KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES FACULTY OF RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF AGROFORESTRY EVALUATION OF THE AGROFORESTRY POTENTIAL OF Chrysophyllum albidum IN THE AKUAPEM NORTH DISTRICT BY MARGARET ADU-BOADU BSc. (HONS) JUNE 2009 KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES FACULTY OF RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF AGROFORESTRY EVALUATION OF THE AGROFORESTRY POTENTIAL OF Chrysophyllum albidum IN THE AKUAPEM NORTH DISTRICT BY MARGARET ADU-BOADU BSc. (HONS) JUNE 2009 KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY COLLEGE OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES FACULTY OF RENEWABLE NATURAL RESOURCES DEPARTMENT OF AGROFORESTRY EVALUATION OF THE AGROFORESTRY POTENTIAL OF Chrysophyllum albidum IN THE AKUAPEM NORTH DISTRICT A THESIS SUBMITTED TO KWAME NKRUMAH UNIVERSITY OF SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY IN PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE MASTER OF SCIENCE (MSc.) DEGREE IN AGROFORESTRY BY MARGARET ADU-BOADU BSc. (HONS) JUNE 2009 DECLARATION I hereby declare that this submission is my own work towards the Master of Science degree in Agroforestry and thus all references and quotations cited in support of the results and the concomitant arguments have been duly acknowledged. ………………………. Margaret Adu-Boadu Student ……………………….. …………………… Prof S. J. Quashie-Sam Dr Olivia Agbenyega Supervisor Head of Department i DEDICATION This work is dedicated to my husband, Mr Samuel Adu-Boadu and all my children. ii ABSTRACT In the selection of trees for any agroforestry system there is the need for its evaluation, in order to get the tree species that will be suitable for a particular locality. One of such trees that can be found growing successfully in the Akuapem North District where the research was conducted is the Chrysophyllum albidum. This is one of those neglected and under- utilized wild fruit tree species of our forests. Investigations were conducted into the potentials of Chrysophyllum albidum in towns and villages such as Adawso, Asempaneye, Bewase, Kabu, Konko, Nyamebekyere, Saforo and Tinkong. Secondly, various pre- germinating treatments were applied to the seeds to establish the best treatment options. In all, there were seven treatments: T1 (seeds sown fresh), T2 ( seeds soaked in water for 8 days), T3 (seeds soaked in hot water), 100 C, T4 (seeds cracked and soaked overnight), T5 ( seeds soaked in water for 10 days), T6 (seeds soaked in water for 12 days) and T7 (seeds cracked and sown) with three replicates. A third experiment was conducted to determine the initial growth rate of the seedlings. Proximate analysis of the fruit, seeds and leaves of Chrysophyllum albidum was done to identify the nutrient status of these parts. Food product development was undertaken and sensory evaluation was carried out using questionnaires. The result obtained from the socio-economic survey revealed that in all the 8 study sites only about 49 farmers own the trees. The fruits from one tree could be sold between GH cedis 50 and 100 at the farm-gate. The results of pre-germination treatment revealed that soaking seeds in hot water at 100 0 C (T3) destroyed the embryo as none of the seeds germinated. Highest percentage germination of 87% was recorded for seeds soaked in water for 8 days (T2), followed by seeds soaked in water for 10 days (T5) and (T1 - control) with a value of 77%. The least value of 47% was recorded for seeds cracked and soaked overnight. The experiment carried out to determine the initial growth rate of the seedlings from the pre- treated seeds indicated that the height of seedlings was highest in T2 – with a mean seedling height of 33.5 cm. T6 produced the lowest mean seedling height of 27.0 cm. The result obtained from the proximate analysis of the fruit, seeds, and leaves showed that the fruit is strongly acidic with pH value being 2.9 at 22.8 degree Celsius. One gram sample each of the leaves, seeds and the fruit (fibre) analysed at the laboratory gave the following results: the leaves had 14.9% protein, 1.2% calcium, 0.5% magnesium and 0.06% phosphorus. The seeds showed a protein content of 82%, calcium 0.3%, magnesium 0.03%and phosphorus 0.03%. The fruit (fibre) had protein nil, calcium 0.6s%, magnesium 0.2% and phosphorus 0.05% The sensory evaluation test also revealed that the drink from Chrysophyllum albidum fruit had the highest overall acceptability value of 43.4 followed by Chrysophyllum albidum fruit and ginger mixed drink with a value of 41.4. The least of the overall acceptability of the drinks was recorded with the orange drink having a value of 29.1. In conclusion, Chrysophyllum albidum has great potentials in enhancing the livelihood of the people in the Akuapem North District. It can play a potential