ISHS Acta Horticulturae 531: II ISHS Conference on Fruit Production in the Tropics and Subtropics
STUDIES ON POMOLOGY OF THE AFRICAN PEAR (Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) HJ Lam) IN NIGERIA |
| Authors: | H.A. Okorie, T.O.C. Ndubizu, M.J.J. Janssens |
| Keywords: | selection, uses, value |
| Abstract:
The African pear (Dacryodes edulis (G. Don) HJ Lam), also commonly called 'safoutier' or 'bush butter' is one of the numerous indigenous African tropical fruit trees species currently facing the danger of extinction. Despite its multi-purpose value as food, medicine, livestock feed, ornamental, and a source of high quality non-greasy natural oil with possibly numerous industrial uses, this species had in the past received very little research attention. Presently, the species is not yet fully domesticated. There is a conspicuous lack of basic information in the horticultural and pomological attributes of the African pear, including the extent and nature of variability within the species. Using extensive field surveys and nursery germination studies, we tried to bridge this information gap, which has so far greatly hampered efforts in the development, conservation and optimum utilisation of the species. Of the 23 pomological and vegetative characters examined, only fruit length/breadth ratio proved to a large extent reliable in categorisation of the species into large, medium and small fruit types. A continuous and more or less overlapping trend of variation was predominant and this was attributed to several generations of natural crossing within the species. A great deal of intra-specific variations of horticultural value exists in the African pear to warrant the initiation of a selection and improvement programme. | |
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