XVI International Botanical Congess

Myroxylon balsamum or balsamo tree, source of balsam of El Salvador resin, is a tropical tree legume also used as shade in agroforestry and for timber production. Balsam of El Salvador resin is produced only in >La Costa del Balsamo.= For this study, we interviewed balsamo tapers (balsameros) and landowners, observed resin extraction, and investigated causes for the 40% reduction of balsamo natural stands in the last two decades. Some reasons suggested for the decline in natural stands are low local resin prices, overharvesting of the high-quality wood, lack of tree regeneration or reforestation, and unsustainable levels of resin production. Some solutions include forming local microenterprises to sell value-added products, diversifying the economy by developing markets for products from other local plants, using in vitro culture for production of planting stock to regenerate lost stands, and developing silvicultural practices to improve tree growth and nodulation by rhizobia bacteria.