TITLE:
Assessing Morphological Traits Variation and Fruit Production of Lophira lanceolata (Ochnaceae) in Benin
AUTHORS:
Aliou Dicko, Armand Kuyéma Natta, Honoré Samadori S. Biaou, Arcadius Akossou
KEYWORDS:
False Shea, Phenotypic Traits, Fruit Production, Phytodistricts, Conservation
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.10 No.6,
June
25,
2019
ABSTRACT: 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.