Genetic Resources Unit
The Genetic Resources Unit of World Agroforestry (ICRAF) conserves a wide diversity of about 190 species. These are wild, partially domesticated and domesticated trees used in agroforestry systems to supply fruit, timber, medicines and other products.
Many accessions are maintained in field genebanks managed in collaboration with national partners. The field genebanks supply propagating material to local partners in addition to gathering valuable data on the performance of the accessions.
The genebank works closely with research partners to supply agroforestry tree diversity for ICRAF domestication programs and other researchers.
In addition, ICRAF maintains a unique collection of African dryland woody-fodder species.
ICRAF staff carry out basic tests for diseases of quarantine risk. The genebank relies on national partners to monitor plant health in the field genebanks.
Key staff
Leader in Tree Diversity, Domestication and Delivery: Ramni Jamnadass
Acting Head of genebank: Prasad Hendre
Seed scientist: Zakayo Kinyanjui
Genebank Database Officer: Simon Kang’ethe
Key performance indicators of CGIAR genebanks, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data. For descriptions of performance indicators, click here.| Crop | Indicator | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit trees | 1. Total number of accessions | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 |
| Fruit trees | 2. Total number of accessions that are currently available | 3,378 | 3,378 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 |
| Fruit trees | 3. Number of seed accessions | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 |
| Fruit trees | 4. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fruit trees | 5. Number of live plant accessions | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 3,600 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 8,246 |
| Fruit trees | 6. Number of seed accessions held in long-term storage and safety duplicated at two levels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Fruit trees | 7. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions in cryopreservation or safety duplicated as in vitro | 0 | 0 | 325 | 610 | 610 | 610 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fruit trees | 8. Number of wild species accessions | 3,556 | 8,199 | 8,199 | 8,199 | 8,199 | |||||
| Multipurpose trees | 1. Total number of accessions | 5,307 | 5,490 | 4,577 | 5,345 | 5,594 | 5,997 | 6,336 | 6,456 | 6,673 | 6,744 |
| Multipurpose trees | 2. Total number of accessions that are currently available | 4,882 | 4,122 | 1,341 | 2,084 | 2,735 | 3,292 | 4,728 | 4,923 | 6,147 | 6,213 |
| Multipurpose trees | 3. Number of seed accessions | 5,307 | 5,490 | 4,577 | 5,345 | 5,594 | 5,997 | 6,336 | 6,456 | 6,673 | 6,744 |
| Multipurpose trees | 4. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multipurpose trees | 5. Number of live plant accessions | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 0 | 0 | 0 | ||
| Multipurpose trees | 6. Number of seed accessions held in long-term storage and safety duplicated at two levels | 0 | 0 | 0 | 777 | 777 | 777 | 1,085 | 1,085 | 1,161 | 1,161 |
| Multipurpose trees | 7. Number of vegetatively-propagated accessions in cryopreservation or safety duplicated as in vitro | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multipurpose trees | 8. Number of wild species accessions | 3,292 | 4,728 | 4,923 | 6,147 | 6,213 |
Genebank operations, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data| Crop | Indicator | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fruit trees | 1. Number of accessions with passport & characterization data available | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 | 0 | 8,848 |
