Alaje et. al. Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (189 - 192 pp)

Morphological Variations in Traits of African Pear ( edulis (G.Don) H.J. Lam) Provenance

ALAJE V. I*1, AMADI J. O1, ALAJE M. A1, NOLA M. O1, ADEBUSUYI G. A1 and AKHIDENO L. O.2 *,1Forestry Research Institute of , P.M.B. 5054, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. 2Moist Forest Research Station, Benin City, Edo state, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: [email protected]; +2348035267527

Abstract: An experiment was conducted at the sustainable forest management nursery of the Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria to determine the morphological variations in traits of African pear fruit (Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J. Lam) provenance with a view of selecting the best provenance for collection. Dacryodes edulis is a potential fruit that serves the dual function of human nutrition and industrial raw material. The improvement of D. edulis offers opportunities to improve the livelihoods of both agroforestry farmers and subsistence farmers. were collected from D. edulis from Edo, Delta, Ondo and Oyo state, Nigeria. The extracted were planted in a 17 by 20 cm diameter depth propagating pots that were arranged in a completely randomized design (CRD) with five replications. Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) using Statistical Analysis System (SAS 2000). Means were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test at 5% level of probability (P ≤ 0.05). Results obtained showed that there were significant differences among the provenance in all the morphological traits evaluated in this study. Significant differences observed among the provenance for all the traits evaluated in this study indicated variation in the performance of the provenance. This suggests that Dacryodes edulis is a wide range adaptable crop and any of the traits can be selected in any of the provenance which implies that there is potential for selection among the provenance.

Key word: Dacryodes Edulis, Morphological Traits, Provenance, Selection

INTRODUCTION many other nutriments which include proteins, African pear (Dacryodes edulis (G.Don) H.J. Lam) is carbohydrates, minerals, vitamins and fibres (Obame, a popular indigenous to West . The Edou, Bassole, Koudou, Agnaniet, Eba, and Traore, fruit are edible, and the bark; leaves, stem, and roots 2008). Oil from the fruit is rich in amino acids and are employed for a variety of purposes (Neuwinger triglycerides and can augment common household 2000; Waruhiu, Kengue, Atangana, and Tchoundjeu oils (Ajiwe et al., 1997; Ikhouria and Maliki, 2007: and Leakey, 2004). The fruit pulp may be cooked Kapseu and Tchiegang, 1996). Iyanre (2009) reported (softened) or eaten raw. Cooked flesh of the fruit has that the physiochemical analysis suggested that the a texture similar to . Oil from the fruit is rich in seeds have valuable functional attributes of industrial amino acids and triglycerides and can augment interests. common household oils (Ajiwe, Okeke, Nnabuike, The socio-economic importance of D. edulis has been Ogunleye and Flebo.1997; Ikhouria and Maliki, 2007; documented (Schreckenberg, Degrande, Mbosso, Kapseu and Tchiegang, 1996). Increasingly, the Boli Baboulé, Boyd, Enyong, Kanmegne, and Ngong, species is becoming commercially important. The 2002). Trees are predominantly planted as shade trees fruit are sold in local markets and, to some level, have in association with cocoa or coffee, where they are attracted international trade (Ajibesin 2011; Awono, also a source of income, as their fruits are widely Ndoye, Schreckenberg, Tabuna, Isseri, and Temple, traded locally and regionally ( Ndoye, Pérez and 2002). In addition to the use of African pear fruits as Eyebe, 1998.) and even internationally (Awono et al,. a staple food, there is growing interest in preparing 2002). There are opportunities to develop D. edulis fruits into preserves like jams, jellies, and in the fruits as an oil crop (Kalenda, Missang, Kink, Krebs extraction of the oil for cooking or use in the and Renard, 2002). It is being recognised that D. margarine, soap and perfume industries (Sonwa, edulis plays an important role in alleviating the threats Okafor, Mpungi, Buyungu, Weise, Tcha, Adesina, on food security caused by disturbances to the balance Nkongmeneck, Ndoye and Endamana ,2002). of nature arising from human activities. Dacryodes edulis trees are also important for the As demand for fruits and other non-timber forest provision of shade and is commonly found in products are increasing, their supply from the forests homegardens and in smallholder cocoa farms in is threatened by increasing deforestation. This (Leakey and Tchoundjeu, 2001). situation of increasing demand and decreasing supply of fruits from the wild necessitate an urgent Nutritionally, the fruits of Dacryodes edulis contain domestication of the trees and this involves selection adequate amount of fatty acids such as palmitic acids, of elite trees for multiplication (Schreckenberg, and oleic acids (Iyare, 2009). Besides Awono, Degrande, Mbosso, Ndoye and Tchoundjeu, lipids, the pulp also contains substantial amounts of 2006). 189

