Seed and seedling morphology of Faidherbia albida was investigated in
conjunction with isozyme analysis, Seeds from 19 seed lots representin
g central, western and southern parts of the distribution range were s
tudied. The results are in accordance with the earlier discovery of tw
o distinguishable ecogeographical races. The isozyme locus Sod-2 shows
two different phenotypic patterns over the geographical range of the
species. One phenotypic pattern was confined to the central and wester
n parts of the distribution range (the Sahelian range) and the other t
o the southern part oi the range, although the two patterns were found
to overlap in north-eastern Ethiopia. A similar bimodal pattern of va
riation was also shown in the seed and seedling morphology; one phenot
ype appears to be endemic to the southern part of the distribution ran
ge, whilst the other appears to be endemic to the Sahelian range. Clin
es of some morphological traits investigated were also evident in the
riparian habitat of the central distribution range (the Nile (N)). Bas
ed on the results, recommendations pertaining to the utilisation of th
e species gene resources and stand establishment were inferred. (C) 19
97 Elsevier Science B.V.