NATURAL VARIATION IN SIZE AND SOLUBLE SOLIDS CONCENTRATION OF UAPACA KIRKIANA FRUIT

Abstract

The fruits of Uapaca kirkiana (wild loquat) are nutritionally rich in ascorbic acid, mineral constituents and sugars. Therefore, when in season, the fruits are extremely popular in Zambia and other central African countries, where they sell fast along roadside and in markets. The objective of this study was to explore the degree of natural variation in size and soluble solids concentration (SSC) in U. kirkiana fruits, and to establish whether a correlation exists between fruit size and SSC. The fruits harvested from natural stands in five districts within three provinces, geographically located between 8° and 18° S of the equator in Zambia, were evaluated for variation in fruit size and SSC. The fruits varied significantly in mean fruit size between some districts. Mean SSC (°Brix) for Mpika (11.31) district were significantly lower than the other four districts, namely, Choma (14.31), Kasama(13.40), Mbala (14.31) and Serenje (14.24). The correlation coefficient between fruit size and SSC did not show any consistent trend.