Genetic Variation in Quantitative and Qualitative Morphological Traits among Balanites aegyptiaca (L.) Delile Populations and Its Implication for Conservation and Traits Improvements

Abstract

Balanites aegyptiaca, a highly significant fruit-bearing tree, possesses substantial health and medicinal benefits. The species is in a state of alarming decline resulting from overexploitation and habitat destruction. There is a deficiency of information on the degree of variation in the traits of this species, which is essential for developing effective conservation and improvement plans. This research aimed to assess the degree and distribution of variation in the characteristics of fruits, nuts, kernels, and leaves among the B. aegyptiaca population. Eight sources of natural distribution of the species were identified for trait assessment. Fruit thickness (FTH cm), fruit width (FWD cm), pulp weight (PWG g), fruit weight (FWG g), fruit length (FL cm), leaf length, (LL cm), leaf width (LWD cm), leaf thickness (LTH cm), nut length (NL cm), nut weight (NWG g), nut length (NL cm), nut thickness (NTH cm) and kernel weight (KWG g) were assessed and subjected to ANOVA and correlation analysis. The coefficient of variation (CV%), Heritability (h2), and genetic gain (ΔG) among traits were computed. Significant variation was found in all fruit traits assessed. Variation was significant for the entire leaf trait except LTH. NL, NTH KWG, and PWG vary significantly among sources, while NWD and NWG did not vary significantly among sources. Both strong and weak relationships among traits were found. The level of h2 among traits was highest in NTH (0.90) and least in NWD (0.06). ΔG was highest in KWG (14.47) and least in NWD (2.46). FWG, PWG, LWD, and NWG had CVs of 29.68, 37.07, 40.20 and 27.76, respectively. High and significant variations in B. aegyptiaca traits among the sources and significant positive correlation among traits are indications that the selection of multiple traits during improvement is feasible.