As a continuation of DFID research scheme R5728, the project will provide a firm foundation for the future improvement of the species. C. calothyrsus is used to counter shortages of a number of products such as fuelwood, fodder, green manure, honey and shellac, and services such as land rehabilitation, erosion control and shade. C. calothyrsus has particular potential for acid soils on which many of the other popular non-industrial trees perform poorly. Little work has been done to evaluate or improve the current planting stock which may be in genetic disequilibrium and sub-optimal, with the attendant risk to small farmers. The project aims to address these problems by making family-based seed material of the superior provenances available to researchers and ultimately farmers. A greater understanding of the reproductive biology, breeding system and pollination system of the species will facilitate a rational strategy for genetic improvement, the design of seed orchards and help overcome seed production problems. Opportunities also exist for evaluating species hybrids of C. calothyrsus and the potential for conserving endangered taxa, whether in situ or ex situ.

Germplasm of multipurpose tree species secured and improved.

• Fairly-based seed collections of C. calothyrsus provenances identified as having superior growth performance will be incorporated into improvenent work.
• Knowledge of the tree species reproductive biology, pollination system and patterns of gene flow will allow optimization offeed orchard design, which, in turn, may overcome countries such as Kenya.
• The extent of interspecific hybridization within natural populations will have been investigated, and its potential for tree improvement assessed.
• A rational conservation strategy for Calliandra will have been produced.