Silviculture of Uapaca kirkiana (Euphorbiaceae): an indigenous fruit tree of the miombo woodlands of southern Africa

Abstract

Uapaca kirkiana Mull. Arg. is a multipurpose tropical fruit tree indigenous miombo woodlands of southern Africa and widely distributed in Angola, Burundi, Tanzania, Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe. The tree is larly valued for its fruit which is a source of food and cash throughout range. The wood is useful for timber, fuelwood, charcoal, agricultural implements and general carpentry. A brief account of its taxonomie position, botany, and distribution is outlined. A major part of this review centres on the silviculture resource potential of Uapaca kirkiana in southern Africa. The discussion draws tion to existing gaps in knowledge and research needs to support and enhance conservation and development of Uapaca kirkiana as a resource. Constraints realization of its full potential are identified as incomplete knowledge reproductive biology and breeding systems, lack of detailed propagation and cultivation procedures, insufficient data on the market potential of the fruit and its and lack of appropriate processing and storage technologies