Desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus)

Datasheet

Description

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Desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus) tree

Desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus) flowers and thorns

Common names

Balanite, desert date, soapberry tree, thorn tree, Egyptian balsam tree, zachum oil tree [English]; dattier du désert, dattier sauvage, héglik [French]; datilero del desierto, mirobalano de Egipto [Spanish]; enkelgroendoring [Africaans]; Wüstendattel, Zachunbaum [German]; hingotia [Hindi]; dattero del deserto [Italian]; mjunju [Swahili]; aduwa [Hausa]; الهجليج المصري [Arabic]; זקום מצרי [Hebrew]; Баланитес египетский [Russian]

Species

Balanites aegyptiacus (L.) Delile [Balanitaceae]

Synonyms

Balanites aegyptiaca (Linn.) Del, Ximenia aegyptiaca L., Agialida aegyptiaca (L.) O. Kuntze, Balanites roxburghii Planch., Agialida aegyptiaca Kuntze, Balanites racemosa Chiov., Balanites ferox G. Don. (USDA, 2009).

Related feed(s)

Description

The desert date tree (Balanites aegyptiacus (L.) Delile) is a deep-rooted, evergreen or semi-deciduous tree, up to 12 m high. The thorns, up to 8 cm long, are soft at first and later become woody (Ecoport, 2009). Leaves are bi-foliolate and spirally arranged on the shoots, dark green or grey-green, fleshy succulent with 2 firm coriaceous leaflets. The fruit is an ellipsoid drupe, about 2.5-4 cm long and 1.2 cm in diameter. The ripe fruit is brown or pale brown to yellow and resembles a small date.

Balanites aegyptiacus is an important species in dry areas in Africa. Fruits and young shoots are edible. Ripe fruits are picked for their bitter-sweet flesh. Oil, used for frying, is extracted from the kernels. Fresh new shoots may be cooked with leaves like cabbage during drought and periods of food scarcity. The leaves and fruits are also widely consumed by animals.

Distribution

Balanites aegyptiacus is indigenous to African woodlands along the Sahara southern border. It occurs in a wide ecological range, including the Saharan, Sahelian and Sudanian zones, and can also be found further south, down as far as Katanga and Tanzania. It is commonly seen in Israel, Jordan, the Arabian Peninsula, and the drier parts of Pakistan and India. It is cultivated in Cape Verde, the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico (Orwa et al., 2009).

It is very tolerant to drought and thrives with an annual rainfall of 200 mm, or less where there is an additional water supply (e.g. banks of the Nile in Sudan). It spreads from the margin of the desert to the woody savannahs with up to 900 mm of annual rainfall (FAO, 2009). It prefers deep sandy loam soils and uninterrupted access to water such as valley floors, riverbanks or the foot of rocky slopes (Orwa et al., 2009).

Environmental impact

It is drought-hardy and mentioned as a possible agroforestry species. The tree withstands grass fires. It can run wild in abundant environments and become a weed (Ecocrop, 2009).

Nutritional aspects

Potential constraints

An emulsion made from the fruit or bark is used as a molluscoid and fish poison. The toxicity is due to a saponin that becomes rapidly inert so that fish killed such this way are edible. Nevertheless it was reported in Côte d’Ivoire that the saponin damages the sight of fishermen after they have used it for five or six years (Orwa et al., 2009).

Ruminants

Forage

The green leaves, and particularly the green shoots, are commonly used as animal forage. They are sought after by sheep, goats and cattle, and are especially relished by camels. Shed, dried leaves are also sought after by camels and sheep. Camels may browse on this species up to 18-19 hours a day, ingesting 1.7 to 1.8 kg of fresh matter (Baumer, 1983). The tree is lopped for fodder in India. Balanites aegyptiacus could contribute up to 38% of the dry matter intake of goats in the dry season in Burkina Faso (Orwa et al., 2009).

The crude protein content is the highest during the wet season. Digestibility values for crude protein, dry matter and organic matter are higher than for Combretum aculeatum or Leucaena leucocephala in sheep at any stage. It is good forage especially when the tree is sprouting new leaves and new fruits (Kaboré-Zoungrana et al., 2008). It is also a good source of degradable protein though it needs mineral supplementation (Fadel Elseed et al., 2002) since it is poor in P and Cu (Mtui et al., 2008).

