1

TRECULIA AFRICANA

The Potentials of a Multipurpose Indigenous Tree Species in

Africa

JEAN DB

2

3

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

In 2012 the Belgian CICM Missionaries and the Flemish bakery consultant Guido Lasat

entrusted me an old agroforestry project of the late father Jacques Bijttebier in the rainforest

of the D.R. Congo. The project which promotes the use of the indigenous multipurpose tree

species Treculia africana is of great value, because it helps in the fight against malnutrition

and climate change mitigation in Africa. The idea is to create a network of agricultural

cooperatives so farmers can get a fair price for their crop. Because i received death threats

from the Western Seed & Nutrition lobby. As of May 5, 2014, the project merged with the

African Wildlife Defence Force (AWDF) to ensure the development of the innovative tropical

forest conservation project.

I want to assure of my deep gratitude to the late Father Jaqcues Bijttebier missionary of

Scheut for his years of research deep in the Congolese rainforest and the late Mr Guido Lasat

a bakery consultant and Congo lover for his interest in the project and the judicious advices

they gave me.

I extend my gratitude’s especially to the Congregation of Scheut, the Society of Jesus for all

support extended. I also thank them for their active collaboration; Brother Jan van den Heuvel

and Brother Romain Clement

Jean DB

4

ABSTRACT

Treculia africana Decne is an important multipurpose indigenous tree species in Africa. The

species is best known for the edible seeds and oil it produces. In addition, it has numerous

environmental, socio-economic, traditional and industrial uses. However, the species is

declining at an alarming rate and thus, needs priority conservation. This decline is due to a

number of factors of which are high rate of deforestation, increased population pressure, non-

improvement and non-cultivation of the species. Urgent conservation measures are required to

save the species; The conservation strategies could include; mass propagation and plantation

establishment of the species, development of early-maturing and dwarf varieties as well as

introduction of ‘Ukwa or Boimbo’ trade fair.

5

TABLE OF CONTENTS

Contents

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS ............................................................................................................................. 3

ABSTRACT ................................................................................................................................................ 4

TABLE OF CONTENTS ........................................................................................................................ 5

INTRODUCTION ................................................................................................................................... 7

Species Identity ....................................................................................................................................... 8

Taxonomy ............................................................................................................................................ 8

Current name: Treculia africana ............................................................................................................. 8

Common Names .................................................................................................................................. 8

Botanic Description of Treculia africana ................................................................................................ 9

Keynote to the Varieties of Treculia africana. ....................................................................................... 9

Ecology and Geographical Distribution ................................................................................................ 15

Biophysical Limits ............................................................................................................................ 15

Altitude: 0-1500m ................................................................................................................................. 15

Prospects to an Eventual Introduction of Treculia africana in the Third World Nations. ........... 16

Main uses of Treculia africana ............................................................................................................. 17

Provision of Food .............................................................................................................................. 17

Wood Products .................................................................................................................................. 19

Traditional Medicine ......................................................................................................................... 19

Other products: The seed meal can be added to soap. ........................................................................ 19

Livestock Fodder ............................................................................................................................... 19

Environmental Functions .................................................................................................................. 20

Employment and Income Generation ................................................................................................ 20

Other Uses ......................................................................................................................................... 21

Decline in population of Treculia africana Decne – An Ecological Concern ..................................... 21

6

Deforestation ..................................................................................................................................... 21

Increased Population Pressure ........................................................................................................... 21

Lack of Species Improvement ........................................................................................................... 22

Non-Cultivation of Species ............................................................................................................... 22

Cultivation Practices .............................................................................................................................. 25

Propagation ........................................................................................................................................ 25

Propagation by seeds ......................................................................................................................... 25

Stem cuttings ..................................................................................................................................... 26

Coppicing .......................................................................................................................................... 26

Land preparation and planting ............................................................................................................... 27

Fertilizer recommendation ................................................................................................................ 27

Inter-planting ..................................................................................................................................... 27

Forest-planting................................................................................................................................... 28

Fire control ........................................................................................................................................ 29

Irrigation ............................................................................................................................................ 29

Replacement of dead plants ............................................................................................................... 30

Plant protection.................................................................................................................................. 30

Pest and diseases control ................................................................................................................... 30

Weed control ..................................................................................................................................... 30

Harvesting and utilization ..................................................................................................................... 31

Harvesting ......................................................................................................................................... 31

Processing .......................................................................................................................................... 36

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS .................................................................................. 38

REFERENCES ...................................................................................................................................... 39

7

INTRODUCTION

Treculia africana is a multipurpose tree species commonly known as African breadfruit. It

belongs to the family Moraceae and it grows in the rainforest zone, particularly the swamp

zone. It is widely grown in Southern Nigeria and North of the Democratic Republic of the

Congo for its seeds and it is known by various tribal names. The most popular of these tribal

names are Ukwa (Igbo) in Nigeria and Boimbo (Mongo) in the Democratic Republic of the

Congo. The species is a large tree which grows up to 30m high and it flowers between

October and February. African breadfruit is a traditionally important edible fruit tree in Africa

whose importance is due to the potential use of its seeds, leaves, timber, roots and bark. It is

increasingly becoming commercially important in Africa hence, Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1992),

Baiyeri and Mbah (2006) described it as an important natural resource which contributes

significantly to the income and dietary intake of the poor. The seeds are used for cooking and

are highly nutritious as pointed out by various authors including; Okafor and Okolo (1974),

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1978), Okafor (1990) and Onyekwelu and Fayose (2007). The seeds have an

excellent polyvalent dietetic value whose biological value exceeds even that of soybeans

