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REVIEW OF THE STATUS OF FRUIT RESEARCH IN ZAMBIA

D.S. Mingochi
Senior Agricultural Research Officer,
National Irrigation Research Station,
P/Bag S-3, Mazabuka , Zambia P/Bag S-3, Mazabuka , Zambia

Abstract

In Zambia, research in fruit crops started in early seventies. Research activities were directed to, identify and develop important crops, develop production packages, develop propagation methods, and identify major pests and diseases and their control: The research work mainly covered exotic fruit trees. Little work has been done on indigenous fruit plants. This paper outlines previous research studies and highlights achievements and research gaps.

In Zambia fruits play a major role in the diets of most households. Fruits are a good source of essential vitamins and minerals. The production and processing of fruits are labour intensive and therefore save to provide employment to a large segment of the population. A lot of people are involved in the marketing and trading of fruits to earn income. Fruits, especially indigenous species are well adapted and can ensure household food security during periods of natural diasters such as droughts.

The tropical climatic conditions in Zambia provide opportunities for the cultivation of various types of fruit species such as Mango, papaya, bananas, guava, passion fruit, loquat, pineapple, avocado, citrus, apple, pear, peach, pomegranate, apricot, plum and grapes. Beyond the cultivated species, there are a large number of indigenous fruit species (Appendix l).
ruit species (Appendix l).

The indigenous fruit species are collected from the wild and are largely under utilised. Though many of these species have some commercial value in their unprocessed forms and usually find their way into urban markets, their potential as industrial raw products is largely unexploited. Little work has been done towards their improvement, domestication or conservation. Some of the fruit species may be endangered making their conservation a matter of urgency. Recently, a national fruit tree and plantation crops working group was formed to advice on the conservation of these crops. The fruit crop working group has determined factors to be considered in the conservation of indigenous fruit species. These factors include: level of genetic variation, genetic erosion, economic value, social value, potential for domestication, ease of propagation, nutritional value and extent of usage and cultivation.

Research

In Zambia, research in fruit crops started in the early seventies. Fruit research falls largely under the Tree and plantation crops programme which covers fruits, nuts, and coffee. The overall research objective is to enhance the development of a viable industry in the fruit sector.

Specific objectives of the programme are:

1. To identify fruit species that can be developed into important crops.
2. To develop production packagped into important crops.
3. To develop production packages for important fruit crops.
4. To develop propagation methods to ensure disease and pest free propagules.
5. To identify major pets and diseases and their control measures.

Over the years, the following studies have been carried out in Zambia.

Propagation

• Orange root stock trial
• Mandarin root stock trial
• Grape fruit root stock trial.
• Lemon root stock trial
• Comparative performance of seedlings and budded plants of mandarin varieties Dancy and Satsuma.
• Tree propagation
• Malling merton apple rootstock
• In-vitro propagation of indigenous fruits.
• East malling rootstock for apples.
  
  

Breeding

• Mandarin and Mandarin hybrid variety trial.
• Mango varietal trial
• Tree crops introduction
• Development of local fruits.
• Banana frost reaction trial
• Peaches, Nectarines, Apples, Apricots and plums adaption trials
• Solo pawpaw breeding trials
• Observations on table grape
• Temperate fruit introduction
• Orange varietal observation trial.
  
  

Agronomy

• Determination of the fertilizer requirements for citrus fruits in Zambia.
• Fixing of maturity standards for harvesting of different citrus cultivars under Zambian conditions.
• Intercropping of leguminous crops under citrus plus cultivars under Zambian conditions.
• Intercropping of leguminous crops under citrus plantations with special reference to application of fetilizers and effects on fruit quality.
• Mulching cum irrigation trial in Valencia late orange.
• Banana NPK trial.
• Pruning observation on grapes.
• Observations on windbreak trees.
• Protective hedges for orchards.
• Ground cover tree plantations.
• Effects of cover crops on soil and fruit trees.
• Citrus quality assessment and maturity standards.
• Ripening of mangoes, relative to stage of maturity at harvest and methods of packing for transportation.
• Banana production trial.
  
  

Plant protection

• Citrus aphid control trial.
• Control of Cerrospora angolensis on Citrus.
• Studies on Citrus Woolly Whitefly (Aleurothrixus flucosus)
  
  

Achievements

The research studies have yielded a lot of useful results. From the evaluation trials adaptable citrus varieties have been identified and recommended for cultivation in Zambia. These include orange varieties Valencia late, Hamlin, Washington navel and Oasis; Mandarin Dancy tangerine; Grapefruit Marsh seedless and Redblush; Lemons Eureka and Lisbon respectively. The suitability of various combinations of Citrus rootstock and scions have been determined. The results indicated that Orange varieties (Valencia late, Hamlin and Oasis), Mandarin (Dancythat Orange varieties (Valencia late, Hamlin and Oasis), Mandarin (Dancy tangerine) and Grape fruits (Marsh seedless and Red blush) produce the highest yields when budded on rough lemon rootstocks. In the absence of lemon rootstocks, the next best yields can be obtained on Cleopatra Mandarin and Troyer citrange respectively. Lemon cultivars give the highest fruit harvest on Sour orange rootstock. The second best for lemons is Sampson tangelo. It was found that trees that have been budded on the recommended rootstocks give commercial yields of good quality after five years from planting.

