TITLE:
Morphological Diversity and Distribution of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) in Two Agro-Ecological Areas of Côte d’Ivoire
AUTHORS:
Any Olivier Komenan, Kouamé Kévin Koffi, Ahou Anique Gbotto, Moussa Kone, Doffou Sélastique Akaffou, Kouakou Laurent Kouakou, Kouadio Ignace Kouassi, Bi Irié Arsène Zoro
KEYWORDS:
Garcinia kola Heckel, Morphological Variability, Geographical Distribution, Discriminating Characteristics
JOURNAL NAME:
American Journal of Plant Sciences,
Vol.10 No.10,
October
28,
2019
ABSTRACT: The purpose of this study
is to determine the morphological diversity and distribution of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) in two preferential agro- ecological growth
areas in C?te d’Ivoire, for the sustainable management of the species.
Ninety-four (94) trees of G. kola were sampled in Affery (south)
and Biankouma (west) and characterized on the basis of 13 quantitative
characteristics of the fruit, the general appearance of a plant, leaves and
seeds. This study revealed the existence of very significant variability and
differences within the trees sampled for most characteristics. Very strong
correlations were found among the characteristics of the fruits. On the basis
of these characteristics, it emerged that the fruits of the Biankouma area are
larger than those of Affery. Ascending hierarchical classification (AHC)
structured the trees into three distinct phenotypic groups based on the
following discriminating characteristics: fruit height (Hfr), seed mass (Mgr),
trunk diameter (Dm), leaf width (largF), Height of first branch (HtF) and width
of the petiole (larP). These parameters can be used as a basis for selecting
and maintaining the high variability of G. kola. Analysis of the
geographical distribution of trees, based on the nearest neighbour model,
revealed an aggregate distribution in both areas.