User:Valrenou/sandbox

Description
Breadnut is a monoecious plant. Birds are responsible for the dispersion of the seeds. A tree can produce 150-180 kg of fruits. It stays productive for 120-150 years. It starts producing flowers and fruits from 20 meters high. The density of trees increases the yields. Seeds storage is a common issue in breadnut production. The length of the storage has an impact on the germination rate, for example after three weeks it decreases by 10%. Refrigeration is not a solution, it risks killing the seeds.

History and culture
The name “breadnut” comes probably from the fact that the seeds can be ground to produce bread.

Carbon farming applications
Brosimum alicastrum is an oxalogene tree. It can therefore undertake a bacterio-fungal symbiosis in order to process the oxalate-carbonate pathway (OCP) and especially the chemical reaction of biomineralization, and in this case biocalcification (to produce CaCO3 from CO2 and to store it in the soils). This tree would therefore act as a carbon sink, while providing resources for both humans and animals. This has been first shown by a biogeochemist Eric Verrechia, researcher at University of Lausanne.

Soil restauration
Brosimum alicastrum is a crop that can be used to restore damaged soils. It can prevent erosion and behave as a wind barrier. This tree supports well poor, damaged, drought or salty soils and it requires a few treatments after its plantation. Furthermore, this oxalogenic activity increases the pH and the amount of organic matter in the soil once well implemented in the system. This leads to an increased fertility. Some research projects are currently on-going to develop this crop in its distribution area.