Maintenance of Balanites aegyptiaca trees for fruit production in Kafta-Humera district, Western Zone of Tigray, Ethiopia.

Abstract Balanites aegyptiaca is a dryland tree species with multiple socioeconomic and ecological benefits. The tree is cultivated by farmers in their fields in the Kafta Humera District, but scientific information on the local fruit morphological characteristics, and its fruit production of the Balanites aegyptiaca tree were insufficient in the study area. This study was initiated to investigate the morphology and fruit production of Balanites aegyptiaca for conservation in Kafta-Humeradistrict. Fruit morphology was studied on 180 fruits from 18 trees representing three diameter classes and two flavors. The relationship between dendrometric parameters and fruit production was analyzed using Pearson's correlation test. In addition, ANOVA was used for fruit morphology and production. Results showed that fruit morphological characteristics and fruit production were significant (p = 0.05) and differed according to DBH grade and flavor. Overall, the multipurpose tree Balanites aegyptiaca has the potential to produce fruit and the conservation of this tree on agricultural land with proper management in drought-prone areas could increase food security and provide great potential for edible wild crops.