From the studies on the introduction and adaptation of temperate fruits, certain adaptable varieties have been identified. These include Apples Anna and Ein-e-sheme, Apricot (Canino), Peaches 26 /31, Early amber and Seinbred nectarine respectively. It has been found that these varieties may be grown with a comparative degree of success.

Several agronomic studies have been conducted for a number of major fruit species. Cultivation packages such as fertilizer requirements, planting methods, pruning, mulching and pest and disease control have been worked out. Information has been published in handbooks, pamphlets and reports. Pre-liminary studies have been conducted by the National Council for Scientific Research on the micro-propagation, domestification and utilisation of some indigenous wild fruits. Recently the fruit research programme activities were prioritiseit research programme activities were prioritised to streamline the research thrust. It focuses on Banana, Citrus and Mango as major fruit tree crops alongside a modest, programme of introduction and evaluation of exotic Tropical and subtropical fruits.

Research Capacity

The Tree and Plant Research Programme is composed of only three Professional officers (BSc. Minimum) and a handful of technical staff. There is lack of staff with adequate training and experience to carry out meaningful research across such diverse species and agro-ecological zones. There is need to increase the number in order to create a strong national team of Cadres.

The Tree and Plantation Research Programme including fruits is financed by government. The government budget is often very little to meet the operations of the programme. There are no facilities such as laboratories, equipment, Cold rooms and glasshouses that are required to carry out fruit research.

Other institutions involved in fruit crop research

• The National Council for Scientific Research has spearheaded research work in the micro propagation and utilisation of some indigenous fruit crops notably Uapaca kirkiana.
• The Forestry department and a number of NGOS are involved in the propagation and distribution of indigenous fruits seedlings . The Crop Science Department, University of Zambia has carriedhe Crop Science Department, University of Zambia has carried out studies in propagation of Mangoes and bananas.
• The National Food and Nutrition Commission has conducted household surveys on the utilisation of traditional food plants including fruits. The National Plant Genetics Resource Program is involved in conservation work. Collaboration and co-operation at international region level has almost been non-existent for fruits crop research. Recently, a regional project on the control of Citrus whitefly in Eastern and Southern Africa was initiated and Zambia is a participating country. A survey study on the occurrence of the Citrus whitefly has been carried out.
  
  

Research gaps

1. Limited varietal base and lack of improved varieties for most of the fruit crops.
2. Prevalence of pest and diseases in many fruit crops and inadequate research in control methods.

   Citrus	phaeoramularia angolensis
   	Citrus white fly (Aleurothixus flucosus)
   	Various scale insects
   Mango	Anthracnose

3. Inadequate information on production constraints, technology transfer and cost benefit studies.
4. Inadequate of research on indigenous fruits.
5. Inadequate personnel, funding and facilities.
6. Lack of research in biotechnology.
7. Lack of post harvest research.
   

References

1. Ministarch.
   

References

1. Ministry of Agriculture and Water Development MAWD. 1983. Tree Crops Research Co-ordinators report.
2. MAWD. 1981. Tree Crop Co-ordinators report.
3. MAWD. 1980. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report, 1979-1980.
4. MAWD. 1982. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report.
5. MAWD. 1978. Tree Crops Co-ordinators report.
6. MAWD. 1972. Tree Crop Annual report 1971-1972.
7. L.K. Sikena, 1993. Tree Crops Research Review. Ministry of Agriculture Food and Fisheries (MAFF)
8. L.K. Sikena, 1994. Tree and Plantation Crops Annual report. MAFF.
9. L.K. Sikena, 1996. Paper at Workshop on domestication of indigenous fruit trees. MAFF.
10. MAFF. 1995. Present status of Plant Genetic Resources in Zambia. Country report for the International Conference and Programme on Plant Genetic Resources compiled by: Mwale, W.M., Mwila, G.P., Zulu, E.D., Mingochi, D.S. and W. Chita.
11. FAO . 1988. Traditional food plants. pp593. Rome.

Appendix: Indigenous fruit species in Zambia.

Note: B = Bemba, E = English, L = Lozi, N = Nyanja and T = Tonga