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Journal of Agriculture and Biological Sciences Vol.2(7) pp.220 –226 December 2011.
Available online http://www.globalresearchjournals.org/?a=journal&id=jabs
Copyright ©2011 Global Research Journals
Full Length Research.
EFFECT OF THE TEMPERATURE AND RAINFALL ON SHEA TREE FRUIT PRODUCTION
1*SORO Dodiomon , 1KASSI N’Dja Justin and 2TRAORE Karidia.
1Laboratory of Botany, UFR Biosciences,University of Cocody-Abidjan ,22 BP 582 Abidjan 22, Côte d’Ivoire
2URES Daloa, University of Abobo-Adjamé,02 BP 801Abidjan 02, Côte d’Ivoire.
*Corresponding Author’s E-mail: dodiomons@yahoo.fr
Accepted 28th November 2011.
| Abstract |
Shea (Vitellaria paradoxa) is an oleaginous fruit producing tree species of Sudanian savannas in Africa. The fresh pulp from fruits of the tree and the butter extracted from the kernels play an important economic role in rural areas of Sudan. The butter is used for cooking, lightning, soap making and is also used as skin moisturizer. The possibility of using Shea butter as a substitute to cocoa butter and its increasing use in cosmetic industry has raised the export prices of Shea butter. The fruit production varies widely among different years. The present study was carried out in parkland of Tengrela Department, North of Côte d'Ivoire, to determine the effect of temperature and rainfall on Shea tree fruit production. It showed that in some years Shea tree fruit yield increases with the average monthly rainfall, but is not influenced by the air temperature.
Key words: Shea tree, fruit production, temperature, rainfall, Côte d'Ivoire.