Pilot assessment of locally acknowledged morphotypes of Irvingia gabonensis (Aubry-Lecomte) Baill in the Southwestern Benin (West Africa).

Abstract

Introduction – This study was set up to assess the local perception on morphological differentiation within sweet African bush mango tree (Irvingia gab¬onensis) in southwestern Benin. Materials and meth¬ods – Locally acknowledged morphotypes (LAM) and local differentiation criteria were determined, using group discussions with 60 farmers. A total of 120 trees distributed between the fixed LAM were randomly sampled with farmers’ aid. The trees were morphologically characterized based on their leaves (length and width), fruit (length, diameter and mass), seeds (length, diameter and mass), kernels (mass) and fruit flesh (mass and depth). The owners of the 120 trees were questioned for their LAM preference, number of owned LAM trees, propagation methods, and taboos. Data were analyzed through a multivar¬iate analysis of variance (MANOVA). Results and discus¬sion – Three LAM were differentiated: (1) a pasty mor¬photype named ‘woto’, (2) an aqueous morphotype named ‘shito’, and (3) an intermediate morphotype. The MANOVA revealed that contrary to farmers’ per¬ceptions, the accurate prediction of LAM on the field was hard (P > 0.05). However, canonical discriminant analysis indicated an overall significant morpholog¬ical difference between the three LAM (P < 0.001). Although farmers preferred pasty and intermediate LAM, the aqueous LAM was most abundantly found on farms. Twelve taboos and their potential negative im¬pacts were unanimously recognized in the context of I. gabonensis management. Most farmers admitted to have already broken these taboos, particularly the ta¬boo prohibiting plantation of the species. conclusion – This study highlights an ongoing but stagnating local domestication process for this species. A progressive breaking of non-profitable taboos appears to be a gate for a guided selection process.