TY  - JOUR
T1  - Shea Butter Tree (<em>Vitellaria paradoxa</em> Gaertn.) Fruit Yield in Relation to Dendrometric Traits and Land-Use in Uganda
AU - Byakagaba, Patrick AU - Eilu, Gerald AU - Okullo, John Bosco L. AU - Mwavu, Edward N. AU - Tumwebaze, Susan B. 
JO  - Research Journal of Applied Sciences
VL  - 7
IS  - 2
SP  - 92
EP  - 99
PY  - 2012
DA  - 2001/08/19
SN  - 1815-932x
DO  - rjasci.2012.92.99
UR  - https://makhillpublications.co/view-article.php?doi=rjasci.2012.92.99
KW  - Inter-annual variability
KW  -fruit production
KW  -DBH
KW  -crown diameter
KW  -Vitellaria savanna
AB  - <em>Vitellaria paradoxa</em> is one of the dominant and important fruit tree species in savanna woodlands
of Africa. The butter extracted from the nuts of this tree is used in medicine, food and cosmetics. However, there
is limited information on factors that influence fruit production in <em>V. paradoxa</em>. Researchers conducted a 2 years
study to assess fruit yield of this tree in relation to dendrometric traits and land use types in four localities
within the Shea Belt of Uganda. We determined the patterns of fruit yield by land use categories; inter-annual
variability in fruit yield between successive years and different tree sizes. We also developed fruit yield
prediction models based on dendrometric traits and land use types. Sampling was done in sites with old fallows,
young fallows and cultivated fields within selected districts of the Shea belt in Uganda. Four plots of 50x50 m
were established systematically in each land use type. Fruiting trees were randomly selected and fruit yield
assessed over two fruiting seasons. Current fields and young fallows had better fruit yield compared to old
fallows. Fruit yield varied between the 2 years of data collection. Most dendrometric traits exhibited a weak
positive correlation with fruit yield. The likelihood of fruit yield increase was high in current fields than fallows.
Trees with few branches at first forking of the stem were more likely to have better fruit yield than those with
many branches. Therefore, Dbh, land use types and number of branches at first forking were suitable
explanatory variables for fruit yield prediction. Farmers need to preserve large DBH trees with few branches at
first forking under conditions of either current fields or young fallow if fruit production is the main objective
of managing Shea parklands.
ER  -