Early growth and survival of three miombo woodland indigenous fruit tree species under fertilizer, manure and dry-season irrigation in southern Malawi

摘要: Although a large number of miombo tree species bear edible fruits which are important sources vital nutrients and incomes to rural households, their conservation cultivation remain challenging because lack information on ecology management. Therefore, the objective this study was evaluate effects fertilization, manure application dry-season irrigation early growth survival fruit species, Uapaca kirkiana, Sclerocarya birrea Vanguaria infausta with Mangifera indica as relative control. At 33 months after planting, U. kirkiana S. were lower in plots that received fertilizer, compost compared those did not. The best obtained when applied neither fertilizer nor manure. recorded where plants without manure, while highest none treatments applied. Growth V. not affected by application, but increased root collar diameter, leaf, shoot branch numbers. had reached reproductive maturity, M. started fruiting second year. It is concluded do increase or contrary commonly held assumption about factors affect species. poor response could be attributed either adaptation infertile soils unimodal rainfall regimes natural stands delayed have been observed short period study.