Ecological studies on the distribution and phenology of bush mango, Irvingia wombolu (vermoesen) in the humid forest of southeastern Nigeria.

Abstract

Studies on the distribution, soil requirement for establishment and the phenology of Bushmango, Irvingia wombolu were undertaken in four selected geographic zones of Southeastern Nigeria. Enumeration and inventory of ten selected woody food tree crops were made in the homestead and outlying farms of each zone, with emphasis on Irvingia wombolu. Twenty soil samples comprising of ten samples from each of the farming zones were analysed for their physical and chemical properties. Phenological sequences of I. wombolu were made in the farming zones of the study areas. The plant species had generally very low densities. 0.3 – 2.7 trees/ha, and 1. wombolu had density 2.4 trees/ha. Irvingia wombolu occurred more in the outlying farms than in the homestead farms. Umuozu and Enugu-Ezike had higher densities of 1. wombolu in the two farming zones than the other towns. 1. wombolu had positive and significant relationship with P. macrophylla and Monodora. myristica, and positive but non-significant relationship with the other seven plant species. Soil samples obtained from different locations were heterogeneous. The species appear to thrive well in soils containing adequate amount of N, K, Ca, and C. The species' period of leaf flush appears an adaptive strategy for mobilizing nutrients for its reproductive phase, flowering and fruiting.

Agro-Science Vol. 7 (1) 2008: pp. 1-8