Studies on the Phenology of African Breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) in South Eastern Nigeria

Abstract

Studies on the phenology of African breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne) Moraceae was carried out monthly for three years (2012-2014) in five Southeastern States of Nigeria in two seasons, dry and wet. The study covered five towns across the States namely: Isulabor (Abia), Agulu (Anambra), Ezzamgbo (Ebonyi), Nenwe (Enugu) and Mbato (Imo State). The species was investigated to provide information on the species periods and pattern of leaf exchange, leaf dispersal, flowering, fruit formation, maturity and dropping. The species is semi-deciduous and fruits throughout the year with two fruiting periods (heavy and lean) which alternated each other. The reproductive and vegetative phenophases overlapped each other. The observations were consistent in all the location. Early October showed various degrees of vegetative growth; bud flush, leaf formation, maturity and leaf abscission, which spilled into November thus starting the dry season phenophases. In dry season, light flowering, fruit formation and maturity stretched from November to late March, while fruit dropping lasted from February to March. April as in October also showed various degrees of vegetative growth which spilling into May in the wet season. In the wet season, heavy period of flowering was from May to June, fruit formation, maturity, ripening and dropping began from July to September. These periods were shorter in the wet season than that of the dry season. T. africana had highest fruit dropping (heavy periods) in the wet season, alternated with lean periods in dry season. Therefore, the species is an indigenous Nigerian food crop that can mitigate seasonal food scarcity throughout the year.

Underutilised food crops for improving food security and nutrition health in Nigeria and Uganda—a review

“…It also thrives well in medium loamy as well as heavy clay soils with pH being ranging from mildly acidic to neutral and mildly basic (pH 5.0-8.5). The plant is well adapted to tropical and sub-tropical climate however, research is needed to determine its growth and performance in temperate climate (Amujiri et al, 2018). In Nigeria, the tree could be planted in privately owned fields for subsistence, although not close to houses, as the fall of the mature fruit can cause damage to the roof of buildings (Ojimelukwe and Ugwuona, 2021).…”

Endogenous knowledge and ethnobotanical importance of Treculia africana Decne. ssp. var. africana in southern Benin (West Africa

“…Treculia africana seed flours are used in a variety of foods such as porridges, pastries and weaning foods (Nwokocha and Ugbomoika, 2008). Among the Igbo people of Nigeria, the seeds of Treculia africana have been recognized as the food of choice for royalty which is specially served to celebrity when performing social obligations like marriage and traditional festivals (Amujiri et al, 2018). Apart from food, various authors have reported that the seeds of Treculia africana are very nutritious and are a source of vitamins, minerals, proteins, carbohydrates and lipids (Nnorom et al, 2015;Jonathan et al, 2016;Nwabueze et al, 2018;Okonkwo et al, 2020).…”

“…Many studies explored traditional knowledge on the dietary, socio-economic, cultural and medicinal aspects of Treculia africana (Enibe, 2007;Uluocha et al, 2016;Ajayi et al, 2017;Amujiri et al, 2018). Nevertheless, there is a lack of information on ethno-food and medicinal knowledge on this species in Benin.…”