Diversity and use of traditional fruit species in selected home gardens or fruit orchards in Malaysia

I. Salma, A. Mohd. Nor, H. Masrom and M.L. Raziah

Abstract

The distribution and use of traditional fruit tree species were surveyed in four home gardens or orchards in four different sites in the country. Such data would provide important information required for initiating on-farm conservation efforts. Home gardens or orchards in Kampung Lingkungan, Sabah possessed the highest fruit species diversity followed by that in Kampung Changkul, Sarawak, Kampung Pintas, Sabah and Kampung Hulu Cheka, Jerantut, Pahang, Peninsular Malaysia. The fruit tree species provide food nutrition and food security but more importantly secure household income. The knowledge on the use of fruit tree species for medicines, healthcare and handicrafts is known among very few old folks and is vanishing without being passed on to the younger generations. The land use conversion also leads to a significant loss of fruit tree diversity.

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