Indigenous fruit trees and fruits in Zimbabwe: some preliminary results from a survey 1993-94

A research survey on the trees and nutritious value of the indigenous fruits of Zimbabwe.Indigenous fruits have long been collected from the wild and formed part of the diet. Their importance is greatest in drought seasons because of the drought tolerance of the trees which bear them. As part of a programme on the development of drought- tolerant fruit tree crops a survey on indigenous fruits was conducted in 1993/94 with the help of the Agricultural Technical and Extension Services (AGRITEX). Uapaca kirkiana (Shona: muzhanje) and Strychnos species (Shona: mutamba, muzhumwi, man’ono, and hakwa) were found in almost all natural regions. Ziziphus mauritiana (Shona: musau) was confined to parts of Mashonaland. Sclerocarya birrea (Shona: mupfura or shomho) was mainly found in the drier areas. Most of the indigenous fruit trees are found in forests or grazing areas but the popularity of Ziziphus mauritiana, Azanza garkeana (Shona: mutohwe) Uapaca kirkiana, Strychnos sp., Ximenia sp., (Shona: tsvanzva or nhengeni) Ficus sp. and Vangueriopsis lanciflora (Shona: muganacha) is shown by their frequent presence around homesteads and in the main cultivated fields. Ziziphus mauritiana, Uapaca kirkiana and Berchemia (Shona: nyii) fruits are sold on local markets. The seasons of the fruits availability is spread throughout the year e.g. Ziziphus in winter, Uapaca, some Ficus and Strychnos in the spring and early summer and Vangueria and Sclerocarya in late summer and autumn. Azanza is eaten in summer in Natural Region (NR) V and in winter and winter-spring in NR III and IV. Despite their consumption most of the people surveyed were less interested in the indigenous fruits than in the conventional exotic fruits. The perceived disadvantages of the indigenous fruits were: 1. Difficulties in propagation 2. Lack of improved planting material: a low proportion of flesh to seed and low yields 3. A long period before the trees come into crop and slow growth rate 4. Lack of production information 5. Free availability in the forests discourages planting. 6. A poor “image” and low demand In contrast some respondents pointed out the following advantages: 1. Ease of establishment 2. Adaptation to the harsh environment 3. Minimal management requirements 4. Some fruit trees are fast growing and high yielding with a good demand for the fruits 5. The trees are multiple-purpose and their use could help preserve the environment. This survey-derived information is being used in the development of a research programme which includes work on selection of improved genotypes and on propagation methods

Ripening stage and drying method affecting colour and quality attributes of Ziziphus mauritiana fruits in Zimbabwe

Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk. (Ber) fruit is harvested at different stages of ripening in the Zambezi valley of Zimbabwe. We hypothesize that the organoleptic quality attributes of fruits depend on post-harvestdrying method and ripening stage at harvest. This study was carried out to evaluate the effect of different stages of ripening on the quality of Z. mauritiana fruits during drying. The fruits were graded into green, yellowish-brown and brown categories and these formed the treatments. Some of these fruits were blanched before drying for 1, 2 and 3 weeks under the solar dryer and the open sun drying methods. The green fruits lost significantly (

Nutrition and health: farming women in Kenya’s Murang’a speak out

As a rule, women play a major role in determining household dietary practices and nutrition. In agricultural rural areas, they are actively involved in food production as well, and thus also play a crucial role in terms of food availability. But what are the factors determining the dietary practices which women opt for? And is it important whether they engage in organic or conventional farming

Blanching and drying period affect moisture loss and vitamin C content in Ziziphus mauritiana (Lamk.)

Wider utilization of Ziziphus mauritania (Lamk) Ber fruits in sub-Saharan Africa is hindered by the rapid deterioration of the fresh fruits and darkening of sun-dried fruits. This study was undertaken todetermine the effect of pre-drying treatment, drying method and the subsequent duration of storage on the quality attributes of Z. mauritiana fruits harvested from the Zambezi Valley. The vitamin C contentwas high at the beginning of the drying period and progressively decreased as the drying increased, and was lowest at three weeks for all drying methods. Effect of drying method was not significant (P >0.05). The purity (chroma) and lightness (value) of fruit colour decreased (P < 0.001) with increasing drying duration irrespective of the drying method. Blanching fruits before drying significantly (P< 0.001) decreased the colour chroma of the fruits (6.4) in comparison with non-blanched fruits (6.6). Further work to determine the causes of darkening in drying Z. mauritiana fruits and sensory evaluations todetermine the level of darkening that is acceptable to consumers is warranted

Storage temperature affects fruit quality attributes of Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) in Zimbabwe

Fruit utilization is affected by quality attributes and shelf life. The quality of Jujube or Ber (Ziziphus mauritiana Lamk.) fruits after harvest depends on storage conditions used. In this study, different storage temperatures and durations were evaluated to determine the appropriate storage conditions of fresh fruits of Z. mauritiana. Three storage temperature levels, low (5oC), intermediate (15oC) and ambient (22oC) were evaluated at 3, 6, 9 and 12 weeks storage durations. Fruits stored at low temperature lost only 48% of their weight during the entire 12 week storage period while the fruits stored in the ambient and intermediate temperature ranges lost 70 and 75% of weight, respectively. At three weeks of storage, more than 40% of fruits had shrivelled under the ambient and intermediate storage temperatures compared to only 3% under the low storage temperature. It is concluded that cold storage condition can prolong the shelf life of Z. mauritiana fruits

Creating Opportunities for Domesticating and Commercializing Miombo Indigenous Fruit Trees in Southern Africa

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