Prioritization of indigenous fruit tree species with domestication and commercialization potential in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

Abstract

Indigenous fruit tree species (IFTs) can play a crucial role in poverty alleviation and as a source of food in South Africa. Although these species contain nutrient-rich edible fruits that are also locally processed to food products such as jams and jellies, they are still underutilized and also harvested from the wild. This study aimed to prioritize in northern KwaZulu-Natal, IFTs with domestication and commercialization potential. A literature survey and focus groups were used to list tree species that produce edible fruits with this potential. Plant experts, through focus groups and reference group meetings, further ranked fruit trees using a scorecard method based on various attributes. A total of 29 prioritized IFTs was obtained, of which the Sapotaceae was the most represented family with a maximum of four species. Based on scorecard assessment, the most preferred species in descending order were Strychnos spinosa Lam., Garcinia livingstonei T.Anderson, Englerophytum magalismontanum (Sond.) T.D.Penn, Sclerocarya birrea (A.Rich) Hochst., Dovyalis caffra (Hook.f. & Harv) Hook.f., Vangueria infaustia Burch. and Berchemia zeyheri (Sond.) Grubov. Strychnos spinosa was ranked as the first most important IFTs with a final score of 151, whereas Berchemia zeyheri was ranked the least with the final score of 146.1. However, the final scores of all most preferred species were relatively similar to one another. The top seven species identified in this study should be considered as a baseline for future IFTs development programmes such as domestication, whereby these species are introduced to smallholder farmers and food processing industries.

Underutilized African indigenous fruit trees and food–nutrition security: Opportunities, challenges, and prospects

“…They are mainly low in fat and calories, rich in carbohydrate and fiber as well as vitamins. These selected fruits have a potential dynamic role for providing a healthy diet (Stadlmayr, Charrondière, Eisenwagen, Jamnadass, & Kehlenbeck, 2013;Vincente, Manganaris, Ortiz, Sozzi, & Crisosto, 2014;Nkosi et al 2020). Common organic acids found in the indigenous fruits are citric, malic, tartaric, oxalic, lactic, acetic and iso-citric acid (Table 3).…”

“…c. Low level of acceptability and accessibility of indigenous fruits: This is a major challenge facing underutilized indigenous fruit trees, and it is mostly borne out of general lack of interest and neglect of the wild fruits (Bvenura & Sivakumar, 2017). Hence, most of the fruit trees still grow in the wild and/or are cultivated on a small scale due to lack to proper access to capital for investment or fear of the risk involved in plantation (Nkosi et al 2020). Hence, the production as well as availability and accessibility is often limited.…”

“…d. Insidious domination and preference for the exotic fruit tree species: The over-reliance of the majority of the African populace on the popular exotic fruit species such as apples and strawberry is a key problem in Africa (Byron & Arnold, 1999;Shackleton, Shackleton, Buiten, & Bird, 2007). This has in turn slowed down the expected growth needs that should have ensued through commercialization of the fruit tree cropping and marketing for food and nutrition security (Nkosi et al 2020). This has also somewhat contributed to the limited income generated for the local farmers contributing to the low level of rural development in most countries in Africa (Rogan, 2016).…”

“…Approaches aimed at unlocking the potential of indigenous fruit trees are currently receiving increasing attention globally (Nkosi et al 2020). In order to derive benefits from the 10 selected indigenous fruit, the following areas need to be actively pursued.…”

“…In Africa, many indigenous fruit trees have lost their natural habitat to deforestation resulting from exponential human population growth (Cemansky, 2015;Estrada & Coates-Estrada, 1996;Fischer & Lindenmayer, 2007). FAO (2010) and Nkosi et al (2020) highlighted the great potentials of indigenous fruits in the local and international economy.…”