Flowering phenology of African pear (Dacryodes edulis (G. Don)HJ Lam) under Nigerian ecological conditions

Abstract

A-three-year trial of flowering phenological characteristics of 150 African pear tree were studied in South-South and South-East Nigeria to study the  flowering phenology of African pear (Dacryodes edulis) under Nigerian Ecological conditions. Five States were selected, three locations in each State, ten  mature African pear trees were selected and tagged for data collection. Also, meteorological data were collected for three years. The surveyed trees were  monitored till flowering time. Data were collected on start of flower formation, peak of flowering, days to anthesis, average temperature and rainfall  during the months of flowering. Data collected were analysed using analysis of variance and percentages were calculated where appropriate. Result  obtained indicated that there were variations in the time of flowering. African pear had peak flowering in January in Imo, Rivers and Delta States for  2013-2015, while Abia and Enugu had their peak flowering for the same period in February and March, respectively. African pear flowered between the  temperatures of 27.0oC to 29.5oC. Rainfall ranged from 0.00mm to 137.50mm. The flowering season was affected mainly by temperature. Time of  inflorescence flower bud formation to anthesis lasted for 2-5 days, but majority took 3-4 days to reach anthesis. In the study, under Nigerian ecological  condition, African pear flowered when the temperature was high and when humidity was low. The planting of African pear that flowers around January  and February should be encouraged because they had the highest yield and potential to ripe during hunger period.