Lophira lanceolata is an oleaginous tree species whose fruit is used for vegetable oil production in Benin. The present study highlighted the fruit production and characterization of the morphological traits of the fruits and seeds of this species. A total of 196 mature trees in production were randomly sampled in Borgou-Nord, Borgou-Sud and Atacora Chain phytodistricts. Descriptors were characterized globally at the level of phytodistricts surveyed. Pearson correlation test stands out the relationships between the different descriptors. The effect of phytodistricts on fruit production was analyzed using a Generalized Linear Model (GLM) and the variation of morphological traits between phytodistricts was examined through Kruskal-Wallis test. Finally, SMA regression was used to test the influence of the phytodistrict on the relationship between L. lanceolata seed and fruit weight. This study revealed that there is a positive and significant correlation between the morphological traits of fruits and those of seeds. Trees descriptors (e.g. total height, diameter at breast height, and leaf petiole length) predict fruit production of L. lanceolata, but are not significantly correlated with fruit and seed traits. In the Atacora Chain phytodistrict, breeding trees are entering production with small diameter, low height and produce little number of fruits per tree with higher weight, unlike the Borgou-Nord and Borgou-Sud phytodistricts. These results can be useful in the selection of early breeding tree in Atacora Chain phytodistrict and high-yielding trees from individuals in the Borgou-Nord and Borgou-Sud phytodistricts.

La présente étude examine l’influence des pressions anthropiques sur les caractéristiques structurales des populations de Pentadesma butyracea Sabine (Clusiaceae), une espèce ligneuse vulnérable et à but multiple. Au total 116 placeaux de 500 m² ont été installés de façon aléatoire, dont 68 dans la zone soudanienne et 48 dans la zone soudano-guinéenne, pour réaliser les mesures dendrométriques et inventaires floristiques. Les populations de P. butyracea ont été catégorisées suivant les pressions anthropiques auxquelles elles sont sujettes à l’aide d’une Analyse factorielle des correspondances (AFC). Trois groupes ont été discriminés : le groupe1 (populations de Penessoulou et de Kandi) est caractérisé par une forte pression due aux feux de végétation et aux activités agricoles ; le groupe 2 (populations de Manigri et de Ségbana) est caractérisé par des coupes fréquentes de bois, l’écorçage régulier de P. butyracea, l’élagage de P. butyracea et la pâture des animaux dans les galeries ; et le groupe 3 (populations de Natitingou, Toucountouna et Tchaourou) est caractérisé par un fort niveau de ramassage des fruits de P. butyracea et d’extraction de sable dans les galeries. La répartition par classes de diamètre donne des structures en cloche avec une dissymétrie gauche ou droite selon les types de pressions auxquelles les populations discriminées sont soumises. Pour une conservation des populations de P. butyracea, les forêts galeries très dégradées doivent faire l’objet de reboisement et des mesures de protection doivent être mises en œuvre dans les populations peu dégradées.

Lophira lanceolata is a multi-purpose woody plant species used by local populations in Benin. Its seeds are used for the manufacture of edible vegetable oil and also for medicinal care. However, reproduction by seed of this plant species is compromised not only by the multiple uses made of the seeds, but also by the difficulties of germination in the natural environment. Several ecological factors could explain this difficulty of germination. In this study, we investigated the species seeds ecophysiology in order to develop seedlings production techniques for its reintroduction. Beta regression was performed to test the effect of water, light and provenance on seeds germination rate. The germination speed was expressed as the median germination time. The results showed that the germination rate was better under light conditions (β = 0.77674 ± 0.14954, Z = 5.194, p < 0.0000). The germination rate decreased as the frequency of watering increased (β = −0.28222 ± 0.14809, Z = −1.906, p = 0.0567). The best provenance was the phytodistrict of Atacora chain. The cumulative germination rate reached 50% after 54 days for seeds collected from Atacora chain and after 57 days under light conditions. Regarding the level of watering, the germination rate remained below 50% regardless the treatment. The germination speed was higher for seeds collected from Atacora chain and that have germinated under light conditions and watered twice a week. For the sustainable management of L. lanceolata, domestication by establishment of plantations by rural communities is recommended based on seeds from Atacora chain.

Detarium microcarpum Guill. & Perr. is a common multipurpose small tree species of Sudanian and Sudano-Guinean savannahs with high potential for use as fuelwood but little valued in forestry programs. The present study aimed at assessing the current local uses of D. microcarpum, factors determining its use as fuelwood and determine the geographical areas with the socio-cultural groups which is most suitable for its integration into fuelwood programs. An ethnobotanical survey was conducted among 1074 people selected randomly. Factors determining D. microcarpum use as fuelwood were identified through a binary logistic regression. Factorial Correspondence Analysis established the relationship between socio-cultural groups and the use of D. microcarpum parts or organs. A total of 62.47% of respondents know and use at least part of D. microcarpum. The trunk and branches are the most used organs (35.12%), primarily as fuelwood. The determinants of D. microcarpum use as fuelwood are the phytogeographic district (a proxy for the resource availability), gender, sociolinguistic group, and educational level. D. microcarpum is more used as fuelwood by women. The use of D. microcarpum as fuelwood is more pronounced in about 63% of the national territory. This study confirms the potential of D microcarpum as fuelwood to be promote.

Understanding the utilization of plant is fundamental for efficient conservation of species. The present study aimed at assessing the quatitative ethnobotany of Lophira lanceolata Tiegh. ex Keay (Ochnaceae) utilization in Benin. A number of 1261 persons were randomly selected and interviewed using semi-structured questionnaires. Principal Components Analysis was performed to relate utilizations and organs to ethnic groups. The diversity (ID) and equitability (IE) values were globally low (< 0.50) and indicated that local knowledge on L. lanceolata utilization is not fairly distributed among groups. L. lanceolata was not wellknown by all the respondents and its utilization varied significantly among ethnic groups, between sex and fairly between age classes. The ethnic group consensus values for L. lanceolata parts showed that leaves are the most used organ. Local knowledge on the species was well-diversified and was influenced by the ethnic group. Our study has provided basic information that may help for sustainable management and conservation of the species in Benin.