Author(s)

N. M. Fakuta^1*, I. F. Ojiekpon¹, I. B. Gashua², O. C. Ogunremi³

¹Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Gum Arabic Sub-Station, Gashua, Nigeria.
²Department of Science Laboratory, Technology Federal Polytechnic, Damaturu, Nigeria.
³National Biotechnology Development Agency, Abuja, Nigeria.

Twelve (12) Acacia senegal provenances were evaluated at the Rubber Research Institute of Nigeria, Gum Arabic Sub-Station Gashua, Yobe state. Gum yield and some morphological data were collect in three years to estimate mean effects, genetic variability, heritability and genetic advance in Acacia senegal provenances. The analysis of variance revealed highly significant difference for all traits. Genetic component analysis showed that both genotypic coefficient of variation (GCV) and phenotypic coefficient of variation (PVC) were high for all the traits except bark thickness. PCV was higher in proportion than GCV with respect to all the traits. Gum yield gave the highest relative difference (RD) over other traits. Heritability estimates were high for bark thickness (77.36) and stem diameter (61.75). Expected genetic advance was high in number of tree incision (1.29), stem diameter (1.54) and yield in kg/ha (22.31). This study indicated that there was sufficient genetic variability in Acacia senegal provenances that could be used as a base for improvement of yield and other component attributes of this species through direct selection and hybridization.

Gum Arabic, Genotypic Coefficient of Variation, Phenotypic Coefficient of Variation, Genetic Advance, Provenances

Fakuta, N. , Ojiekpon, I. , Gashua, I. and Ogunremi, O. (2015) Quantitative Genetic Variation in Gum Arabic (Acacia senegal (L) Willd) Provenances. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 6, 2826-2831. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2015.618279.