Variation in Seedling Growth and Morphology of Adansonia digitata in the Sudan: A way Forward for Promoting Species Cultivation

Abstract

The scope of variation in seedling characters of the baobab trees were evaluated at environmental variables level in the Blue Nile and North Kordofan states in Sudan. The present study was conducted in deeming (2014 and 2015) where Baobab seedlings were grown in the nursery of the Faculty of Natural Resources, University of Sinnar. Seedlings were grown for 18 weeks and several morphological characteristics (Stem, hypocotyl, epicotyl, medial leaf, taproot and Root length, stem diameter, number of leaves, Medial leaf Width and thickness, tap root diameter and stomata density, among others) were recorded at different harvesting times, their growth and morphology were studied. The study revealed significant differences (P≤ 0.05) in seedling growth and morphology parameters. In general seedlings from North Kordofan State (drier area), were smaller in the overall measurements. They showed fewer leaves, higher number of stomata, characteristics frequently linked to drought adaptation, in order to accumulate more water as well as avoiding water loss. Results from this study show that there is a great variation in seedling growth and morphology of baobab, which gives opportunities for selection of superior planting material.