Field surveys and investigations to collect information on the baobab were conducted in three departments located in northern Côte d’Ivoire, more than 600 km from Abidjan. These departments are Korhogo, Boundiali, and Ferkessédougou, which serve respectively as the administrative centers of the Poro, Bagoué, and Tchologo regions ( Figure 1(a) ). The northern region is considered a primary baobab production zone, where baobab agroforestry parks are still present. The climate is classified as tropical dry, specifically of the Sudanian-Sahelian type, characterized by two main seasons: a pronounced dry season and a marked rainy season, with an average annual rainfall of approximately 1200 mm. The vegetation consists primarily of open forest and various savanna types—wooded, shrubby, or grassy. Forest cover has largely disappeared in recent decades due to unsustainable exploitation by local populations. The savanna region is dominated by moderately to heavily leached ferralitic soils, with a consistent mineralogical composition [14] .

The plant material studied was the baobab, on which surveys were conducted in the departments of Korhogo, Boundiali, and Ferkessédougou. A morphological diversity study was carried out specifically in the department of Korhogo. The selection of the Korhogo department as the study site for morphological diversity is justified by its geographical location between the departments of Boundiali and Ferkessédougou. This choice aims to assess the diversity in this area, which could reflect the overall state of diversity across all the departments surveyed during the investigation. Morphological characterization of the fruit was performed on 48 mature fruits collected from 12 baobab trees or genotypes, with four mature fruits sampled per genotype. The selected trees were located at a minimum distance of 1 km from each other, positioned along the four cardinal directions from the center of the Korhogo department ( Figure 1(b) ).

Field surveys were conducted in each locality based on information gathered from interviews with 101 respondents, including 81 women and 20 men. Information was collected through direct interviews with randomly selected individuals from the different surveyed localities. The survey method was based on a predefined questionnaire developed in alignment with the study’s objectives. It included sections on the profile of the respondents (name, gender, contact information, age, origin, and occupation), the conservation status of baobab in the surveyed areas, as well as economic data and the various uses of the baobab.

Fruits were harvested from different baobab trees in the Korhogo area for the assessment of morphological and agronomic traits. For each of the 48 whole fruits sampled, five morphological characteristics were measured: peduncle length, fruit length, equatorial circumference, polar diameter, and total fruit mass ( Table 1 ).

Each fruit was then cracked open. Seeds and pulp were extracted using the traditional method reported by local villagers during the survey. The following parameters were then evaluated and/or calculated: shell mass, total number of seeds per fruit, seed mass per fruit, pulp mass per fruit, and pulp yield per fruit ( Table 1 ; Figure 2 ).

Survey data were subjected to descriptive statistical analysis (frequency, mean, percentage). The results are presented in the form of tables and charts. Quantitative data collected from the fruits were analyzed using a one-way Analysis of Variance (ANOVA 1), with the tree as the classification criterion, to compare means across different baobab trees. To assess the morphological diversity structure of the fruits, a Principal Component Analysis (PCA) was performed to identify homogeneous groups based on variable relationships. Additionally, a phylogenetic tree was constructed using a Euclidean distance matrix derived from the morphological data. This analysis aimed to cluster baobab trees exhibiting similar traits into the same group. All statistical analyses were conducted using SPSS software, version 16.

During the survey, 101 individuals were interviewed, including 81 women (80.20%) and 20 men (19.80%). Respondents’ ages ranged from 20 to over 40 years, with a majority (54.46%) being over 40 years old. The majority of respondents were indigenous, primarily of Senoufo origin (84.16%), while non-indigenous individuals accounted for 15.84% ( Table 2 ).

Respondents across the surveyed cities shared their views on the existence of baobab stands, changes in tree population, and the presence of baobab varieties. The survey revealed that no formal baobab plantations were reported in the three localities. However, only 10.6% of respondents were aware of the existence of dense baobab stands. In the surveyed areas, dense stands are reported to be rare and mostly found in sacred protected forests ( Figure 3 ).

