Survival and growth of Acacia senegal (L.) Wild. (Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton) provenances depend on the rainfall at the site of origin

Abstract

Key message Variation among provenances of Acacia senegal (Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton) in their survival and growth in height and diameter at two sites in Senegal could be partly explained by the climate at their site of origin and also revealed genotype-by-environment interactions. Breeding programs and forest restoration projects should carefully select germplasm for optimal performance of this socioeconomically important tree species.• Context Several studies have shown important differences in adaptive properties among provenances (origins) of African savanna tree species, but there is a lack of studies on how these differences are expressed in different environments and age and to what extent they reflect local adaptation.• Aims This study investigates the survival and growth of trees from 15 African Acacia senegal (Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton) provenances tested in two environments and relates the differences among provenances to the climate at their site of origin and tree age.• Methods The study is based on 14 years growth in a common garden trial at two sites (Bambey and Dahra, Senegal) that differ in water availability, followed up by later assessment after 23 years at one of the sites. • ResultsThe variation among provenances in survival, height, and diameter was significant, and differences could be partly explained by the climate at their site of origin. In general, provenances from dry sites survived better at both sites. However, we observed genotype-by-environmental interactions where provenances from dry sites on average performed relatively poorer in height and diameter at the wettest site (Bambey) compared to the drier site (Dahra), while the opposite was the case for provenances from wetter sites. • ConclusionThe results support that divergent selection creates and maintains local adaptation of Acacia senegal provenances in relation to growth (height and diameter) and survival in areas with different water availability. This has important implications for choice of appropriate planting material for tree planting and for conservation of genetic variation among natural populations, but also for prediction of the effects of climate change.

Effect of pruning intensity and picking on Acacia senegal for gum arabic yield in Northern Jigawa State, Nigeria

“…The release of defense substances triggers the formation of callus tissue around the wound site. The callus tissue is a physical barrier that prevents the invasion of pathogens and pests [41]. As the callus tissue develops, it secretes gum arabic, which oozes out of the wound site.…”

Potential Distribution Projections for Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton under Climate Change Scenarios

“…Previous studies, including the work by Raddad et al [46], have shown that the natural distribution area of S. senegal is primarily on stabilized sand dunes with an annual rainfall of approximately 280 mm or on sandy soils within the 280-500 mm isopach lines. Diatta et al [4] reported that S. senegal usually grows in arid areas with low soil fertility and rainfall ranging from 200-800 mm. The results from this study further demonstrate that a suitable habitat for S. senegal is minimally affected by soil physicochemical properties, exhibits low soil fertility requirements, and has a high growth potential with rainfall between 129.88 and 1263.6 mm.…”

“…Approximately 1/4th of the world's land area is affected by desertification, and the establishment of protective forests is an important preventive and control measure adopted by countries to address ecological problems and natural disasters, particularly desertification [1][2][3]. The gum acacia Senegalia senegal (L.) Britton (Fabales: Fabaceae), which grows predominantly in tropical and subtropical arid zones, is an important multipurpose agroforestry species in desert regions [4,5]. It boasts widespread economic applications with a low-input production cycle and the gum Arabic it yields can be used in foods, beverages, feed, pharmaceuticals, cosmetics, industrial products, and fuelwood [6,7].…”

Acacia Shrubs and Trees for Climate Change Mitigation and Economic Growth: An Imperative towards Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals in Yobe, Nigeria

“…Climate variability and human activities are the two major factors threatening forestry in Sudan Sahelian Africa. in this region half of the forest region are threatened [3]. In African context the major problems facing communities is deforestation of trees particularly Acacia species in northern States, Yobe inclusive.…”