Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Evidence of early genetic variation in survival and growth traits of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)—the way forward for domestication and breeding

  • Published:
Agroforestry Systems Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The results of a Adansonia digitata provenance and clone trials situated in Sadore (Niger) and Samanko (Mali) indicate genetic variation at both provenance level and among clones. There were significant differences among provenances at Sadore in both survival and height by age 10. Differences in survival were very marked, and suggest that provenances ranged from very poorly- to well-adapted to the Samanko site. However, height was weakly and negatively correlated to survival; possibly the trees may have grown slightly taller because of less competition. West African provenances have a tendency towards faster growth than those of East African origin, and the provenances from drier locations tend to be better adapted. While early variation among 4 year-old clones of leaf development, an important production trait, was indicated, future observations at later ages on fruit traits will be required to make valid selection decisions. The reported 10 year-old provenance variation in tree survival and growth suggest valuable gains could be made by selection of the best provenances. Further trials across a wider range of sites, representative of target planting sites are recommended. Both genebanks contain valuable genetic plant materials worth maintaining for further research and development.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Afolabi OR, Popoola TOS (2005) The effects of baobab pulp powder on the micro flora involved in tempe fermentation. Eur Food Res Technol 220:187–190

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Assogbadjo AE, Kyndt T, Sinsin B, Gheysen G, Van Damme P (2006) Patterns of genetic and morphometric diversity in baobab (Adansonia digitata) populations across different climatic zones of Benin (West Africa). Ann Bot 97:819–830

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Assogbadjo AE, Glele Kakai R, Chadare FJ, Thomson L, Kyndt T, Sinsin B, Van Damme P (2008a) Folk classification, perception, and preferences of baobab products in West Africa: consequences for species conservation and improvement. Econ Bot 62:74–84

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Assogbadjo AE, Kyndt T, Charade FJ, Sinsin B, Gheysen G, Eyog-Matig O, Van Damme P (2008b) Genetic fingerprinting using AFLP cannot distinguish traditionally classified baobab morphotypes. Agrofor Syst 75:157–165

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Assogbadjo AE, Chadare FJ, Glele Kakai R, Fandohan B, Baidu-Forson JJ (2012) Variation in biochemical composition of baobab (Adansonia digitata) pulp, leaves and seeds in relation to soil types and tree provenances. Agric Ecosyst Environ 157:94–99

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Assogbadjo AE, Loo J (2013) Adansonia digitate. African baobab. Conservation and sustainable use of genetic resources of priority food tree species in Sub-Sahara Africa. Bioversity international. Rome, Italy

  • Bamba H, Korbo A, Sanou H, Ræbild A, Kjær ED, Hansen JK (2019) Genetic differentiation in leaf phenology among natural populations of Adansonia digitata L. follows climatic clines. Glob Ecol Conserv. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.gecco.2019.e00544

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baum D (1995) The comparative pollination and floral biology of baobabs (Adansonia–Bombacaceae). Ann Mo Bot Gard 82:322–348

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Baum D (1998) Biogeography and floral evolution of baobabs (Adansonia, Bombacaceae) as inferred from multiple data sets. Syst Biol 47:181–207

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Baum D, Oginuma K (1994) A review of chromosome numbers of Bombacaceae with new counts for Adansonia. Taxon 43:11–20

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Bosch CH, Sié K, Asafa BA (2004) Adansonia digitata L. record from protabase. In: Grubben GJH, Denton OA (eds) Plant resources of tropical Africa. Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Google Scholar 

  • Chadare FJ, Hounhouigan JD, Linnemann AR, Nout MJR, van Boekel MAJS (2008) Indigenous knowledge and processing of Adansonia digitata Lfood products in Benin. Ecol Food Nutr 47(4):338–362. https://doi.org/10.1080/03670240802003850

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chadare FJ, Linnemann AR, Hounhouigan JD, Nout MJR, Van Boekel MAJS (2009) Baobab food products: a review on their composition and nutritional value. Crit Rev Food Sci Nutr 49:254–274