| Fruit trees | 2. Number accessions received | 0 | 18 | 12 | 0 | 131 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Fruit trees | 3. Number accessions regenerated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Fruit trees | 4. Number accessions multiplied | 0 | 0 | 0 | 119 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Fruit trees | 5. Number accessions health tested | 0 | 2,120 | 1,480 | 1,544 | 3,600 | 398 | 8,246 | 8,246 | 3,240 | 2,838 |
| Fruit trees | 6. Number accessions cleaned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 520 | 0 | 0 | 120 | ||
| Fruit trees | 7. Number accessions viability tested | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |||
| Multipurpose trees | 1. Number of accessions with passport & characterization data available | . | . | . | . | . | . | . | 0 | 0 | 6,318 |
| Multipurpose trees | 2. Number accessions received | 190 | 50 | 48 | 202 | 261 | 212 | 15 | 22 | 59 | 71 |
| Multipurpose trees | 3. Number accessions regenerated | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multipurpose trees | 4. Number accessions multiplied | 389 | 0 | 30 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multipurpose trees | 5. Number accessions health tested | 290 | 35 | 103 | 117 | 298 | 736 | 531 | 769 | 863 | 1,285 |
| Multipurpose trees | 6. Number accessions cleaned | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Multipurpose trees | 7. Number accessions viability tested | 409 | 112 | 203 | 928 | 1,162 | 917 | 644 | 752 | 828 | 1,074 |
Number of samples distributed to users within and outside the CGIAR, 2012-2021
HINT: Use the search key to filter the data. For descriptions of performance indicators, click here.| Crop | Indicator | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| All crops | 1. Total number external germplasm requests | 167 | 755 | 1,040 | 1,268 | 861 | 916 | 623 | 379 | 274 | 257 |
| Fruit trees | 2. Number of samples distributed within the CGIAR | 260 | 736 | 2,844 | 1,529 | 5,745 | 6,972 | 577 | 1,002 | 411 | 782 |
| Fruit trees | 3. Number of samples distributed outside the CGIAR | 0 | 622 | 601 | 1,682 | 7,387 | 2,069 | 2,069 | 2,931 | 1,616 | 1,738 |
| Fruit trees | 4. Total number of samples distributed | 260 | 1,358 | 3,445 | 3,211 | 13,132 | 9,041 | 2,646 | 3,933 | 2,027 | 2,520 |
| Fruit trees | 5. Number of accessions distributed within the CGIAR | 45 | 66 | 132 | 226 | 37 | 133 | 65 | 20 | 19 | 35 |
| Fruit trees | 6. Number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR | 0 | 130 | 77 | 64 | 148 | 149 | 149 | 180 | 104 | 75 |
| Fruit trees | 7. Total number of accessions distributed | 45 | 196 | 209 | 290 | 185 | 282 | 214 | 200 | 123 | 110 |
| Fruit trees | 8. Total number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 59 | 31 | 24 | 24 | ||||||
| Fruit trees | 9. Total number of unique accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 57 | 45 | 31 | 19 | 19 | |||||
| Multipurpose trees | 2. Number of samples distributed within the CGIAR | 401 | 88 | 77 | 139 | 82 | 37 | 28 | 528 | 130 | 92 |
| Multipurpose trees | 3. Number of samples distributed outside the CGIAR | 332 | 268 | 232 | 408 | 359 | 890 | 885 | 1,208 | 382 | 450 |
| Multipurpose trees | 4. Total number of samples distributed | 733 | 356 | 309 | 547 | 441 | 927 | 913 | 1,736 | 512 | 542 |
| Multipurpose trees | 5. Number of accessions distributed within the CGIAR | 230 | 51 | 45 | 56 | 42 | 26 | 17 | 30 | 38 | 34 |
| Multipurpose trees | 6. Number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR | 141 | 92 | 75 | 56 | 59 | 298 | 113 | 70 | 118 | 99 |
| Multipurpose trees | 7. Total number of accessions distributed | 371 | 143 | 120 | 112 | 101 | 324 | 130 | 100 | 156 | 133 |
| Multipurpose trees | 8. Total number of accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 98 | 70 | 118 | 99 | ||||||
| Multipurpose trees | 9. Total number of unique accessions distributed outside the CGIAR with SMTA | 49 | 88 | 70 | 102 | 94 |
Genebank Platform publications, 2017-2020