(WAC, 2004). The species provides fodder for animals and the wood is put into various uses

including furniture making, pulp and paper production as well as fiber-board production. It

also has various medicinal uses including its use as cure for malaria, cough and rheumatism

(Irvine, 1981). Despite the dietary and economic importance of African breadfruit, it has

remained an under-utilized species till now and its potentials remain under-exploited. Coupled

with this problem is the serious threat of erosion of its genetic resources as well as extinction

threat. Treculia africana is currently included in the list of endangered species of Southern

Nigeria (Meregini, 2005) and this is quite worrisome. As a matter of fact, the species is

urgently in need of priority conservation measures. This paper therefore, introduces, describes

and highlights the potentials of Treculia africana. The history and contemporary uses of the

species are reviewed. Also, issues and concerns related to its population decline are

highlighted while suggestions are made for the enhancement of its potentials for economic

development in the country.

There are however other members of the Moraceae family of plants that are used for food.

These are Artocarpus communis and Artocarpus heterophylla. The sterile variety of the A.

communis is the breadfruit, while the fertile variety with achene (usually called “seeds) is the

breadnut. The A. heterophylla is the jackfruit. Both species of the Artocarpus were introduced

from the Tropical Pacific area. These should not be confused with the African breadfruit tree

(T.africana) which occurs throughout tropical Africa.

8

Species Identity

Taxonomy

Current name: Treculia africana

Authority: Decne

Family: Moraceae

The Treculia africana was first described in 1845 by the French botanist André Trecul.

Photo: RMN-Grand Palais (Institut de France)

Common Names

English - African-Boxwood, African Breadnut, African Breadfruit, Okwa Tree, Wild Jackfruit

French - Arbre à pain d’Afrique

Portuguese – Isaquinte

It is known by various tribal names in Africa, such names are as follows:

In Nigeria; - afon (Yoruba), barafuta (Hausa), ize (Bini), eyo (Igala), ediang

(Efik) and ukwa (Igbo)

In the Democratic Republic of the Congo; nsiku or bushinga (Kirega),

topapa (Lokele), muzinda (Luganda), disanya (Tshiluba), mbimbo (Mongo,

Lomongo or Lonkundo and Turumbu), mobimbo (Lingala). In the Kisangani

area it is also known as fusa or bausa.

In Tanzania: it is known as ezaya but in general in the Swahili speaking

regions it’s known as mwaya or kalanga ya pori.

In Ghana: it is known as brebretim, bibiritun, debeletun or memrentum.

In Senegal and Gambia: it is known as brebretim (Wolof)

9

Botanic Description of Treculia africana

Treculia africana is an evergreen large forest tree growing up to 10-30m high (max. 50m)

with a girth of 3-6m. It has a dense spreading crown and fluted trunk. The bark is grey,

smooth and thick exuding copious cream latex which later turns rusty red when cut (Agbogidi

and Onomeregbor, 2008). The heartwood is yellow with very narrow pale sapwood; very

dense, fairly elastic and flexible, rather heavy, with fine, even structure. The leaves are

simple, alternate, very large (about 30 (max. 50) x 14 (max. 20) cm), dark green, smooth

above, tough and paler below with some hairs on the 10th– 18th pairs of clear veins with

pointed tips and a short stalk to 1.5 cm (Bijttebier,R.P.J., 1981 and WAC, 2004). Young

leaves can be red or yellow in certain varieties. African breadfruit is a monoecious

dicotyledonous plant with flowers crowded into compact heads. The flowers of both sexes are

surrounded by specialized bracts between which stamen or stigmas project above the surface

of the flower brown-yellow head (Bijttebier,R.P.J., 1986 and Ugwoke et al, 2003). These

bracts sometimes terminate in a flat disc or they may develop into bristles. They are persistent

and surrounding the developing ovaries and producing a compound fruit often of considerable

size and usually growing beside leaves (axillary) or found on the trunk or older branches .

The fruit is round in shape, big, greenish yellow in color and covered with rough pointed

outgrowths. It is spongy in texture when ripe and contains numerous orange seeds which are

embedded at various depths in the fleshy pulp (Enibe, 2007). The seeds are brown in color

with fibrous coating (Okafor, 1990).

Keynote to the Varieties of Treculia africana.

Three varieties are commonly recognized (J.C. Okafor, 1978), namely – Treculia africana

var. africana, Treculia africana var. inversa and Treculia africana var. mollis. The africana

variety produces very large fruits with seeds (achenes) which are used for food. The other two

varieties produce small fruits and more branches with more wood and less pith and are thus

used for pulp for paper industry. Their taxonomic differences are based mainly on the size of

the fruit head (infructence) and the hairiness of branchlets and leaves. There is a striking

variation in the number of fruit heads produced by trees belonging to Treculia africana var.

africana (with large fruit heads) and Treculia africana var. inversa (with small fruit heads).

The former is clearly superior in the weight of seeds produced while the latter produces more

fruit and also produces twice as many branches. Mature trees can bear up to 50 fruits. The

diagram illustrated below show treculia africana flowers, leaves, fruits and seeds.

10

Photographer: MG Bingham

Fluted nature of Treculia tree

11

Photographer: MG Bingham

Photographer: MG Bingham

12

Photographer: Kyle Wicomb

Photographer: Günter Baumann

13

Photographer: MG Bingham

Photographer: Günter Baumann

14

Photographer: MG Bingham

Photograph: Scamperdale

15

The Pygmies and the Mongo’s from Lokalema of the Democratic Republic of the Congo,

how they distinguish different T.africana:

a) The Boimbo bwa mai: Treculia africana of the water region, that is also to be

found on firm soil. The fruit explode when falling on the ground. The grains

are always very small in this region and come easily out of the fruit. Their

color is dark brown, darker than these of the Treculia africana on firm soil.

