Short Communication

Fruiting efficiency in Dacryodes edulis (G.Don): A case study in Ekpoma, south-south, Nigeria

G. E. Omokhua¹ and A. O. Koyejo²

¹Department of Forestry and Wildlife Management, University of Port Harcourt, Nigeria.

²Swamp Forest Station, Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Onne, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: omokhuag@yahoo.co.uk.

Accepted 27 October, 2008

Fruiting efficiency in 2 varieties of Dacryodes edulis were investigated between 2004 to 2007 in Ekpoma. The influence of variety on fruiting efficiency and abortion rate of gynoecium per inflorescence was determined.  D. edulis had a regular fruiting pattern with no interannual variability. The mean fruiting efficiency per inflorescence for D. edulis var. edulis and var. parvicarpa varieties were 1.21 and 1.36%, respectively. The gynoecuim abortion rates were 98.79 and 98.64% for D. edulis var. edulis and var. parvicarpa varieties, respectively. Poor pollen viability, pollination and fertilization failures as well as competing sinks for photosynthate during flowering may be contributory factors to low fruiting efficiency in D. edulis.

Key words: Dacryodes edulis, varieties, fruiting efficiency, inflorescence number, gyneocium-drop.