Abstract

FELKER, Peter. Management of native Prosopis stands and progress in genetic improvement. Multequina [online]. 2000, vol.9, n.2, pp.95-105. ISSN 1852-7329.

Over the last 30 years, high quality hardwood lumber is one of the few commodities that have consistently increased in value (Felker, 2000). It would appear that the longterm demand for quality hardwood lumber, should increase, especially in the face of significant tropical deforestation. Of all the potential products of arid lands, Prosopis hardwood lumber has one of the highest unit prices of close to $1000 per ton (at $2/bd ft or $856 per cubic meter and a density of 750 kg/cubic meter). Using the scenarios described above, an internal rate of return of 9.3% was calculated for Prosopis agroforestry plantations without ascribing any value to pod production or to soil fertility increases and should be an attractive long term, low risk opportunity for institutional investors (Felker, 2000). Prosopis lumber could be a valuable asset in assuring the stability of Europe's 60,000 million Euro furniture industries. However before significant quantities of algarrobo lumber, furniture or flooring can be commercialized for export, ecological certification to obtain "A green seal" as outlined by the Forestry Stewardship Council www.certifiedwood.org or one of their approved NGO's, SMARTWOOD- www.smartwood.org, must be achieved.

Keywords : Management; Weeds; Intercropping; Fertilization; Cloning; Selection.

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