Journal of
Horticulture and Forestry

  • Abbreviation: J. Hortic. For.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9782
  • DOI: 10.5897/JHF
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 316

Full Length Research Paper

Influence of climate on fruit production of the yellow plum, Ximenia americana, in Burkina Faso, West Africa

Ounyambila Lompo
  • Ounyambila Lompo
  • Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, Unit of Training and Research in Life and Earth Sciences, University Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
  • Google Scholar
Anne Mette Lykke
  • Anne Mette Lykke
  • Institute of Bioscience, Aarhus University, Vejlsøvej 25, 8600 Silkeborg, Denmark.
  • Google Scholar
Benjamin Lankoandé
  • Benjamin Lankoandé
  • Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, Unit of Training and Research in Life and Earth Sciences, University Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
  • Google Scholar
Amadé Ouédraogo
  • Amadé Ouédraogo
  • Laboratory of Plant Biology and Ecology, Unit of Training and Research in Life and Earth Sciences, University Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo, 03 BP 7021, Ouagadougou 03, Burkina Faso.
  • Google Scholar


  •  Received: 14 December 2017
  •  Accepted: 13 March 2018
  •  Published: 30 April 2018

Abstract

Fruits of Ximenia americana have socio-economic value for the local people in West Africa. Understanding the possible influence of climate conditions on fruit production is a basis for better exploitation planning and sustainable management of the species. This study aims to assess the fruit production of X. americana according to tree size across a climatic gradient. The mean total number of fruits, the mean weight of fruits and the total weight of fruits per tree were calculated based on a sample of 450 trees distributed in five stem diameter classes and three climatic zones. Stem diameter, total height and crown volume were measured for each sampled tree. The global fruit production ranged from 200.37 ± 32.65 to 1027.20 ± 267.72 fruits/tree according to tree size. Trees with larger crown volume produced more fruits with higher total weight than those with smaller crown. The climatic zone significantly affected fruit production (p < 0.0001). The highest fruit weight per tree was recorded in the south-Sudanian phytogeographic zone, with a mean value of 1.49 ± 0.26 kg while the lowest value was observed in the sub-Sahel zone, with 0.67 ± 0.11 kg. The best prediction models of X. americana fruit production included crown volume and climatic zone.

Key words: Fruit production, semi-arid climate, wild fruit tree, non-timber forest product, prediction.