While the black membrane (tegument seminal) adheres to the almond, even

when grilled, their taste is rather tart and therefore are less sought after. The

distinction from other Treculia africana is also accepted by the Ngombe ethnic

group, some 300 km to the West of Lokalema. It is not excluded that we have

here a variety not yet described or maybe another species.

b) The Boimbo bwa mokiri or the Treculia africana of firm soil. In Nigeria, the

Ibo distinguish the Treculia africana among themselves, by their form and the

size of the leaves and grains. But the Pygmies of Lokalema distinguish

Treculia africana of the firm ground, comparing them to the solid feceas of

this or that antelope. (Bijttebier,R.P.J. 1981).

Boimbo bomboloko: with grains of the size of the dung of the mboloko

antelope (Philatombo caerulus, Harm Smith).

Boimbo bongandji, with grains like the dung of the ngandji antelope:

chestnut colored antelope (Cephalophus natalensis, A. Smith)

Boimbo bonkulupa, with grains like the dung of the kulupa antelope:

antelope with a black forehead (Cephalophus doraalis, Gray)

Boimbo momboy, with grains as thick as the dung of the antelope

momboy: horse antelope (Limotrophus spekii, Selter).

Ecology and Geographical Distribution

The Treculia africana is a fruit tree of riverine forest in tropical Africa and it is usually found

near streams or in swampy areas in forests. It is not very light demanding and will grow in a

wide variety of soils and climatic conditions in most tropical and subtropical regions. Treculia

africana is found in Senegal, Southern Sudan, Angola, Nigeria, the Islands of Principe and

Sao-Tome and throughout the tropics including West Africa and Central Africa sub-region

(Okafor, 1985).

Biophysical Limits

Altitude: 0-1500m

Mean annual rainfall: 1 250-3000 mm

Mean annual temperature: 22-35 °C

16

In 1974 the Belgian CICM Missioner father Jaqcues Bijttebier mapped the dissemination are

of the Treculia africana in Africa under the guidance of the FAO.

Strengthened by the geographic coordinates, calculated according to precise data from the

exicata of T.africana in the herbaria of the botanical gardens of Meise (Belgium), the Royal

Botanic Gardens of Kew (UK) and the Museum National d’Histoire Naturelle of Paris

(France), it became possible for father Jaqcues Bijttebier to bring these natural sites of the

tree, with great accuracy, upon the pedologic map of Africa. Afterwards the files where

submitted to Dr. ir. J.d’Hoore, at that time Professor of Soil-Genesis and Soil-Geography at

the Katholic University of Leuven (Belgium), who has studied them with his assistants. He

also looked up for each of the natural sites of the species, the registered climatic data.

Accordingly he believed he was able to conclude that as a whole, the Treculia africana is not

exacting concerning the soil-structure, from the moment that it can be reforested, although

better harvest are surely to be expected on better soils.

Prospects to an Eventual Introduction of Treculia africana in the Third World Nations.

The extrapolation of these pedologic and climatic data, pointing out about 8000 places in the

tropical and subtropical regions of the whole world, situated between latitude 17°30’N and

27°30’S. In every of these 8000 places, research of the soil-structure and climatic data are

made. The species will adapt itself in nearly all the tropical and sub-tropical regions between

the cited degrees of latitude. Upon request to domesticate treculia africana species in Africa

17

we can advice anyone who gives us his own particular climatic data and also the precise

coordinates, if the location is pertaining to the cited tropical and sub-tropical regions. From

these climatic data and geographical location we will be able to indicate whether the Treculia

africana can be introduced in such areas or not and with what chance of success and where in

Africa the seeds and cuttings may be sought from.

Main uses of Treculia africana

Provision of Food

The seeds provide an important food item which is very popular and consumed as main dish

especially in South-Eastern Nigeria (Okafor, 1990; Baiyeri and Mbah, 2006). In these areas,

the seeds are variously cooked as pottage or roasted and eaten with palm kernel as roadside

snack. The seeds are highly nutritious and constitute a cheap source of vitamins, minerals,

proteins, carbohydrates and fats (Okafor and Okolo, 1974 and Bijttebier,R.P.J., 1992). The

result of the proximate analysis of the species by Fayose and Onyekwelu (2007) revealed that

fresh seeds of the species has 38.3% carbohydrate 17.7% crude-protein, 3.8% moisture,

15.9% crude fibre, 4.0% ash and 15.9% ether extract (fat). It is recommended for diabetic

patients because of its low carbohydrate content as pointed out by Irvine (1981). The

biological value of its proteins exceeds even that of soybeans. It can thus be used as substitute

for rice, yam and other starchy foods (Enibe, 2007). Apart from being consumed as main dish,

the seeds are also processed into flour which has high potential usage for European and

African pastries (Bijttebier,R.P.J. 1978 and Keay, 1989). The seeds are also used as flavoring

in alcoholic drinks and edible oil can be processed from the seeds [Irvine (1981), Ugwoke et

al (2003)]. Ejiofor et al (1988) prepared a non-alcoholic beverage from seeds of the species

which was found acceptable when taken without milk and sugar therefore; giving the

beverage obtained from the species an obvious advantage over cocoa-derived beverage in

view of the scarcity and expensiveness of milk and sugar in rural areas of developing

countries.

