Balanites - Balanites aegyptiaca

Description and Uses

Balanites aegyptiaca (Balanites) is a tropical tree from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its oil crops (long shelflife), but also Other uses include; fodder, fruit, gum resin, oil, ornamental, poison herbicide and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by ground gathering. It starts flowering after 5 - 8 years. The fruit is edible. Medical uses include; Array The root contains balanitin (? - ?). There is Balanites oil extracted by expeller pressing from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 45 - 46% oil. The tree`s wood is called Balanites wood and has a density of 700 - 800 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is slow, its energetic value is 4600 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; for firewood production it is not ideal. 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.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 10 meters tall. It is slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Balanites aegyptiaca has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations it has symbiotic associations with the Glomus intraradices fungus. (endo-mycorrhiza). It is not able to fix nitrogen. 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 and optimally between 20 - 30°C. The optimal rainfall is 850 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 250 - 1200 mm (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.

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Pests and Diseases

is susceptible to Nomadacris septemfasciata as pest and to Leaf spot as disease diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 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.

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