Recent publications with at least one CGIAR genebank staff as author. HINT: Use the search key to filter the data.| Authors | Article title | Publication name | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tata,H. L., Muchugi, A., Kariba, R., Van Noordwijk, M. | Genetic diversity of Dyera polyphylla (Miq.) Steenis populations used in tropical peatland restoration in Indonesia. | Mires and Peat | READ |
| Nyoka, B.I., Kamanga, R., Njoloma, J., Jamnadass, R., Mng'omba, S.A., Muwanje, S. | Quality of tree seedlings produced in nurseries in Malawi: an assessment of morphological attributes. | Forests, Trees and Livelihoods | READ |
| Muriira, N., Muchugi, A., Yu, A., Xu, J. C., Liu, A. | Genetic diversity analysis reveals genetic differentiation and strong population structure in Calotropis plants. | Scientific reports | READ |
| Chang, Y., Liu, H., Liu, M., Liao, X., Kumar Sahu, S., Fu, Y., Song, B., Cheng, S., Kariba, R., Muthemba, S., Hendre, P., Mayes, S., Kuan Ho, W., E.J. Yssel, A., Kendabie, P., Wang Linzhou Li, S., Muchugi, A., Jamnadass, R., Lu, H., Peng,S., Van Deynze, A., Simons, A., YanaShapiro, H.,Van de Peer, Y., Xu, X., Yang,H.,Wang, J., Liu, X. | The draft genomes of five agriculturally important African orphan crops. | Giga Science | READ |
| Cornelius, J.P., Pinedo-Ramírez, R., Sotelo Montes, C., Ugarte-Guerra, L.J., Weber, J.C. | Efficiency of early selection in Calycophyllum spruceanum and Guazuma crinita, two fast-growing timber species of the Peruvian Amazon. | Canadian Journal of Forest Research | READ |
| Alain, T., Ebenezar, A., Roger, L., Zacharie, T., Van Damme, P., Daniel, O., Ramni, J. | Effects of pre-severance irradiance on the growth of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. stockplants and on the subsequent rooting capacity of leafy stem cuttings. | Journal article (New Forests) | READ |
| Tiep, H.V., Thuong, H., Nguyen, L., Thi Lua, H. Van Thuan, V., Thi Kieu, L., Carsan, S., Degrande, A., Catacutan, D., Harwood, C. | Domestication of Docynia indica in Vietnam. | Forests, Trees and Livelihoods | READ |
| Bazié, P., Ky-Dembele, C., Jourdan, C., Roupsard, O., Zombré, G., & Bayala, J | Synchrony in the phenologies of fine roots and leaves of Vitellaria paradoxa in different land uses of Burkina Faso. | Agroforestry Systems | READ |
| Tsobeng, A., Asaah, E., Tchoundjeu, Z., Van Damme, P., Ofori, O., Jamnadass, R. | Growth, flowering and fruiting of stecklings, grafts and seedlings of Allanblackia floribunda Oliver (Clusiaceae). | Agroforestry Systems | READ |
| Roshetko, J.M., Dawson I.K., Urquiola, J., Lasco, R.D., Leimona, B., Weber, J.C., Bozzano, M., Lillesø, J.P.B., Graudal, L., Jamnadass, R. | To what extent are genetic resources considered in environmental service provision? A case study based on trees, carbon sequestration and the Clean Development Mechanism. | Climate and Development | READ |
| Gachuiri, A.N., Carsan, S., Karanja, E., Parmutia, M., Kuyah, S. | Diversity and importance of local fodder tree and shrub resources in mixed farming systems of central Kenya. | Forests, Trees and Livelihoods | READ |
| Muthai, K., Karori, M., Muchugi, A., Indieka, A.,Dembele, C., Mng’omba, S., Jamnadass, R. | Nutritional variation in baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp and seeds based on Africa geographical regions. | Journal of Food Science and Nutrition | READ |
| Minja, R.R., Kimaro, A.A., Mpanda, M., Moshy, S., Mwaijande, V.,Ngereza, A., Ambrose, J., Ndee, A., Kihula, B., Nyalusi, G. | Effects of rootstock type and scion cultivar on grafting success and growth of mango (Mangifera indica L.) seedlings. | Journal of Experimental Agriculture International | READ |
| Tsobeng Alain, Asaah Ebenezar, Leakey Roger, Tchoundjeu Zacharie, Patrick Van Damme, Ofori Daniel, Jamnadass Ramni. | Effects of pre-severance irradiance on the growth of Allanblackia floribunda Oliv. stockplants and on the subsequent rooting capacity of leafy stem cuttings. | New Forests | READ |