role in agroforestry systems for sustainable food production and diversification of income of the people. iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT I am very grateful to my supervisors, Professor S. J. Quashie-Sam, Dr Olivia Agbenyega and Dr. Barnes for their contributions and supervisory role they played in this work. Next, I would like to express my profound gratitude to Dr Barnes and all my lecturers, the senior members in the Agroforestry Department of the Institute of Renewable Natural Resources, under the College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, KNUST, for making me what I am today. I am also indebted to my husband, Mr. S. Adu-Boadu, who permitted and assisted me to pursue this programme. Furthermore, I would like to express my sincere gratitude to the following for their various contributions and assistance; Mr. Siaw Darfour of ADB Accra, Jemimah, Daniel, Amos, Evangel, Mr.Boateng of the Institute of Plant Genetic Resource Centre,Bunso, Mr.Garbrah, District Director of Agriculture, Ministry of Food and Agriculture, Akuapem Akropong, Mr. Dziwornu formerly of UCC, Enock Opoku (research and teaching assistant at the Department of Agroforestry), Sussie, and all my course mates. iv TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION … … … … … … … i DEDICATION … … … … … … …… … ii ABSTRACT… … … … … … …… … iii ACKNOWLEDGEMENT … … … … … … iv TABLE OF CONTENTS… … … … … … …… v LIST OF TABLES… … … … … … …… … x LIST OF FIGURES… … … … … … …… xi LIST OF PLATES … … … … … … …… … xii Chapter One … … … … … … …… … 1 1.1 Background of the Study … … … … … … 1 1.2 The Problem Statement … … … … … … 5 1.3 Justification of the Study … … … … … … 7 1.4 Aim and Objectives … … … … … … 8 1.6 Research Questions … … … … … … 8 1.5 Organization of the Study … … … … … 9 Chapter Two … … … … … … …… … 10 Literature Review … … … … … … … … 10 2.1 Chrysophyllum albidum in Agroforestry … … … … 10 2.2 Meaning of Agroforestry … … … … … … 11 2.2.1 Need for Agroforestry … … … … … 12 2.2.2 Characteristics of Agroforestry … … … … 12 v 2.3 Agroforestry Potentials of Tree and Shrub Species … … 13 2.3.1 Nitrogen Fixation … … … … … … 14 2.3.2 Soil Improvement … … … … … … 15 2.3.3 Soil Conservation … … … … … … 16 2.3.4 Windbreaks and Shelterbelts … … … … 17 2.3.5 Supply of Fuelwood, Timber, Food and other Products … 18 2.2.6 Potential Negative Effects of Trees on Soils … … 20 2.4 Chrysophyllum albidum … … … … … … 21 2.4.1 Taxonomy of Chrysophyllum albidum G. Don … … 21 2.4.2 The Tree of Chrysophyllum albidum … … … 23 2.4.3 Nutritive Value of Chrysophyllum albidum Fruit … … 25 2.4.4 Ecology and Distribution of Chrysophyllum albidum … 26 2.4.5 Relationship with Environment … … … … 27 2.4.6 Chrysophyllum albidum Cultivation … … … 29 2.4.7 Dormancy of Seeds … … … … … … 30 2.4.7.1 Types of Seed Dormancy … … … … … 31 2.4.7.2 Causes and Methods of Breaking of Dormancy … … 31 2.4.8 Pests and Diseases of Chrysophyllum albidum … … 34 2.4.9 Post–Harvest Pests and Diseases of Chrysophyllum … 35 2.4.10 Post-Harvest Handling and Treatment … … 36 2.4.11 Uses of Chrysophyllum albidum … … … … 38 Chapter Three … … … … … … …… … 40 3.1 Selection Of Study Area … … … … … … 40 vi 3.2 Description Of The Study Area … … … … … 40 3.2.1 Relief and Drainage … … … … … … 42 3.2.2 Vegetation… … … … … … …… 42 3.2.3 Soils and Climate … … … … … … 44 3.2.4 Population, Ethnicity and Economic Activities … … 44 3.3 Study Methodology And Data Collection … … … … 46 3.3.1 Socio-Economic Survey … … … … … 46 3.3.2 Experiments To Determine Germination Percentages … 48 3.3.3 Initial Growth Rate Experiments (Growth Parameters) … 49 3.3.4 Proximate Analysis of Fruit, Leaves and Seeds … … 50 3.3.5 Food Product Development … … … … 50 3.4 Data Analysis and Analytical Tools … … … … … 51 3.5 Limitations of the Study … … … … … … 52 Chapter Four… … … … … … …… … 54 Results … … … … … … … … … 54 4.1 Characteristics of Respondents … … … … … 54 4.1.1 Age Distribution of Respondents … … … … 55 4.1.2 Educational Level of Respondents … … … … 56 4.1.3 Ethnicity … … … … … … …… 56 4.1.4 Land Ownership and Size of Farm Holdings … … 57 4.1.5 Number of C. albidum trees owned by Respondents … 58 4.1.6 Marketing Strategies of Fruits … … … … 58 4.2 Cumulative Mean Daily Germination … … … … … 60 vii 4.3. Initial Growth Rates of C. albidum Seedlings … … … 61 4.4 Proximate Analysis of fruit, leaves and seeds … … … 65 4.4.1 Nutritive value of various parts of Chrysophyllum albidum … 65 4.5 Food Product Development … … … … … …… 65 4.5.1 Drinks… … … … … …… … … 66 4.5.2 Pastries … … … … … … …… 72 Chapter Five … … … … … …… … … 78 Discussion … … … … … … … … … 78 5.1 Chrysophyllum albidum as a Source of Livelihood for the People … 78 5.2 Germination of Chrysophyllum albidum Seeds … … … 80 5.3 Initial Growth Rate of Chrysophyllum albidum Seedlings