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Green-seeds.com:
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REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF FRUIT RESEARCH IN ZAMBIA
D.S. Mingochi
Senior Agricultural Research Officer,
National Irrigation Research Station,
P/Bag S-3, Mazabuka , Zambia
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Abstract
 In
Zambia, research in fruit crops started in early seventies. Research
activities were directed to, identify and develop important crops,
develop production packages, develop propagation methods, and identify
major pests and diseases and their control: The research work mainly
covered exotic fruit trees. Little work has been done on indigenous
fruit plants. This paper outlines previous research studies and highlights
achievements and research gaps.
In
Zambia fruits play a major role in the diets of most households. Fruits
are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. The production
and processing of fruits are labour intensive and therefore save to
provide employment to a large segment of the population. A lot of
people are involved in the marketing and trading of fruits to earn
income. Fruits, especially indigenous species are well adapted and
can ensure household food security during periods of natural diasters
such as droughts.
The tropical climatic conditions in Zambia provide opportunities for
the cultivation of various types of fruit species such as Mango, papaya,
bananas, guava, passion fruit, loquat, pineapple, avocado, citrus,
apple, pear, peach, pomegranate, apricot, plum and grapes. Beyond
the cultivated species, there are a large number of indigenous fruit
species (Appendix l).
The
indigenous fruit species are collected from the wild and are largely
under utilised. Though many of these species have some commercial
value in their unprocessed forms and usually find their way into urban
markets, their potential as industrial raw products is largely unexploited.
Little work has been done towards their improvement, domestication
or conservation. Some of the fruit species may be endangered making
their conservation a matter of urgency. Recently, a national fruit
tree and plantation crops working group was formed to advice on the
conservation of these crops. The fruit crop working group has determined
factors to be considered in the conservation of indigenous fruit species.
These factors include: level of genetic variation, genetic erosion,
economic value, social value, potential for domestication, ease of
propagation, nutritional value and extent of usage and cultivation.
Research
In
Zambia, research in fruit crops started in the early seventies. Fruit
research falls largely under the Tree and plantation crops programme
which covers fruits, nuts, and coffee. The overall research objective
is to enhance the development of a viable industry in the fruit sector.
Specific
objectives of the programme are:
- To identify fruit species that can be developed into important crops.
- To develop production packages for important fruit crops.
- To develop propagation methods to ensure disease and pest free propagules.
- To identify major pets and diseases and their control measures.
Over
the years, the following studies have been carried out in Zambia.
Propagation
Orange
root stock trial
Mandarin
root stock trial
Grape
fruit root stock trial.
Lemon
root stock trial
Comparative
performance of seedlings and budded plants of mandarin varieties Dancy
and Satsuma.
Tree
propagation
Malling
merton apple rootstock
In-vitro
propagation of indigenous fruits.
East
malling rootstock for apples.
Breeding
Mandarin
and Mandarin hybrid variety trial.
Mango
varietal trial
Tree
crops introduction
Development
of local fruits.
Banana frost reaction trial
Peaches,
Nectarines, Apples, Apricots and plums adaption trials
Solo
pawpaw breeding trials
Observations
on table grape
Temperate
fruit introduction
Orange
varietal observation trial.
Agronomy
Determination
of the fertilizer requirements for citrus fruits in Zambia.
Fixing
of maturity standards for harvesting of different citrus cultivars
under Zambian conditions.
Intercropping
of leguminous crops under citrus plantations with special reference
to application of fetilizers and effects on fruit quality.
Mulching
cum irrigation trial in Valencia late orange.
Banana
NPK trial.
Pruning
observation on grapes.
Observations
on windbreak trees.
Protective
hedges for orchards.
Ground
cover tree plantations.
Effects
of cover crops on soil and fruit trees.
Citrus
quality assessment and maturity standards.
Ripening
of mangoes, relative to stage of maturity at harvest and methods of
packing for transportation.
Banana
production trial.
Plant protection
Citrus
aphid control trial.
Control
of Cerrospora angolensis on Citrus.
