ARGANIA SPINOSA
A SPECIES ON ITS WAY TO EXTINCTION
In the map, the RBA (Argan Biosphere Reserve) can be seen, which was classified by UNESCO as protected heritage.
In the map, the RBA (Argan Biosphere Reserve) can be seen, which was classified by UNESCO as protected heritage.
In South-western Morocco, the Argan tree is basis of a traditional agroforestry system. It's an endemic species.
In South-western Morocco, the Argan tree is basis of a traditional agroforestry system. It's an endemic species.
The Argan tree (Argania spinosa) is an endemic species of Morocco that plays an important socio-economic role through the value of its oil. Despite the importance of the species, the main propagation method is still by seed, which presents several disadvantages including a long juvenile phase and high genetic variability between plants. This work is part of the research program supporting the ‘’ Argan Project ‘’. It is coordinated by the Agro-technologies Association of Souss-Massa (Agrotech) in partnership with a consortium of researchers on the Argan tree.
The Argan tree (Argania spinosa) is an endemic species of Morocco that plays an important socio-economic role through the value of its oil. Despite the importance of the species, the main propagation method is still by seed, which presents several disadvantages including a long juvenile phase and high genetic variability between plants. This work is part of the research program supporting the ‘’ Argan Project ‘’. It is coordinated by the Agro-technologies Association of Souss-Massa (Agrotech) in partnership with a consortium of researchers on the Argan tree.
The purpose of this work is to protect this system which is no longer at equilibrium and there is an urgent need to renovate it. The natural reproduction of the tree has become difficult, and most attempts of artificial regeneration have failed!
The purpose of this work is to protect this system which is no longer at equilibrium and there is an urgent need to renovate it. The natural reproduction of the tree has become difficult, and most attempts of artificial regeneration have failed!
Argan tree plays a crucial role in the rural and urban economy of Morocco. Not only is the tree used in traditional medicine but its fruits contain almonds used to prepare an edible oil, its leaves are utilized to feed cattle, and its wood is used as fuel. In addition the tree is particularly well-adapted to arid lands and could hence be used to limit the desert progression that is threatening subtropical African countries. Consequently a program aimed at a better understanding of all the aspects and uses of the argan tree is currently being carried out in Morocco.
Argan tree plays a crucial role in the rural and urban economy of Morocco. Not only is the tree used in traditional medicine but its fruits contain almonds used to prepare an edible oil, its leaves are utilized to feed cattle, and its wood is used as fuel. In addition the tree is particularly well-adapted to arid lands and could hence be used to limit the desert progression that is threatening subtropical African countries. Consequently a program aimed at a better understanding of all the aspects and uses of the argan tree is currently being carried out in Morocco.