Preliminary Investigation on Flowering and Fruiting Pattern in a Plantation Grown Afzelia africana Sm Stand in Umuahia, Nigeria

Abstract

Research work on the improvement and breeding of indigenous hardwood species in Nigeria started about four decades ago. Such studies prove to be fruitful in planning various conservative programme specific to different habitats. The present preliminary study focuses on the flowering and fruiting pattern of a 5 year old Afzelia africana artificial forest at Eastern Research Station, Umuahia, Abia State, Nigeria. The parameters observed were phenology, flowering intensity, floral biology, fruit set and floral visitors. Flowering was first observed in 2012 (three years after planting) and subsequently in 2014 (five years after planting), although no fruit was set until 2014. All the processes of flowering to fruiting took place between January to August, with flowering peak occurring in March. The flowering intensity was very low, ranging among 286, 138, and 54, with a very low flower to fruit ratio. It is presumed that the relative young age of the trees and reduced population size amongst other probable factors may have accounted for this observation. This study is the first record of flowering and fruiting pattern of this species at plantation level in Nigeria. By late July/August, matured fruits were ready for harvest.