Balanites aegyptiaca - Balanites

Description and Uses

Balanites aegyptiaca (Balanites) is a tropical tree from East Africa . It is mainly grown for its oil crops , which have a long shelf life. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 5 - 8 years. The yield will be ?, but in its top season there will be a yield of ?. Other crop types include; fodder, ornamental, fruit, timber, gum resin, oil, The fruit is used as minor food . The root is used as " anti-biotica, malaria treatment, anti-cancer tumor, " with balanitin (? - ?) as its significant phytochemical. There is Balanites oil extracted by cold pressing from the tree's seed/nut yielding 45% - 46.1% oil. The tree's wood is called Balanites and has a density of 700 - 800 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree's growing speed is moderate, it's energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood's drying speed is fast. After 60 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Balanites aegyptiaca has a lifespan of 120 years.

Environmental limitations

The tree is 10 meters tall with a crown of 7 meters wide. The tree prefers a planting distance of 600 cm and a row distance of 600 cm. It is moderate fast growing and intolerant to shade. Balanites aegyptiaca has a deep root-system and it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen with "any bacteria. The name(s) or string of bacteria include(s) "not applicable ". The tree's flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects. Balanites aegyptiaca is evergreen and not allelopathic and has thorns.

Balanites aegyptiaca thrives in an altitude of 0 to 2000 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -1°C; optimally between 20 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 850 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 250 - 1200mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 6.0 - 9.0 in a soil texture of sand. To salt it is intolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire tolerant.

Pests and Diseases

Balanites aegyptiaca is susceptible to the following pests: Nomadacris septemfasciata . And it's susceptible to the following diseases: Leaf spot , , .

Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 15 months. There are approximative 1000 seeds/kg. The seeds can be propagated as followed:

• (1) Store harvested seeds dry at room temperature
• (2) Soak the seeds overnight in warm water before sowing.
• (3) press the seeds twice its size in the soil soil.