18

Photographer: Günter Baumann

19

Wood Products

The wood of the species is put into various uses. It is suitable for roofing, turnery and inlay

wood, carving, furniture making, pulp and paper as well as fibre-board production as pointed

out by Agbogidi and Onomerogor (2008) and WAC (2004). The wood is also suitable for

firewood and charcoal production (Field Survey, 2008).

Traditional Medicine

Various parts and products of the species are used in traditional and modern medicine.

In Nigeria for instance, the roots are used as a malaria tonic and worm expeller for children

while the bark is used as treatment for cough, neck swelling and rheumatism (Irvine, 1981). It

is also used as treatment for mouth-yaw, rashes and stomach disorders in the southern part of

the country. Liquid extract of the boiled leaves is taken as cure for rashes in this part of the

country. Also, the sap from the trunk is used for the treating of fire burns (Field Survey,

2008). It was also gathered that the water extracted from the boiled seeds helps to cleanse or

purify the stomach when taken. In Ghana, a root decoction of the species is used as an

anthelmintic and febrifuge, and the caustic sap (from the male species) is applied on carious

teeth. Also, a bark decoction is used as cure for cough and whooping cough while the ground

bark mixed with oil and other plant parts is used as cure for swellings (WAC, 2004). In the

Democratic Republic of the Congo it is used in the treatment of leprosy (Bijttebier,R.P.J.

1974).

Other products: The seed meal can be added to soap.

Livestock Fodder

The fruit-head pulp and bran of the species contains 9.4% and 5.7% protein respectively

(WAC, 2004). These have been used in countries like Malawi and Tanzania to feed blue

monkeys and farm-animals respectively. Blue monkeys are fond of the fruit and seeds of the

species. Tanzanians use the leaves as fodder for farm-animals. Irvine (1981) pointed out that

the species provides fodder for both domesticated (e.g. goats) and undomesticated animals

(e.g. antelope) in different parts of Africa.

Photographer: Guillaume Pages

20

Environmental Functions

African breadfruit grows on a wide range of sites and is found at altitudes ranging between 0

to 1500m. The species make good use of marginal areas where other species may not be able

to grow. The species therefore, helps to control erosion and also helps in soil conservation as

the tree is a good source of mulch.

Employment and Income Generation

The collection and sales of seeds of Treculia africana provides seasonal and off-season

income. Many rural women in South-eastern Nigeria are engaged in the collection and sales

of the species and its trade is one hundred per cent women affair in these areas as pointed out

by Ijeomah (2006). Under favorable climatic conditions and in good soil, 120-200kg dried

grains can be harvested from one tree of the species in a year as noted by WAC (2004). In the

Niger-Delta region of Southern Nigeria, a cup of processed ―ukwa‘seeds sells at an average

of N80 during the off-season and sells at an average of N40 when in season. A medium-sized

basin measure sells at an average of one thousand and six hundred (N1,600) naira (i.e. USD

11) when in season and same goes for an average of three thousand (N3,000) naira (i.e. USD

20) when not in season. Economically, the species has been rated as a very high income

earner (Table 1) alongside with some other forest species by women in some Southeastern

communities as revealed by Ijeomah (2006).

Table 1: Rating of some edible forest products by women based on their economic

contributions in some southeastern communities

21

Other Uses

Other uses of the species gathered from a field survey (Nuga and Ofodile, 2008) in South-

eastern Nigeria includes: The use of the decayed trunk as medium for raising mushrooms and

use of stands of the species as boundary landmark due to the hardiness or resilience of the

species. Growing trees fix carbon from Co² from the air. Reforestation with Treculia africana

can contribute to the fight against the greenhouse effect. Treculia africana has been

recommended as a promising species for use in home gardens, and for intercropping systems

in agro-forestry (Bijttebier,R.P.J. 1992).

Decline in population of Treculia africana Decne – An Ecological

Concern

The decline in populations of African breadfruit and other valuable indigenous fruit trees in

Nigeria and other West African countries are disturbing and have currently, become an

ecological concern. There are several reasons for this decline including the following:

Deforestation

Although the challenge of forest resources depletion is global as pointed out by Ijeomah

(2006), the Nigerian case is even more worrisome. FAO (2005) reported that Nigeria has the

world‘s highest deforestation rate of primary forests and a further report, FAO (2006)

revealed that the country has lost a staggering 79% of its old-growth forests between 1990 and

2005. The main causes of this massive deforestation in the country have been highlighted and

these include: the growing population and subsequent higher demand for agriculture,

livestock production and fuel wood (Ekanade et al; 1995, 1996 and 1998). Other reasons

include illiteracy and ignorance of the people who believe that forests are free gift of nature

that cannot be exhausted, the non-enforcement of forest laws and corruption (Adekunle and

Akinelmibola, 2008). These stated reasons are serious threats to forest conservation and

utilization of different indigenous fruit trees such as Treculia africana. The higher the

deforestation rate, the more endangered forest species become and the more the need for

priority conservation of these species.

Increased Population Pressure

The decline in the population of African breadfruit is also as a result of increased population

pressure in the country at large and in the areas of abundance (Southern Nigeria) of the

species. The increased population is resulting in the conversion of more forests to agricultural

lands as well as industrial estates in order to satisfy the basic needs (food, clothing and

shelter) of the teeming population. Currently, erstwhile village fruit tree forests which served

as sanctuaries for in situ and some degree of ex situ conservation of choice plants in several

communities are now being shared out to community members for the purpose of agricultural

production and even being sold or leased out to companies. The thinking of the village heads

is that the establishment of such companies in their domain will provide jobs for their subjects

as well as bestow development on their communities. This is however to the contrary often-

22

times as rather than assisting to actualize the development dream, most of these companies

end up exploring and over-exploiting the natural resources (oil and gas deposits, extensive

forests, good agricultural land, abundant fish resources, etc) in these areas and degrade the

land through unsustainable exploitation (resulting in grave consequences) which leave the

people highly vulnerable to environmental shocks. The Niger Delta region of Southern

Nigeria is currently having this experience. Rather than an improvement in the standard of

living of the people in the region, there is abject poverty, serious tension and conflicts borne

out of the inability of youths in the region to be gainfully employed and engaged in activities

into which they can channel their energies.

