Genetic and geographic variation in growth of Balanites aegyptiaca in Niger: comparing results from provenance/progeny tests in the nursery and field

WEBER JOHN C.

MONTES Sotelo Carmen

SOUMANA Idrissa

DIALLO Ousmane Boukary

Foresterie et agroforesterie

Balanites aegyptiaca

Some tree improvement programs in Africa use nursery tests to investigate genetic and geographic variation in growth, but do they lead to the same conclusions as field tests? We investigated this question using provenance/progeny tests (12 provenances, 108 families) of Balanites aegyptiacafrom semi-arid Niger. The nursery test included treatments for time (12–16 months) and watering regime (reduced and normal). Family variation was significant for shoot diameter (Sdia), height (Sht), dry weight (Swt) and root dry weight (Rwt) in the nursery, and for tree height at 1 and 2 years (Fht-1, Fht-2) but not at 13.5 years (Fht-13.5) in the field. Provenance variation was significant only for root/shoot weight ratio (RSwt) in the nursery. Family mean Fht-1 and Fht-2 were positively correlated with all nursery growth variables except RSwt. Provenance mean Fht-2 was positively correlated with Sht, while provenance mean Fht-13.5 was negatively correlated with Swt and positively correlated with RSwt. Family mean survival at 13.5 years was positively correlated with Swt, Sdia, Fht-1 and Fht-2. Family mean Rwt, RSwt and Fht-2 increased from the more humid western to the drier eastern locations.

Spinger Nature

2018

Article scientifique

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Niger

Proposé aux scientifiques

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