African blackwood mpingo - Dalbergia melanoxylon

Description and Uses

Dalbergia melanoxylon (African blackwood mpingo) is a tropical tree from East Africa. It is mainly grown for its timber crops (very long shelflife), but also apiculture, fodder, fuel, oil, and timber can be produced. The crop is harvested by total removing. It starts flowering after 10 - 20 years. The first yield will be n/a but in its top season there will be a yield of 5 m trunk. There are no edible parts.. Medical uses include; "anti-microbial", and "conserving effect against bone loss" are The bark contains Dalbergin (40ppm - 42ppm). There is Muvingo oil extracted by steam distillation from the tree`s seed/nut yielding 0.5 - 2% oil. The tree`s wood is called African blackwood mpingo and has a density of 1300 - 1310 kg/m³. Regarding firewood production the tree`s growing speed is very slow, its energetic value is 5200 ckal/kg and the wood`s drying speed is fast; it is a very suitable species for firewood prodution. After 60 years the tree can be totally removed as it reached its commercial and ecological goal. Dalbergia melanoxylon has a lifespan of 300 years.

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Environmental limitations

The tree is 10 meters tall. It is very slow growing and tolerates not less light than full sun. Dalbergia melanoxylon has a deep root-system and forms symbiotic relations with Glomus intraradices fungi (endo-mycorrhiza). It is able to fix nitrogen with Bradyrhizobiaceae bacteria. The tree`s flower-morphology is hermaphroditic and is pollinated by insects. Dalbergia melanoxylon is deciduous in dry season and not allelopathic and has thorns.

Dalbergia melanoxylon thrives in an altitude of 0 to 1200 meters above sea-level (tropical). The minimum temperature is -1°C and optimally between 18 - 35°C. The optimal rainfall is 1300 mm/year. Without irrigation the annual rainfall should be between 700 - 1200 mm (L/m²). The optimal soil-pH is between 5.0 - 6.0 in a soil texture of loam. To salt it is a bit tolerant to wind a bit tolerant and to fire a bit tolerant.

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Pests and Diseases

Batocera rubus is a pest and Oak wilt is a diseases.

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Seed Propagation

Seeds are orthodox and can be stored for 1 months. There are approximative 29250 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) Remove the seeds from cold to a permanent warm temperature.

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