Intraspecific variability among Lannea species reveals promising morphotypes and ethnotypes in the semi-arid savannas of Burkina Faso (West Africa)

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Résumé

Lannea species are among the fruit trees with high socio-economic importance in West Africa yet their intra-specific variability remains poorly studied, despite being essential for selection and domestication. This studyaimed to characterize morphotypes based on 60 traits and 399 trees of Lannea acida A. Rich., Lannea microcarpaEngl. & K. Krause, and Lannea velutina A. Rich. in relation to environmental factors and local preferences inBurkina Faso. Ethnobotanical survey, direct observations and measurements were used to collect environmental,morphometric, categorical, phenological and organoleptic data for analysis. Findings revealed three morpho-types for each species and six ethnotypes for L. microcarpa. Morphotype 2 (early-fruiting, long inflorescence,acidic, medium fruit) and morphotype 3 (medium inflorescence, sweet, large fruit, large stem tip diameter) ofL. acida are adapted to high temperatures. Morphotype 3 of L. velutina (yellow-fleshed, large fruits) is adapted tobroad environmental conditions. Morphotype 1 of L. microcarpa (green-fleshed, acidic, small fruit, low endocarp)exhibits ecological adaptations to the Sudanian zone and is similar to ethnotype 2 (smaller, less juicy fruits, smallleaves and thin bark), valued for its role in local diets. Morphotype 3 of L. microcarpa (yellow-fleshed, sweet,large fruit, large leaves, thick bark) is adapted to high temperatures and is similar to ethnotype 1 (large juicyfruits, broad leaves and thick bark) and ethnotype 3 (juicy, sweet fruits), preferred for its juicy and sweet fruits.Understanding the intraspecific diversity of Lannea species is essential for selecting the most suitable morpho-types for food production and domestication in agroforestry systems, particularly in arid and semi-arid envi-ronments, where resilience and adaptability are critical.

Mots-clés

ecotypes, intraspecific variation, interspecific variation, Lannea resilience