Relations between the ecological conditions and the properties of Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir. wood from the Guinean-Sudanian and Sahelian zones of West Africa

Abstract

Pterocarpus erinaceus (Poir) is currently the most exploited and threatened spontaneous tree species in the Guinean-Sudanian and Sudano-Sahelian zones in West Africa. This work analyzed the density and color parameters of P. erinaceus wood in the phytogeographic zones (Sudanian, Guinean and Sahelian) in three countries in West Africa (Togo, Burkina Faso and Niger). The results obtained by studying 451 specimens taken from 95 trees showed significant differences in basic density and color parameter values (P < 0.001) based on phytogeographic zones. Individual tree samples from the Sahelian zone were denser (780 ± 63 kg · m − 3), darker (L* = 48.3 ± 0.6) and redder (a* = 8.2 ± 2) than those in the Guinean zone (basic density = 684 ± 53 kg · m−3; L* = 59.7 ± 0.5; a* = 6 ± 0.2) and the Sudanian zone (basic density = 725 ± 70 kg · m−3; L* = 53.7 ± 0.40; a* = 7.30 ± 0.2). At intra-tree scale, the results did not show a significant variation of basic density according to the number of rings counted from the pith (P > 0.05). This indicated that the age of the trees has little influence on the basic density of P. erinaceus wood.

Influence of Sahelian and Sudanian provenances on the physical and mechanical properties of Faidherbia albida wood from Chad

“…On the other hand, no significant difference between provenances was observed with regard to total radial shrinkage and total tangential shrinkage. On this same wood, Segla et al (2020) showed that individual tree samples from the Sahelian zone were denser (780 ± 63 kg•m −3 ), than those in the Guinean zone (basic density = 684 ± 53 kg•m −3 ) and the Sudanian zone (basic density = 725 ± 70 kg•m −3 ).…”

Spatio-temporal variability of heartwood proportion in Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir.

“…A signi cant difference for this parameter was also observed among the three zones (P < 0.001). The annual increase in diameter (AID) and annual increase in height (AIH) did not show any signi cant differences between the zones in these stands (Table 1) (Segla et al 2020). For each core sample, total rings number (tree age), duraminized rings number (heartwood age) and number of rings in sapwood (sapwood age) are determined by counting annual growth rings.…”

“…The study was conducted on wood cores with a diameter of 10 mm from the aforementioned three climatic zones (Segla et al 2020). In Burkina Faso, 10 core samples were collected from Cassou forest.…”

“…Pterocarpus erinaceus, a highly sought-after timber species due to the quality of its wood (Segla et al 2020), is known for its maximum heartwood with minimum sapwood desired by users. The heartwood of P. erinaceus is characterized by its greater hardness (12), density of approximately 0.9 g/cm3, relatively low tangential (5.8%) and radial (3.3%) shrinkage, and high modulus of elasticity (16070 MPa) (Segla et al 2020). Additionally, P. erinaceus heartwood exhibits very high durability (Cirad, 2003), making it suitable for outdoor use, and an attractive color for cabinetmaking (Segla 2016).…”

Variation on growth unit morphology in Khaya senegalensis (Desr.) A. Juss., 1830 (Meliaceae) and Pterocarpus erinaceus Poir., 1804 (Fabaceae) according to habitat and climate

“…In the current context of climate change, the functioning of tree crowns, genomic and environmental signatures and the species adaptation mechanisms to a changing climate all need to be taken into account to ensure their sustainable management (Nicolini, 2000;Kushwaha et al, 2010;Sabatier et al, 2014). Applying the retrospective method to endangered species such as K. senegalensis and P. erina-ceus will provide information on their difficulties in developing in a given environment, enable the selection of genotypes that are resistant or adapted to certain habitats, and of priority areas favourable for forest management or agroforestry programmes (Segla et al, 2020;Adji et al, 2021c).…”