Progress in developing technologies to domesticate the cultivation of shea tree (Vitellaria paradoxa L.) in Ghana Progres realises dans le developpement des technologies pour domestiquel la cultivation du karitier (Vitelleria paradoxa L.) au Ghana

Abstract

Studies were conducted on natural and hand pollination, sexual and vegetative propagation, natural regeneration, fruit characteristics and individual tree yields of sheatrees (Vitellaria paradoxa L.) The locations of the studies were at the Cocoa Research Institute of Ghana (CRIG) sub-station, Bole from 1989 to 1994 and at the University for Development Studies, Nyankpala Campus from 1995 to 2003. The objectives of the studies were to: develop hand pollination techniques, sexual and vegetative propagation methods and to review studies on response of sheanut to agronomic practices in Ghana. Hand-pollination techniques, seed germination and nursery practices, methods for rooting shea tree stem cuttings and air layering were developed. Fruit shape and size were also used to describe four main types of sheatrees. It was also observed that shea tree populations on farms developed from natural regeneration had tree densities of 1,200 trees per hectare and begin to bear fruit within seven years of establishment.

Keywords: Vitellaria paradoxa, shea trees, technologies, pollination

Agricultural and Food Science Journal of Ghana Vol. 3 2004: 249-268