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Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed morphology of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in five selected wild populations in Malawi

Agroforestry Systems volume 85, pages 279–290 (2012)Cite this article

Abstract

Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) is widely distributed throughout Sub-Saharan Africa stretching from Senegal to Sudan, and from Ethiopia to Natal. Information of phenotypic and genetic variation is a prerequisite for the domestication and improvement of baobab fruits from the wild. A study was done to determine within and between provenance variability in fruit and seed characteristics of five populations selected from four silvicultural zones and assess whether morphometric traits could delineate populations from different zones into land races. Fruits were characterized from 55 trees representing a wide geographical range. Six fruit traits and three individual seed traits were assessed. Results showed highly significant differences (P ≤ 0.001) in fruit, pulp, and seed weight, fruit length and width, number of seed, individual seed weight, seed length and width within and between populations. Mean fruit weight ranged from 125.8 ± 3.25 to 162.9 ± 3.25 g, seed weight ranged from 38.6 ± 2.5 to 66 ± 2.01 g and pulp weight ranged from 28.7 ± 1.33 to 41.4 ± 1.33 g. Single seed weight showed pronounced evidence of divergence of populations into ecotypes. The rich diversity found between and within populations is important for domestication purposes and tree improvement through selection and breeding. All populations could be used for seed source but distribution should be consciously done recognizing existence of races.

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Acknowledgments

The first author would like to acknowledge funding for the study from Universities of Mzuzu and Stellenbosch and University of Pretoria for facilitation during write up of the research. We also thank all the technical personnel who were involved in fruit collection, processing and measurements.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Mzuzu University, Private Bag 1, Luwinga, Mzuzu, Malawi

    C. R. Y. Munthali

  2. Pretoria University, Lynwood Road, Hatfield, Pretoria, 0002, South Africa

    P. W. Chirwa

  3. World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Southern Africa Regional Programme, Chitedze Agricultural Research Station, P.O. Box 30798, Lilongwe 3, Malawi

    F. K. Akinnifesi

  4. Department of Forest & Wood Science, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa

    C. R. Y. Munthali

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  1. C. R. Y. Munthali
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  2. P. W. Chirwa
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  3. F. K. Akinnifesi
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Correspondence to C. R. Y. Munthali.

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Munthali, C.R.Y., Chirwa, P.W. & Akinnifesi, F.K. Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed morphology of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in five selected wild populations in Malawi. Agroforest Syst 85, 279–290 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9500-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-012-9500-1

Keywords

  • Ecotype
  • Domestication
  • Miombo
  • Diversity

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