Studies
on Citrus Woolly Whitefly (Aleurothrixus flucosus)
Achievements
The
research studies have yielded a lot of useful results. From the evaluation
trials adaptable citrus varieties have been identified and recommended
for cultivation in Zambia. These include orange varieties Valencia
late, Hamlin, Washington navel and Oasis; Mandarin Dancy tangerine;
Grapefruit Marsh seedless and Redblush; Lemons Eureka and Lisbon respectively.
The suitability of various combinations of Citrus rootstock and scions
have been determined. The results indicated that Orange varieties
(Valencia late, Hamlin and Oasis), Mandarin (Dancy tangerine) and
Grape fruits (Marsh seedless and Red blush) produce the highest yields
when budded on rough lemon rootstocks. In the absence of lemon rootstocks,
the next best yields can be obtained on Cleopatra Mandarin and Troyer
citrange respectively. Lemon cultivars give the highest fruit harvest
on Sour orange rootstock. The second best for lemons is Sampson tangelo.
It was found that trees that have been budded on the recommended rootstocks
give commercial yields of good quality after five years from planting.
From
the studies on the introduction and adaptation of temperate fruits,
certain adaptable varieties have been identified. These include Apples
Anna and Ein-e-sheme, Apricot (Canino), Peaches 26 /31, Early amber
and Seinbred nectarine respectively. It has been found that these
varieties may be grown with a comparative degree of success.
Several
agronomic studies have been conducted for a number of major fruit
species. Cultivation packages such as fertilizer requirements, planting
methods, pruning, mulching and pest and disease control have been
worked out. Information has been published in handbooks, pamphlets
and reports. Pre-liminary studies have been conducted by the National
Council for Scientific Research on the micro-propagation, domestification
and utilisation of some indigenous wild fruits. Recently the fruit
research programme activities were prioritised to streamline the research
thrust. It focuses on Banana, Citrus and Mango as major fruit tree
crops alongside a modest, programme of introduction and evaluation
of exotic Tropical and subtropical fruits.
Research Capacity
The
Tree and Plant Research Programme is composed of only three Professional
officers (BSc. Minimum) and a handful of technical staff. There is
lack of staff with adequate training and experience to carry out meaningful
research across such diverse species and agro-ecological zones. There
is need to increase the number in order to create a strong national
team of Cadres.
The Tree and Plantation Research Programme including fruits is financed
by government. The government budget is often very little to meet
the operations of the programme. There are no facilities such as laboratories,
equipment, Cold rooms and glasshouses that are required to carry out
fruit research.
Other institutions involved in fruit crop research
The
National Council for Scientific Research has spearheaded research
work in the micro propagation and utilisation of some indigenous fruit
crops notably Uapaca kirkiana.
The
Forestry department and a number of NGOS are involved in the propagation
and distribution of indigenous fruits seedlings . The Crop Science
Department, University of Zambia has carried out studies in propagation
of Mangoes and bananas.
The
National Food and Nutrition Commission has conducted household surveys
on the utilisation of traditional food plants including fruits. The
National Plant Genetics Resource Program is involved in conservation
work. Collaboration and co-operation at international region level
has almost been non-existent for fruits crop research. Recently, a
regional project on the control of Citrus whitefly in Eastern and
Southern Africa was initiated and Zambia is a participating country.
A survey study on the occurrence of the Citrus whitefly has been carried
out.
Research gaps
Limited
varietal base and lack of improved varieties for most of the fruit
crops.
Prevalence
of pest and diseases in many fruit crops and inadequate research in
control methods.
Citrus
| phaeoramularia angolensis
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| Citrus white fly (Aleurothixus flucosus)
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| Various scale insects
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| Mango
| Anthracnose
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Inadequate
information on production constraints, technology transfer and cost
benefit studies.
Inadequate
of research on indigenous fruits.
Inadequate
personnel, funding and facilities.
Lack
of research in biotechnology.
Lack
of post harvest research.
References
Ministry
of Agriculture and Water Development MAWD. 1983. Tree Crops Research
Co-ordinators report.
MAWD.
1981. Tree Crop Co-ordinators report.
MAWD.
1980. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report, 1979-1980.
MAWD.
1982. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report.
MAWD.
1978. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report.
MAWD.
1972. Tree Crop Annual report 1971-1972.
L.K.
Sikena, 1993. Tree Crops Research Review. Ministry of Agriculture
Food and Fisheries (MAFF)
L.K.
