Production, domestication and genetic improvement of Vitex doniana Sweet: an overview

Black plum (Vitex doniana Sweet) is a sub-Saharan African wild species of the family Lamiaceae that significantly contribute to improving local communities’ livelihoods, especially in women. It generated an average income of US$D 80 during the vegetable harvesting season, per individual seller. This species has numerous applications for not only rural dwellers, but also for those in urban areas where it is used for food, healthcare and arts. However, the plant is overexploited by users of this multipurpose species. Among the threatening factors are bushfires and the low natural regeneration due to poor seed germination caused by seed dormancy. This overexploitation will induce the depletion and disappearance of the species in its natural habitat, thus causing an ecological imbalance and genetic erosion. The conservation of this species must therefore be done through its preservation in the natural environment, production, domestication and awareness of the populations. In this work, we review the existing literature on the species, focusing on geographic distribution, utilisation and threats to natural populations, propagation and agronomy, national and international trade, conservation of genetic resources, prospects for domestication and commercial production, and methods for genetic improvement. The findings provide an overview to guide the development of strategies for genetic resource conservation, domestication, commercial production, and genetic improvement to meet the increasing demand for this resource.