Abstract
The morphological variability of Prosopis africana in its natural range (which includes three climate zones: Guinean zone, Sudano-Guinean zone and Sudanese zone) of Benin was studied on the basis of forest inventory carried out in three different vegetation types (savannah, fallow and field). The data recorded in 139 plots of 1000 m2 each related to the diameter at breast height (1.3 m over the ground level), the bole height, the height to the first branch, crown height, the crown diameter, number of branches on each individual tree. In these plots, 143 sheets were used to determine the length of leaf, the pinna length, leaflets’ length, numbers of pinna, the number of leaflets, and the stalk diameter. In addition, 735 cloves were measured to determine the fruit pods’ diameter, pod length, the total fruit weight and number of seeds per fruit, the seed length, the weight of a seed, and pulp weight. Analysis of variance components shows that the variability of Prosopis is generally greater among individuals than within vegetation types and climatic zones. Discriminant analysis showed that of the 19 morphometric characters seven (7) in the vegetation types and twelve (12) in climate zones revealed a statistically significant discriminating pattern r (prob. <0.0001). From ascending cluster of 481 P. africana trees measured, 10 morphogroups were depicted on the basis of 19 morphometric characteristics (R2 = 52.6%).
Highlights
Africa is a hotspot of wild and domesticated species with high agricultural and commercial potentiality
Variation of P. africana Morphometric Characteristics According to Climatic Zones, Localities of Study, Vegetation, Individuals of P. africana and Department
It is clear from these results that the greater variability of mesquite african is observed between the mesquite african tree and not between the vegetation or between locations or between municipalities or between departments and even less between climate zones
Summary
Africa is a hotspot of wild and domesticated species with high agricultural and commercial potentiality. Drastic decline in crops production and loss of genetic diversity are the real risks to be observed in the long term To mitigate these risks, it’s urgent to set policies for protecting, domesticating, extending and valorizing potential species for the sake of local populations. Very few information had concerned the morphological variability and genetic diversity of P. africana according to agro-climatic gradients [16] These parameters are necessary to be collected for studying the possibility of the species domestication. This was the case in Mali where the characterization of Phoenix dactylifera allowed scientists to select varieties of fruits with a big size, an appreciable height and an important rate of pulps for the date palm industries. The study objectives were to i) determine the different morphometric characters of P. africana and describe their characteristics, ii) analyze the potential of morphometric parameters identified, and iii) analyze variations of morphometric characteristic according to climatic zones and vegetation types
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