Regarding the evolution of baobab tree numbers in the study zones, most respondents reported a decrease (49%) or no change (47.2%) in tree numbers. The number of baobab trees remained most stable in Ferkessédougou, followed by Boundiali and Korhogo, with respective stability rates of 85.7%, 60%, and 38.7%. Fewer than 5% of respondents observed an increase in tree numbers. The greatest decline in tree population was reported in Korhogo, followed by Boundiali and Ferkessédougou, at 56.3%, 40%, and 14.3% respectively ( Figures 3-5 ).

Only 15.3% of respondents in the study area were aware of the existence of different baobab varieties. The criteria used to distinguish these varieties included pulp color (white, brown, yellow), leaf color (light green, dark green), and fruit size (small and large).

The price of baobab leaves and pulp varies depending on the time of year, market conditions, and availability. In the departments of Korhogo, Boundiali, and Ferkessédougou, the price of one kilogram of baobab pulp is 1000 FCFA. A kilogram of dried baobab leaves sells for 500 FCFA. Fresh baobab leaves are sold in small bundles, typically priced at 25 FCFA each. Quantities of pulp and dried baobab leaves (in powdered form) intended for sale are commonly measured in urban markets using large tomato cans ( Figure 6 ). Traders source baobab pulp either by harvesting the fruits themselves in the field or by purchasing them in bulk from village women.

All major parts of the baobab tree are used either for food or in traditional medicine. The most frequently cited parts are the pulp and the leaves, used for food purposes by 100% and 71.8% of respondents, respectively. Roots and wood, used for therapeutic purposes, are mentioned less frequently. The process of extracting pulp from mature fruits involves three main steps. First, the mature fruits are crushed, and the seeds coated with pulp are removed and sun-dried. Next, the pulp-coated seeds are pounded. Finally, the mixture is sieved to obtain the fine powdered baobab pulp ( Figure 7 ).

Among the ten quantitative traits measured on baobab fruits, only the polar diameter did not significantly differentiate trees located in the Korhogo department ( Table 3 ). The fruits collected from different baobab trees were generally similar in shape and size at the base and apex. However, differences observed in the other nine parameters indicate variability among the collected baobab fruits.

The degree of association between variables was estimated using Pearson’s correlation coefficient (r). Several significant correlations were observed among the measured traits ( Figure 8 ). The correlation matrix revealed 18 pairs of variables with strong and significant positive correlations (r ≥ 0.70). Heavier and wider fruits were associated with higher pulp mass. Specifically, pulp mass per fruit was positively correlated with fruit diameter (r = 0.678) and fruit mass (r = 0.777).

To assess the distribution of the variables and the dispersion of the individuals ( Figure 9 ), the first two principal components, which together account for 83.15% of the total variability, were considered.

Axis 1 (64.36%) is primarily defined by equatorial girth, polar diameter, fruit mass, and pulp mass per fruit, fruit length, shell mass, total number of seeds per fruit, and seed mass per fruit all of which are positively correlated with this axis.

Axis 2 (18.75%) is mainly defined by peduncle length, which is negatively correlated with it. Analysis of this trait, which contributes significantly to the formation of this axis, revealed that shorter peduncles are associated with wider and heavier fruits.

The distribution of individuals within this plane revealed two distinct groups. Group I, located on the right side of axis 1, consists of individuals 3, 10, and 12. Group II comprises the remaining individuals, which are positioned closer to axis 2.

The dendrogram constructed using the UPGMA method (Unweighted Pair Group Method with Arithmetic Mean) revealed two main clusters ( Figure 10 ). The first group consists of nine baobab trees (B1, B7, B11, B9, B1, B4, B2, B6, and B8), while the second group includes four trees (B3, B12, and B10). Analysis of the dendrogram showed that, in general, the grouping of baobab trees does not correspond to their geographical proximity. For instance, trees B3 and B12, although geographically distant, are both placed in Group 2.