Farm-level tree growth characteristics, fruit phenotypic variation and market potential assessment of three socio-economically important forest fruit tree species

Tropical forests contain many nutritionally and socio-economically important fruit tree species. Farm-level tree growth characteristics, fruit phenotype and market potentials of Chrysophyllum albidum, Irvingia gabonensis and Garcinia kola in rainforest and derived savanna ecosystems of Nigeria were assessed. Growth measurements were made on 100 trees of each species from 10 villages. Questionnaires were used to obtain information from farmers and marketers of the species at farm-gate, urban and rural markets. Mean tree age varied from 19.5 to 43.5 years, with trees in rainforest being older than those in derived savanna. Between 40% and 80% of the species in derived savanna were planted by farmers, whereas only 2-6% of the species were planted in rainforest. C. albidum and I. gabonensis trees in rainforest were significantly older, taller and larger with deeper crowns than those in derived savanna. Although farming of fruit trees is male dominated (76.2-92.3%), marketing of their products is female dominated (60-100%). Annual income from sale of the species ranged from 300 to 1300 US$, with income lowest and highest at farm-gate (farmers) and urban market (traders), respectively. The income contributes 20-60% to annual family income. The old age of most of the trees and the high income derived from their products underscores the necessity for domestication, which should be farmer driven.