Ecological Structure and Fruit Production of Blood Plum (Haematostaphis barteri Hook. F) Subpopulations in Benin

Abstract

Aims 1: To assess the ecological structure and fruits production of Haematostaphis barteri (Blood plum) to provide requisite information for a better management and conservation of the tree subpopulations in Benin. Study Design: Ecological structure and fruit production were evaluated in randomized design. Duration of Study: This study was conducted in the department of Atacora and University of Parakou, Benin 2012-2015. Methodology: The ecological structure of Haematostaphis barteri subpopulations was studied on the basis of forest inventory surveys performed in forty six (46) 1-ha plots randomly installed and Haematostaphis barteri fruit production was quantified on the basis of a random sampling of the main branches of 126 trees at random from all of these subpopulations. Results: Four subpopulations of Haematostaphis barteri were identified based on dendrometric variables and among trees distance. Diameter and height classes distribution of the species in each subpopulation adjusted to Weibull distribution showed a bell shaped curve with left dissymmetry, characteristic of young stands (form coefficient between 1 and 3.6). Stand density varies from 12 to 18 stems ha-1. Stand basal area varies from 0.27 to 0.48 m² ha-1 while mean diameter varies from 16.28 to 19.37 cm. Average number of fruit per panicle varies from 15 to 28 fruits and average fruit number per tree was estimated from 2325 to 7879 fruits. The DBH, TH, average number of panicles per branch and average number of fruit per panicle showed a highly significant difference (P = .000) between subpopulations. Conclusion: Soil texture, altitude and topography are the factors that best discriminate the different subpopulations and better explain variations among these subpopulations with respect to their structural and production characteristics.  Despite the similar production in fruits of Haematostaphis barteri subpopulations that of Touncountouna is however the most productive in terms of the number of fruits.