Fruit

The fruit is appreciated by all livestock. Sheep and goats spit out the stones, but cattle swallow them several times during rumination, and camels swallow them after crushing with their teeth (Baumer, 1983).

Oil meal

The meal remaining after oil extraction from the fruits is widely used in Senegal, Sudan and Uganda as a stock feed (Orwa et al., 2009).

Fish

Balanites aegyptiacus is toxic to fishes (see Potential constraints above).

Nutritional tables

Tables of chemical composition and nutritional value

Avg: average or predicted value; SD: standard deviation; Min: minimum value; Max: maximum value; Nb: number of values (samples) used

Desert date, fruits, fresh

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	66.3				1
Crude protein	% DM	11.1				1
Crude fibre	% DM	10.2				1
Ether extract	% DM	1.7				1
Ash	% DM	8.1				1
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	17.3					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	1.6				1
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	4.0				1

Amino acids	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Arginine	% protein	3.7				1
Cystine	% protein	1.9				1
Glycine	% protein	4.5				1
Histidine	% protein	1.0				1
Isoleucine	% protein	2.8				1
Leucine	% protein	4.3				1
Lysine	% protein	2.7				1
Methionine	% protein	1.6				1
Phenylalanine	% protein	2.7				1
Threonine	% protein	3.0				1
Tyrosine	% protein	2.2				1
Valine	% protein	3.1				1

Pig nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Energy digestibility, growing pig	%	74.1					*
DE growing pig	MJ/kg DM	12.8					*

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Busson, 1963; INFIC, 1978

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

Desert date, fruits, dry

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	87.3	4.8	82.1	91.6	3
Crude protein	% DM	8.6	2.4	6.6	11.2	3
Crude fibre	% DM	26.2		23.1	29.4	2
NDF	% DM	39.7		34.7	44.8	2
ADF	% DM	24.9		21.3	28.4	2
Lignin	% DM	8.0		7.4	8.6	2
Ether extract	% DM	5.7		5.6	5.8	2
Ash	% DM	4.8	1.0	3.6	5.6	3
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	21.5				1

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	2.2		2.1	2.3	2
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.2		0.9	1.6	2
Potassium	g/kg DM	19.3		14.8	23.8	2
Magnesium	g/kg DM	5.0		1.0	9.1	2

Pig nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Energy digestibility, growing pig	%	48.9					*
DE growing pig	MJ/kg DM	10.5					*

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

CIRAD, 1991; Sanon et al., 2005

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

Desert date, fruit pits

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	97.8				1
Crude protein	% DM	11.2				1
Crude fibre	% DM	38.4				1
Ether extract	% DM	11.1				1
Ash	% DM	2.2				1
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	21.5					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	2.5				1
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.9				1
Potassium	g/kg DM	5.7				1
Magnesium	g/kg DM	3.0				1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

CIRAD, 1991

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

Desert date, aerial part, fresh

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	44.0	5.6	32.6	54.9	17
Crude protein	% DM	16.0	3.2	10.7	24.2	85
Crude fibre	% DM	18.3	2.3	13.8	23.9	48
NDF	% DM	33.0	4.0	26.4	41.2	52
ADF	% DM	22.6	2.6	18.5	28.7	46
Lignin	% DM	11.4	2.0	5.1	14.1	45
Ether extract	% DM	3.7	1.2	2.0	6.4	46
Ash	% DM	14.6	2.4	7.7	19.1	83
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	17.3	1.9	17.3	21.5	3	*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	27.8	7.6	12.7	45.8	39
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.2	0.4	0.7	1.9	41
Potassium	g/kg DM	20.5	4.5	12.9	30.4	29
Sodium	g/kg DM	0.4	0.2	0.1	0.9	8
Magnesium	g/kg DM	6.2	1.3	3.8	9.5	29
Manganese	mg/kg DM	83	39	20	166	14
Zinc	mg/kg DM	29	22	12	100	14
Copper	mg/kg DM	8	8	2	29	14
Iron	mg/kg DM	99				1

Secondary metabolites	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Tannins (eq. tannic acid)	g/kg DM	0.8	2.0	0.0	5.8	12
Tannins, condensed (eq. catechin)	g/kg DM	1.3	1.5	0.0	3.0	4

Ruminant nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, ruminants (gas production)	%	57		57	58	2
ME ruminants (gas production)	MJ/kg DM	8.0		8.0	8.0	2

