The book aims at dealing 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.

Auteur

The author has a M.Sc. in Biology with specialisation in tropical forest ecosystems and seed physiology. He has worked for more than 10 years as long term consultant and supervisor in Africa and Asia. In Denmark he has been working as consultant, textbook author and technical seed expert for the former Danida Forest Seed Centre, now part of Danish Agricultural University. Apart from seed issues, Lars Schmidt is university lecturer in Agroforestry.

Résumé
The role and perception of forests in tropical areas has changed drastically during the last half century. Natural forests, as resources for forest products, are dwindling. Sustainable management of natural forests faces many diffic- ties in practice, although progress has been made. However, rural people in tropical countries often experience that the forests, which were previously the buffer for agriculture and an important resource, are becoming more and more inaccessible. Remaining forests are to a large extent protected, degraded or so far away from settlement that in practice they are beyond reach. The majority of the world's forest products in the future will come from m- made plantations and cultivated trees. The term 'plantation', usually referring to traditional block plantings of industrial species, is acquiring a wider me- ing which includes, for example, smaller woodlots, shelterbelts and various types of agroforestry. Forest seeds are in this context of utmost importance. Not only are seeds the most commonly used propagation material, they are also the carriers of the genetic material from one generation to the next. Forest seed handling is thus an integrated part of selection, management, devel- ment and conservation of forest genetic resources in a larger context. With this in mind, and considering how self-evident the matter of seed quality is in agriculture, one can wonder how little attention has been and is given to f- est germplasm in many afforestation and plantation programmes.

Contenu
Seed Collection.- Seed Processing.- Seed Storage.- Seed Dormancy and Presowing Treatment.- Sowing, Germination and Seedling Establishment.- Seed Testing.- Seed Supply and Distribution.