Integrated approach for conservation and management of genetic resources of Milicia species in West Africa

Milicia spp. (M. excelsa and M. regia) are among the most valuable indigenous timber species in sub-Saharan Africa because of their natural durability and good working properties. They are not grown in plantations but are extracted from natural forest at an unsustainable rate. Efforts at establishing plantations of Milicia spp. have been constrained by the gall forming psyllid Phytolyma lata that causes extensive damage to the young plants. This paper collates and discusses the results of efforts made in the conservation and utilisation of genetic resources of Milicia species in West Africa. This includes range wide germplasm collection, screening for pest resistance, silvicultural techniques and development of integrated pest management strategies (IPM) for reduction of pest damage to economic injury level. It also discusses the way forward through the use of biotechnology in gene proliferation and fast-tracking of resistant genotypes and their deployment in plantations.