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Christine B, Prehsler S, Hartl A, Vogl CR (2010) The importance of baobab (Adansonia digitata l.) in rural west african subsistence-suggestion of a cautionary approach to international market export of baobab fruits. Ecol Food Nutr 49(3):145–172

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Cron GV, Kalimi N, Glennon KL, Udeh CA, Witkowsiki EDTF, Venter SM, Assogbadjo AE, Baum DA (2016) One African baobab species or two? Synonymy of Adansonia kilima and Adansonia digitata. Taxon 65(5):1037–1049

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Dawson IK, Guariguata MR, Loo J, Weber JCR, Lengkeek A, Bush D, Cornelius J, Guarino L, Kindt R, Russell J, Jamnadass R (2013) What is the relevance of smallholders’ agroforestry systems for conserving tropical tree species and genetic diversity in circa situm, in situ and ex situ settings? A review. Biodiver Conser 22:301–324

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Caluwé E, Halamová K, Van Damme P (2009) Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): a review of traditional uses phytochemistry and pharmacology. African natural plant products new discoveries and challenges in chemistry and quality. American Chemical Society, Washington, DC, pp 51–84

    Google Scholar 

  • De Smedt S, Alaerts K, Kouyaté AM et al (2011) Phenotypic variation of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit traits in Mali. Agrofor Syst 82:87–97

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • De Smedt S, Cuní Sanchez A, Van den Bilcke N, Simbo D, Potters G, Samson R (2012) Functional responses of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) seedlings to drought conditions: differences between western and south-eastern Africa. Environ Exp Bot 75:181–187. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envexpbot.2011.09.011

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Di Lucchio LM, Fensholt R, Markussen B, Raebild A (2018) Leaf phenology of thirteen African origins of baobab (Adansonia digitata (L.) as influenced by daylength and water availability. Ecol Evol 2018:1–12. https://doi.org/10.1002/ece3.4600

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Diop AG, Sakho M, Dornier M, Cisse M, Reynes M (2005) Le baobab Africain (Adansonia digitata L.): principales caractéristiques et utilisations. Fruits 61:55–69

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Faye MD, Weber JC, Mounkoro B, Dakouo JM (2010) Contribution of parkland trees to village livelihoods: a case study from Mali. Dev Pract 20:428–434

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer J, El-Siddig K, Ebert G (2002) Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): a review on Multipurpose tree with promising future in the Sudan. Eur J Hort Sci 67:155–160

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gebauer J, Yahia O, Adam YO, Sanchez AC et al (2016) Africa’s wooden elephant: the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) in Sudan and Kenya: a review. Genet Resour Crop Evol 63:377–399

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Gurka JM (2006) Selecting the best linear mixed model under REML. Am Stat 60(1):19–26. https://doi.org/10.1198/000313006X90396

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Jensen JS, Bayala J, Sanou H, Korbo A, Raebild A, Kambou S, Tougiani A, Bouda H-N, Larsen SA, Parkouda C (2011) A research approach supporting domestication of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in West Africa. New for 41:317–335

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kalinganire A, Weber JC, Uwamariya A, Kone B (2008) Improving rural livelihoods through domestication of indigenous fruit trees in parklands of the Sahel. In: Akinnifesi FK, Leakey RRB, Ajayi OC, Sileshi G, Tchoundjeu Z, Matakala P, Kwesiga F (eds) Indigenous fruit trees in the tropics: domestication, utilization and commercialization. CABI International Publishing, Oxfordshire, pp 186–203

    Chapter  Google Scholar 

  • Kamatou GPP, Vermaak I, Viljoen AM (2011) An updated review of Adansonia digitata: a commercially important African tree. S Afr J Bot 77(4):908–919

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Korbo A, Sanou H, Raebild A, Jensen JS, Hansen JK, Kjaer ED (2012) Comparison of East and West African populations of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.). Agrofor Syst 85:505–578. https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-011-9464-6

