SEED AND SEEDLING VARIATION AMONGST PROVENANCES IN FAIDHERBIA-ALBIDA

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.