Project on Development of Drought Tolerant Trees for Adaptation to Climate Change in Drylands of Kenya

Muturi G.M., Kariuki J.G., Omondi, S.F. and Muchiri D.

PROJECT DURATION 2012 - 2017 PROJECT DESIGN

Overall Goal Quality plantations of KEFRI’s capacity for indigenous species are Quality seed and conducting research on extended in the ASALs seedling supply system genetic diversity of of Kenya for Melia volkensii is indigenous species established. (Melia volkensii and Acacia tortilis as pioneer trial) is strengthened. Project Purpose Research capacity and KEFRI’s capacity for extension system necessary implementing forest tree for promoting indigenous breeding of indigenous species plantation in the Awareness of species (Melia volkensii ASALs is enhanced. relevant stakeholders and Acacia tortilis as on the importance of pioneer trial) is quality seed and strengthened. seedling is raised. Melia volkensii

• A drought tolerant, termite resistant tree that produces high quality timber (used for making high value furniture, doors and windows frames)

• Provides fodder and fruits for animals

• Potential for large scale dryland afforestation (see suitable conditions next slide) Acacia tortilis • Provides fodder • Fuelwood and charcoal • Fuelwood of high calorific value (4400 kcal/kg)

4 Project Outline

Tree Breeding Quality Seed/ Melia volkensii Seedlings Plus Tree Propagation > Evaluation Selection (Seed Orchard) (Progeny Test)

Acacia tortilis Extension Plus Tree Propagation (Seed - Market Research Selection Stand) - Extension Material (Guidelines, etc) - Seminar/Training DNA Analysis Study on Drought Tolerance

5 Stratification of Acacia tortilis and Melia volkensii natural populations in Kenya & Selection of Candidate Plus Trees (CPTs)

100 CP trees – 100 CP trees – M volkensii A. tortilis Some selected Melia volkensii Candidate Plus Trees

Mwea Marimanti Voi

Tharaka Magadi d Wamba Mwingi B Maua c Marsabit Isiolo Voi Machakos Kitui b Kajiado Bura A Baringo Kakuma a Katiru Lokichogio

0.14 0.12 0.10 0.08 0.06 0.04 0.02 0.00

Dendrogram showing the structuring of Acacia tortilis populations in two major groups (A and B) Phenotypic variation of Acacia tortilis seedlings depending on the CPT

Straight

Bending Melia and Acacia Melia CPT

Melia Orchard Nursery stage Melia Progeny test 3 years old

Acacia CPT Nursery stage Seedling seed orchard/ Progeny test Result of Progeny Test (Height)

① Marimanti ② Tiva ③ kibwezi ④ Kasigau 8 8 8 8

6 6 6 6

4 4 4 4

2 2 2 2

0 0 0 0 Planting 6months 12months 18months Planting 6months 12months 18months Planting 6months 12months 18months Planting 6months 12months 18months

• We will investigate the growth and select the recommended varieties in each area ① • Eventually categorize sites ② according to forest site index classification ③ Precipitation ④ high low Result of Progeny Test (Volume)

Artificial crossing 6

3 Superior -

5 10 ) 10

× All Plus Trees 3 3 4

3 Rogueing

inferior clones Volume (m Volume 2 11 7 4 40 9 5 32 29 57 20 13 10 3 19 2 27 12 8 22 16 34 41 1 6 36 43 14 31 21 39 23 33 17 60 Fig. Volume of P.T. on each CPT at 1 year after planting

3 Eastern Mwingi-Tseikuru Volume(mVolume ) Eastern Mwingi-Nuu Superior 5.04 117% Central Eastern Katulani-Kavisuni South Eastern Mutha-Inyali ALL 4.32 Coastal Voi-Mwatate Marimanti Progeny test site

1 month 8 months

3 years 13 Roadmap of Tree Breeding

Progeny Test

2nd generation

Progeny Test

1st generation Afforestation

Selection Afforestation

Natural stands Superiority for target trait target Superiority for

CADEP (Comp. 4) Breeding Project(2012-17） （2017-21） Results: Variation of growth duration and trends between fast and slow growing clones at Tiva and Kibwezi

14 14

12 12 Tiva Kibwezi 10 10

8 8

6 6 superior superior 4 4

inferior Stemradius growth (mm) Stemradius growth (mm) inferior 2 2

0 0 4/6/15 7/15/15 10/23/15 1/31/16 5/10/16 8/18/16 11/26/16 3/6/17 4/6/15 7/15/15 10/23/15 1/31/16 5/10/16 8/18/16 11/26/16 3/6/17

☑ Stem growth started together and the slope of growth was same with Inferior and superior clones. ☑ Inferior clones stopped their growth earlier than superior clones. ☑ As a result, the growing period of inferior clone became shorter and dormant period longer than those of superior clones. Contribution of drought index development to tree breeding

Drought tolerance Growth response to soil moisture Population Growth during dry & wet seasons of Melia tree Photosynthetic rates Xylem pressure potential Chlorophyll fluorescence Selection of plus tree General procedure for Index selecting elite tree Secondary selection of plus tree

Elite tree Extension: Establishment of Matithini demo plot through FFS

FFS Training at formative stage

FFS Members’ session

FFS members and staff from KEFRI and KFS Thank You