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Kyndt T, Assogbajo AE, Hardy OJ, Glele Kakai R, Sinsin B, Van Damme P, Gheysen G (2009) Spatial genetic structuring of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) in the traditional agroforestry systems of West Africa. Am J Bot 96:95–960

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Leong Pock Tsy JM, Lumaret R, Mayne D, Vall AOM, Abutaba YIM, Sagna M, Danthu SORR (2009) Chloroplast DNA phylogeography suggests a West African centre origin for the baobab, Adansonia digitata L. (Bombacoideae, Malvaceae). Mol Ecol 18(8):1707–1715

    Article  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Maman N, Traore L, Garba M, Dicko M, Gonda A, Wortmann C (2018) Maize sole crop and intercrop response to fertilizer in Mali and Niger. Agron J 110:728–736. https://doi.org/10.2134/agronj2017.06.0329

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Maranz S, Niang A, Kalinganire A, Konaté D, Kaya B (2008) Potential to harness superior nutritional qualities of exotic baobabs if local adaptations can be conferred through grafting. Agrofor Syst 72:231–239

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Muthai KU, Karori M, Muchugi A, Indieka AS, Dembele C, Mng’omba S, Jamnadass R (2017) Nutritional variation in baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruit pulp and seeds based on Africa geographical regions. Food Sci Nutr 5:1116–1129. https://doi.org/10.1002/fsn3.502

    Article  CAS  PubMed  PubMed Central  Google Scholar 

  • Obizoba IC, Amaechi NA (1993) The effect of processing methods on the chemical composition of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) pulp and seed. Ecol Food Nutr 29:199–205

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Osman MA (2004) Chemical and nutrient analysis of baobab (Adansonia digitata) fruit and seed protein solubility. Plant Foods Hum Nutr 59:29–33

    Article  CAS  PubMed  Google Scholar 

  • Ouedraogo LG (2000) Rapport du Burkina Faso. In: eyog Matig O, Gaoue oG, Dasssou B (eds) Reseau Especes Ligneuses Alimentaires: Compte rendu de la premiere reunion du reseau tenue 11–13 decembre 2000 au CNSF Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Institut International des Ressources Phytogenetiques, Rome, pp 19–35

  • Parkouda C, Sanou H, Tougiani A, Korbo A, Nielsen DS, Tano-Debrah K, Rebild A, Diawara B, Jensen JS (2012) Variability of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruits’ physical characteristics and nutrient content in the West African Sahel. Agrofor Syst 85:455–463

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Pettigrew JD, Bell KL, Bhagwandin A, Grinan E, Jillani N, Meyer J, Wabuyele E, Vickers CE (2012) Morphology, ploidy and molecular phylogenetics reveal a new diploid species from Africa in the baobab genus Adansonia (Malvaceae: Bombacoideae). Taxon 61(6):1240–1250

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Raebild A, Larsen AS, Jensen JS, Ouédraogo M, De Groote S, Van Damme P, Bayala J, Diallo BS, Sanou H, Kalinganire A, Kjaer ED (2011) Advances in domestication of indigenous fruit trees in the West African Sahel. New for 41:297–315

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sanogo D, Badji M, Diop M, Samb CO, Tamba A, Gassama YK (2015) Evaluation de la production en fruits de peuplements naturels de baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) dans deux zones climatiques au Sénégal. J Appl Biosci 85:7838–7847

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Sidibe M, Williams JT (2002) Baobab Adansonia digitata. International centre for under-utilized crops. Southampton, UK

  • Sotelo Montes C, Weber JC (2009) Genetic variation in wood density and correlations with tree growth in Prosopis africana from Burkina Faso and Niger. Ann for Sci 66:713. https://doi.org/10.1051/forest/2009060

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber JC, Sotelo Montes C (2010) Correlations and clines in tree growth and wood density of Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile provenances in Niger. New for. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11056-009-9153-8