Sikena, 1994. Tree and Plantation Crops Annual report. MAFF.
L.K.
Sikena, 1996. Paper at Workshop on domestication of indigenous fruit
trees. MAFF.
MAFF.
1995. Present status of Plant Genetic Resources in Zambia. Country
report for the International Conference and Programme on Plant Genetic
Resources compiled by: Mwale, W.M., Mwila, G.P., Zulu, E.D., Mingochi,
D.S. and W. Chita.
FAO
. 1988. Traditional food plants. pp593. Rome.
Appendix: Indigenous fruit species in Zambia.
Species
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Part used
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Common name
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Fruit
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Seed
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Adasonia digitata
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Drink, porridge, snack
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Roasted and eaten
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Baobab (E)
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Anisophyllea boemii
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Eaten fresh, jam
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Mufungo (B)
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Annona benegalensis
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Mulofo (B)
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Azanza garckeana
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Eaten raw, relish
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Makole (T)
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Balanites aegytiaca
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Drink
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Mukelete (L,T)
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Bauhinia petersiana
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Berchemia discolor
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Eaten raw, porridge
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Mwiyi (T)
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Borassus aethiopum
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Whole fruit
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Bridelia micrantha
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Edible fruit, dye
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Cordyla africana
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Wild mango (E)
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Dialium engleranum
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Fruit pulp
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Muhamani (T,L)
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Diosypyros mespiliformis
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Eaten fresh
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Diosypros kirkii
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Eaten raw
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Nchenja (B,T)
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Ekebergia banguelensis
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Edible
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Garcinia livigstonei
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Eaten raw, porridge
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Mutungwa (L,T), Mpule
(N)
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Garcinia huillensis
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Eaten raw
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Nsongwa (B)
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Grevia flavescens
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Fruit pulp
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Namulomo (L)
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Guipourtia coleosperma
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Seed eaten or used as
oil
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Muzauli (L)
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Hexalobus monopetalus
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Eaten raw
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Mkandachembele (N)
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Hyphaene ventricosa
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Wine or spirit
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Buttons, bronches
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Kakunka (T), Munganda
(L)
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Lannea stuhlmannii
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Whole spirit
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Seed kernels
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Landolphia parvifolia
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Mubongo (B)
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Lannea discolor
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Fruit pulp
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Mimusops zeyheri
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Fruit pulp
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Ochana pulchra
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Flesh
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Cooking oil
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Parinari curatellifolia
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Eaten raw, cooked
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Seed as oil
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Mupundu (N)
Mubula (T,L)
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Parinari capensis
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Eaten raw
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Kernels, rosted
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Sand apple (E), Mubulabula
(L)
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Parkia filicoidea
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Pods
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Floury sheath
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African locust bean (E),
Musepa (B)
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Piliostigma thonnigi
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Pods
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Ricinodendron rautanenii
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Fruit pulp
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Nuts
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Mungongo (L)
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Sclerocarya birrea
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Eaten raw
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Kernels eaten
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Cider tree (E), Muyombo
(L), Msewe (N)
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Strychnos innocua
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Fruit pulp
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Elephant orange (E),
Muhuluhulu
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Strychnos pungens
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Fruit pulp
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Muhwahwa (L)
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Strychnos spinosa
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Fruit pulp
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Muhuluhulu (L)
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Syzygium cordatum
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Eaten raw
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Syzygium guineense
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Eaten raw
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Mufinsa (B), Mutoya (L)
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Tamarindus indicus
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Pulp
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Tamarind (E), Musiika
(T)
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Trichilia emetica
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Oil used to make soap
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Uapaca kirkiana
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Eaten
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Masuku (T,B,N)
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Uapaca sansibrica
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Eaten raw
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Vangueriopsis lanciflora
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Eaten raw
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Mbubu (T), Mumonsomonso
(L) wild metler (E)
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Vitex doniana
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Eaten raw
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Black plum (E), Mufutu
(B), Msimya (N)
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Ximenia americana
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Pulp eaten raw
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Mabona (N), Mutende (L)
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Ziziphus mauritiana
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Eaten raw
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Masau (T)
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Note: B = Bemba, E = English, L = Lozi, N = Nyanja and T = Tonga
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