Allometry-based estimation of the wild custard-apple (Annona senegalensis Pers.) fruit biomass according to climate conditions in Burkina Faso, West Africa
- Applied Fruit Science , 68 (90) : 1-10
Résumé
Annona senegalensis Pers. is a wild edible shrub species with high nutritional value. However, the species is poorly promoted across sub-Saharan Africa due to the lack of information about its productivity. This study aimed to: (i) identify the driving factors of the species’ fruit biomass and (ii) develop allometric models for estimating its fruit biomass. Data on fruit biomass were collected from 212 shrub individuals distributed across the Sudano-Sahelian and Sudanian climate zones of Burkina Faso. For each climate zone, 75% of the data were used for fitting allometric models, and 25% were used for model validation. The best predicting models were selected based on the coefficient of determination (R2) Akaike information criterion (AIC), and prediction error. Results revealed that the climate zone has a significant effect on the fruit biomass of A. senegalensis (p< 0.001). The highest fruit biomass per shrub was recorded in the Sudanian zone. Fruit biomass was significantly correlated with rainfall (r= 0.46, p< 0.05) and temperature (r= –0.25, p< 0.05). Fruit biomass depends on a delicate balance between abundant amounts of annual rainfall and seasonal contrasts. Positive and strong correlations were observed between fruit biomass and crown diameter (CD) of shrubs. The power function-based model—LogFB = 1:29 + 1:34Log.D20/—using stem diameter as a predictor was found to be the best model for estimating the fruit biomass of the species in the Sudano-Sahelian zone. In the Sudanian zone, the exponentialmodel combining CD and total height—LogFB = 1:28 + 0:78Log.CDxH/—exhibited the best estimates. These findings provided valuable insights for developing management strategies, including sustainable harvesting, planting, and the promotion of A. senegalensis value chain.
Mots-clés
Fruit biomass, Allometric models, Climate gradient, Neglected species, Semi-arid environment