Lack of Species Improvement

The decline of the species is further heightened by the non-improvement of the species which

has birth a wrong belief particularly in Southeastern Nigeria. Southeasterners believe that the

fruit of the species have some mystical powers which cause the death of a person when the

fruit falls on him accidentally. It is viewed as a taboo‘ for the fruit to fall on a person. The

resultant effect of this belief is the felling of African breadfruit trees found in home gardens in

spite of the increasing demand for its products. This belief definitely shows ignorance on the

part of the people concerned as the height of the tree, the heaviness of the fruit and the

harvesting nature (fruit fall) of the species bestows an ―hazardous tendency on the fruit. This

indeed is a problem with the species but it could have been remedied with the improvement of

the species. However, little or nothing has been done in developing dwarf varieties of the

species.

Non-Cultivation of Species

The non-cultivation of African breadfruit in the country and in its area of abundance

(Southern Nigeria) particularly has also contributed to the population decline of the species.

Currently, little or no effort is made to propagate the species as the case is with other

indigenous species despite their importance. The few stands of the species found in their

natural habitat (the forest) are being lost to deforestation, the few found in home-gardens are

also being lost to infrastructural development and nothing is being done about propagating the

species. The long gestation period of ten (10) or more years of the species has not helped

matters either. There is really a great deal of reluctance in planting the species and this apathy

appears to persist.

23

Photographer: Bart Wursten

24

Photographer: Bart Wursten

25

Cultivation Practices

Propagation

The African breadfruit is commonly propagated by seeds. Due to the increasing awareness of

the economic importance of this indigenous fruit tree, attempts were made to propagate them

by other methods other than by seeds. Thus, it can be vegetative propagated by stem cuttings,

coppicing and tissue culture. It is also propagated through budding and shield grafting. Using

adult scions, budded trees have produced fruits with viable seeds within 2-5 years. With

juvenile cuttings, one can obtain 69% rooting.

Ability to build up a persistent soil-bank

The species has orthodox physiologically dormant seeds witch loose very fast their

germination once out the fruit pulp. Dry seeds give only 15-20% germination.

Mobility of propagules

Mobility of propagules may occur by seed dispersal. For instance, once the fruit falls on

the ground it takes 2 weeks before the hard kernel rots and the seeds are ripe. If a wild

animal or livestock eats from the hard unripe fruit the seeds will lose germination. The

rotting process is needed for to let the seeds ripe.

Propagation by seeds

Planning for nursery operations should start in January. Viable seeds are planted in well

prepared seed boxes/beds between February and March. Under optimal conditions, the seeds

germinate within four days. Germinated seeds are transplanted into nursery pots or polythene

bags (12cm diameter x 25cm high) filled with a mixture of forest top soil, compost or well

rotted animal dung and river sand in the ratio of 1:2:1. Cowdung, goat droppings, farm yard

manure and compost are recommended. Poultry wastes are harmful to tender seedlings and

should not be used. The seedlings are nursed for one year before being transplanted into the

field. Otherwise they are budded and left grow for another one year. Budded seedlings are

recommended because budding reduces the vegetative phase of the plant and encourages early

fruiting. If only forest top sol and river sand are used as nutrient media in the nursery,

fertilizer should be applied once to the seedlings two weeks after transplanting into polythene

bags. A match box of Ammonium sulphate, Calcium Ammonium Nitrate (CAN) or

compound fertilizer containing Nitrogen, Phosphous and Potassium (NPK); 40 gm dissolved

in 10 liters of water is recommended for 50 seedlings. (In normal circumstances, the duration

of germination of the seeds of the Treculia africana is 2 weeks with 70 to 90% germination).

26

Photographer: Deni Brown

Stem cuttings

Stem cuttings are taken from tender and healthy branches of trees. These are set in sterilized

river sand packs and placed under high humidity propagator where they are encouraged to

develop roots and new shoots before they are transplanted to the field. The use of stem cutting

is not however recommended to farmers unless big time or large-scale farmers who can

handle rooting hormones attempting to root stem cuttings without rooting hormones yields

less than 10% rooting. Low concentrations (0-50ppm) of growth regulators – Indole – 3

butyric Acid (IBA); Napthalene – 1 – acetic acid (NAA); Gibberellic acid (GA3); and their

combinations do not enhance rooting and shoot development as do higher concentrations (100

– 200 ppm). It is recommended to propagate of varying levels of growth regulators like NAA

IBA and NAA, GA3 at concentrations ranging between 50 – 200 ppm.

Coppicing

Established stands of the African breadfruit tree are cut back to stumps. Stumps diameter of

about 8,2cm is recommended. The stumps are covered with soil to encourage both shoot

development and rooting of the shoots. The coppiced shoots are detached and transplanted.

This method of propagation although not very popular, holds good promise. A stump of

8,2cm mean diameter could produce about 10 coppiced shoots. Coppiced shoots exhibit

vigorous up right growth and can give up to 80 – 90% survival rate on planting out in the

field.

27

Land preparation and planting

This operation is done between November and March. It includes: clearing, felling of

unwanted trees, cross-cutting, packing and burning. Marking out of planting sited follows.

