Introduction. Detarium microcarpum is an important fruit-bearing species in the south of Mali. The objective of this work was the morphological characterization of certain populations of D. microcarpum, which would be a necessary step for a subsequent study of the genetic structure of the species. Materials and methods. Morphological observations related to twenty-three agronomic characters, studied on twenty-five trees selected from ten populations located in southern Mali. Results and discussion. The study showed that there was a variability between the populations, which related to the characters measured on the fruit, the seed and the leaf. Three shapes of mature fruit and one shape of seed were identified. Conclusion. Results obtained do not make it possible to affirm the existence of different varieties within the species D. microcarpum. The study will thus have to be extended to the observation of other characters, and relate to the whole of the D. microcarpum distribution area in the Sahel. Mali / Detarium microcarpum / genetic polymorphism / stand characteristics Caractères morphologiques de Detarium microcarpum Guill. et Perr. au sud du Mali. Résumé-Introduction. Detarium microcarpum est une espèce fruitière importante au sud du Mali. L'objectif du présent travail a été la caractérisation morphologique de certaines populations de D. microcarpum, qui serait un préalable nécessaire à l'étude de la structure génétique de l'espèce. Matériel et méthodes. Les observations morphologiques ont concerné vingt-trois caractères agronomiques étudiés sur 25 arbres par peuplement de dix populations réparties sur l'ensemble du sud du Mali. Résultats et discussion. L'étude a montré qu'il existait une variabilité entre les populations, qui a porté sur les caractères mesurés chez le fruit, la graine et la feuille. Trois formes de fruits à maturité et une forme de graines ont été identifiées. Conclusion. Les résultats obtenus ne permettent pas d'affirmer l'existence de variétés différentes au sein de l'espèce D. microcarpum. L'étude devra donc être élargie à l'observation d'autres caractères et porter sur l'ensemble de l'aire de répartition de l'espèce au Sahel. Mali / Detarium microcarpum / polymorphisme génétique / caractéristique du peuplement D. microcarpum au sud du Mali

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BackgroundCarapa procera is a native oil tree species with multipurpose values traditionally exploited by the local population in Southern Mali. This study focused on the assessment of local knowledge about the use of Carapa procera.MethodsSemi-structured ethnobotanical questionnaires were conducted among the ethnic groups Senufo, Fulani and Bambara in two localities in the Sudanian zone in Mali. Use values among these ethnic groups and gender were evaluated.ResultsThis study showed that Carapa procera is a species with multiple uses and high use values. According to the consensus value for plant parts (CPP), the nuts constituted 57% of exploited plant parts followed by bark and leaves (12%), wood and roots (7%), mistletoes (4%) and gum (1%). The use diversity (UD) values of Carapa procera showed a high proportion of cosmetic (UD = 0.49) and therapeutic (UD = 0.36) uses. The UD for therapeutic uses was higher for ethnic groups in Ziékorodougou than in Niankorobougou. In contrast, the UD for cosmetic uses was higher for ethnic groups in Niankorobougou than in Ziékorodougou. Comparative analysis between ethnic groups revealed that the highest UD for cosmetic uses (0.63) was observed in the Bambara ethnic group, whereas the highest UD for therapeutic uses (0.39) was obtained in the Senufo ethnic group. The UD showed that cosmetic uses were higher for women than for men in both locations. Men in Ziékorodougou had the highest level of knowledge regarding plant parts used, forms of use and the specific reasons for using Carapa procera.ConclusionThis study highlighted the sociocultural importance of Carapa procera. In the light of its multipurpose uses, the promotion and enhancement of Carapa procera can provide significant socio-economic benefits to local people. In this perspective, it is necessary to implement conservation strategies and sustainable management through domestication of the species.

Morphological variability of the baobab tree (Adansonia digitata L.) in Mali.Abstract -Introduction. Baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) is a typical agricultural landscape tree in semi-arid areas of Africa. It is a tree used daily by the local population. The diversity of its services and products suggests an assessment of its morphological variability to achieve a better understanding of its potential. This article seeks to identify morphological descriptors of baobab in relation to the agro-ecological diversity of Mali. Materials and methods. Eight provenances distributed over the whole geographical distribution area in Mali were evaluated for foliar, fruit and seed traits. The coefficient of variation was used to evaluate the variation. The data was analyzed by variance analysis and multivariate analysis. Results. Significant variability was observed according to the provenance, and the foliar, fruit and seed descriptors. The discriminating morphological descriptors for baobab in Mali are the fruit length and width, the fruit peduncle length, the leaf length and width, and the number of lobes. Mali / Adansonia digitata / fruits / leaves / site factors / production locationVariabilité morphologique du baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) au Mali.Résumé -Introduction. Le baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) est un arbre caracté-ristique du paysage agricole dans les zones semi-arides d'Afrique. Il est utilisé quotidiennement par la population locale africaine. La diversité des services et des produits du baobab suggère d'effectuer une évaluation de sa variabilité morphologique afin d'avoir une meilleure connaissance de son potentiel. Notre article a cherché à identifier des descripteurs morphologiques discriminants chez le baobab en relation avec la diversité agro-écologique du Mali. Matériel et méthodes. Notre évaluation a concerné huit provenances de baobab reparties sur l'ensemble de son aire de distribution géographique au Mali. Elle a porté sur les caractères foliaires, fruitiers et sur ceux liés aux graines. Le coefficient de variation a été utilisé pour évaluer la variabilité. Les données ont été analysées par analyse de variance et analyse multi-variée. Résultats. Une importante variabilité a été observée selon les provenances et les descripteurs utilisés. Les descripteurs morphologiques discriminants pour les baobabs que nous avons échantillonnés ont été la longueur et la largeur des fruits, la longueur du pédoncule des fruits, la longueur, la largeur et le nombre de lobes des feuilles.Mali / Adansonia digitata / fruits / feuille / facteur lié au site / localisation des productions 1 Inst. Econ. Rural., BP 16, Sikasso, Mali, amadoumkouyate@yahoo.fr