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

Blair Ralns, 1963; CGIAR, 2009; CIRAD, 1991; Dougall et al., 1958; Fadel Elseed et al., 2002

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

Desert date, leaves, dry

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	94.0	5.0	86.7	98.1	4
Crude protein	% DM	14.3	5.4	6.4	21.0	9
Crude fibre	% DM	17.5	2.3	12.8	19.8	7
NDF	% DM	32.2	2.3	29.2	34.9	7
ADF	% DM	21.2	2.6	18.9	26.6	7
Lignin	% DM	10.7	2.2	9.2	15.4	7
Ether extract	% DM	5.1		3.2	7.0	2
Ash	% DM	15.3	1.9	12.8	18.5	9
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	17.1					*

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	47.8	20.1	24.4	75.1	6
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	1.6	1.1	0.3	3.0	6
Potassium	g/kg DM	20.3	8.9	8.8	33.3	5
Sodium	g/kg DM	0.8	0.2	0.5	1.0	4
Magnesium	g/kg DM	7.3	2.5	3.4	9.8	6
Manganese	mg/kg DM	35		23	48	2
Zinc	mg/kg DM	20		7	33	2
Copper	mg/kg DM	17		1	34	2
Iron	mg/kg DM	123				1

Secondary metabolites	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Tannins (eq. tannic acid)	g/kg DM	3.1				1

Ruminant nutritive values	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
OM digestibility, Ruminant	%	61.0				1
OM digestibility, ruminants (gas production)	%	52				1
Energy digestibility, ruminants	%	51.0				1
DE ruminants	MJ/kg DM	8.7					*
ME ruminants	MJ/kg DM	7.1					*
Nitrogen digestibility, ruminants	%	68.0				1

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

CIRAD, 1991; Kaboré-Zoungrana et al., 2008; Ondiek et al., 2010; Sanon et al., 2005

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

Desert date, bark and wood

Main analysis	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Dry matter	% as fed	89.7		89.6	89.8	2
Crude protein	% DM	4.7		3.2	6.2	2
Crude fibre	% DM	37.8		28.3	47.3	2
Lignin	% DM	13.1				1
Ether extract	% DM	1.5		1.2	1.9	2
Ash	% DM	5.5		3.1	7.9	2
Gross energy	MJ/kg DM	18.7		16.8	20.7	2

Minerals	Unit	Avg	SD	Min	Max	Nb
Calcium	g/kg DM	12.3		4.3	20.3	2
Phosphorus	g/kg DM	0.2		0.2	0.2	2
Potassium	g/kg DM	5.0		4.7	5.4	2
Magnesium	g/kg DM	1.2		1.0	1.4	2

The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation.

