Evaluation of the agroforestry potential of chrysophyllum albidum in the Akuapem North District.

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.

Source: KNUST