Genetic diversity of Annona senegalensis Pers. populations as revealed by simple sequence repeats (SSRs)

Annona senegalensis Pers. is one of the wild fruit tree for domestication in southern Africa. An assessment of the genetic diversity in A. senegalensis would assist in planning for future germplasmcollection, conservation and fruit domestication programmes. During 2004 to 2006 nine populations were collected from different locations in Malawi and genetic diversity was evaluated using microsatellites or simple sequence repeats (SSRs) developed in Annona cherimola. In total 23 alleles were detected in the populations studied and genetic diversity parameters revealed high levels of heterozygosity with 4.0 to 14 alleles per locus and the populations were genetically different by 19% as given by the value of theta. Results demonstrated association between genetic and geographical distance in the species indicating that large-scale geographical and ecotypic differentiation wasreflected by the SSR markers. The high genetic diversity is attributed to biological characteristics of the tree species and habitat heterogeneity. The study has revealed evidence of application of SSR markersfrom A. cherimola towards genetic fingerprinting of A. senegalensis. Implications of the SSR marker data for optimizing genetic management of the species are discussed

Repeated exposure of jacket plum (Pappea capensis) micro-cuttings to indole-3-butyric acid (IBA) improved in vitro rooting capacity

The objective of the trial was to determine an effective propagation protocol for jacket plum (Pappea capensis) tree species. Experiments on in vitro propagation and rooting of stem cuttings were carried out. Dipping stem cuttings in half strength Murashige and Skoog (MS) media for 12 h prior to application of rooting hormones improved bud break and prolonged survival of stem cuttings on a mist bed. Early leaf loss was observed for stem cuttings planted without MS treatment. However, rooting was poor (11% for cuttings pre-treated in MS and 0% for those not pre-treated). For micro-propagation, significant differences (P < 0.05) in shoot multiplication and root regeneration were found. MS media supplemented with 2.0 mg l–1 benzylaminopurine was superior in the number of micro-shoots produced. Rooting capacity of micro-cuttings was improved from 42% to 64% when MS media supplemented with 0.5 mg l–1 IBA were repeated for the micro-cuttings that initially failed to root. There was 70% survival rate of plantlets after hardened off.The financial support from the Federal Ministry of Economic Cooperation (BMZ/GTZ), Germany through the World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF) Southern Africa Regional Programme, Agro-Forest and Bio Energy Association and Invest North West, South Africa is acknowledged

In-vitro rooting and axillary shoots proliferation of Faidherbia albida (Del.) A.. Chev. under varying levels of plant growth regulators

(African Crop Science Journal 1999 7(4): 303-312

Agro-Industries and Clean Energy in Africa

It is well recognised that agro-industries can make a substantial contribution to Africa’s sustainable energy supply; this paper and related research project explore the potential for agro-industries to contribute also to increasing rural access to modern energy services. Agro-industries already represent a major source of rural employment and are significant contributors to the economy of many sub-Saharan African countries. They constitute a major source of income for millions of small scale farming out-growers. Agro-industries may also have the financial and technical capabilities to overcome many of the common problems that bedevil new small and medium scale mini-grid enterprises. Tea, coffee and sugar estates already utilise energy for their processing, and in a few cases, supply energy for crop processing, rural clinics and schools for their employees within their estates. While some agro-industries already sell energy products including ethanol and electricity in national markets, agro-industries in sub-Saharan Africa could also provide energy to the local community surrounding their estate boundaries. However, their willingness to do this and the barriers that prevent their active participation in this market are not well understood. This paper will discuss some of the critical issues currently being explored by the Agro-Industries and Clean Energy in Africa (AGRICEN) research programme. • The paper argues that these agro-industries can usefully engage in the realm of sustainable energy supplies and the reduction of energy poverty in Africa. The paper draws lessons from the experience elsewhere, especially in Asia and Latin America, in highlighting the importance of agro-industries for the delivery of rural energy services. • The paper reviews the growing policy and regulatory experience in the promotion (and scaling-up) of renewable energy systems across Africa. This teases out the policy interactions in energy, industry and agriculture in some countries across Africa, and what implications these will have on the agro-industry sector to play a meaningful role in the provision of energy services. • The paper provides a preliminary analysis regarding the institutional and other barriers that may limit the contribution of the agro-industries to the mission of widening rural energy access. To this end, understanding the political economy context, innovation systems, financial landscape, and space for participation will be critical for overcoming barriers. • The papers locates the above discussion in the context of green economy strategies and climate policies that are gaining considerable traction in development policy across Africa. We provide some early analysis on the extent to which agro-industries as platforms for energy services fit within this emerging green economy/green growth discourse

