Transcript Hoodia propagation trials at the National Botanical research Institute

Hoodia propagation trials at
the National Botanic Garden of
Namibia
By Silke Rügheimer
National Botanical Research Institute
Private Bag 13184
Windhoek, Namibia
Background
• Project was initiated in June 2002
• Part of the Southern African Botanical Diversity
Network’s Threatened Plants Programme
• Launched to support the role of Botanic Gardens in
plant conservation
• U$ 3000 granted to each participating country after
approval of project proposal by Steering committee
• Aim: to develop suitable propagation techniques
to establish a viable ex situ population to relieve
harvesting pressure on wild population
• Funding ended December 2003
• Funding for the next 3 years secured through the
National Agricultural Support System Programme
What is Hoodia
• Cactus-like stem succulent
• Family Asclepiadaceae
• Endemic to drier regions of
southern Africa
• Namibia: widespread but
mainly in Western regions
• 10 species in Namibia
• Most common: H. gordonii
and H. currorii
• Current conservation status:
low risk to vulnerable
Distribution of Hoodia in Southern Africa
from Bruyns. 1993. Bot Jahrb. Syst. 115, 2: 177
Why Hoodia
• Used by bushmen to overcome hunger and thirst on
their hunting expeditions
• Huge potential as anti-obesity drug (est. market value
of U$ 2.6 billion annually)
• Active ingredient isolated and patented by the CSIR
under P57
• Patent right sold to Phytopharm (1997)
• Lot of media coverage since then
• Namibian farmers are starting to realize the potential of
Hoodia as an alternative income source
• Concerns to the impact of over-harvesting on wild
populations
Activities
• Literature survey (June 2002) to establish what is
known, specifically regarding propagation techniques
• Setting up of propagation facilities (Aug/ Sept 2002)
• Seed collecting trip (Nov 2002)
• 4500 seedlings germinated
• 2000 plantlets hardened off
• Dissemination of information and outsourcing of
propagation
• Marketing
• Drafting legislations and policies regarding the
commmercialisation of Hoodia
Germination of seeds
Hardening off of seedlings
Results
• Hoodia can potentially be propagated for
commercial purposes in Namibia
• Best propagated from seeds (cuttings are
difficult to root)
• Fairly fast growing under optimal conditions
• Requirements:
sandy, well drained medium;
high light intensity;
regular watering
• Problems: fungus rot and wooly aphids
Issues which still need to be
addressed
• Propagation requirements for other species
• Acceptable organic pest control
• How long does it take until seedlings have reached a
harvestable size
• How much material can sustainably be harvested
from one plant
• Growth and recovering rate of natural plants
compared to propagated plants
• Quality of propagated plant material vs quality of
material from wild populations
The way foward
• Assist communal and commercial farmers to
set up nurseries
• Training on propagation techniques
• Regulate sources for supplying material to
people who want to start propagating
• Regulate marketing and sales (prices, locality,
origin of material, export)
• Review legislations and policies to protect
natural populations