Overview
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov., also known as the Senegal gum tree, is a small to medium-sized tree that belongs to the Fabaceae family. This tree is native to Africa, specifically in the Sahara and Sudan savannahs, and it is commonly found in Nigeria, Senegal, Chad, and Sudan. The tree is widely cultivated in other parts of the world, including India, Pakistan, and Australia.
Common Names
The Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. tree has a variety of names depending on the region. Some of the common names include:
- Senegal gum tree
- Acacia gum tree
- Gum arabic tree
- Kheri
- Mkwaju
Appearance
The Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. tree typically grows up to 5-12 meters tall and 30-50 centimeters in diameter. The tree has a round-topped canopy with a sparse foliage of feathery, dark green leaves. The trunk and branches are typically covered in gray-brown bark with deep vertical fissures.
The tree produces bright yellow, fragrant flowers that are arranged in spikes at the ends of branches. The flowers bloom from January to April, producing seeds in July and August. The tree produces pods that are 5-15 centimeters long and 0.8-1.5 centimeters wide. The pods are dark brown, flat, and contain small reddish-brown seeds.
Uses
The Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. tree has been an important tree species in Africa for thousands of years. The tree has a variety of uses, including:
- Production of gum arabic: The tree is primarily known for producing gum arabic, which is obtained from the sap. Gum arabic is used in food, pharmaceutical, and other industrial applications.
- Fodder: The leaves, pods, and bark of the tree are used as fodder for livestock.
- Medicinal purposes: The bark, leaves, and pods are used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments such as skin infections, diarrhea, and respiratory infections.
- Wood and charcoal: The wood of the tree is used as firewood and charcoal production.
- Landscaping and erosion control: The tree is used in landscaping and erosion control due to its hardy nature and ability to thrive in harsh environments.
Light Requirements
The Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. plant is a sun-loving species and requires a lot of sunlight to grow its best. In its natural environment, it is found in regions with high light intensity and dry weather. Therefore, it is recommended to provide it with full sunlight or direct sunlight for at least six hours a day.
Temperature Requirements
The plant is adapted to grow in hot and dry areas, which means that it can withstand high temperatures, especially during the day. The preferred temperature range for growth is between 20-30°C (68-86°F). However, it can tolerate temperatures as low as 5-10°C (41-50°F) and as high as 45°C (113°F) if it has access to enough water. In general, the plant will not thrive in very cold and humid conditions.
Soil Requirements
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. grows well in well-drained, sandy, and loamy soils. The soil pH should range between 6.0 to 8.0 for optimal growth. The plant is tolerant of a wide range of soil types, including alkaline and saline soils. However, it cannot survive in waterlogged or poorly drained soils. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that the soil is well-drained and does not retain water for extended periods.
Cultivation Methods
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. is a drought-resistant tree that can grow in a variety of soils, including sandy, loamy, and clayey soils. It prefers well-drained soils and can withstand temperatures ranging from 15°C to 40°C. The tree can be propagated through seeds or vegetatively through stem cutting.
Propagation through seeds involves planting the seeds 2 cm deep in the soil during the rainy season. The seeds take three to four weeks to germinate, and the seedlings can be transplanted to the field after six months. Vegetative propagation involves taking stem cuttings from a parent plant, treating them with rooting hormones, and planting them in well-drained soil. The cuttings will develop roots within four to six weeks, and they can be transplanted to the field after six months.
Watering Needs
The Acacia senegal tree does not require regular watering and can survive long periods of drought. However, watering during the dry season can help boost growth and improve yields. The frequency of watering depends on the soil type and the rainfall pattern in the area. The soil should be moist but not waterlogged, as waterlogging can lead to root rot.
Fertilization
The Acacia senegal tree is a nitrogen-fixing species and can tolerate low-nutrient soils. However, the application of fertilizer can improve growth and yields. The recommended fertilizer is a balanced NPK (nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium) fertilizer applied at a rate of 50 kg per hectare. The fertilizer should be applied during the wet season, and care should be taken not to apply too close to the tree's stem.
Pruning
Pruning is an essential maintenance practice that can improve the quality and quantity of gum Arabic produced by the Acacia senegal tree. The best time to prune is during the dry season, preferably in January or February. The tree should be pruned to remove dead and diseased wood and to shape the canopy. The pruned branches and stems can be used as a source of fuelwood or sold as firewood.
Propagation of Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov.
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. can be propagated through various methods, including seed propagation, vegetative propagation, and tissue culture.
Seed Propagation
The most common method of propagating Acacia senegal var. platysprion is through seeds. The seeds should be first soaked in boiling water for about two minutes and allowed to cool for 24 hours before sowing to break their dormancy. Afterward, the seeds should be sown in a well-prepared seedbed and kept moist. Germination typically occurs within 3-6 days, and the seedlings can be transplanted into pots or to a permanent place in the field after four to six weeks.
Vegetative Propagation
Vegetative propagation of Acacia senegal var. platysprion can be carried out through cuttings taken from the mother plant. The cuttings should be obtained from mature branches and should be at least eight inches long and 0.5-1.0 inches in diameter, with a minimum of two pairs of leaves attached. The leaves should be removed from the bottom half of the cutting, dipped in rooting hormone, and planted in well-draining soil. The cuttings should be watered regularly, and root development should occur after two to four weeks.
Tissue Culture
Tissue culture is another propagation method that can be used for mass production of Acacia senegal var. platysprion. It involves the use of plant tissues, such as stem segments, leaves, and meristems, to produce numerous plantlets under sterile conditions. This method is especially useful for species that are difficult to propagate through other methods or for the production of disease-free plantlets.
Disease and Pest Management for Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov.
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov., commonly known as the gum arabic tree, is a tree species that belongs to the Fabaceae family. It is a source of gum arabic, which is harvested from its bark. However, like all plants, this species is also prone to diseases and pests that can reduce its yield significantly. Hence, effective management of diseases and pests is necessary for sustaining the production of gum arabic.
Common diseases that affect Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov.
One of the most common diseases that affect Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. is gummosis. It is caused by various fungi that infect the bark and cause a gummy exudate that can result in the death of the tree. Another common disease is wilt disease, caused by Fusarium oxysporum f. sp. albedinis. This disease causes yellowing and wilting of leaves and can eventually cause the death of the tree. Additionally, rust diseases caused by Uromyces, Phakopsora, and Puccinia fungi infect the leaves and cause yellowing and defoliation.
Management of diseases
One important method of preventing disease in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. is to avoid mechanical damage to the bark. This is because pathogens typically enter the tree through wounds. Additionally, it is vital to ensure that the trees are planted in well-drained soils as poorly drained soils facilitate the growth of pathogenic fungi. Fungicides can also be used to control gummosis and rust diseases.
Common pests that affect Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov.
Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. is also prone to attack by various pests that can significantly reduce the yield of gum arabic. One of the most prevalent pests is the spittlebug, which attacks young trees and feeds on the sap, causing stunting and reduced growth. The psyllid, Heteropsylla cubana, also feeds on the sap and causes defoliation and stunting. Additionally, the scale insect, Pulvinaria acaciae, attacks the bark and can cause the death of the tree.
Management of pests
One of the essential ways of controlling pests in Acacia senegal (L.) Willd. var. platysprion Chiov. is to maintain good orchard hygiene by removing weeds and debris as they harbor pests. Additionally, the use of chemical pesticides can be effective in controlling pests. However, biological control methods that involve the use of natural predators can also be used. For example, ladybirds have been used to control spittlebug infestations successfully.
