Provenance variation in a Sclerocarya birrea provenance trial ten weeks after planting at Enyandeni in Zimbabwe | Tree seed news
2001
Rukuni, D. | Maruzane, D. | Zirobwa, M. | Shumba, E. M.
Slerocarya birrea is a semi-arid indigenous fruit tree species found in eastern and southern Africa. The drought resistance of this tree is reported to be due to the presence of tuberous roots whose role is to store sugar and water that can be used during long drought periods (Alexandre, 1992). Groot and Soumare (1995) also reported an extensive lateral root system of 5.8 times the crown radius and the area exploited by tree roots was reported to be 34 times the crown area which also explains its drought resistant characteristics. The natural habitat of this species stretches from Kenya in the east to South Africa and Namibia in the southern-most tip of Africa. It is found in association with Colophospermum mopane, Kirkia acuminata, Acacia nigrescens, A. karro, A. erioloba and Adansonia digitata. In Zimbabwe, it is found in hot climates at low altitudes. The trees are occasionally found in cultivated fields as a source of fruit for making beer or wine. Livestock relish the fruits too. Shackleton (1996) reported that S. birrea fruits are important contributors to rural household economies in the central Transvaal lowveld in South Africa. Rukuni et al.,(1998) also reported the importance of this tree to rural household economies in southern Zimbabwe.
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