Methods were developed to quantify variation in the fruit, nut and kernel traits using the fruits from four trees of Irvingia gabonensis, an indigenous fruit tree of west and central Africa. The measurement of 18 characteristics of 16–32 fruits per tree identified significant variation in fruit, nut and kernel size and weight, and flesh depth. Differences were also identified in shell weight and brittleness, fruit taste, fibrosity and flesh colour. Relationships between fruit size and weight with nut and kernel size and weight were found to be very weak, indicating that it is not possible to accurately predict the traits of the commercially-important kernel from fruit traits. Seven key qualitative traits are recommended for future assessments of the levels of genetic variation in fruits and kernels. These traits describe ideotypes for fresh fruit and kernel production.
Tag: nut crops
Accelerated domestication and commercialization of indigenous fruit and nut trees to enhance better livelihoods in the tropics: lessons and way forward
The objectives of this chapter are: (i) to provide a global synthesis of knowledge on indigenous fruit tree domestication, utilization and marketing experiences from tropical Africa, Latin America and Asia; (ii) to summarize and highlight the main opportunities, achievements and challenges that remain, linking basic research and development initiatives to applications in the private sector; and (iii) to propose future research areas. This chapter highlights key findings and puts in perspective the implications from the preceding chapters in the context of lessons learned from decades of domestication and commercialization of indigenous fruit trees in the tropics