Phenotypic Diversity of Doum Palm (Hyphaene compressa), a Semi‐Domesticated Palm in the Arid and Semi‐Arid Regions of Kenya

Abstract

Hyphaene compressa is an economically important palm in Africa. Despite its significant role in the livelihoods of rural communities, the diversity of doum palm is poorly documented and studied. In addition, it has no model descriptor that can aid such studies. Ninety H. compressa accessions collected from Northern, Eastern, and Coastal regions of Kenya were examined to determine the morphological variability of the vegetative and fruit traits of H. compressa and to identify its morphotypes for improvement. A total of 19 morphological characters including seven quantitative and 12 qualitative traits of fruit and vegetative traits were selected. Linear mixed-effects models, principal component analysis, and linear discriminant analyses were used to assess the variation in the morphological traits of doum palm based on the regions. Hierarchical clustering was performed to identify the morphotypes of H. compressa. There was variability in H. compressa morphological traits, particularly at the Kenyan Coast. All seven quantitative traits were able to effectively discriminate doum palm phenotypically p ≤ 0.001 . The 90 accessions clustered into five morphotypes designated as 1, 2, 3, 4, and 5. Morphotype 4 was specific only to the Coastal region. Morphotype 5 had the tallest trees with the biggest fruits and included palms from Eastern and Coastal regions making it the best morphotype for fruit traits. This study will inform the domestication, improvement, and conservation of H. compressa by selecting elite accessions.

Phenotypic Diversity Analysis in Elaeagnus angustifolia Populations in Gansu Province, China

“…At present, they have been applied to the phenotypic analysis of many plants, such as Hyphaene compressa, Crataegus orientalis, Citrus microcarpa, etc. [8][9][10].…”

Genetic Diversity and Population Structure of Doum Palm (Hyphaene compressa) Using Genotyping by Sequencing

“…Thus, it is a substantial income-generating plant, particularly for women in ASALs who derive their livelihoods from the sale of woven leaf products (Amwatta, 2004;Maundu and Tengnas, 2005;Omire et al, 2020a). The ability to withstand waterlogging, drought and salinity makes the doum palm a reliable economic plant with ability to avert natural calamities including drought in such areas (Amwatta, 2004;Omire et al, 2020a).…”

“…Hyphaene. compressa resources are known to be strained and overexploited in the Eastern part of Kenya (Omire et al, 2020a). Despite this knowledge on the status, there are no known interventions to reverse the current trend (Kigomo, 2001).…”

“…Threats to H. compressa include human interference as well as biotic and abiotic stress (Omire et al, 2020a). Overgrazing by pastoralist communities, particularly along the riverine areas, is a significant threat to this palm since livestock graze and browse on H. compressa (Kigomo, 2001).…”

Physiological and Biochemical Evaluations for Identification of Drought Tolerance Potential in Doum Palms (Hyphaene Compressa) under Water Deficit Treatment

“…There are reports on Hyphaene compressa's phenotypic diversity, uses, and geographic location [7], [11]. However, despite its adaptation to dry and limited water environments, no research is available on drought tolerance's physiological and biochemical parameters [10].…”