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Weber JC, Larwanou M, Abasse TA, Kalinganire A (2008) Growth and survival of Prosopis africana provenances tested in Niger and related to rainfall gradients in the West African Sahel. For Ecol Manage 256:585–592

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickens GE (1982) The baobab—Africa’s upside-down tree. Kew Bull 37:173–209

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wickens GE, Lowe P (2008) The baobabs: pachcauls of Africa Madagascar and Australia. Springer, BV, Kew, UK

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Wilkinson JA (2006) Baobab dried fruit pulp novel food application. http://www.acnfp.gov.uk/assess. Accessed 20 Aug 2019

  • Zahra’u B, Mohammed AS, Ghazali HM, Karim R (2014) Baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) parts: Nutrition applications in food and uses in ethno-medicine—a review. Ann Nutr Disord Ther 1(3):1011

    Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgements

For Sadore trial, germplasm was collected, and the trial established by INRAN (Institut de la Recherche Agronomique du Niger and the University of Copenhagen by Funds of the European Commission (EU) through the SAFRUIT project (Contract no. INCO-DEV-2005- 015465). Dr Albert Nikiema (ICRISAT) was instrumental in the establishment of the Sadore trial. ICRISAT and ICRAF helped with the maintenance of the trials respectively at both Sadore and Samanko Research Stations. CSIRO National Research Collections (Australian Tree Seed Centre) contributed in the data analysis process. Special thanks are due to Modibo Doumbia, Salia Dagnon, Segou Keita, Aminata Samaké, Daga Dembélé, Parfait Koné, Drissa Dagnon, and Moussa Doumbia for assistance in the trial establishment and field assessment in Samanko; Idrissa Habi and Souleymane Adamou for the trial in Sadore. Mr Domon Dolo (GIS Consultant) compiled the map-sites for the sampled baobab clones in Mali. Funding for further assessments and publication of the study was provided by the BMZ Funding of Genebank through GIZ. Thanks to Dr Jules Bayala and three anonymous reviewers for their valuable comments to the manuscript.

Funding

EU, INCO-DEV-2005-015465, Anders Raebild, CSIRO.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Center for International Forestry Research (CIFOR)-World Agroforestry (ICRAF), CIFOR-ICRAF, Mali-Office, BP E5118, Bamako, Mali

    Antoine Kalinganire, Patrice Savadogo, Catherine Ky-Dembele, Fatoumata Tata Traore & Brehima Kone

  2. Australian Tree Seed Centre, Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO), National Research Collections, GPO Box 1700, Canberra, ACT, 2601, Australia

    Antoine Kalinganire & David Bush

  3. Department of Geosciences and Natural Resource Management, University of Copenhagen, Rolighedsvej 23, 1958, Frederiksberg C, Denmark

    Anders Raebild

  4. Institut National de Recherche Agronomique du Niger (INRAN), Niamey, Niger

    Abasse Tougiani

  5. World Agroforestry (ICRAF), United Nations Avenue, PO Box 30677, Nairobi, 00100, Kenya

    Alice Muchugi

Authors
  1. Antoine Kalinganire
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. Patrice Savadogo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. Catherine Ky-Dembele
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. David Bush
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  5. Anders Raebild
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  6. Abasse Tougiani
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  7. Alice Muchugi
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  8. Fatoumata Tata Traore
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  9. Brehima Kone
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Antoine Kalinganire.

Additional information

Publisher's Note

Springer Nature remains neutral with regard to jurisdictional claims in published maps and institutional affiliations.

Rights and permissions

Springer Nature or its licensor (e.g. a society or other partner) holds exclusive rights to this article under a publishing agreement with the author(s) or other rightsholder(s); author self-archiving of the accepted manuscript version of this article is solely governed by the terms of such publishing agreement and applicable law.

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Kalinganire, A., Savadogo, P., Ky-Dembele, C. et al. Evidence of early genetic variation in survival and growth traits of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.)—the way forward for domestication and breeding. Agroforest Syst 97, 1221–1231 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00837-z

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-023-00837-z

Keywords

Search

Navigation