is given.