Alaje et. al. Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (189 - 192 pp)

The need for expansion and tree improvement for Experimental set-up and management improved tree quality and fruit yield requires better The extracted seeds were planted in a 17 by 20 cm understanding of the morphological components diameter depth propagating pots that were arranged in (Vaughan and Zuno-Alto 1988)). A successful a completely randomized design (CRD) with five breeding programme will depend on the genetic replications. The were well drained, with an diversity of a crop for achieving the goals of average PH value close to 7.0. The cultural operations improving the crop and producing high yielding and carried out were manual elimination of weeds and better resistant varieties (Padulosi, 1993). Therefore, frequent watering to maintain moisture. The there is the need to diversify the genetic base of experiments were terminated at 9 months old when improved Dacryodes edulis, and the first step towards enough morphological data has been collected. this is to evaluate the germplasm or genotypes at morphological level. This is because the evaluation of Data collection phenotypic diversity usually reveals important traits The following variables were collected: of interest to plant breeders (Singh, 1989). 1. Number of leaves per plant: This was done by counting the number of leaves Survey on farmers’ species prioritized for 2. Plant height (cm): The heights of the seedlings agroforestry identified D. edulis as a priority species were taken from the soil surface to the tip of the for domestication in the humid lowlands of West main stem with the aid of a ruler. Africa (Tchoundjeu, Kengue and Leakey 2002), 3. Collar diameter (mm): collar diameters of the therefore, this study examines the morphological seedlings were measured using digital venier variations in traits of African pear fruit, Dacryodes caliper. edulis provenance with the aim of providing 4. Leaf length (cm): This was measured from the knowledge on which source to base plus-tree selection stalk to the apex of the leaf using ruler. for species development. 5. Leaf breadth (cm): This was measured at the MATERIALS AND METHODS centre of the leaf using ruler Seed collection and processing 6. Leaf length/ breadth ratio: This will be Fruits were collected from Dacryoides edulis trees determined as the ratio of the leaf length to from Edo, Delta, Ondo and Oyo state, Nigeria at the breadth ratio. peak of the fruiting season. These mature and 7. Fresh weight (g): Weighing the fresh plant using undamaged fruits were randomly picked among the sensitive weighing balance. recent-fallen fruits from four quarters of each tree 8. Dry weight (g): by the used of oven. The crown at the tree. The fruits from each tree were seedlings were placed in oven at constant bagged and labeled for assessment. The seeds were temperature of 70oC until a constant weight is gently removed manually to avoid splitting of the attained. seeds. Data analysis Description of experimental sites and climate Data were subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA) The experiment was conducted at the sustainable using Statistical Analysis System (SAS 2000). Means forest management nursery of the Forestry Research were compared using Duncan Multiple Range Test at Institute of Nigeria, Ibadan, Oyo state, Nigeria. 5% level of probability (P ≤ 0.05).

