Genetic diversity for nutritional traits in the leaves of baobab, Adansonia digitata

Abstract

Genetic divergence of baobab (Adansonia digitata) in the North East and West of Nigeria was investigated. The seeds collected from 36 populations of Adansonia digitata were thoroughly washed from the pulp, dried and sown in polyethylene pots and arranged in completely randomized design (CRD) with three replications in the nursery of Savanna Forestry Research Institute of Nigeria, (FRIN), Zaria Station. The leaves of the seedlings were assessed at 16 weeks after sowing (WAS) for nutritional traits such as carbohydrate, crude protein, fat, moisture content, fiber and ash. Highly significant differences were observed in all the traits assessed showing that high variability exists among the populations. Mean separation and comparisons were also consistent with the observed variability in all the traits of the genotypes in the 36 populations. Mahalanobis D² statistic and wards minimum variance grouped the 36 populations into four clusters: I (25), II (3), III (7) and IV (1). Clusters IV and I had the highest inter-clusters value and intra-cluster distance. Clusters II and I had the least values of D 2 and D 2 of the inter cluster and intra cluster distance. Furthermore, cluster I had the highest population (25) and cluster IV was observed to be an isolated cluster with only one population and 0 intra-cluster values. Crosses can be made among the genetically divergent populations of baobab to develop genotypes for higher nutritional quality in the leaves as well as withstand both biotic and abiotic stress arising from the environment.

The Future of Food: Domestication and Commercialization of Indigenous Food Crops in Africa over the Third Decade (2012–2021)

“…Palmitic acid, oleic acid and linoleic acid were the most abundant of each of these fatty acids, respectively. In parallel with this, the nutritional content of leaves showed high variability across genotypes from 36 populations, which could be placed in 4 variance clusters [59]. These authors recommended tree breeding between divergent populations to develop genotypes with higher nutritional values, as well as greater tolerance of biotic and abiotic stress.…”

“…In the literature for tree domestication during the third decade, 59 African species were identified (Table 2), generally with different species in each Region, although a few dry zone species were reported from other regions, notably baobab (Adansonia digitata) being important in three regions. A wider range of ethnobotanically important species were also discussed, indicating the potential for further growth in the future.…”

Influence of poultry manure rates on proximate, mineral, vitamin and anti-nutrient compositions of Baobab (Adansonia digitata) leaves

“…Accession differed significantly on carbohydrate, moisture and protein contents. Previous work of Ibrahim et al (2014) reported genetic diversity in nutritional traits in Baobab leaves. A study (Ndubuaku et al, 2015) Figure 3: Biplot analysis showing the interaction of accession and poultry manure rates on mineral and vitamin contents of the leaves of Baobab.…”

“…Mahgoub (2014) reported genetic diversity in nutritional traits in Baobab leaves. Also, Ibrahim et al (2014) found genetic variability in nutritional qualities of Baobab leaves. According to Stevens et al (2021) who worked on twenty accessions of Moringa reported accessional variation in vitamin contents in the leaves.…”

“…Baobab seems to be the most protected tree in the arid and semi-arid zones of Nigeria. Baobab tree has multi-purpose uses and every part of the plant is reported to be useful (Ibrahim et al, 2014).…”