Impact of environmental conditions on fruit production patterns of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertn) in West Africa

Abstract

A better knowledge of the impact of environmental conditions on shea tree’s fruit production is critical to improve the species management. Fruit production of 237 shea trees was monitored over five successive years (2014–2018) to understand how climatic variables, shea tree population and land use could affect fruit production patterns of the species in Burkina Faso. Data were collected in 12 shea tree populations distributed in three climatic zones with two contrast land use systems. The results showed that fruit production was negatively correlated with mean annual temperature, temperature seasonality, rainfall seasonality and solar radiation, while it was positive with annual rainfall. Therefore, fruiting modelling is needed to predict the impact of future climate change on reproductive ability of the species. In each climatic zone, fruit production was significantly different among shea tree populations (p < 0.05). Within populations, fruit production greatly varies among years with specific patterns of variation. Land use had significant effect on fruit production of shea tree (p < 0.05). Annually, shea trees produced about 12 times more in agroforestry parklands than in protected areas. Interannual variation in fruit production at individual tree level was higher in protected areas. The cultivation of shea tree is recommended to improve its fruit productivity.

Leaf and fruit characteristics of Parkia biglobosa (Jacq.) Benth according to agro climatic zones and land use in Southern Mali

“…Oyerinde et al (2018) reported a possible effect of land use type on the difference between sites with respect to P. biglobosa fruit variables. For V. paradoxa (another parkland tree species), several authors have reported that human activities have a positive influence on fruit production and this positive effect is partly due to agricultural practices like reduction of tree density, plowing, weeding and crops fertilization, tree selection (Lamien et al, 2004;Okullo et al, 2004;Kelly et al, 2007;Bondé et al, 2013;Kelly et al, 2019). A significant effect of land use on fruit production has also been reported for Sclerocaya birrea (Shackleton et al, 2002) and for Lannea microcarpa (Haameyer et al, 2013).…”

Potential Geographical Distribution and Ecological Suitability of Lemon in Sichuan Based on MaxEnt

“…Fan et al compared the changes of geographical distribution of Rosa roxburghii in China in current, 2050s and 2070s under RCP4.5 and RCP8.5 scenarios based on MaxEnt [57]. There are many environmental factors affecting the growth and distribution of fruit trees, such as climate, soil type, vegetation type, topographic factor, variety type, biotic interactions and human activities [58][59][60]. In addition to climate variables, the future changes of most other variables cannot be evaluated quantitatively at present.…”

The Current State of Knowledge of Shea Butter Tree (Vitellaria paradoxa C.F.Gaertner.) for Nutritional Value and Tree Improvement in West and Central Africa

“…Both women and men have commercialized the shea tree [181,182]. The commercialization of shea tree kernels contributes 66% to household income in Burkina Faso [178].…”