| Anna Manourová, Olga Leuner, Zacharie Tchoundjeu, Patrick Van Damme, Vladimír Verner, Ondrej Pribyl and Bohdan Lojka | Medicinal Potential, Utilization and Domestication Status of Bitter Kola (Garcinia kola Heckel) in West and Central Africa | Forest | READ |
| Thevs N, Gombert AJ, Strenge E, Lleshi R, Aliev K, Emileva B | Tree wind breaks in Central Asia and their effects on agricultural water consumption | Land | READ |
| Hardy K, Thevs N, Aliev K, Welp M | Afforestation and Reforestation of Walnut Forests in Southern Kyrgyzstan: An Economic Perspective | Mountain Research and Development | READ |
| Okao M., Odoi JB. & Okia C. | Growth performance of Shea nut tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) collections in an ex-situ trial plot in Lira District, Uganda | Journal of Agriculture and Research | READ |
| V. J. Msukwa, C. R. Y. Munthali, B. I. Nyoka, E. Missanjo | Phenology of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. Provenances | Emerging Science journal | READ |
| Violet J. Msukwa, Chimuleke R. Y. Munthali, Betserai I. Nyoka, Edward Missanjo, Alice Muchugi, Clement Okia, Simon Kang’ethe and Herbert Jenya | Mating System among Provenances of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst | International Journal of Forestry Research | READ |
| Ky-Dembele, C., Dayamba, S., Savadogo, P., Kalinganire, A., Bayala, J., Muchugi, A., & Ramni, A. | Land use dictates diversity, density and regeneration of woody species in southwestern Mali, West Africa | Tropical Ecology | READ |
| Graziosi I, Tembo M, Kuate J and Muchugi A. | Pests and diseases of trees in Africa: A growing continental emergency. | Plants, People, Planet | READ |
| Muthai K U, Indieka A S, Muchugi A, Karori M S, Mng'omba S A, Ky-Dembele C, Jamnadass R H | Quantitative variation of fatty acid composition in seed oil from baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) wild populations in sub-Sahara Africa. | South African Journal of Botany | READ |
| Sahu S. K., Liu M., Yssel A., Kariba R., Muthemba S., Jiang S., Song B., Hendre P.S., Muchugi A., Jamnadass R., Kao S.M., Featherston J., Zerega N.J.C., Xu X., Yang H., Van Deynze A., Van de Peer Y., Liu X. and Liu H | Draft Genomes of Two Artocarpus Plants, Jackfruit (A. heterophyllus) and Breadfruit (A. altilis) | Genes | READ |
| Cherotich Sheillah, Njuguna Jane, Muchugi Alice, Muthamia Japhet, Otaye Daniel, Graziosi Ignazio and Kinyanjui Zakayo. | Botryosphaeriaceae associated with baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) and marula (Sclerocarya birrea A. Rich.) in agroforestry systems in Kenya | African Journal of Plant Science | READ |
| Boniface Tientcheu Yogom*, Marie-Louise Avana-Tientcheu, Marcelle Franca Meguem Mboujda, Stephane Takoudjou Momo, Théophile Fonkou, Alain Tsobeng, Adeline Barnaud, & Jérôme Duminil | Ethnicity Differences in Uses and Management Practices of Bitter Kola Trees (Garcinia kola) in Cameroon | Economic Botany | READ |
| Juventine Boaz Odoi, Alice Muchugi, Clement Akais Okia, Samson Gwali, Thomas L. Odong | Local knowledge, identification and selection of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa) ethnovarieties for pre-breeding in Uganda | The Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources Science | READ |
| Juventine Boaz Odoi, Thomas L Odong, Clement Akais Okia, Richard Edema, Alice Muchugi, Samson Gwali | Variation in phenotypic traits of high oil yielding and early maturing shea trees (Vitellaria paradoxa) selected using local knowledge | The Journal of Agriculture and Natural Resources Sciences | READ |
| Alain Tsobeng, Michael Akem, Marie-Louise Avana, Alice Muchugi, Ann Degrande, Zacharie Tchoundjeu, Ramni Jamnadass, Fabiola Na’a | Tree-to-tree variation in fruits of three populations of Trichoscypha acuminata (Engl.) in Cameroon. | Scientific African | READ |
| Kitonga, K., Jamora, N., Smale, M. et al. | Use and benefits of tree germplasm from the World Agroforestry genebank for smallholder farmers in Kenya | Food Security | READ |