The spacing of 7m x 7m is recommended. After marking out, holes of 60cm x 60cm x 45cm

are dug and filled with well decomposed organic matter and top soil two weeks before

transplanting of seedlings, because this may be harmful to the young seedlings. Field planting

(transplanting) should be done between May and June or anytime the rainfall becomes fairly

established.

Competitiveness in plant stands

Spacing of Treculia africana during planting gives different heights i.e., the closer the

plants are grown together the more the trunk is straight and long in height whereas the far

the plants are from each other they tend to be shorter in height and bear more branches.

Fertilizer recommendation

Fertilizer application should be done during the rainy season. If the planting holes are well

prepared, no chemical fertilizer is required in the first year. However, in subsequent years (1-4

years after planting), there can be application of 0,25kg/stand of NPK (15:15:15; 10:10:20) or

NPK Mg (12:12:17:2) or any other compound fertilizer having NPK. If the nutrient level of

the soil is however low, the dosage could be increased to 0,5 kg per stand. Ring weed the

plants before broadcasting the fertilizer around each stand once a year.

Inter-planting

Trees are transplanted in the field between May and June at a spacing of 7m x7m. To allow

for interplanting with food crops, a spacing of 10m x 10m is better because of the ultimate

size of the trees. Interplanting of the species with yams, cassava, cocoyams and vegetables

especially pepper and fluted pumpkin is recommended. Spreading crops like melon (egusi)

and sweet potato are highly recommended as interplanting because apart from the importance

of roots from sweet potato and seeds from egusi, as food, the sweet potato and egusi also

serve as soil covers to check erosion and control weed growth.

Allelopathy

Treculia africana is recommended for intercropping systems in agro forestry. The tree is a

good source of mulch, a good soil improver. Crops can grow below the crown. In mixed

forest the species is friendly towards other plant species. The tree has no toxin releases

that can suppress growth of other plants.

Treculia africana introduced into new area

In 2004, the Foundation Maisha planted Treculia africana species in cooperation with

researchers from the universities of Kisangani and Leuven K.U.L (Belgium. The Treculia

africana trees in Lubumbashi were meant to nourish the street children. The seeds

28

originated from the rainforest in Kisangani and planted into the savannah of Lubumbashi

which has a similar habitats and climate as that of Kenya.

First harvest of the Maisha Foundation in the DRC. (July 2014)

Forest-planting

Trees are transplanted in the field between May and June at a spacing of 2.5m x 2.5m. This

would translate into 500 trees per ha. Spacing of Treculia africana during planting gives

different heights i.e., the closer the plants are grown together the more the trunk is straight and

long in height whereas the far the plants are from each other they tend to be shorter in height

and bear more branches. In the first 3 years pruning of the trunk is required and bended trees

should be removed. After the 5th year spacing to 5m x 5m distance is needed

(Bijttebier,R.P.J. 1981).

Scientific evidence that the plant may hybridize with wild relatives

For the proposed projects we use our cultivar Treculia africana var. africana Cultivar.

Nutreculia. A cultivar selected for his resistance, uniform growing and high yield. From

our own experience on the Nutrecul Agroforestry/TRC-Treculia Research Center test

fields in the D.R. Congo and Nigeria we came to the conclusion that our cultivated

varieties can hybridize with wild relatives Treculia africana var. africana outside the

plantation plots. The seeds from the harvested hybridized fruits are not interesting for

sowing since they will not give a uniform party of trees like there parental cultivated trees

and are only used for feed for livestock as well as people. Since Treculia africana has not

been introduced in Kenya before, the change for hybridizing is not possible.

Hybridization between the Treculia africana species and other trees from other species

but from the same Moraceae family group has never been reported.

29

The probability that the plants could spread from the location where they were

intended to grow. If the fruits are left, than there is a possibility that small animals

disperse seeds by eating the ripe fruits when they fall to the floor.

Fire control

The project area for forestation should be divided in blocks to prevent bushfire. Each block

need to be surrounded by a 5m-wide road and a 10m-wide firebreak. The remaining inner

blocks (975 m wide) need to be divided into four sub-blocks (482.5 m wide of 23.28 ha)

separated by two 10m wide intra-blocks roads.

Fire tracing

Bush fire can destroy a newly established field during the dry season. Create a fire

corridor round the plantation each dry season; by cutting a fire trace six meters wide

round the plantation during the dry season.

Irrigation

Trees transplanted in May/June may be adversely affected by the following dry season

(November-March). During this time, a supply of 20 – 25 liters of water per tree per week is

recommended. This will enhance survival rate and early productivity.

30

Replacement of dead plants

In cases of failures of some stands to survive, they should be replanted the next season and

this practice should continue until all the missing stands are filled up. Before replanting, the

dead plants and the planting holes should be checked for the cause of the death. If death is

caused by disease or pest, adequate measure should be taken to clean up the planting site and

planting material before and after replanting.

Plant protection

Pest and diseases control

a) African breadfruit is susceptible to damping off disease caused by two fungi, Pythium

spp. And Phytophora spp. Stands of the trees should not be waterlogged. Spray plants

with Bordeaux mixture (Copper Sulphate mixed with lime) at the rate of 2 kg/ha at

0.4g of powder per litre of water. Efficient treatment requires complete wetting of

affected parts.

b) Young seedlings are attacked by termites, grasshoppers, caterpillars, scale insects, etc.

these pests can be controlled by spraying monthly with any broad spectrum insecticide

like Ultracide, Diazinon, Rhonalin 20 EC, Mocap 10G, etc. rodents can attack newly

transplanted stands and destroy them. Baiting with rodenticides (e.g.

