Francisco Mesén

Use of grafting to prevent Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) (Lepidoptera: Pyralidae) damage to new world Meliaceae species.

The susceptible species Cedrela odorata and Swietenia macrophylla to attack by Hypsipyla grandella (Zeller) larvae were grafted onto the resistant species Khaya senegalensis and Toona ciliata. Six-month-old grafted plants were then compared to their reciprocal grafts and to both intact (non-grafted) and autografted plants for damage due to H. grandella larvae and for their effects on larval performance. Two experiments were conducted: one in which the apical bud of the main plant shoot was inoculated with H. grandella eggs, and the other in which the bud was inoculated with third instars. Damage in each experiment was assessed by the number of frass piles, number and length of tunnels, number of damaged leaves, and damage to the apical bud. Larval performance was evaluated in terms of time to reach pupation and pupal weight and length. In both experiments, plant damage differed significantly among treatments (P < 0.03). Resistant rootstocks conferred resistance to susceptible scions. In both experiments, grafting by itself, regardless of the rootstock and scion combination, also reduced damage caused by H. grandella larvae. Scions of autografted susceptible species had similar resistance to susceptible scions grafted on resistant rootstocks. Few larvae reached pupation, and their pupal weight and length were similar.

Smallholder production of agroforestry germplasm: experiences and lessons from Brazil, Costa Rica, Mexico and Peru.

ABSTRACT Smallholders often cannot obtain the agroforestry germplasm they require. It has been suggested that commercial smallholder production of germplasm could help resolve this problem, while securing benefits such as genetic conservation and income generation. We evaluate four such initiatives. We found that worthwhile income was generated, and we suggest ways that returns could be increased. We also found that the initiatives had contributed to genetic conservation, although we argue that such outcomes may be more elusive for timber trees than for non-destructively harvested tree crops. The four initiatives fell short of the “win-win” ideal of germplasm production, i.e. that of smallholders profiting through sale of livelihood-enhancing germplasm to other smallholders, principally because sales tend to be to industrial or institutional clients rather than to smallholders. We suggest that, for the potential of smallholder germplasm production to be fully evaluated, detailed characterization of farmer demand and willingness to pay for agroforestry germplasm is needed.

Cafe Arabica Coffea arabica L.

Somatic embryogenesis is a technique that has been used in Central America for the multiplication of Coffea arabica F1 hybrids since its creation. The coffee breeding program for Central America—PROMECAFE (1992–2006)–was implemented with the participation of CATIE, CIRAD and the coffee institutes in the region. The selected hybrids are more vigorous than the traditional ones with higher value in productivity, precocity, tolerance to leaf rust and cup quality. Although somatic embryogenesis is the ideal technique for the multiplication of these materials; the process is intensive and of long duration, so the final cost per plant is very high in comparison with the plants obtained from seeds. These factors and others have limited the transfer of these hybrids to the producers who need to renew their plantations. To facilitate this process, CATIE established a two-stage multiplication strategy: 1-The regeneration of juvenile mother plants by somatic embryogenesis; and 2-The establishment of clonal gardens in the greenhouse for horticultural multiplication. This innovation allows the rapid multiplication of the hybrids and reduces the cost per plant produced in the greenhouse.