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From page 61... ... , as well as in the four Central African neighbors, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Gabon. Throughout this region, it is an important source of nutrition and income for many farmers and is among the most widely used fruit trees. Read the entire page →
From page 62... ... In southeastern Nigeria, for example, it is traditionally used to get through the hungry season.2 On nutritional grounds alone, the more extensive use of butterfruits could 2 Information from J.C. Okafor. Read the entire page →
From page 63... ... Although presently unemployed or even untested in nutrition programs, it could in principle prove a lifesaver for children, nursing mothers, and the desperately sick. In this regard, the essential amino acid concentrations are noteworthy. Read the entire page →
From page 64... ... Fernandes, ecf3@cornell.edu) butterfruit specimens taken straight from the wild can produce more than twice as much oil as their counterparts in the wild oilpalm.4 Whereas the tree is grown in myriad farm fields and village compounds, it is not now cultivated in organized plantations. Read the entire page →
From page 65... ... Kengue. 8 A forward-looking monograph on butterfruit's potential is available in French from the International Centre for Underutilised Crops: Kengue, J Read the entire page →
From page 66... ... Taken all round, the species' prospects for both reforestation and nutrition programs seem to be excellent throughout much of the tropics. USES This is another of the versatile crops producing multiple products of importance to rural peoples, including the following: Fresh Fruits The fruits can be eaten raw, but the pulp softens and comes off the seed easiest after a brief heating. Read the entire page →
From page 67... ... In southeastern Nigeria, the tree is used as an indicator of the planting season: When butterfruit leaves emerge, it is time to plant the crops. The kernel is said to be useful in dissolving stones in the kidneys. Read the entire page →
From page 68... ... .12 HORTICULTURE At present, these fruits are mostly gathered from trees cultivated on farms or in village compounds. In other words, there are few intensive plantings. Read the entire page →
From page 69... ... Vegetative propagation provides the opportunity to multiply the female trees, especially ones with desirable traits. HARVESTING AND HANDLING The fruits are ripe when they have darkened from pink to blue/black. Read the entire page →
From page 70... ... . Food Security Assessment As noted, people in southeastern Nigeria rely on butterfruit to survive the hungry season. Read the entire page →
From page 71... ... In southeastern Nigeria, for instance, forms that ripen several months after the normal season have been observed;17 • Reducing pests and diseases; • Improving field management. Better practices, alone, will result in better yields and more extensive cultivation. Read the entire page →
From page 72... ... 1982. Biologie florale du safoutier (Dacryodes edulis) Read the entire page →
From page 73... ... H.J. Lam Family Burseraceae Synonyms Pachylobus edulis, Pachylobus edulis var. Read the entire page →
From page 74... ... Horticultural Varieties There are no named cultivars but, botanically speaking, the species involves at least two distinct varieties:22 • Dacryodes edulis var. edulis has large fruit, usually more than 5 cm long by 2.5 cm wide; • Dacryodes edulis var. Read the entire page →
From page 75... ... BUTTERFRUIT 75 Soil Seems not to present a limitation. The species has been reported growing on oxisols, ultisols, loamy clay, sandy clay, humic ferralitic soils, deep loam rich in organic matter, andosols, and ferriginous (chalybeate) Read the entire page →

From page 61...

... , as well as in the four Central African neighbors, Cameroon, Congo-Brazzaville, Congo-Kinshasa, and Gabon. Throughout this region, it is an important source of nutrition and income for many farmers and is among the most widely used fruit trees.