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We analyzed the phenotypic variation of baobab (Adansonia digitata L.) fruits from Mali to define the domestication potential of this species. 269 trees, selected from 10 provenances distributed along a rainfall gradient, were characterized. Five fruits were sampled from each tree. Total individual fruit weight was partitioned into shell, pulp, and seed weight. Ratios were calculated between pulp ? seed and total weight, and between pulp and seed weight. For all the measured fruit traits, we detected significant differences between provenances, as well as between trees from the same provenance. Assuming that the measured traits are under genetic control, the latter facts indicate that there are considerable opportunities for tree selection on a local scale. However, candidate plus trees with specific properties, e.g., extremely high pulp or seed weight, were found only in some locations. Mean pulp yield per fruit might be considerably increased by selecting the 5% trees with the highest pulp weight (mean: 45 ± 1 g, best 5%: [100 g). The same might be true for seed production (mean: 71 ± 2 g, best 5%: [150 g). Also the ratio between pulp and seed weight can be an important fruit characteristic for selection: in fruits with a low ratio, relatively more pulp sticks to the seeds when separating the two fruit parts by grinding, and thus more pulp will be lost for further processing. We identified several trees with a high pulp weight combined with a high ratio between pulp and seed weight. It is concluded that there is considerable phenotypic variability in traits of baobab fruit in Mali, offering opportunities for cultivar selection.

The present work was launched to assess the floristic composition and structure of the native forest food species in order to tackle malnutrition. It was carried out in four natural forest from villages in two agro-ecological zones (two villages per agro-ecological zone) in southern Mali. In each natural forest, data were collected in 10 plots of 50 x 50 m using sampling systematic to one degree. In each plot, all tree were measured. Dendrometric data were collected on each tree (diameter at breast height or d.b.h and total stem height). In each plot, the total number of seedlings (diameter at breast height < 3 cm) was carried out within five 25 m² plots using sampling systematic to two degrees. The inventories were recorded 89 native forest species belonging to 73 genera and 30 botanical families. Native edible species were represented 34.83% of the overall inventoried species. Significant differences were observed between natural forest for average density per hectare, average height and average basal area. The high density was observed in Badogo (71 trees.ha -1 ), while the less in Sorobasso (24 trees.ha -1 ) which present the high regeneration rate (2.88%). The analysis of population diameter structures for Saba senegalensis, Vitellaria paradoxa, Lannea acida, Lannea microcarpa, Lophira lanceolata, Parkia biglobosa and Borassus aethiopum showed variable trends. Domestication and vegetative propagation strategies of the species are needed to ensure the availability of the resource to combat malnutrition.

Drought is a noteworthy cause of low agricultural profitability and of crop production vulnerability, yet in numerous countries of Africa little to no consideration has been paid to readiness for drought calamity, particularly to spatial evaluation and indicators of drought occurrence. In this study, biophysical and socio-economic data, farmers’ community surveys and secondary data from remote sensing on soil characteristics and water demand were used to evaluate the predictors of drought in inland valley rice-based production systems and the factors affecting farmers’ mitigation measures. The study intervened in three West African countries located in the Sudan-Sahel zone, viz. Burkina Faso, Mali and Nigeria. Significant drying trends occurred at latitudes below 11°30′ whilst significant wetting trends were discerned at latitude above 11°30′. Droughts were more frequent and had their longest duration in the states of Niger and Kaduna located in Nigeria and in western Burkina Faso during the period 1995–2014. Among 21 candidate predictors, average annual standardized precipitation evapotranspiration index and duration of groundwater availability were the most important predictors of drought occurrence in inland valleys rice based-production systems. Land ownership and gender affected the commitment of rice farmers to use any mitigation measure against drought. Drought studies in inland valleys should include climatic water balance and groundwater data. Securing property rights and focusing on women’s association would improve farmers’ resilience and advance drought mitigation measures.