Environmental importance of agrofruits species on the plateau of Allada in Southern Benin

This article aims to assess the environmental dimension of cultivated fruit species in 4 Districts (Allada, Toffo, Tori-Bossito et Zê) on the Plateau of Allada. This evaluation has been done with a regional analysis based on a sample of 120 agricultural exploitation chiefs i.e. 30 farmers per region. The results revealed that the density of growth was 56.37 by exploited hectare and 45.41 per available total hectare. The 13 fruit species cultivated on the Plateau of Allada were classified into 10 families with four species for Rutaceaes (30%) and 63.42% of the total populations. All other families were only represented by one species. The orange tree was the recurrent specie cultivated. The mandarin tree and guava tree were accidental species. The mango tree, soursop, the sapodilla tree, the lemon tree, the shadek tree and the crab apple tree were rare. The total surface exploited for fruits production corresponded to 96.50 ha of pure orchard over 294.50 ha planted surface recorded i.e. 23.76% of the 406 ha exploited. The orange tree was the dominant specie with 16.50% of cultivated surface. Species from Asia represented 85%, those from America 14.35% and African ones less than 1 %. The interventions focuss on cultivated fruit species in the Community strategy management on the Plateau of Allada must relate to ecological variables, agricultural production systems, social relationships and economic conditions.

This article aims to assess the environmental dimension of cultivated fruit species in 4 Districts (Allada, Toffo, Tori-Bossito et Zê) on the Plateau of Allada. This evaluation has been done with a regional analysis based on a sample of 120 agricultural exploitation chiefs i.e. 30 farmers per region. The results revealed that the density of growth was 56.37 by exploited hectare and 45.41 per available total hectare. The 13 fruit species cultivated on the Plateau of Allada were classified into 10 families with four species for Rutaceaes (30%) and 63.42% of the total populations. All other families were only represented by one species. The orange tree was the recurrent specie cultivated. The mandarin tree and guava tree were accidental species. The mango tree, soursop, the sapodilla tree, the lemon tree, the shadek tree and the crab apple tree were rare. The total surface exploited for fruits production corresponded to 96.50 ha of pure orchard over 294.50 ha planted surface recorded i.e. 23.76% of the 406 ha exploited. The orange tree was the dominant specie with 16.50% of cultivated surface. Species from Asia represented 85%, those from America 14.35% and African ones less than 1 %. The interventions focuss on cultivated fruit species in the Community strategy management on the Plateau of Allada must relate to ecological variables, agricultural production systems, social relationships and economic conditions.