Tamarind monograph.pdf - Crops for the Future

and Madagascar (Bayala et al., 2003). The role of the species as a
component of agrosilvopastoral land use in Sahelian villages has been
recorded (Slingerland and Kresson, 2001).
Little is known about tamarind as a component of secondary forest
associations, its ability to regenerate naturally, nor whether there are distinct
eco-geographical populations (see section 5.2.1.3). A survey of existing
ecological community data for Africa in this respect could be helpful.
Tesfaye et al., (2001) described the vegetation of the Gambella Region of
South-eastern Ethiopia and a characteristic tamarind plant association was
affiliated to others of the Sudanian region. Gashaw et al. (2002) noted that
periodic bush fires seemed to stimulate natural regeneration of tamarind.
Deforestation has led to a degree of erosion of tamarind, for example in
Malawi (Maliro and Kwapata, 2002).
In other parts of the world protection of the species by people is also
apparent, for example, in the Ponchicherry region of South India it occurs in
sacred groves (Ramanujam et al., 2003); it is associated with villages in
Orissa, India (Misra and Dash 2000) and in secondary forests in Sri Lanka
and the Western Ghats, India, and Gujarat (Hitmayake and Ratnayoke, 2000;
Sharma et al., 1986; Champion, 1936); and in homestead gardens in
Bangladesh (Ahmed and Rahman, 2004).
As a leguminous species the degree of nodulation could be a factor
influencing failure to regenerate naturally although the genus seemed to
survive as a non-nodulator in South Pakistan (Qadri and Zehra, 2004).
Mycorrhizal associations may be equally important (see Chapter 5).
Seedlings prefer soils with organic matter available for early growth
(Aubreville, 1950), and Thiyageshwari et al. (2003) confirmed the need for
nutrients during the nursery stage to raise sturdy tamarind plants for
afforestation; root length appears to be critical in the early growth stages.
4.5 Pollen and seed dispersal
The presence of nectar in the tamarind flower suggests that pollination is
carried out by insects (Prasad, 1963; FAO, 1988). The structure of the flower
however does not exclude the possibility of self-pollination, which can also
result in seed set.
The large, hard seeds are dispersed by both animals and man. When the
fruits are eaten fresh, the seeds are often discarded (Bettencourt et al., 1999).
49