Mating System among Provenances of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst.

Abstract

Mating system of a species is critically important both genetically and ecologically in developing plans for breeding and gene conservation. This study was conducted to assess twenty provenances of Sclerocarya birrea (A. Rich.) Hochst. planted in Malawi. The trial was assessed for mating system and sex ratio at eighteen years of age. The results revealed that the mating system in S. birrea occurred from selfing, insect, and wind-mediated pollination. There were no significant (P>0.05) differences on seed germination percentage among the three mating systems. The germination percentages were 47%, 44%, and 43% for insect, wind, and self-pollinations, respectively. This implies that the seeds were viable in all the three mating systems. Production of viable seed from selfed flowers ruled out the possibility of apomixes in S. birrea. Most frequent flower visitors were the orders Hymenoptera and Lepidoptera with peak visitation period being from 7:00 to 11:30 hours in the morning and then 15:30 to 18:00 hours in the afternoon (+2 GMT) when temperatures were cooler. There were significant (P<0.05) variations in sex ratio among the provenances. Five provenances (Marracuene, Magamba, Tanzania pooled, Ngundu, and Matebeleland South) did not deviate significantly from sex ratio equality. The other provenances showed male-biased sex ratios.

Melissopalynological investigations of seasonal honey samples from the Greater Kruger National Park, Savanna biome of South Africa

“…was found to be the third most abundant plant species within a 250 m radius of the beehives (54%), making it a widely available food source in the Lowveld for the bees. The tree is mainly pollinated by honeybees and its production of sticky pollen and prolific secretion of nectar is one of the main reasons it is highly favoured by bees (Hall et al 2002;Msukwa et al 2019).…”

Screening Sclerocarya birrea provenances on pests and diseases: A step towards domestication

“…A shift of an indigenous fruit tree from its natural environment to monoculture is likely to experience and introduce new pest pressure due to loss of its buffering capacity it had from natural systems (Reddy, 2013;Lok et al, 2018). Therefore, in an event where S. birrea, a wild tree crop is to be introduced into agriculture, information regarding the insect pests and diseases must be researched, which at this point remain limited (Msukwa et al, 2016). The limitation to such information such as insect pest and pathogen (Msukwa et al, 2016) has necessitated this study.…”

“…Therefore, in an event where S. birrea, a wild tree crop is to be introduced into agriculture, information regarding the insect pests and diseases must be researched, which at this point remain limited (Msukwa et al, 2016). The limitation to such information such as insect pest and pathogen (Msukwa et al, 2016) has necessitated this study.…”

Nutritional and Phytochemical Variation of Marula (Sclerocarya birrea) (Subspecies caffra and birrea) Fruit among Nine International Provenances Tested in Malawi

“…However, the source and type of variation have been reported to determine the success of domestication programs [ 28 ]. In Malawi, studies on S. birrea in the international provenance trial have been done, showing variations in mating systems [ 29 ], pest susceptibility [ 30 ], growth performance, and fruit productivity [ 24 ] as well as fruit morphological traits within and among provenances [ 8 ]. However, information regarding nutritional and phytochemical variation of S. birrea in the trial is still outstanding.…”