Chlorophacinone) is advised; otherwise, setting of traps could keep off rodents from

newly established fields.

Parasitic capacity

Treculia africana is relatively disease and pest-free with most problems occurring

regionally. The most common widespread problems include white fly, scale,

mealy bugs, Cercospora leaf spot, and fruit rots caused by Pythium spp,

Phytophthora spp, Colletotrichum (anthracnose), and Rhizopus. The best way to

deal with fruit rots is to remove affected fruits from the tree and not allow fruits

to ripen on the tree or not on the ground. Treculia africana is also a fruit fly host

which does not limits the export potential of fresh fruits. Young seedlings are

attacked by termites, grasshoppers, caterpillars, scale insects, etc.

Viruses associated with the tissue culture material of Treculia africana

Micro shoot tip tissue culture method helps us provide clean, nematode & pathogen

free plants.

Weed control

Ring weed a meter from the base of the plants in the first two years of establishment.

However, if the trees are interplant with food crops, the field should be clean weeded twice in

a year. If not interplant with food crops, then slash the inter row as the need arises to keep

down weed and pest attack.

31

Harvesting and utilization

Harvesting

It bears fruits in 10 – 20 years under natural conditions. Under improved management, its

vegetative phase is considerably reduced and fruit production starts from 4 - 5 years while

economic yield is attained after 7 – 8 years of planting. The fruits mature in 106 days, fall to

the ground when ripe, and are collected for processing. The fruits “heads” are about 45cm in

diameter and weigh sometimes up to 15kg. An average yield of 3,6kg edible seeds/head/year

is common in the African breadfruit. This gives seeds/fruit yield of about 17.2%. The seeds

(achenes) are embedded in a spongy mesocarp (pulp). When ripe, the “head” falls to the

ground, and the mesocarp undergoes natural tissue breakdown for 7 – 10 days. The seeds are

extracted, washed, stored or used for food immediately. In favorable climatic conditions and

in good soil, 120-200 kg dried grains can be harvested in a year from 1 tree; this would

translate to 5-10 t/ha. Seed storage behavior is orthodox. There are 4500-5000 seeds/kg.

(Emphasis based on Treculia africana var. africana cultivar. Nutreculia)

Photograph: IITA

The fruits of Treculia africana need no plucking, one fetches them simply at the foot of the tree.

32

Photograph: IITA

33

Photographer: Bart Wursten

Photographer: Bart Wursten

34

Photographer: Bart Wursten

Photo made by vzw Kisangani Photo made by vzw Kisangani

35

Photo made by vzw Kisangani

Photo made by Céline Termote

36

Processing

After harvesting, allow fermentation of the pulp for about 7-10 days thereby allowing easy

removal of seeds. Very often, the extraction is done traditionally by marching in a “dancing

pattern” and washing the pulp in a large basket. During this process water and sand are

liberally added to help remove the soft pulp debris of the fruit. Finally, the seeds are clean –

washed and air dried. The seeds may be sundried and stored in calabashes, pots or sacs at

room temperature for up to three to four months.

To ensure viability of seeds to be used as planting materials, it is advised not to use seeds that

have been stored for more than three months unless the seeds have stored under controlled

temperatures.

Photograph: IITA

Photograph: IITA

37

Photograph: Scamperdale

Freshly Extracted Treculia Seeds Fully Processed (dehulled) Treculia Seeds

38

CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATIONS

Treculia africana is an important forest tree species from both economical and ecological

perspectives. The collection of its products has great potentials of enhancing rural livelihoods

and national food security; therefore there is an urgent need to concentrate efforts on

developing appropriate conservation measures for this highly valuable species. Measures that

promote natural regeneration should be adopted and techniques for successful natural

regeneration developed. Also, silvicultural studies on alternative methods of propagation, seed

collection, nursery practices, choice of appropriate planting sites and post planting care should

be encouraged. It is important also to conduct marketing studies in order to enhance and

sustain the sales of products of the species as well as the income being generated from it. A

yearly trade fair, ―ukwa or boimbo fair‖ should be organized to further create awareness

about the potentials of the species. The various products derivable from the tree shall be

displayed at the fair with the intent of endearing the hearts of the people to cultivating the

species. Lastly, there is an urgent need to develop early maturing, dwarf varieties of the

species. The development of this improved variety will solve the problem of accidental death

caused by the fruit-fall which has given rise to negative traditional beliefs about the species.

39

REFERENCES

Adekunle, V.A.J. and Akinlemibola, O. (2008). Effect of Deforestation on Climate Change.

In: Climate Change and Sustainable Renewable Natural Resources Management (ed) Popoola

L. Proceeding of 32nd Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, held in

Umuahia, Abia-State, Nigeria. 20th – 24th Oct; 2008, pp.170-182.

Agbogidi, O.M. and Onomeregbor, V.A. (2008). Morphological Changes in the Seedlings of

Treculia africana Grown in Crude Oil Impacted Soils. In: Climate Change and Sustainable

Renewable Natural Resources Management (ed) Popoola L. Proceeding of 32nd Annual

Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, held in Umuahia, Abia-State, Nigeria. 20th

– 24th Oct; 2008, pp.170-182.

Baiyeri, K.P. and Mbah, B.N. (2006). Effect of Soiless and Soil-based Nursery Media on

Seedling Emergency, Growth and Response to Water Stress of African Breadfruit (Treculia

africana Decne). African Journal of Biotechnology 5(15): 1400-1405.

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1978). Essais de panification avec des farines “non panifiables”.

