9 research outputs found
Spatial distribution, chemistry and subsurface temperatures of geothermal springs Nkhata bay, Malawi
No Abstract
Genetic variation among and within provenances of Adansonia digitata L. (Baobab) in seed germination and seedling growth from selected natural populations in Malawi
Baobab (Adansonia digitata L) trees have a wide variety of subsistence and economic values
across sub-Saharan Africa. Knowledge of the genetic variation within and between the species is
essential for management and designing domestication, improvement and conservation strategies.
Fifty-nine half-sib families were evaluated in the nursery to determine the genetic variation and
control within and between the populations from four silvicultural zones. Seed germination and
seven seedling growth parameters were assessed. Total phenotypic variance, family variance,
within family variance, individual narrow sense heritability, and additive genetic coefficient of
variation (AGCV) were derived from observed and expected mean squares. There were highly
significant differences in seed germination, plant height, root collar diameter, number of leaves,
shoot height and diameter, tuber diameter and weight. Provenance variation in germination
ranged from 46.7 ±3.3% to 68.7±3.3% while tree –to- tree variation ranged from 6.3±8.6% to
95.5±8.6%. Coefficient of variation in seedling growth variables ranged from 18.6% to 43.6%.
Individual narrow sense heritabilities (h2) ranged from 0.07 to 0.71. AGCV ranged from 3.21% to
14.67%. Morphological traits showed that mainland populations were genetically distant from
the island one. High and moderate additive genetic control of traits and AGCV show the
potential that Baobab can also respond well to tree improvement. High phenotypic variation
found in the study offers an opportunity to effect selection of superior attributes at both
provenance and individual tree-to-tree level.Universities of Mzuzu and Stellenbosch.http://www.agronomy-journal.org/hb201
Phenotypic variation in fruit and seed morphology of Adansonia digitata L. (baobab) in five selected wild populations in Malawi
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 g
to 162.9 ± 3.25 g, seed weight ranged from 38.6 ± 2.5 g to 66 ± 2.01g and pulp weight ranged
from 28.7 ± 1.33 g 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.Universities of Mzuzu and Stellenbosch and University of Pretoria.http://www.springer.com/life+sci/forestry/journal/1045
Opportunities for domesticating the African baobab (Adansonia digitata L.): multi-trait fruit selection
Among the priority species identified for domestication in the Sahel region of Sub-Sahara Africa is the baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) tree. The quantification of the variation in nutrient content and fruit morphological traits of trees is one of the most important steps in identifying superior planting material for domestication. Ten provenances in Mali covering all the different agro-ecological zones were selected and the fruit morphological traits, vitamin C, calcium, iron and colour were studied. Mean pulp content was 2,149 +/- A 1,117 , 2,406 +/- A 776 and 25 +/- A 17 mg kg(-1) for vitamin C, calcium and iron, respectively. Fruit pulp colour varied from white, creamy to pink and a significant correlation between pulp vitamin C content and reflectance in the green and blue bands was observed. Significant negative correlations were found between rainfall and pulp vitamin C content and between mean annual temperature and fruit and pulp weight and pulp fraction, suggesting that these traits are influenced by the environment. Pulp iron content correlated positively with topsoil sodicity and base saturation. Similarly, pulp vitamin C content correlated positively with topsoil sand fraction. Pulp reflectance in the blue and green bands correlated negatively with topsoil pH water and base saturation, respectively. The variation in nutritive and morphological traits offers the opportunity for selecting plus trees with a combination of desired traits for domestication