Attributes, uses, and management of Dovyalis caffra (Kei apple) A Review of literature

Abstract

The objective of this review is to explore information about D. caffra and get good ideas about future research requirements and development activities. Dovyalis caffra (Warb.) (Kei apple) which belongs to the family Flacourtacea is a thorny evergreen tree/shrub native to the Kei River area of southwest Africa and abundant in the wild around the eastern Cape, Kaffraria, and Natal. It is now found distributed in many countries of the world including Ethiopia. Propagation of D. caffra is mostly by seed but its propagation is also possible vegetatively using stem cuttings. Propagation by stem cuttings is preferred to propagation by seed for faster, lesser cost, and easier establishment and to counteract the challenges posed by the storage behavior of the recalcitrant nature of seeds. D.caffra has many uses such as live fences, fodder for livestock, traditional medicine, and food for human beings. It has also allelopathic chemicals that suppress or control the growth of weeds in its vicinity. D.caffra can be managed by pruning and trimming. The purpose of the management is to keep live fences in good condition including shape and appearance, to avoid dead and diseased wood, to maintain and improve flower display, and to make the plants take small space. Studies regarding this valuable species are very limited in Ethiopia but some studies done in agroforestry, especially in home gardens show a high frequency of the species since it is used widely in live fences and to some extent as food.