References

CIRAD, 1991

Last updated on 24/10/2012 00:43:18

References

Baumer, M., 1983. Notes on trees and shrubs in arid and semi-arid regions. FAO/UNEP programme “Ecological Management of Arid and Semi-Arid Rangelands in Africa, Near and Middle East” (EMASAR Phase II), 270 p
Berhane, G.; Eik, L. O.; Tolera, A., 2006. Chemical composition and in vitro gas production of vetch (Vicia sativa) and some browse and grass species in northern Ethiopia. Afr. J. Range & Forage Sci., 23 (1): 69-75
Blair Rains, A., 1963. Grassland Research in Northern Nigeria. 1952 - 62. Misc. pap., Samaru (Nigeria), No. 1, 69 p.
Busson, F., 1963. Etudes biologiques et chimiques sur les végétaux alimentaires de l'Afrique tropicale occidentale dans leurs relations avec le milieu géographique et humain. Qualitas Pl. Mater. veg., 10 (1-4): 109-132
CGIAR, 2009. SSA Feeds - Sub-saharan Africa feed composition database. CGIAR Systemwide Livestock Programme
Cirad, 2008. Laboratory data 1993-2008. CIRAD
Cook, J. A. ; Vanderjagt, D. J. ; Pastuszyn, A. ; Mounkaila, G. ; Glew, R. S. ; Glew, R. H., 1998. Nutrient content of two indigenous plant foods of the Western Sahel: Balanites aegyptiaca and Maerua crassifolia. J. Food Comp. Anal., 11: 221-230
Dougall, H. W. ; Bogdan, A. V., 1958. Browse plants of Kenya - with special reference to those occurring in South Baringo. E. Afr. Agric. For. J., 23 (4): 236-245
Ecocrop, 2009. Ecocrop database. FAO
Ecoport, 2009. Ecoport database. Ecoport
El Khidir, O. A. ; Gumaa, A. Y. ; Fangali, O. A. I. ; Badir, N. A. ; Khidir, O. A. E., 1983. The use of Balanites kernel cake in a diet for fattening sheep. Anim. Feed Sci. Technol., 9 (4): 301-306
Fadel Elseed, A. M. A. ; Amin, A. E. ; Khadiga, A. ; Abdel Ati, J. ; Sekine, M. ; Hishinuma, M. ; Hamana K., 2002. Nutritive evaluation of some fodder tree species during the dry season in Central Sudan. Asian-Aust. J. Anim. Sci., 15 (6): 844-850
FAO, 2009. Grassland Index. A searchable catalogue of grass and forage legumes. FAO, Rome, Italy
FUSAGx/CRAW, 2009. Données 1989-2006. Faculté universitaire des Sciences agronomiques, Unité de Zootechnie et Centre wallon de Recherches agronomiques
Hansen, H. H. ; Sanou, L. ; Nacoulma, B. M. I., 2008. Tree leaves in the diet of free-ranging ruminants in three areas of Burkina Faso. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 20 (3): 33
INFIC, 1978. Data from International Network of Feed Information Centres. Rome, FAO
Kaboré-Zoungrana, C. ; Diarra, B. ; Adandedjan, C. ; Savadogo, S., 2008. Nutritive value of Balanites aegyptiaca as feed for ruminants. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 20 (4): 56
Mtui, D. J. ; Lekule, F. P. ; Shem, M. N. ; Hayashida, M. ; Fujihara, T., 2008. Mineral concentrations in leaves of nine browse species collected from Mvomero, Morogoro, Tanzania. J. Food Agric. Envir., 6 (3-4): 226-230
Onana, J., 1995. Les ligneux fourragers du Nord-Cameroun. I. Inventaire et phénologie. (Browse trees of north Cameroon. I. Inventory and phenology). Rev. Elev. Méd. Vét. Pays Trop., 48 (2): 213-219
Ondiek, J. O.; Abdulrazak, S. A.; Njoka, E. N., 2010. Chemical and mineral composition, in-vitro gas production, in-sacco degradation of selected indigenous Kenyan browses. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 22 (2): 25
Orwa, C.; Mutua, A.; Kindt, R.; Jamnadass, R.; Anthony, S., 2009. Agroforestree Database: a tree reference and selection guide version 4.0. World Agroforestry Centre, Kenya
Sanon, H. O. ; Nianogo, J. A. ; Nanglem, N. S. ; Sanou, S., 2005. Amount of fallen fodder components from Acacia raddiana, Balanites aegyptiaca and Ziziphus mauritiana available to ruminants in selected Sahelian pastures. Livest. Res. Rural Dev., 17 (12): 147
Sanon, H. O.; Kaboré-Zoungrana, C.; Ledin, I., 2007. Behaviour of goats, sheep and cattle and their selection of browse species on natural pasture in a Sahelian area. Small Rumin. Res., 67 (1): 64–74
USDA, 2009. GRIN - Germplasm Resources Information Network. National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland
Wambui, C. C.; Ando, S.; Abdulrazak, S. A.; Osuga, I. M.; Ichinohe, T., 2012. In vitro assessment of ruminal fermentation characteristics of tropical browse mixtures supplemented with yeast. Grassl. Sci., 58 (1): 53-57
Yayneshet, T. ; Eik, L. O. ; Moe, S. R., 2008. Influences of fallow age and season on the foraging behavior and diet selection pattern of goats (Capra hircus L.). Small Rumin. Res., 77 (1): 25-37
Zampaligré, N.; Dossa, L. H.; Schlecht, E., 2013. Contribution of browse to ruminant nutrition across three agro-ecological zones of Burkina Faso. J. Arid Env., 95: 55-64

Datasheet citation

Heuzé V., Tran G., 2015. Desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus). Feedipedia, a programme by INRAE, CIRAD, AFZ and FAO. https://feedipedia.org/node/181 Last updated on May 11, 2015, 14:32

English correction by Tim Smith (Animal Science consultant) and Hélène Thiollet (AFZ)

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Desert date (Balanites aegyptiacus)