Agro-Industries and Clean Energy in Africa

It is well recognised that agro-industries can make a substantial contribution to Africa’s sustainable energy supply; this paper and related research project explore the potential for agro-industries to contribute also to increasing rural access to modern energy services. Agro-industries already represent a major source of rural employment and are significant contributors to the economy of many sub-Saharan African countries. They constitute a major source of income for millions of small scale farming out-growers. Agro-industries may also have the financial and technical capabilities to overcome many of the common problems that bedevil new small and medium scale mini-grid enterprises. Tea, coffee and sugar estates already utilise energy for their processing, and in a few cases, supply energy for crop processing, rural clinics and schools for their employees within their estates. While some agro-industries already sell energy products including ethanol and electricity in national markets, agro-industries in sub-Saharan Africa could also provide energy to the local community surrounding their estate boundaries. However, their willingness to do this and the barriers that prevent their active participation in this market are not well understood. This paper will discuss some of the critical issues currently being explored by the Agro-Industries and Clean Energy in Africa (AGRICEN) research programme. • The paper argues that these agro-industries can usefully engage in the realm of sustainable energy supplies and the reduction of energy poverty in Africa. The paper draws lessons from the experience elsewhere, especially in Asia and Latin America, in highlighting the importance of agro-industries for the delivery of rural energy services. • The paper reviews the growing policy and regulatory experience in the promotion (and scaling-up) of renewable energy systems across Africa. This teases out the policy interactions in energy, industry and agriculture in some countries across Africa, and what implications these will have on the agro-industry sector to play a meaningful role in the provision of energy services. • The paper provides a preliminary analysis regarding the institutional and other barriers that may limit the contribution of the agro-industries to the mission of widening rural energy access. To this end, understanding the political economy context, innovation systems, financial landscape, and space for participation will be critical for overcoming barriers. • The papers locates the above discussion in the context of green economy strategies and climate policies that are gaining considerable traction in development policy across Africa. We provide some early analysis on the extent to which agro-industries as platforms for energy services fit within this emerging green economy/green growth discourse

Policy Perspectives on Clean Energy and the Sugar Industry in Malawi

Agro-industries have the potential to make a substantial contribution to sustainable energy supply in Africa, including energy access in rural areas. This paper gives an overview of the landscape for energy and agro-industries in Malawi. It focuses on the sugar industry and the potential for it to produce electricity through cogeneration and the extent to which this can enable energy access in rural communities. This includes identifying the drivers and barriers to wider use of renewable energy by agro-industries. The research involved a group discussion and individual semi-structured interviews with participants from key government departments, businesses, research institutes and international agencies. This paper found that energy sector reform, the proposed feed-in tariff for renewable energy, and risk are the key issues for investment in this area

Indigenous knowledge of rural communities in Malawi on socio-economic use, propagation, biology, biodiversity and ecology of Uapaca kirkiana Muell. Arg

Uapaca kirkiana Muell Arg. is one of the most popular indigenous fruit trees in the Miombo woodlands of southern Africa. An investigation into existing indigenous knowledge and socio-economic use of this fruit tree was conducted in Malawi. The survey revealed that U. kirkiana fruits contribute considerably to livelihood as a food supplement and for income generation among local communities. However, U. kirkiana trees are not widely cultivated due to lack of improved planting materials and difficulties in establishment outside their natural habitats. The results from the survey indicate that fruits are the main non-timber products that contribute to demand for domestication and the attributes preferred by the rural communities for improvement are mainly related to fruit taste and yield. Poor management and anthropogenic activities have resulted in the destruction of forest reserves and the local people do not have maximum stewardship of U. kirkiana trees in the forest reserve. The indigenous knowledge on U. kirkiana trees provides a valuable basis for domestication, propagation and improvement of fruit and tree attributes, and management issues on both co-managed and government forest reserve