A survey on fruiting of triplochiton k. schum.and the insect pests made in 1969-1970
1970
Jones, N., Forest Products Research Institute, Kumasi | Kudler, J., Forest Products Research Institute, Kumasi
The irregularly flowering Triplochiton scleroxylon, an important West African plantation species, came into flower in November 1969. Phenological studies on this species have continued in Ghana since 1966 and the current flowering was an opportunity to study fruit developent. Studies during the last flowerIug season showed that the quality and quantity of fruits mat.uring were seriously ImpaIred by two weevils, Apion spp. Early observations indicated a high level of attack on very young flowering material. Since the weevih;' life cycle is only 3 to 4 weeks, this leads to a massive population increase during the fruiting season. Flowering was recorded in other West African countries and a survey was designed to examine flower development and the incidence of insect attack. Collections were made from Liberia to the East Cameroun in January-February 1970, and the results were compared with the studies made in Ghana throughout this fruiting season. A number of insects emerged from the collections of flowering material and were identified. Flower development at the eastern and western limits of the T. scleroxylon range is slower than in the Ivory Coast, Ghana or Nigeria. There is no doubt that the weevil discovered in Ghana is responsible for the poor quality and quantity of T. scleroxylon fruits which develop in a flowering year throughout West Africa
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