To What Extent Do Tree Size, Climate and Land Use Influence the Fruit Production of Balanites aegyptiaca (L) Delile in Tropical Areas (Burkina Faso)?

Climatic aridity and human pressure are factors responsible for the dynamics of species populations in West Africa savannas ecosystems, causing significant effects on their productivity. This study aimed to determine the factors that affect Balanites aegyptiaca fruit production in order to contribute to the control of the species management. Data were collected across two climatic zones and two contrasting land-use systems on trees with different stem diameter classes. A non-destructive method was applied to assess fruit biomass per tree. The results showed that climatic conditions had a significant effect on fruit production of Balanites aegyptiaca (p < .001). In contrast, land use did not affect the production of the species (p > .05). The average fruit biomass was estimated at 2.99 +/- 2.03 kg and 6.32 +/- 5.0 kg.tree(-1), respectively, in the Sahelian and the Sudano-Sahelian zones. Fruit production was correlated to tree stem diameter, crown cover and tree height. B. aegyptica trees start fruiting in both climatic zones, when stem diameter is around 10 cm. This study contributes to highlight the important factors that drive B. aegyptiaca fruit production under different environmental conditions. The results of this study can guide for other similar studies on fruit bearing trees in tropical areas.