Author(s)

Any Olivier Komenan^1*, Kouamé Kévin Koffi¹, Ahou Anique Gbotto², Moussa Kone³, Doffou Sélastique Akaffou², Kouakou Laurent Kouakou¹, Kouadio Ignace Kouassi¹, Bi Irié Arsène Zoro¹

¹Phytotechnical Unit and Genetic Improvement (PUGI), Training and Research Unit (TRU) of Science of Nature, Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.
²Agroforestry Training and Research Unit, Jean Lorougnon Guédé University, Daloa, Cote d’Ivoire.
³Science of Nature Training and Research Unit, Nangui Abrogoua University, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire.

The purpose of this study is to determine the morphological diversity and distribution of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) in two preferential agro- ecological growth areas in C?te d’Ivoire, for the sustainable management of the species. Ninety-four (94) trees of G. kola were sampled in Affery (south) and Biankouma (west) and characterized on the basis of 13 quantitative characteristics of the fruit, the general appearance of a plant, leaves and seeds. This study revealed the existence of very significant variability and differences within the trees sampled for most characteristics. Very strong correlations were found among the characteristics of the fruits. On the basis of these characteristics, it emerged that the fruits of the Biankouma area are larger than those of Affery. Ascending hierarchical classification (AHC) structured the trees into three distinct phenotypic groups based on the following discriminating characteristics: fruit height (Hfr), seed mass (Mgr), trunk diameter (Dm), leaf width (largF), Height of first branch (HtF) and width of the petiole (larP). These parameters can be used as a basis for selecting and maintaining the high variability of G. kola. Analysis of the geographical distribution of trees, based on the nearest neighbour model, revealed an aggregate distribution in both areas.

Garcinia kola Heckel, Morphological Variability, Geographical Distribution, Discriminating Characteristics

Komenan, A. , Koffi, K. , Gbotto, A. , Kone, M. , Akaffou, D. , Kouakou, K. , Kouassi, K. and Zoro, B. (2019) Morphological Diversity and Distribution of Garcinia kola Heckel (Clusiaceae) in Two Agro-Ecological Areas of Côte d’Ivoire. American Journal of Plant Sciences, 10, 1871-1887. doi: 10.4236/ajps.2019.1010132.