The study area, Nigeria, lies between 4-140N and 3- RESULTS AND DISCUSSION 150E in the Southern edge of West Africa. The Table 1 shows the mean square of analysis of variance country is characterized by two main seasons: dry and for the effect of provenance on the morphological rainy season. The wet season commences from April characters evaluated in Dacryodes edulis. The mean and lengthened till November, distributed in a distinct squares revealed significant morphological effect for bimodal pattern with high proportion in July and all the traits. Significant differences observed among September with a short dry spell in August and a long the provenance for all the traits evaluated in this study dry spell in December to April. Ibadan is located on indicated variation in the performance of the the latitude of 7o 16’N and longitude of 3o 47’E at provenance. This suggests that Dacryodes edulis is a 255m above sea level. wide range adaptable crop and any of the traits can be selected in any of the provenance which implies that there is potential for selection among the provenance. The major role of morphological traits in phenotypic variation is consistent with the works on Irvingia gabonensis (Atangana et al., 2002) and D. edulis (Waruhiu et al., 2004).

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Alaje et. al. Proceedings of 6th NSCB Biodiversity Conference; Uniuyo 2018 (189 - 192 pp)

Table 1: The mean square of analysis of variance for the effect of provenance for the morphological characters evaluated in Dacryodes edulis. PLT COL LEAF LEAF LLB INT FRESH DRY SV DF NOL HT DIA LEN BR RATIO DIS WT WT PROV 3 88.73** 112.15* 8.90** 29.82* 13.79*8 1.31** 8.29* 22.17** 5.28** ERROR 16 21.13 37.87 1.78 8.04 3.95 0.16 2.49 2.74 1.09 TOTAL 19 ** significant at p<0.01, * significant at p<0.05 NOL: no of leaves, PLT HT: plant height, COL DIA: collar diameter, LEAF LEN: leaf length, LEAF BR: leaf breadth, LLB RATION: leaf length/breadth ratio, INT DIS: internode distance, FRESH WT: fresh weight, DRY WT: dry weight

Table 2 shows the mean performance of the a variety of traits of economic importance is the basis morphological characters as influence by provenance of genetic selection programmes (Waruhiu, 1999). in Dacryodes edulis. All the provenance differed This study is in agreement with Anegbe et al., (2005) significantly with respect to all the traits. Number of who maintained that wide variation was observed in leaves was 15.83 and 22.62 for Delta and Edo state Dacryodes edulis but stated that the variation was respectively. Plant height was not significantly high at within village. These variations might have difference in Edo and Delta provenance but these been caused by the growing conditions (Kengue, were significantly different from the other 2002). provenance. It was observed that Ondo had the The existence of wide morphological variations shortest plant of 22.56cm. among the provenance which was observed by All the provenances differ significantly in terms of significant difference in the four provenances leaf length. Delta provenance had a leaf length of provided the opportunity to select this tree crop in 14.20cm whereas that of Ondo was 10.96cm different locations. Some traits performed well in The highest dry weight of 7.08g was recorded for Edo certain provenance, this is an indication that farmers provenance whereas Delta provenance recorded the seeking crop improvement and conservation strategy least dry weight of 5.96g. Significant differences for can select among the provenance.

Table 2: Mean performance of the morphological characters as influence by provenance in Dacryodes edulis PLT COL LEAF LEAF LLB INT FRESH DRY Provenance NOL HT DIA LEN BR RATIO DIS WT WT Oyo 16.60c 23.76b 6.79c 13.54b 5.25c 2.58a 6.91b 15.46bc 6.51b Ondo 20.21b 22.56c 6.68c 10.96d 6.10b 2.09b 4.86d 12.95d 6.35b Delta 15.83c 27.66a 7.08ab 14.20a 7.56a 2.03b 6.26c 15.49bc 5.96c Edo 22.62a 27.26a 7.36ab 12.70c 5.93b 2.20b 7.38a 17.16a 7.08a NOL: no of leaves, PLT HT: plant height, COL DIA: collar diameter, LEAF LEN: leaf length, LEAF BR: leaf breadth, LLB RATION: leaf length/breadth ratio, INT DIS: internode distance, FRESH WT: fresh weight, DRY WT: dry weight

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