Rev.Agr.6,Vol.31,pp.1053-1072.

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1981). Agroforestry and Fight Against the Penury of Food in the Third

World. Rationalisation of the Picking by the Pygmies. Communication presented at the XVII

IUFRO World Congress Kyoto, Japan September 6-17, 1981: 1-71

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1986). Le Treculia africana, abre a vocation alimentaire, a l’avenir vraiment

prometteur pour le Tiersmonde. Centre de Recherche pour L’Application de l’Agroforesterie

dans les Missions et les Pays en voie de Développement, Belgium.

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1986). The Treculia Africana, a tree with an alimentary purpose, with a very

promising future in the Third World. 12. Congr. Internat. Cereal Chem. Hamburg, 23.-24.4.,

220-222

Bijttebier,R.P.J. (1992). Le treculia africain, assurant une production massive de protéines

comparables à celles de la viande, vient au secours de la médecine et du développement

économique du tiers-monde. Mémoire présenté au Colloque International sur l'Agroforestière

Nouvelle au Zaïre (Congo). 11 oct. 1992, MRAC.

Ejiofor, M.A.N. (1988). Diversifying Utilities of African Bread-fruit as Food and Feed Inter.

Tree Crop J. 5:125-135.

Ekanade, O. and Salami, A.T. (1995). Innovation Diffusion in Farm Management: A Case

Study of the Impact of Oyo State Agricultural Development Project on peasant Farming in

Nigeria. Ife Social Sciences Review, 12 (1&2):1-7.

40

Ekanade, O., Salami, A.T. and Aborode, M. (1996). Floristic Changes in the Tropical

Rainforest of Southwestern Nigeria. Malaysian Journal of Tropical Geography. 27(2):7-13.

Ekanade, O., Salami, A.T. and Odekunle, T. (1998) Adoption of Modern Farming Techniques

in Rural Southwestern Nigeria. Journal of Science Research, Vol. 4(1):63-67.

Enibe, D.O. (2007). Treculia africana Consumer Acceptability and Utilization for Food

Security and Industrial Development. In: Olufajo, O.O., Omokore, D.F., Akpa, G.N. and

Sanni, S.A. (eds.). Proceedings of the 41st Annual Conference of the Agricultural Society of

Nigeria (ASN) held at ABU, Zaria between 22nd and 26th of October, pp.455-458.

FAO (2005) Forests (Facts and Figures) http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/28679/en/Assessed

on 17/10/2010.

FAO (2006). Wood Energy. http://www.fao.org/forestry/site/energy/en/Assessed on

17/10/2010.

Ijeomah, H.M. (2006). Forest Resources Depletion and the Role of Rural Women in Selected

Communities of Ideato South Local Government Area, Imo State. PAT; 2(2):104-117.

Irvine, J.I. (1981). Comparative Study of the Chemical Composition and Mineral Element

Cotnent of Treculia africana Seeds and Seed Oils. Journal of Food Engineering, 40:241-244.

Keay, R.W.J. (1989). Trees of Nigeria: A Revised Version of Nigeria Trees. Vols. 1 and 2.

Stanfield DP, Clarendon Press, Oxford.

Meregini, A.O.A. (2005). Some Endangered Plants Producing Edible Fruits and Seeds in

Southern Nigeria. Fruits. Vol. 60, p.211-220.

Okafor, J.C. and Okolo, H.C. (1974). Potentials and Some Indigenous Fruit Trees of Nigeria.

Paper Presented to the 5th Annual Conference of the Forestry Association of Nigeria, Jos.

Okafor, J.C. (1978). Delimitation of a new variety of Treculia africana Decaisne subsp.

Africana (Moraceae) Bull.Jard. Bot. Nat. Belg. S1: 191-1999 (30-6-1981)

Okafor, J.C. (1980). Edible Indigenous Woody Plants in the Rural Economy of the Nigerian

Forest Zone. Forest Ecology and Management, 3:45-55.

Okafor, J.C. (1985). Selection and Improvement of Indigenous Tropical Fruit Trees: Problems

and Prospects. Journ. For. Res. Vol. 1, No. 2: 87-95.

Okafor, J.C. (1990). Indigenous Trees of the Nigerian Rainforest. A Paper Presented in a

Symposium on the Potentials for Domestication and Rebuilding of Forest Resources.

Yaounde, Cameroon, pp.34-38.

Onweluzo, L.J.C. and Odume, L. (2008). Method of Extraction and Demucilagination of

Treculia africana: Effect on Composition.

http://www.bioline.org.br/request?nf07008.Assessedon9/1/2008.

41

Onyekwelu, J.C. and Fayose, O.J. (2007). Effect of Storage Methods on the Germination and

Proximate Composition of Treculia africana Seeds. Paper Presented at the Conference on

International Agricultural Research for Development. Tropentas, Germany.

Salami, K.D. (2002). Effects of Organic and Inorganic Fertilizer on Early Growth and

Development of Treculia africana. African Journal of Agricultural Sciences 15:46-51.

Ugwoke, F.N., Agbo, A.E., Ali, N.C., Attah, C.P. and Ekwueme, J.I. (2003). A Note on

African Breadfruit (Treculia africana Decne). Unpublished Report Submitted in Partial

Fulfillment of CSC 341, Dept. of Crop Science, University of Nigeria, Nsukka, Nigeria, p.18.

World Agroforestry Centre (WAC, 2004). Treculia africana. In: Agroforestry Database

http://www.worldagroforestry.org/sea/products /afdbases/af/asp/speciesInfo.asp?SpID=1651-

Assessed on 2/12/2010.