Abstract
The variation in shoot and root seedling growth traits was compared among three Faidherbia albida (Del). A. Chev. provenances originating from Kenya (Taveta), Malawi (Bolero) and Ghana (Bolgatanga); representing east, south and west Africa, respectively. Bulked seeds from three provenances were grown in two soil types (clay and sand) at the World Agroforestry Centre nursery, Nairobi. Seedlings grown in clay soil had high shoot growth and shoot to root ratios but shorter root length, lower number of nodules and specific root length compared to seedlings in sand soil. Shoot to root ratios reduced with time and this was more pronounced in sand soil. Overall, the Bolero and Taveta provenances had higher growth than the Bolgatanga provenance. This was probably because plants grown in nutrient-rich clay soil invest more in shoot growth as compared to root growth. Longer root growth in sand soil shows a better adaptive mechanism that increases competitive ability and survival in nutrient-poor systems. Variations observed among the seedling variables such us shoot and root growth could be used for early selection for reforestation and agroforestry in predominantly clay and sand soil areas.
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