The Collecting, Use and Conservation of Tropical Fruit Genetic Resources

Fairchild Tropical Botanic Garden has been active in the collection, use and conservation of tropical fruit genetic resources with the formation of the Tropical Fruit Program in 1987. Currently we focus on mango (Mangifera indica) and its relatives, West Indian avocado (Persea americana var americana), jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus), mamey sapote (Pouteria sapota) and its relatives, sapodilla (Manilkara zapota), canistel (Pouteria campechiana), abrico (Mammea americana), tamarind (Tamarindus indica) and Spanish lime (Melicoccus bijugatus). This work outlines the unique nature of each of these genetic collections, the collecting of material and the way in which each collection is managed and used. Collecting and use strategies have been designed to allow for cost effective conservation strategies in South Florida and with satellite collections within the United States and outside of our borders. The size of each collection, genetic and horticultural objectives, data collection and field maintenance are catered to each crop. All collections are integrated fully into the mission and activities of the public garden, even though most are physically grown at separate locations.